April 16, 2002 - Tufts Computing and Communication Services (TCCS) and Tufts University Television (TUTV) announced today that they are jointly beta testing a new media system that will enable TUTV to deliver (or "stream") its signal over the Tufts Data Network.
Known as the "Digital Video Network Project" (DVNP), the collaboration between TCCS and TUTV represents approximately nine months of discussion, research, and testing. The DVNP is the first project to materialize under the auspices of the Tufts Streaming Initiative (TSI), an ad-hoc IT program begun early last fall.
"Over the past few years, Tufts has invested many millions of dollars upgrading and improving the speed of its data network. Streaming high-definition video is a perfect example of an application for which these 'fatter pipes' were intended," says TUTV's Director of Technology, George Farish.
While the initial focus of the DVNP is to stream TUTV content over the Tufts Data Network, the success of the project could likely lay the groundwork for other projects which involve wide-scale video distribution. As an example, academic departments could use the technology to stream their own content, be it recorded lectures or externally produced programming. Furthermore, real-time videos of public events could soon be streamed to all desktops connected to the Tufts Data Network, including those located beyond the Medford campus.
The media system that is currently being tested will be activated within the next week or two. Initially, the TUTV signal will be streamed to all buildings on the Medford campus with the exception of the dormitories. Due to current network upgrades, dormitories will not receive access to the stream until the fall semester.
The DVNP is sponsored by a $10,000 grant from the Spaulding Potter Fund for Innovation Education.
ABOUT TCCS
Tufts Computing and Communications Services (TCCS) is committed to providing excellent service and support to all Tufts faculty, staff, and students. Under the leadership and direction of Vice President for Information Technology, Bruce Metz, TCCS operates through four directorates: Networks and Telecommunications, Administrative Computing, Academic Technology, and IT Support Services. For more information about TCCS, please visit http://www.tufts.edu/tccs.
ABOUT TUTV
Tufts University Television (TUTV) is the official television station of Tufts University. Chartered by the Arts, Sciences, and Engineering faculty, supervised by the Experimental College, and managed by students, TUTV provides the Tufts community with a creative outlet for producing television and film. The TUTV office and studios are located on the second floor of Curtis Hall. For more information about TUTV, please visit http://ase.tufts.edu/tutv.
ABOUT TSI
The Tufts Streaming Initiative (TSI) is a university-wide, ad-hoc IT program whose on-going mission is to stimulate and help guide the development of robust, cross-campus streaming projects. For more information about TSI, please visit http://ase.tufts.edu/tsi.