Streaming Video Products Redesign Improves the Viewing Experience
Infobase Learning announces major updates to its streaming video platforms. These include Films On Demand for college libraries; Classroom Video On Demand for high schools; and Access Video On Demand for public libraries.
Among the key platform updates are a redesigned interface with better navigation and a new video player. The platform now supports iPad use. It also offers special collections for key producers. In addition, search and browse options have improved. Account administrators also get new tools, including free MARC records for every video. As always, fresh new content is added monthly.
Three Platforms, One Unified Upgrade
“The streaming video products from our Films Media Group and Facts On File brands have revolutionized the face of the video-on-demand industry,” said Mark McDonnell, the president of Infobase Learning. “Making our videos iPad-friendly is an important step in our continued effort to provide customers with added flexibility and convenience and to remain a leader in the field.”
What’s New in the Platform Redesign
Platform enhancements include:
Redesigned Interface
Films On Demand, Classroom Video On Demand, and Access Video On Demand now have a streamlined interface. Librarians, instructors, and learners are now able to navigate and use the platform more efficiently. Additionally, you’ll be able to find and use videos more easily. The revised home page shows a changing list of subjects the institution subscribes to. It also shows recently added videos for each subject.
New Video Player
New dynamic bit-rate switching provides the optimum viewing experience, automatically adjusting within a 200K-through-1.5mb-bit-rate range depending on the type of device being used and the available bandwidth. Users no longer need to select their target bandwidth themselves from a drop-down menu.
Now iPad-Friendly
All of the videos on the platform have been re-encoded in H.264 format to allow playback on any iOS device. With the new video player, users can now watch any titles in their collection on an iPad, iTouch, or iPhone. In addition, the new design is optimized to allow easy navigation of the On Demand platform from either a computer or an iPad with an Internet connection.
New Special Collections for Key Producers
Subscription customers are now able to easily browse titles from some of the most popular producers in the On Demand platform.
Improved Search Options
We’ve also enhanced the basic search with a new Search Assist autocomplete feature. When users type a keyword in the search box, suggested full titles or segment titles that contain that keyword appear. Users can now also cross-search multiple subjects and Special Collections using the Advanced Search options.
Enhanced Admin Portal
The administrative portal features enhanced usage statistics, and MARC records are now available for every title.
