• February 1, 2019

    Update for YuJa Software Station for PC Available to US Zones

    Uncategorized

    We have successfully pushed an updated YuJa Software Station for PC to all physical zones residing in the United States. A corresponding release will take place in the Canadian and European zones next week.

    1. Improved Media Recoverability for Recordings with Simultaneous Live Streaming
      We’ve built upon the media recovery algorithms transitioned to the Cloud previously by extending PC Capture media recoverability capability in situations of abnormal or improper termination to include recordings that are also being live streamed.
    2. Extended Delcom Button Support
      We extended the Delcom button support available on PC Captures to include improvements to the pause/resume status indicator. Further, we added a stop action initiated by pressing the button for 5 seconds.
    3. General Fixes and Minor Improvements
      We also added about a dozen fixes to various resolution detection, boundary cases, and error handling. Highlights of the fixes are noted below:


      #162774776 – PC Capture – Improved detection of screen resolutions for some unusual resolution sizes such as 3000×2000. Previously the detection would be short a few pixels.
      #162917978 – PC Capture – Resolved rare issue where a Windows scaling factor (such as 125%) could fail to be detected properly and used during resolution size calculation.
      #163135066 – PC Capture – Resolved issue where the application could crash when selecting a Media Channel when authenticating via LDAP.
      #163099963 – PC Capture – Improved error handling where a selected Profile contains a device that is not available or changed name.
      #163373527 – PC Capture – Added lower bound threshold for minimal screen capture area when using the Capture Area capability. Previously an extremely small capture area could result in the recording to fail to process properly.

  • January 22, 2019

    United States Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20190125 Released

    Uncategorized

    We have successfully pushed an update to all physical zones residing in the United States. Please note that this release will be pushed to Canadian and European Union zones next week. This release includes over 75+ new features and improvements.

    1. Media Chooser for Canvas Extension Now Supports Video Quiz Insertion and Multi-Column Gradebook Integration
      We have implemented deeper native LMS-specific integration for Video Quizzes that expand upon the more limited LTI-based Gradebook integration (which we still support). The result is that users can create video quizzes, insert them virtually anywhere in the LMS and better track the results with multi-column gradebook integration. We’ve implemented it for all LMS’s, however we are releasing it officially in stages starting with Canvas, then Blackboard and finally D2L Brightspace and Moodle.

    2. Architectural Changes for Improved Bandwidth Tracking and Deeper Analytics
      The new Bandwidth tab now derive source data directly from the Platform’s Content Delivery Network (CDN) edge nodes. This enables more accurate, timely and detailed analytics data. Additionally, we added tools to gather better insights into bandwidth usage including:

      – Summary Cards providing breakdowns of overall usage, utilization within groups and split between videos and non-video assets
      – Ability to view bandwidth usage by group and by digital asset object
      – “Leaderboard” for bandwidth usage by Top Media and Top Groups

      Please keep in mind that this new sub-system will begin populating with data commencing tonight for all usage henceforth.

    3. Improved Device Scheduling Delegation Capabilities and Opt-Out Options
      To better serve organizations doing auto-scheduled recordings, we’ve introduced more structured workflows to delegate a schedule and provide opt-out options to delegated users. Administrators can delegate session opt-out to a given user who can then review and opt-out of sessions within their My Account -> Upcoming Recordings.

    4. Audio-Only Files Can Now Be Edited with the Video Editor
      The Video Editor’s editing capabilities have been extended to edit audio-only recordings and uploaded audio files.

    5. Ability to Edit-and-Replace-Existing Right Within the Video Editor
      To expedite edit-and-replace video editing workflows, we’ve introduced a new Replace Existing Video option directly integrated into the Save dialog of the Video Editor.

    6. We also implemented about 75 smaller improvements and fixes. Some of the highlights include:

      • Improved the Media Chooser LMS extension to dynamically update for any new recordings made directly from the Create Recording button. This enables click to record and then immediate LMS insertion without requiring a refresh or re-opening the Media Chooser.
      • Improved API integration with Delcom in-room visual integrator integration with Software Capture application including press-button pause/resume capability.
      • Implemented more useful zoom-in and zoom-out capabilities within the Video Editor. This is now easier to use for shorter video files
      • Timeline elements within the Video Editor are now clickable to make adjustments to their options and values.
  • December 29, 2018

    Canadian Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181221 Released

    Canada Zone

    We 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.

  • December 20, 2018

    United States Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181221 Released

    United States Zone

    We 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.

    1. Video Editor Caption Edits Can Now Automatically Update Indices and Transcripts – We added selection toggles to the Video Editor’s Save dialog that enable users to select if they would like their caption edits to also update the index and transcript (both PDF and text transcripts). In the next release, we will be adding some further improvements to provide both a Replace Existing option to complement the Save as New Video option.

    2. Improved Robustness of Video Analytics Percentage Watched Detection – We resolved an internal tracking issue that could prevent the Percentage Watched value from being computed properly.
    3. Improved Moodle Media Chooser Integration with Some Moodle LMS Versions – Implemented a new YuJa Media Chooser for Moodle plugin which invokes an account creation only in the specific case when the YuJa button is pressed. Please email your Customer Success Manager to receive the latest plugin.
    4. Left Navigation Bar Expansion Behavior Makes It Easier to Perform Drag-and-Drop Operations – To make it easier to navigate while performing drag-and-drop operations, opening a folder via the tree-like structure does not trigger a navigation action.

    5. Improved Left Navigation Bar Keyboard Accessibility and Visual Cues – Improved both keyboard-only navigation of the Left Navigation Bar and added a visual key to indicate the highlighted folder. Also added folder expansion with the Spacebar key.

    6. Improved Capabilities to Establish a System-Wide Publishing Delay within the Admin Panel – Previously establishing a system-wide publishing delay required Professional Services to deploy an on-demand module. Now organizations can use self-service options within the Admin panel to establish a System-Wide Publishing Delay and Content Owners can override this with Publish Now and Skip Publish options.

    7. Video Editor Timeline Now Shows Blur Regions and Image Insertion Visual Indicators – We improved the timeline to show visual indicators for elements added as video overlays.

    8. Faster Analytics Visualization for Media Objects with 250,000+ Data Points – We completely re-tooled the visualization generation algorithm used within the Visual Analytics’ Contents tab to more quickly process the analytics visualizations. This will improve the overall speed and ensure that analytics load properly for heavily used media.
    9. Blackboard Media Chooser Extension Now Compatible with Blackboard Build Contents section – The latest Media Chooser extension can be used to insert media into Blackboard’s Build Contents section. We encourage our Blackboard customers to request the newest Media Chooser for Blackboard from their Customer Success Manager.
    10. New Blackboard Integration Supports Blackboard Web Link Module Including Ability to Add Homepage Web Link – To provide improved support to our Blackboard customers, we have released a new integration capability that allows organizations to add a My Media link directly onto non-course level pages via the Blackboard Web Link Module.

    We also used this release to improve about 35+ other smaller items. In the next release, we are deepening our Device Auto-Scheduling capabilities around delegating schedule opt-out, support for audio-only editing capabilities, improved zoom-in and zoom-out within the video editor, video conferencing improvements, the ability to insert video quizzes using your respective LMS’s Media Chooser extension, and much more.

  • December 18, 2018

    Update for YuJa Software Station for Apple Available to Canadian Zones

    Canada Zone

    We have successfully pushed an updated YuJa Software Station for Apple to all physical zones residing in Canada. This release incorporates changes outlined in the Apple Software Station Release Note dated Dec 15, 2018.

  • December 15, 2018

    Update for YuJa Software Station for Apple Available to US Zones

    United States Zone

    We have successfully pushed an updated YuJa Software Station for Apple to all physical zones residing in the United States. A corresponding release will take place in the Canadian Zone next week.

    1. New Apple Capture Application with Full Media Recoverability
      We released a new version of the Apple Capture application that includes complete Media Recoverability. Like the PC Capture application’s capability, media recoverability enables abruptly or incorrectly terminated recordings to be uploaded and restored without manual intervention.

      Additionally, we moved the media recovery algorithms to the Cloud. 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.

    2. Apple Capture Now Offer Partial Screen Recording
      The newest Apple Capture version matches parity with the PC Capture’s partial screen recording. This includes the ability to dynamically select a region of the screen to record for ad-hoc and auto-scheduled scenarios.

  • December 15, 2018

    Canadian Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181207 Released

    Canada Zone

    We 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.

  • December 8, 2018

    United States Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181207 Released

    United States Zone

    We 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.

    1. 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.

    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.

  • December 1, 2018

    Canadian Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181123 Released

    Canada Zone

    We 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.

  • November 22, 2018

    United States Zone – Semi-Monthly RC20181123 Released

    United States Zone

    We 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.

    1. “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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.

    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.