VOD

On-demand content may be added through one of the following methods:

The Slicer processes on-demand content and sends it to the cloud for encoding, while Slicebot automates this process by monitoring a directory for new files.

The Slicer installation includes Slicebot.

Perform Pre-Installation Tasks

Perform the following steps before installing the Slicer/Slicebot:

Verify that the desired computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements.
View minimum and certified hardware/software specifications.

Minimum System Requirements

The minimum system requirements for the computer hosting the Slicer are provided below.

Requirement	Description
OS	Windows or macOS
Ports	Outbound connections on 80 and 443
Format	The Slicer is compatible with standard audio/video file formats (e.g., mov,
Upload Bandwidth	Your upload bandwidth should exceed the bandwidth generated for the top ray by 25%. Your top ray’s resolution and frames per second (FPS) varies by encoding profile. For example, the default encoding profile (i.e., HD 720p25/30) requires 5 Megabits per second (Mbps). Insufficient bandwidth may prevent your on-demand content from being uploaded.

Certified Hardware/ Software Specification

The Slicer has been certified for use with the following specification:

Type	Requirement
Server	Dell R740 or Dell R640
CPU	Intel 4110
RAM	96 GB or more
Storage	2x Micron 5100 960GB SSD
NIC	Intel Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X520 - Dual-Port 10 Gigabit
Maximum Concurrent Sessions	10
OS	Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
Kernel	4.15
Bios	1.6.11
GPU	Nvidia T4 (Driver Version: 384.130)

Configure Firewall and Confirm System Time

Your firewall must allow outbound connections on ports 80 and 443.

The Slicer relies on ports 80 and 443 to communicate with our services and to upload encrypted slices for encoding.
Verify that the system time on the computer hosting the Slicer is accurate.

Install or Upgrade a Slicer / Slicebot

Download the Slicer by clicking Downloads from the bottom right-hand corner of the CMS and then clicking either Mac Slicer or Windows Slicer.
Perform one of the following steps:
- Windows:
  1. Extract the zip file to the desired directory.
  2. Add a shortcut to the task bar or the Start menu by right-clicking on SlicerWPF.exe and then selecting either Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu.
- macOS:
  1. Unzip the archive to the desired folder and then move the Slicer application to the Applications folder.
  2. Unzip the Slicer package by either double-clicking it or running unzip from the command line.

Load the Slicer

Load the Slicer by performing one of the following:

Windows:
- If it was pinned to either the taskbar or the Start menu, simply click on the Slicer icon.
- Otherwise, double-click the executable from the location to which it was extracted.
macOS: Double-click it from the Applications folder.

If the Slicer application cannot be opened due to a security configuration, try opening it while holding down the Control key.

Authenticate

Upon loading the Slicer, it will prompt for CMS credentials. It will use these credentials to communicate with our services and to upload content.

Stream On-Demand Content

Learn how to make content stored in the library available on-demand to your viewers.

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions on how to test on-demand streaming without security. Once you have mastered this technique, refer to our media player tutorials to learn how to add a media player to a web page.

Software Prerequisites

Windows Or
macOS

Knowledge Prerequisites

Basic understanding of Windows Or
Basic understanding of macOS

Key Steps

Install the Slicer on a computer running Windows or macOS.
Use the Slicer to add on-demand content to the library.
Test the playback of the uploaded content.

Step 1 - Set Up an Account and Sign in

An account is required to stream content via our service. Learn more.

Step 2 - Install the Slicer

The Slicer is a Windows/macOS application that slices, encodes, and uploads media to the cloud.

Download the Slicer by clicking Downloads from the bottom right-hand corner of the CMS and then clicking either Mac Slicer or Windows Slicer.
Perform one of the following steps:
- Windows:
  1. Extract the zip file to the desired directory.
  2. Optional. Add a shortcut to the task bar or the Start menu by right-clicking on SlicerWPF.exe and then selecting either Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu.
- macOS: Unzip the archive to the desired folder and then move the Slicer application to the Applications folder.
  Unzip the Slicer package by either double-clicking it or running unzip from the command line.

Step 3 - Add Content to the Library

Before on-demand content may be streamed to your viewers, it must first be added to the library via the Slicer.

Content added to the library is known as an asset.

Load the Slicer.
- Windows: Load the Slicer by double-clicking SlicerWPF.exe.
  If a task bar or Start menu shortcut was created, then launch it using that shortcut instead.
- macOS: If the Slicer application cannot be opened due to a security configuration, try opening it while holding down the Control key.
Drag and drop the desired media file onto the Slicer.

The Slicer accepts most common video formats (e.g., mp4, mpg, avi, mkv, mov, etc.).
A progress bar will track as the Slicer slices, encodes, and then uploads media to the cloud. The Slicer will indicate when the entire asset has been uploaded to the library.

Step 4 - Test Playback

The CMS provides a media player through which playback may be tested.

A link to an unprotected media player that has been exposed to unauthorized individuals may be invalidated at any time.

From the Slicer, follow the View in CMS link that appears after the asset has been uploaded.
- The CMS will be loaded in the default browser. If prompted, sign in to the CMS.
- The library will be filtered to only display the asset that was just uploaded to it. Select that asset.
Click the Playback tab.
From the Test Players section, follow the View link corresponding to the desired test player.
- The test player will stream the selected on-demand content in a new browser window or tab.

Refer to our media player tutorials to learn how to add a media player to a web page.