FlipFactory
Frequently
Asked Questions
How
does FlipFactory enable streaming media production?
FlipFactory
automates the encoding and distribution of
streaming media by taking source video, simultaneously
transcoding (flipping) it into multiple streaming
formats and bit rates and sending it to FTP
servers, web servers, content delivery networks
(CDNs) and individual mailboxes. It guarantees
that each user gets the format they need and
does it all through a streamlined, automated
process.
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Who
would use FlipFactory in their process?
FlipFactory
will save time and effort for anyone who creates
and distributes large quantities of streaming
media:
- Broadcasters
re-purposing content for web sites.
- Corporations
delivering training videos via corporate
intranets.
- Educators
and healthcare providers extending audience
reach.
- ISPs
and content distribution companies managing
hundreds of caches.
- Content
owners generating new revenues from existing
archives.
- Government
agencies exchanging videos communications
anywhere in the world.
- Post
houses and new media companies simplifying
streaming media creation and delivery.
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What
applications can be streamlined with FlipFactory?
Publishing
multiple formats:
A Fortune 500 company creates hours of training
material every day, all of which need to be turned
into streaming media and distributed to a multi-national
workforce. Original training material is loaded
from tape onto a Telestream ClipMail Pro for
automatic encoding to high-quality MPEG files
and delivery to a local server running FlipFactory.
Configured to produce 2 bit rates each for Windows
Media, RealVideo, and QuickTime, FlipFactory
automatically transcodes and delivers the training
content to the 3 streaming servers at the company's
hosting partner.
Flipping
on demand (zero level caching):
A cable channel wants to provide web access
to its media archive. To simplify storage, all
media are digitized in one high-quality MPEG
format. When a request to browse a clip comes
in through the website, FlipFactory localizes
the file, flips it into the proper format, inserts
a watermark to protect owner's rights, and delivers
the file to the streaming server for immediate
playout. Then, when customers choose to purchase
clips, FlipFactory delivers them in the specified
high-quality format.
Re-purposing
content to the web:
A
television broadcaster needs to re-purpose or
syndicate content created for broadcast transmission
for web delivery. The content can originate from
an on-air server or it can be encoded by ClipMailPro
from a videotape or it can come from an editing
system. Once the content is in an MPEG1 or MPEG2
format it is sent to the FlipFactory server.
The Factory is configured to produce several
bit rates of QuickTime, Windows Media and Real.
The streaming versions produced by the Factory
are delivered directly to the CDN partner.
Collaboration
distribution:
A
post-production company has to deliver a rough
cut of a new commercial. Over 30 people need
copies: at the client, its agencies, and consultants.
A Telestream ClipMail Pro delivers the commercial
as high-quality MPEG to the FlipFactory server,
which flips it into each recipient's specified
format. Recipients are then automatically notified
by email with links to the media or attached
files.
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How
does FlipFactory differ from desktop applications?
FlipFactory
is an enterprise class software infrastructure
solution intended for high output users. It
runs on the server of your choice, is fully
scalable and load balanced and can automate
the delivery of media from the source to the
network. Desktop based solutions typically
are not easily integrated into larger solutions,
are not automated, and are not scalable.
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Can
FlipFactory handle more than one streaming format
at a time?
Yes,
FlipFactory can produce multiple streaming
formats simultaneously. Throughput is dependent
on the number and speed of processors as well
as media formats.
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Does
FlipFactory run on industry standard hardware and
software platforms?
Yes,
FlipFactory runs on industry standard Pentium
class single or multi-processor servers running
Windows 2000 Server.
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How
do I get a file from my editing system into FlipFactory?
You
have two options: One is to render a single
file, eg QuickTime, that is placed in a folder
which the FlipFactory server has access to.
A second option is to play out the program
from the editing system in real time and simultaneously
encode it with a Telestream appliance in a
high quality MPEG format. The MPEG file can
then be easily sent by the appliance to FlipFactory
across a LAN or WAN.
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Can
I control FlipFactory from my own application,
rather than the FlipFactory Console web application
provided?
Yes,
with the optional Enterprise Integration Package,
you get the documentation, sample code and
support you need to configure customized factories
and submit media from your own web based applications.
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