Films for the Humanities & Sciences Group
Educational Video in the Digital World
Who We Are
Films for the Humanities & Sciences - high level academic
titles, covering every subject area, licensed on an exclusive
basis. Videos, CD-ROMs and DVDs.
Cambridge Educational - producer and distributor of
programs in career development and life skills, as well as
academic Videos, CD-Roms, DVDs, posters, some books.
Meridian Education- producer and distributor of life skills
programs. Videos, DVDs and CD-ROMs.
Shopware - producer of software for vo-tech market.
All together, more than 12,000 titles, and growing!
Who We Are
The widest variety. The largest selection.
Content versus Format
• Delivery format has evolved over the years:
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Film to videocassette
Beta vs. VHS
Laser discs to CD-ROMs
DVD
• Today’s preferred format is still VHS, but DVD hard
copies and digital distribution usage are on the rise.
We are not hardware providers. We are content providers.
Mission Statement
• Our mission has always been to provide
high quality content to our customers in
whatever format they need.
• We will continue to seek ways to provide
quality programs to be used with new
learning environments.
Our Commitment to You
We will help you:
• Continue to use your existing collection in new
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•
•
•
technologies
Continue to add new titles to your content library
Have the choice of format that best suits your
unique needs
Provide faculty and students with flexible access to
instructional resources
Bring learning to any location on and off campus
Education Market Conditions
Economic Uncertainty
• Reduction of available funds
• Delays in decision-making
Technologic Uncertainty
• Many institutions paralyzed by fear of
placing bets on “wrong” technology
• Many hardware companies will try to
package content with servers, leaving
you with little choice and no control of
collections
Education Market Conditions
Technology
Initiatives
Visionary institutions
are making decisions
on what kinds of
digital delivery
systems will serve
their needs.
Standardization of
formats and digital
delivery technologies
will follow.
Economic
Up Cycle
As the economy
rebounds, grant
and technology
money will be
available.
Be prepared!
Digital Transmission Today
We partner with many colleges, universities and school systems
making the transition to digital content delivery.
Digital Definitions
Synchronous transmission
The term applies to the closed circuit delivery of video from
a server to a receiver at a specific time and at a particular
location with no interaction on the part of the user.
Asynchronous transmission
The term applies to the closed circuit delivery of video from
a server to multiple users in multiple locations at times
chosen by the users. Also called video-on-demand.
Distribution Flow
With Purchase of a Physical Copy
Transmission Options:
District
• Single User Check Out System
• Delivery of Physical Copy for
use in Library or Classroom
School
• Closed Circuit System for
Delivery to Schools
Library,
Classroom
Distribution Flow
With a Digital License
Transmission Options:
District or
School
• Single user through main
server
• Download directly to a single
Main Server
location such as library,
classroom or learning lab
• Closed circuit system for onsite
delivery through a server
School
Library
Classroom Learning Lab
Benefits of Digital Transmission
• “Borderless Learning” - outside of traditional classroom
and media center (dorm, distance learning, WebCT, etc.)
• Opportunity for integration of video and text
• Choice of formats for high quality transmission DVD, SP Beta, etc.
• Flexible - hard copy, streaming, etc.
• Secure - content can be more tightly controlled
Many of our over 12,000 titles are now available
to be licensed for digital transmission.
Copyright Issues
• Copyright guidelines say you cannot
change format unless permission is
granted from the copyright holder.
• Since digital transmission is so new, the
digital rights might not have been cleared
for a particular program.
• We are working with providers to clear all
rights to our collection of over 12,000
titles.
• Keeping up with the changes in education
and technology is a real challenge for all
of us.
At FFH we will
continue to work
hard so we can
deliver our
programs to you in
the most convenient
and accessible
format within the
copyright laws.
Pricing Comparisons
Individual School:
If Program is Owned:
100 Titles x $50 Digital Copy Fee= $5,000
If Program Needs to Be Purchased:
Ex. $89.95 program x 100 Titles = $8995 + $5000= $13,995
Consortium:
If Program is Owned:
100 Titles x $200 Network License= $20,000
If Program Needs to Be Purchased:
Ex. $89.95 program x 100 Titles = $8995 + $20,000= $28,995
Cost Benefits
Individual School Purchase:
100 Titles x $50 Digital Copy Fee= $5,000
Consortium Purchase:
100 Titles x $200 Network License= $20,000
• If 10 Schools in Consortium- $20,000/10= $2000 per school
Savings of $3,000 per School
and $30,000 Total
Consortium Pricing Variables
• Number of Schools in Consortium
• Type of Institution (Higher Ed, Vo-Tech)
• Buying Policies
• Program Titles Being Considered
FFH-Consortium
Partnership
• Individual institutions will see benefits in
working with consortia to handle technology
needs
• Content sharing through digital
• Centralized and bulk purchases
Partnership of Experts is Key
• Institutions that are making a successful
transition to digital distribution of content
have strong partnerships among:
 Media collection experts
 Technology experts
 Faculty and staff
 Content providers (vendors,consortia)
• Result:
 Win/Win for the institution
 Faculty and Students have access to the
best content using the best technology.
Partnership of Experts is Key
Films for the Humanities & Sciences