Ontario colleges and universities are a step closer to sharing an IPTV platform over the ORION network, able to showcase Ontario student and education content on campus to a wider audience.

Nearly 100 people attended a workshop at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, confirming a strong desire among schools to take the concept forward to the next stage.

The purpose of the workshop was to explore interest and ascertain what kinds of content schools are producing today and to look at what would be involved in launching a channel with Video-on-Demand capability.

The discussions also touched on the potential for such a network or channel to support learning and training opportunities, and as a test bed for research and development in digital and IP broadcast technologies.

"Ideally, we'd like to launch a pilot or proof of concept within 12 to 18 months, involving a small number of Ontario colleges and universities," says ORION Director of Public Affairs, Andre Quenneville.

Among the issues to be addressed are format and structure, technology, governance and administrative issues, intellectual rights, as well as potential sources of funding.

The project follows growing interest among postsecondary institutions to explore the possibility of hosting an Ontario IP-based channel over ORION.

The channel would provide a platform for students, faculty and institutions to post live and on-demand content, including documentaries, animation, films, research, digital media, performance art, as well as lectures, student news or journalism programming, taking advantage of ORION's capabilities as an advanced, next-generation network for enhanced transmission of digital content, as well as video-on-demand and other related services, such as multicasting.

Ontario's film, TV/video, broadcast journalism, new media and animation programs enjoy an international reputation for quality and innovation. However, much of the content produced by students and faculty remains within institutional walls and is not actively shared with broader, external audiences. "That's a missed opportunity to showcase and raise awareness of the pool of talent and expertise developed and nurtured within Ontario in film, broadcast and digital media," says Quenneville.

ORION and Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning agreed to join forces to co-host a full-day workshop recently to explore the possibility of launching an educational IPTV channel for Ontario colleges and universities.

The day's program included presentations from Sheridan, Ryerson University and the University of Waterloo, sharing their experiences of launching campus-wide TV channels or working with companies on IPTV initiatives. Amy Philipson, executive director of the Research Channel, joined the workshop via videoconference from Seattle, giving an overview of the channel and its plans for the future. Guests included Shane Walker, an IPTV consultant from the U.S. who explained what is involved in setting up an educational IPTV channel.

Workshop participants included deans, chairs and professors of the various media, communications, and arts programs of colleges, universities, and research institutions, as well as information technology and network staff.

A number of exhibits were also on display, including Gold Sponsor INUK Networks and Bronze Sponsor 18 to 24 Inc., as well as institutional initiatives including Brock TV, Cambrian College's eDome, ePresence, TV Loyalist, MedSchoolTV (University of Toronto), Ontario College of Art & Design, Sheridan TV, Virtual Researcher On Call (VROC), and Wilfrid Laurier University.

Workshop participants were asked to contribute feedback on key areas, including content and programming, technology, platform and infrastructure issues, and operations, management and funding.

The result of that consultation, along with the findings of a pre-workshop Discussion Paper and Survey, will assist a newly established steering committee to take the project to the next stage, including the establishment of key working groups.

Read the workshop summary report at www.orion.on.ca/iptvworkshop.


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