VidMid Working Group

Video-on-Demand Directory Scenarios

First Draft

May 29, 2001

 

 

The role of directories in the access, retrieval and use of video-on-demand (vod) assets is not currently very substantial, but, as in the case of videoconferencing, expanding the functionalities of directories should greatly enhance the flexible use of vod assets.

 

The current most common role of directories is to provide authentication: A video asset is password protected enabling access for a specified group (students in a class, for example), or persons in an institutional domain (everyone at utk.edu, for example).

 

As with the examples outlined in the videoconferencing scenarios, the functionalities in the following scenarios have not yet been implemented. Some of these functionalities are relevant to and can be exploited by both technologies.

 

  1. The owner of a video asset will be able to assign user rights and permissions by referring to a DoD. For example, the content owner wanting to provide access to the VidMid working group only need not necessarily know the directory specifics for each working group member, but refer to the “VidMid directory” only. Access can be either password or certificate based.

 

  1. Differential user access (view, download, copy, modify, etc.) will be supported by DoD; for example, VidMid members only may download and modify.

 

  1. Differential access within the video asset will also be supported in the same way. The object-level functionalities of MPEG-4, for example, will require authentication at the granular object level: an instructor may wish to give selected viewers permission to change the visual properties or modify an object within an video.

 

  1. The emergence of modification capabilities, including object-level modification, will necessitate a baseline and journaling function that captures user and usage information.

 

  1. A directory entry can contain or link to an index of video assets created or owned by the user. The index will include details on formatting, required players/clients, location of assets, IPR information, etc. Some of these assets may be archived videoconferencing sessions. A user will be able to easily and transparently add assets, assign user and usage rights, and standardized metadata to their content. This entry should not replace metadatabases, however.

 

  1. Role of directories in billing/accounting – embellish.