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Digital Media Overview
What is Films On Demand?
Films On Demand is a state-of-the-art streaming video platform that makes it easier
than ever to incorporate outstanding educational programs from Films Media Group
into your content management systems, online lesson plans, distance learning courseware,
or electronic card catalog system. Most titles are available for individual lease
or purchase, or you can buy access to large curriculum-focused collections on a
subscription basis.
What are the benefits of using Films On
Demand?
The ability to view digital video in real time provides instant access to your entire
video collection from any computer with a high-speed Internet connection. There's
no need to track down borrowed or misplaced VHS tapes or DVDs. And the Films On
Demand interface provides access to enhanced functionality that allows you to take
complete control of your video content and your students' viewing experience. You
can use Films On Demand to search for specific video segments, organize videos into
folders, and create personal playlists for others to view. You can also integrate
videos directly into online card catalog systems and distance learning courseware.
And by using Films On Demand, you will have access to usage reports that provide
you with valuable information about which videos are being watched and how often.
How does video streaming work?
Streaming technology allows you to access high quality video content via the Internet.
Instead of downloading an entire video file before viewing it, streaming allows
you to begin viewing the video immediately while the rest of the program downloads
in the background. Using a computer with a high-speed Internet connection, you can
stream videos from any location.
What digital video file formats are available?
Films On Demand now provides videos as Flash Video streams with Windows Media and
QuickTime also available for most titles. Flash Videos can be streamed at 400k,
700k, or 1500k bitrates. Windows Media and QuickTime streams are 300k. Higher bitrates
deliver excellent resolution when video is viewed in full-screen mode or projected.
Lower bitrates may be better choices in limited-bandwidth environments.
Films On Demand Video Programming
What video programs are available on Films
On Demand?
Films On Demand combines our newest videos with many of our best-selling programs
to provide you with an up-to-date, cross-curricular digital library that spans high
school, advanced placement and college needs. Select one video or 1,000 programs
- the choice is yours! With more than 6,000 available titles, Films On Demand allows
you to customize your school or library’s video collection to meet your specific
content needs.
How can I see a list of current programs
available on Films On Demand?
You can visit the Films On Demand Digital Options page to access a list of available
individual titles and subject-specific collections. Or you can use the
Advanced Search page on our e-commerce website (
www.films.com)
to limit your search to only digital titles.
On average, 600 new programs are digitized, segmented and made available via Films
On Demand every year. For our customers with subscriptions to collections, the appropriate
programs are automatically added to your account and you will receive an email notifying
you of the new titles as they become available.
Why are some programs available on DVD/VHS
but not on Films On Demand?
Films Media Group currently offers more than 6,000 titles on Films On Demand and
is digitizing and uploading an average of 600 additional programs annually. Many
older or specialized titles from our backlist that have not yet been added to Films
On Demand may be requested by contacting our Sales Department at
sales@films.com. Unfortunately, in other cases FMG has been unable to obtain
digital rights from the producers.
Films On Demand Pricing
What does each Films On Demand program
cost?
There are two basic options for acquiring individual digital video titles through
Films On Demand: 3-year lease or outright purchase. In most cases, the cost of a
3-year lease is equal to the list price of the hard copy (DVD/VHS). A digital video
may be purchased for your permanent collection for two times the cost of a 3-year
lease. Both options include full public performance rights and unlimited, 24/7 concurrent
access by authorized faculty, staff, and students at your institution. Discounts
are available for lease or purchase of multiple titles and/or for use at multiple
institutions. Subscription plans are also available (see below). For additional
information, please call 800-257-5126 and press 3 for a media consultant to assist
you.
Do you offer a subscription service?
Yes! After many requests, we now offer virtually our entire digital video library
on an annual subscription basis. Videos are grouped into curriculum-based collections
that are available separately or as a comprehensive master collection. The annual
cost is based on the type and size of your institution. Discounts are available
for multiple institutions who subscribe together. As with all our digital video
options, the subscription service includes full public performance rights and unlimited,
24/7 concurrent access by authorized faculty, staff, and students. (Note: Individual
videos are not available by subscription.) For additional information, including
a free trial, please call 800-257-5126 and press 3 for a media consultant to assist
you.
What if I already own a lot of your titles?
As a valued customer, we will work with you to convert your VHS/DVD collection to
Films On Demand. Our media consultants can provide you with a customized offer that
will make this transition simple and cost-effective. For additional information
about converting your existing video library to Films On Demand, please call 800-257-5126
and press 3 for a media consultant to assist you.
What discounts are available for leasing/purchasing
multiple programs?
If you intend to lease/purchase multiple digital programs through Films On Demand,
we will work with you to provide a pricing structure that takes into consideration
bulk sales, multiple year leases, multiple location access, and the conversion of
your existing DVD/VHS titles to digital. Please call 800-257-5126 and press 3 for
a media consultant to assist you.
Films On Demand Functionality
How do I access programs from Films On
Demand?
Once you lease a digital video program or subscribe to a collection from Films Media
Group you will be able to access your programs directly from Films On Demand at
digital.films.com. Simply log in with your
user name and password and you will be able to immediately view any programs in
your digital collection. Additional authentication options are also available. To
learn more about the supported authentication methods, download the
Films On Demand Authentication
Options PDF.
The Films On Demand platform provides you with features that allow you to control
how the video content is used and viewed within your school or library.
Some of the basic functionality of Films On Demand includes the ability to:
- Access your digital content, anytime and anywhere you need it
- View full-length video programs in your digital collection
- View pre-defined segments from each program
- Create personal playlists to assemble full-length videos and/or segments into a
classroom presentation or to share with students for out-of-class viewing
- Integrate videos into electronic card catalog systems or distance learning course
- Search your digital video library by title or segment using keywords, subjects,
and other criteria
- Browse your digital video library using a curriculum-based taxonomy
- Organize your digital videos into custom folders for quick and easy access to your
favorite titles and segments
The categories displayed in the View By Subject navigation area correspond to video
content acquired by your institution. If you have not acquired access to any videos
in a particular subject area, that category is grayed out and the link is inactive.
Please note that many videos and segments are appropriate for use in multiple subjects.
As such many titles are cross-listed in more than one subject category, and this
cross-listing may result in a correlation that is different from your own use of
that
How do I play Films On Demand video in
full screen?
Full-screen support is only available when using Microsoft's Windows Media Player.
To enter full-screen mode, please follow these steps:
- Start playing the video in Windows Media Player
- Right-click anywhere within the player
- Select the "Zoom" option
- Select the "Full Screen" option
- To exit, right-click anywhere within the player, and select "Exit Full Screen"
To enter full-screen mode in Flash, click the “window extend” icon on the right
of the Flash video player.
Yes, many of our titles support closed captioning. Closed captioning is available
using Windows Media Player and Flash Player. For Windows Media, if the "CC" icon
appears below the video window, simply click on it to activate captions. For Flash
Video, click the “chat bubble” icon embedded in the right side of the Flash player
to toggle the captions on or off. You may configure your default caption settings
using the “My Preferences” page.
How Do I view captions in Windows Media
full-screen mode?
In full-screen mode, you must first configure Windows Media 11 to support captions.
You need to do the following steps one time only:
1. Start playing the video in Windows Media Player
2. Enter full-screen mode (for instructions, see below)
3. Right-click anywhere within the player
4. Select the "Lyrics, Captions, and Subtitles" option
5. Select the "Subtitles" option
6. Right-click within the player again
7. Select the "Exit Full Screen" option
8. Enter full-screen mode again, and the captions will now play
What are title URLs and playlists?
Title URLs are free-standing, persistent URLs of for specific videos that can be
shared within your institution, integrated into an electronic card catalog system,
or placed in any course management system. Every title in your Films On Demand collection
comes with a pre-configured Title URL. These can be found on the “View Video” page
in the “Details” tab.
Playlists are customized links that can consist of any combination of segments and/or
full videos. Users can create playlists by using the “Playlist” tab on the “View
Video” page. A single segment or multiple segments from a video can be selected
to create a playlist. Segments from multiple programs can also be combined into
a single playlist. Once a playlist has been created, it can be edited by accessing
the “My Playlists” tab. Custom playlists will all have a free-standing, persistent
URL that can be shared with students or others in your institution.
Why do Title URL's look different?
We have recently updated the format to add a layer of authentication. Any of the
old format Title URLs that you have catalogued will still work, but all new Titles
moving forward will have this new format.
The new format automatically includes information about your account, including
IP authentication data if you are using an IP range. If you are not using IP-based
authentication, these new links will take you to a login page, and then once you
log in, it will take you to the video.
In addition, the new Title URL will now bring you into the platform to view the
video, and will offer full browsing and search functionality.
What are Segment URLs?
Segment URLs are free-standing, persistent URLs of for specific video segments that
can be shared within your institution, integrated into an electronic card catalog
system, or placed in any course management system. Every segment in your Films On
Demand collection comes with a pre-configured Segment URL. These can be found on
the “View Video” page in the “Segments” tab.
How do I access a playlist?
Playlists can be accessed via a playlist code or a playlist link. To use a playlist
code, students can access a specific playlist by entering the code into the playlist
login box on the Films On Demand home page. To find the code for a playlist that
you have created, log into the “My Playlist” tab in Films On Demand. To use playlist
links, your collection will need to be configured for proxy server authentication.
With authentication, a secure page listing all your collection's playlists can be
easily accessed by your students. Please contact FMG or your school’s administrator
for more information
Can I post a video or playlist link on
the Internet?
Customers may make videos, segments, or playlists freely available for viewing by
authorized users within a secure environment using approved authentication procedures.
Links may be posted on a course management system, institutional web site, or online
card catalog, provided these are accessible only to authorized users. Customers
or users are prohibited from making a video or any part thereof available to any
person or organization that is not an authorized user. This includes web sites such
as YouTube and other publicly-accessible electronic networks, blogs, forums, and
social networking services. Links to FMG content that are posted on information
services such as OCLC’s WorldCat must require logging in by an authorized user to
view the video. Other permitted and prohibited uses are described in the Digital
License Agreement.
Films On Demand Technical Questions
What are the technical requirements to
use Films On Demand?
Films On Demand supports most Windows and Macintosh operating systems. High-speed
Internet access is required with a minimum of 380 kbps DSL, or 500 kbps Cable Modem
connectivity. Because Films On Demand provides the opportunity to view videos at
different bitrates, users can select the option that best fits their bandwidth needs.
For additional technical information, download the
Films On Demand Technical Requirements PDF.
Films On Demand can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. All you need is a high-speed
Internet connection and a computer that meets the minimum technical requirements.
Depending on the authentication options you select, remote access will be possible
for educators and students. To learn more about the supported authentication methods,
download the
Films On Demand Authentication Options PDF.
If you have administrative permission, you will be able to access meta-data information,
view title and collection status, view playlist URLs, manage users, and view usage
statistics for every title and segment in your Films On Demand collection. The Administrator
options are found within the “My Preferences” tab.
What authentication options are available
for Films On Demand?
Films On Demand supports both IP and Proxy authentication. We can provide a specific
Films On Demand URL that is authenticated to the on-campus IP ranges of your institution.
Similarly, we can provide a Films On Demand URL that is authenticated to the IP
address of your proxy server for off-campus use. This options works well for any
institution wishing to utilize their EzProxy access. To learn more about the supported
authentication methods, download the
Films On Demand Authentication Options PDF.
The following meta-data is available for every Films On Demand title and segments:
FMG Item #, Title, Description, Copyright Date, and Run-Time. All of the available
meta-data can be printed or exported as a Microsoft Excel document. The meta-data
is available for Administrators within the “My Preferences” tab.
Are MARC Records available for titles
in Films On Demand?
MARC records are not typically created for digital streaming video titles. MARC
records for most DVD & VHS items are available from Films Media Group, and some
institutions have adapted these for digital use. To inquire about availability and
cost of these records, please call 800-257-5126 and press 2 for a customer service
representative to assist you. Other institutions have used FMG-provided metadata
as substitutes for MARC records.
Can Films On Demand Titles be added to
an online card catalog system?
Yes, titles in Films On Demand can be added to an online card catalog system. Using
the available meta-data and the Title URL link, a card catalog entry can be created.
If the card catalog is accessible to people outside of the purchasing institution,
the Title URLs must be authenticated to prevent unauthorized access.
Can digital video programs be downloaded
to my computer from Films On Demand?
The current version of Films On Demand does not allow individual users to download
video files to their computers or mobile devices
I am having problems using Firefox and
Windows Media 11.
A plug-in is required to solve some issues encountered when using Firefox, Windows
Media 11, and Windows XP or Vista. Known issues include a shifting of the Windows
Media player and an over-sized video when playing 600k bit rate files. Click Click
here to download the Firefox plug-in. After installation, you will need
to restart your Firefox browser.
When importing a Title URL into your Course Management System, try copying the link
as plain text as opposed to setting it as a web link. Also, make sure when copying
the link that you do not copy any additional spaces at the end of the URL. Some
Course Management Systems, such as Angel, can be rigid in how they accept URLs and
that extra space could cause an issue.
Find Out More
Where can I find more information about
the Films On Demand technical requirements?
Where can I find more information about
how to use Films On Demand?
QuickStart
Guide PDFs are also available to provide you with simple steps for using
the most common features of Films On Demand. Registered users can also access interactive
Flash tutorials about how to use many of the available features of Films On Demand
– these can be found in the “Help” center.
Can I try Films On Demand for free?
Films On Demand can be previewed for free by qualified librarians and educators.
To see if you are eligible for trial access to a sample of individual titles or
our subject collections, contact one of our media consultants at 800-257-5126 (press
3).
How can I contact someone to learn more
about Films On Demand?
If you have any questions about Films On Demand, please don't hesitate to call 800-257-5126
and press 3 for a media consultant to assist you. If you require technical support,
please contact us at 888-744-6398 or via email at
support@films.com.