Streaming Service Level Agreement

The Bates College Digital Media Studios is prepared to work with you to stream your live events. This Service Level Agreement is developed in order to help you, our customer, understand the type of service we provide, along with the expectations of both you, the customer, and us the service provider. Please note that while much of the equipment used is the same, the recording support provided by ILS/CTES and the streaming support provided by ILS/DMS are different services. Also, the live production of the event (sound, video presentations) is a different service from the streaming of the event.

Types of Streaming

There are two main types of streaming services we provide, on campus overflow and off campus viewership. Either of these types may be matched up with any level of streaming. Also, the two types of streaming can be done together, you can have an overflow and stream to off campus.

On campus overflow

This service is for customers who are hosting an event they expect will exceed the seating capacity of the location they have chosen. We would stream from the original location, to an unlimited number of remote locations, on campus. All on campus overflow events will be streamed at the maximum resolution of the remote location. This will provide an exceptional quality image at the remote location.

Off campus viewers
This service is for customers who are hosting an event that they believe will be of interest to off-campus constituents. CTES will provide the bandwidth and other services required to provide the stream to the outside world. The standards we use for outside streaming include the following:

• HTTP Streaming for iDevices
• Flash Stream for standard browsers, with a bitrate of 1.2 kbps
• Buffer-time of 10 seconds. This results in a ten second delay, but allow for a more continuous stream once the event begins

Network Connectivity
Streaming requires a robust network connection. Many locations on campus are equipped with such a connection, but there are several locations that are not. We urge you to contact us well in advance of any streaming, so we can help you work through what locations have this capacity and which locations do not. If an event is scheduled to take place in a location without network capabilities, there are timing and budget implications to getting the networking in place. Again, early notification is critical to ensure a successful event.

Levels of Streaming
Single Camera, No Production
Approximate Cost for a 2 hr. event (including setup, testing, pre-planning): $600
This event requires a single camera and camera person. The event is most likely one in which there is a single person speaking at a time, likely from a podium. The person will not have any integrated presentations (such as PowerPoint or videos).
Expectations of DMS:

• Hire the vendor who will run the video camera.
• Provide all equipment for streaming.
• Verify functionality of remote viewing location (provided they are Bates supported spaces).
• Provide name of technical contact person at event.

Expectations of Customer:

• Identify and reserve all remote viewing locations. Remote viewing locations should be reserved for a minimum of 2 hours in advance of event for proper testing.
• Cover the cost of the vendor running the video camera.
• Provide name of contact person at the event.

Single Camera, Full Production
Approximate Cost for a 2 hr. event (including setup, testing, pre-planning): $1,000
This event requires a single camera and camera person. The event is most likely one in which there is a single person speaking at a time, likely from a podium. This person may have integrated presentations (such as PowerPoint or videos). The customer may also desire to have titles and effects added to the video stream.

Expectations of DMS:

• Hire the vendor who will run the video camera.
• Provide all equipment for streaming.
• Verify functionality of remote viewing location (provided they are Bates supported spaces).
• Provide a Technical Director for event.

Expectations of Customer:

• Identify and reserve all remote viewing locations. Remote viewing locations should be reserved a minimum of 2 hours in advance of event for proper testing.
• The event venue must be reserved 4 hours in advance of the event for proper setup and testing.
• Cover the cost of the vendor running the video camera.
• Provide a Producer for the event.
• Provides all graphics, titles and effects for the event, at least 2 days in advance.
• The producer will set aside time at least one day in advance of the event for a demo of the streaming event.

Multiple Camera, No Production

Approximate Cost for a 2 hr. event (including setup, testing, pre-planning): $5,000 +
This event requires multiple cameras and operators. The event is most likely one in which there is a group of people speaking. It may be a panel discussion, or a Q&A session. The presenters will not have any integrated presentations (such as PowerPoint or videos).

Expectations of DMS:

• Hire the vendor who will run the video cameras.
• Provide all equipment for streaming.
• Verify functionality of remote viewing location (provided they are Bates supported spaces).
• Provide name of Technical Director at event.

Expectations of Customer:

• Identify and reserve all remote viewing locations. Remote viewing locations should be reserved a minimum of 2 hours in advance of event for proper testing.
• The event venue must be reserved 2 days in advance of the event for proper setup and testing.
• Cover the cost of the vendor running the video cameras.
• Cover the cost of the vendor providing sound for the stream.
• Provide name of Producer.
• The producer will set aside time at least one day in advance of the event for a demo of the streaming event.

Multiple Cameras, Full Production
Approximate Cost for a 2 hr. event (including setup, testing, pre-planning): $6,000
This event requires multiple cameras and operators. The event is most likely one in which there are multiple people speaking. This person may have integrated presentations (such as PowerPoint or videos). The customer may also desire to have titles and effects added to the video stream.
Expectations of DMS:

• Hire the vendor who will run the video cameras.
• Provide all equipment for streaming.
• Verify functionality of remote viewing location (provided they are Bates supported spaces).
• Provide a Technical Director for event.
• Expectations of Customer:
• Identify and reserve all remote viewing locations. Remote viewing locations should be reserved a minimum of 2 hours in advance of event for proper testing.
• The event venue must be reserved 2 days in advance of the event for proper setup and testing.
• Cover the cost of the vendor running the video camera.
• Provide a Producer for the event.
• Provides all graphics, titles and effects for the event, at least 2 days in advance.

Roles

• Producer (Customer) – The producer develops all graphics and titles for the live event. The producer also will provide the rundown of the event, defining how the event will proceed, where activities will take place, who will be on camera, etc. In multiple camera shoots, or those events requiring production the producer will be on site during the event indicating when effects and titles are to be used and what camera shots will be used.
• Technical Director (DMS) – The technical director is the person who makes sure the technical aspects of the event are working properly. The technical director will load all graphics, titles and effects on to the streaming equipment. They will also be the person who manages the streaming equipment during the event.

Stream Quality
While streaming has come a long way in the past several years, much of the experience is still determined by a viewer’s computer software and network connection. While one viewer in Paris, France may have a great experience, another in Portland, Maine may experience regular buffering during playback. One viewer, may experience low volume while listening from a laptop, while another has a great experience listening from a desktop computer with speakers attached.

Network Connectivity
Streaming requires a robust network connection. Many locations on campus are equipped with such a connection, but there are several locations that are not. We urge you to contact us well in advance of any streaming, so we can help you work through what locations have this capacity and which locations do not. If an event is scheduled to take place in a location without network capabilities, there are timing and budget implications to getting the networking in place. Again, early notification is critical to ensure a successful event.