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December 15, 2018
Canadian Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181207 Released
Canadian ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the Canada. For a summary of the release, please refer to the corresponding tag for United States zones.
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December 8, 2018
United States Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181207 Released
General Platform HTML5 Video Conferencing HTML5 Video Editor Live Streaming Media Management United States ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the United States. Please note that this release will be pushed to Canadian zones next week. This release includes over 50+ new features and improvements.
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HTML5 Video Conferencing Now Offers Toll-Free Dial-In Options – We’ve added new phone dial-in options for attendees to join and participate in video conferences. The toll-free access capability is available to users of our video conferencing products. Keep in mind that this is still in beta so we will continue to be enhancing the toll-free dial-in capabilities over the coming month.
- Improvements to Storage Calculations for Transfer of Owner Scenarios – We improved the accuracy of user account quotas in situations where content is transferred via the Change Owner capability. We also enhanced the accuracy across a number of additional edge-cases.
- Improve Blackboard Assignment Integration – We deepened our Blackboard Assignment integration with improved capabilities to view embedded content within Blackboard Assignments and related screens within the Blackboard LMS.
- Faster and More Responsive External Captioning Permissions UI – To better support large organizations (35,000+ users), we optimized the External Captioning Permissions dialog. At the same time, we modernized aspects of the UI to more consistent with the Platform.
- Improved Mobile Live Streaming Support – We resolved a number of issues to improve live streaming on mobile devices, particular more recent iOS devices. Also improved layout of the embedded Live Stream Player. Cloud-Hosted Media Recoverability Infrastructure – Next week, we will be updating the Apple Capture application to include complete Media Recoverability. Media recoverability enables abruptly terminated or incorrectly terminated recordings to be uploaded and restored without manual intervention.
By moving the recovery process to the cloud, it enables us to continue to fine-tune and strengthen the recovery algorithms without necessitating end-users’ update their software capture applications. Software Capture on PC – which already has local media recoverability – will also benefit from this new architecture in a future release that we have planned.
In the next release, we will be: 1) improving our Visual Analytics ability to quickly process big data workloads (millions of data points) when creating visualization; 2) adding a new Blackboard LMS integrations for creating a Homepage Media Plugin; 3) providing new options within the Video Editor to automatically update indexes and transcripts based on caption edits; and more.
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December 1, 2018
Canadian Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181123 Released
Canadian ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the Canada. For a summary of the release, please refer to the corresponding tag for United States zones.
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November 22, 2018
United States Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181123 Released
General Platform Live Streaming Media Management United States Zones Video EditorWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the United States. Please note that this release will be pushed to Canadian zones next week. This release includes over 100+ new features and improvements.
- “Share with Users” Capability Now Supports Ad-Hoc Folder-Level Sharing – The Share button is now also enabled for folders. Previously, a pre-created shared folder was needed to share content at the folder level. Now, simply select Share Folder within the More Actions menu.
- Ability to Grab the Direct Link and Embed Code to a Media Channel – Content aligned to a Media Channel – most often used as playlists linked to an LMS course – can now be embedded or shared via a direct link to the content. This offers Content Owners flexibility in sharing and sending content aligned to an LMS-linked playlist.
- Shared Folders Now Offer Pre-Generated Embed and Direct Links – Folders within an organization’s Shared Folders now can be shared externally with pre-generated direct link and embed codes.
- Video Editor Top-Bar Offers More Relevant Actions – When users are in the video editor, the primary actions shown in the Top Navigation Bar are now change to Save and Close buttons.
- Video Editor’s Cut Operations Now Offers Improved Play-Head Alignment and Fine Tuning Ability – We re-tooled some the trim operations to offer the ability to establish more accurate cut operations. This is achieved with the following sub-capabilities:
- Playhead and accompanying timestamp will move when trimming the start or end.
- During a trim, set the trim to the playhead when performing a trim-head operation.
- Clicking on an cut opens up a dialog to manually set the edit time.
- Improved Live Stream Synchronization on Both Software and Hardware Platforms – After months of research, we are introducing server-side, time-stamp synchronization that should improve multi-source, live stream synchronization when using either our hardware appliance or desktop-based software applications.Our research indicates that there are two key ways to ensure source synchronization. The first is to “fuse” the streams together during the encoding process and transmit them as a unified stream. Alternatively, we believe our server-side, time-stamping algorithm offers the ability to retain the benefits of true multi-source live streaming while improving the synchronization of streams. We encourage you to provide your feedback on how this algorithm dynamically adjusts – typically after a minute of streaming – to improve the live stream source synchronization during an active live stream.
- Additional Obfuscation of Content Embedded with LTI Deep Linking – Content that is embedded using the CIM-enabled Deep Linking protocol now will perform an additional security check based on the user PID. This helps prevent potentially skimming of content from the HTML code.
- Improved the Front-End Caching Layer When Moving Media Between Folders – We optimized the caching layer by performing a selective cache bypass, in some cases, to avoid getting stale data.
- Hardware Hub Improvements Related to Delayed Start Setting on Device Signals – We now offer the ability to have the Delay Start setting as enabled-by-default, as well as improved video playback robustness in situations where a particular video signal is never present for the entire recording session.
- Improved Zoom API Integration – We implemented a targeted set of changes to improve Zoom integration, status notifications, as well as minor updates to the Admin Panel’s Zoom Connector UI.
- “Share with Users” Capability Now Supports Ad-Hoc Folder-Level Sharing – The Share button is now also enabled for folders. Previously, a pre-created shared folder was needed to share content at the folder level. Now, simply select Share Folder within the More Actions menu.
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November 17, 2018
Canadian Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181109 Released
Canadian ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the Canada. For a summary of the release, please refer to the corresponding tag for United States zones.
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November 10, 2018
United States Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181109 Released
General Platform HTML5 Player HTML5 Video Conferencing Improved Media Management United States ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the United States. Please note that this release will be pushed to Canadian zones next week. This release includes over 125+ new features and improvements.
- An Even Easier-to-Use and More Modern Media Experience
We’ve introduced a more unified and easier-to-use media experience that encompasses better media library navigation elements, clearer primary and secondary action menus, as well as a host of design-forward innovations that appeal to today’s video consumer (hover effects, modern status notifications and more).
- Media Channels Unified with the Central Media Library
Media Channels now open directly within the Manage Media’s All Channels view. This provides a more cohesive experience and further simplifies how users navigate within the Platform. We also offer users the ability to toggle between optimized channel-style viewing and library-style editing experiences.
- New Drag-and-Drop Enabled Left Navigation Element for Faster Folder Transversal and Media Organization
We added a new Left Navigation Bar that provides the ability to quickly navigate sub-folders, move content via drag-and-drop, and publish content to channels via drag-and-drop. We also refined Administrator-level workflows when navigating large volumes of folders and Media Collections.
- Integrated Video Analytics Directly within Video Details
Content Owners will be able to view at-a-glance content analytics directly within the video’s Media Details popup. Users can also delve deeper into the video analytics by simply clicking the See More button.
- Refined Recording Workflow with Improved Notifications
When launching the Software Capture desktop application using the Create Recording button, the UI is clearer and more informative when the software capture is actively launching. The inline pop-up will now automatically disappear after a few moments…one fewer user click.
- Improvements to HTML5 Video Conferencing to Scale to Higher Loads
We added additional load monitoring and fault tolerance to the HTML5 Video Conferencing sub-system. This includes more robust video conferencing replay recording, resolution of a number of smaller issues that could cause a premature disconnection in rare situations and resolution of an issue which prevented users from inviting participants via email. - Improved Audio-Only File Streaming Compatibility with Safari Web Browsers
We improved some aspects of the encoding used to stream MP3 files on Safari web browsers while maintaining optimized audio streaming playback on other browsers. Along the same lines, we expanded our compatibility when encoding rare and older types of MOV file formats. - 50+ Smaller Fixes and Improvements
Additionally, we used this month-long update cycle to resolve over 50+ smaller issues and improvements which we will detail in the upcoming newsletter.
Next release, we’ll be introducing: 1) improved multi-source live stream synchronization for both hardware and software platforms; 2) the ability for individuals to have folder-level sharing via the Share action; 3) the ability to obtain a direct link to both channels and sub-folders within the Shared Folder hierarchy; 4) refinements to the video editing experience when performing granular trims and cuts.
- An Even Easier-to-Use and More Modern Media Experience
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October 20, 2018
Canadian Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181012 Released
Canadian ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the Canada. For a summary of the release, please refer to the corresponding tag for United States zones.
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October 12, 2018
United States Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181012 Released
General Platform HTML5 Video Conferencing Upcoming Update Video EditorWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the United States. Please note that this release will be pushed to Canadian zones next week. This release includes over 25+ new features and improvements.
- Improved Analytics Report Exportation Performance for Large Data Sets – When exporting large raw data sets from the Analytics tab, both the performance and overall capability have been improved.
- Improved Performance of Video Conference Invite for Large Groups of Users – In instances where the available number of internal users or the invite list is large, improved the page responsiveness.
- Improved Performance of Courses & Groups Invite dialog for Large Groups of Courses – In instances where there are thousands of active courses, improved the overall performance of the invite list.
- Improved Performance of the Share dialog for Large User Sets – Improved both the initial load performance and the selector to add additional users. Also added additional asynchronous aspects to improve overall load performance.
- Improved the Video Editor’s Zoom-In-Zoom-Out Rendering Speed – When using the zoom capabilities of the video editor, the audio waveform renders faster and more efficiently.
- Improved the HTML5 Video Conference Replay Stability – Handled additional “edge cases” related to the replay of the video conference afterwards.
- Added “Follow Me” Presentation Mode within HTML5 Video Conference – New capabilities enable viewers to automatically see what’s being presented while the Presenter toggles between documents, whiteboards and screenshares.
We also wanted to provide advanced notice of some workflow improvement and new features that will be available in an upcoming release currently slated for late-October / early-November. This update is focused on creating a more intuitive and design-forward experience for users.
If you’d like to learn more about these updates, please contact your Account Manager to schedule a live training session. Improvements include:
- Unification of Media Channels Navigation Buttons – The View Channels is now part of a unified Media Library. This promotes a more cohesive overall experience – especially for new users – when viewing and managing media. Currently, there are separate “View Channels” and “Upload & Manage” navigation buttons which historically causes some users confusion on which to use.
- Unification of Media Channels into the Media Library – Media Channels interface directly within the Manage Media’s All Channels view. This cohesive experience further simplifies how users navigate within the Platform. We offer users the ability to toggle between the Channel-style and Library-style viewing experience depending on their preference.
- Left Bar Sub-Folder Navigation Capabilities – New Left Bar capabilities simplify navigation across folders and sub-folders. This new folder navigation is also integrated with our existing drag-and-drop for convenient content publishing.
- Resizable Navigation Bar with Improved LMS Layouts – Along with a more compact and resizable Left Navigation Bar, we also have created a more dynamic Media Channels layout when viewed inside LMS windows.
- Quick Access to Video Analytics – Content owners will be able to view summary analytics directly within the Media Details popup, as well as, click to see a more detailed Content Analytics view.
- Clearer Create Recording Workflow with Improved Notifications – When launching the Software Capture desktop application using the Create Recording button, the UI is clearer and more informative.
- Design-Forward Cues and Effects – We incorporated a host of design-forward effects including innovative hover effects when navigating a specific video, modern status notifications and page transition effects. All of them are subtle but focused on creating a more appealing environment for today’s video consumer.
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October 6, 2018
Canadian Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20180928 Released
Canadian ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the Canada. For a summary of the release, please refer to the corresponding tag for United States zones.
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September 28, 2018
United States Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20180928 Released
General Platform HTML5 Video Conferencing HTML5 Video Editor Live Streaming Media Management United States ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the United States. Please note that this release will be pushed to Canadian zones next week. This release includes over 50+ new features and improvements.
- Ability to Setup Device Auto-Schedules Using an Organization-Wide XML Schedule – Administrators can now setup an entire organization’s schedule – or just a few capture device’s schedules – by uploading an XML schedule file.
- Improved Internal Audit Logging for Single-Sign-On Authentication – To improve our Professional Services’ ability to identify issues when performing SSO integrations, we have added more detailed audit logging.
- Ability to Customize Role Names – The terminology we use within the Platform to refer to the three YuJa roles can now be consistent with your organization’s role names. We now offer a new capability to rename roles to mirror your organization’s preferred terminology.
- Uploaded Videos Now Have Full Breadth of Editing Capabilities – We have unified editing functionality across both captures and uploaded media. Previously a few of the more advanced editing capabilities could only be performed on captures.
- Video Editor Supports Ability to Remove a Video Stream – In situations where you wish to remove an extra stream, we now offer the ability to remove a video stream using the editor.
- Video Editor Supports Ability to Create a “Blur” Region – To better support situations where a particular region of the video needs to be redacted, we now offer the ability to define a area of the video that will generate a blur region in the post-edited video.
- Improved Live Stream Player Embedding and Mobile Layout – Improved how the document viewer renders in embedded scenarios, resolved some issues with the chat box and improved layout on mobile devices.
- Ability to Setup Device Auto-Schedules Using an Organization-Wide XML Schedule – Administrators can now setup an entire organization’s schedule – or just a few capture device’s schedules – by uploading an XML schedule file.