Frequently Asked Questions

Here are 7 Frequently Asked Questions about Vermont Media Exchange

• What steps are involved in sharing programs?
There are as many as five steps to sharing.
Uploading: The process of transferring a file from a local hard drive or server to a remote location or server, such as via FTP (file transfer protocol) or peer-to-peer file-sharing.
Downloading: The process of transferring a file from a remote location or server to a local hard drive or server.
Encoding: The process of transforming a digital file or analog program into a digital file format for storage.
Decoding: The process of transforming a digital file into a usable program for viewing and/or playback.
Transcoding: The process of converting a digital file from one file format to another, with varying degrees of quality loss from one generation to the next.

• What digital format is VMX designed to use?
VMX is using MPEG-4 to transfer files because of the manageable size of MPEG-4 files. However, many access centers with digital master control systems at their stations cablecast using MPEG-2 files, so VMX also includes a method for transcoding to and from MPEG-2 and MPEG-4.

• What is a unicast?
Unicast is a term to describe streaming a video and audio signal on the Internet from one point to another. The unicast stream is of high enough quality to be cablecast on an access channel in full frame configuration but does not create video and audio interactivity.

• What is the schedule for VMX installations at access stations?
VMX 2.0 has begun to undergo testing with an expanded Alpha Test Group of nine AMOs in the Alpha Test Group. If all goes well with testing, VMX will roll out to the next large group of AMOs beginning this winter, but timing will depend on software success and other available resources.

• What does my Access Management Organization (AMO) need to do to prepare for VMX?
Use digital files for cablecast: Whether your master control system uses MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 format files, developing ways to store and move digital files on and off your cablecast equipment will make the last step in the VMX installation simpler than if you need to use an analog input/output to/from your playout system.
Understand your local network in your access center: Not surprisingly, internal networks are proving to be one of the more difficult challenges involved with VMX installations. If you have worked with someone to properly network your facility you should discuss the VMX concept with that person and with your master control system vendor to confirm that it will be fairly simple to transfer files on and off your master control system and that you will have a plan for storage of digital files on an appropriate hard drive or on the VMX computer’s 160GB of storage space.
Get a static IP address: All master control systems and their local computer networks on the VMX must have a static IP address. These are obtained through the local cable operator. Static IP addresses are assigned to the modem used to connect to the internet.
Talk to your cable operator: The dominant cable company in Vermont is Comcast, but the Vermont Access Network VMX Governing Committee, working with local AMOs, is approaching the other cable operators to support this effort by contributing, as Comcast has, to the cost of equipment and support to continue developing the VMX statewide network. Two other cable operators are Charter and Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, and there are others in other parts of the state. VAN is working with a cost of $2,325 per AMO to roll out VMX.

• Where can I get more information about VMX?
vermontaccess.net - this web site - is the best place to get information on VMX
vermontaccess.net/statewide is the specific link for VMX information. With the VMX information online there is also a list of Vermont Media Exchange Governing Committee members so you can contact us if you have questions, ideas, or concerns. If you are a VAN member organization, this is also a good place to complete or update your Snapshot Survey or register your Comcast High Speed Internet (HSI) information.