Mediaserver

Looking for a way to use large video files in your teaching? Simply use the university's internal media server. Since 2011, courses at the university have been recorded and made available to students in an easy way on the old media server. The process changed at the beginning of the winter semester 2019/2020. There is now a new MediaCast Plugin (Mediacast 2) in Stud.IP. With this plugin, it is possible to upload videos directly into Stud.IP and make them available to students.

Why use the media server?

The media server service is operated internally within the university and protects files from unwanted external access. Access to the files is determined by instructors. It is possible to make files available to a closed group of users (e.g., students in a course) as well as to any possible users (e.g., all visitors to a website). In this case, files can also be password-protected to add an additional security measure.

The advantages of the media server also include the fact that there are no file size restrictions. It is possible with just a few clicks to copy videos from previous semesters into the new semester to make them available again for students in the new semester. Both instructors and student assistants with the role "Media Tutor" can upload and copy videos in Stud.IP under the assigned course.

How do I use the media server?

Instructors responsible for Stud.IP courses are automatically added to the role of media tutor. This does not apply to tutors of Stud.IP courses. The Stud.IP support team must activate tutors as media tutors. To this end, we ask the responsible instructor of the Stud.IP course to request the activation of tutors as media tutors via email: support@elearning.uni-goettingen.de

Please note that your student assistants must have at least the role of tutor in your Stud.IP course and additionally the role "Media Tutor" in Stud.IP to be able to upload media files under your course.

After you have activated the plugin in your course and have the role of media tutor in Stud.IP, you will find an upload area for uploading media files in your course with the activated Mediacast plugin. You will then have the opportunity to upload your media directly from there into your course. You can upload your video either via drag-and-drop function or via browse function. More information about the technical procedure can be found in the guidelines in the right column. Click here to watch the video with subtitles.

The media server is suitable for...

...video files in various formats that serve teaching purposes. Lecture recordings, learning and teaching videos, and other AV materials find their place here.

Supported file types:
*.lpd, *.mp4, *.wav, *.m4a, *.m4v, *.flv, *.mov, *.avi, *.swf, *.wma, *.wmv, *.mp3, *.pdf, *.f4v, *.txt, ZIP files, VOB video, other .mpg/.mpeg files

The only basic requirement for using the media server is that the uploaded files must serve teaching purposes. If you need an external storage space for your research, you can contact the GWDG .

What pitfalls should I be aware of?

The media server is not a place for archiving large amounts of data, but a server intended to provide AV materials for teaching. Compliance with copyright laws must be observed, just as with other learning/teaching materials.

Depending on the internet connection speed, the time required for uploading can vary (from a few minutes to several hours for a 90-minute video). Especially when uploading from home or from the university's Wi-Fi, it sometimes happens that the progress bar is already fully filled, but the video has not yet been fully uploaded. Simply wait until the "Save" field is no longer grayed out.

Where can I get help?

The instructions in the right column will help you become familiar with the media server. Of course, the support team of the Digital Learning and Teaching Service is available if needed. Send your request to us at support@elearning.uni-goettingen.de.