A Mobile Live Streaming Solution for the Learn@WU Lecturecasting Framework

With the current developments in university degree programs, the large amount of newly inscribed students and the shortage of space in lecture halls, live streaming has become an inevitable option in order to cope with these circumstances. Learn@WU, the e-learning platform of the Vienna University of Economics and Business, is taking measures by offering streaming services, supporting students and lecturers. This thesis deals with the next step, providing the possibility to stream one’s lectures to mobile devices. A prototype for a mobile live streaming service was developed and tested during a conference with 4 simultaneous live streams. Main focus lied in measuring how the system performed and evaluating the feasibility of the prototype. It was shown that the basic concept is feasible. However core challenges such as the synchronization of video and audio still remain unsolved. The high processing load on the decentralized streaming stations suggests further research concerning a more efficient approach with less encoding steps. Furthermore proprietary software elements used in the prototype need to be replaced with technology such as VLC or FFmpeg. With this thesis a basic foundation for future streaming services by Learn@WU has been documented providing a working prototype. Further research is needed, especially in the context of the new university campus currently under construction, providing for a more flexible and open source solution.