WEBCASTING

1
WEBCASTING
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA NEW DELHI IT
TRAINING TO MASTER TRAINERS 08-AUG-2011

• Broadcasting over the Internet

2
Why do we need.?

• To keep a check on illegal activities such as
  booth capturing, money distribution and bogus
  voting to bringing about complete transparency.
• To broadcast and monitor LIVE election process
  from a distant polling station.
• To capture faces of voters coming to vote at PS
  in a sequence for remote viewing by election
  officials.
• To spread AWARENESS to participate in Free and
  Fair Elections.

3
Why it wasnt possible during early elections
before 2000 in India?

• Limited technology and poor internet
  connectivity.
• Costly hardware infrastructure, sometimes
  difficult to procure.
• Lack of computer knowledge and its awareness
• Rural areas were totally deprived of
  telecommunication means.

4
Today, its possible How?

• Astonishing advancements in Information
  Technology such as
• Cloud Computing
• Expansion of Internet Cloud with better
  bandwidth, speed and peer-to-peer connectivity
• Falling prices of computer hardware
• Plug-n-Play hardware devices and software
• Internet Television and DTH Services
• E-learning Large scale initiatives to impart
  computer education in schools, colleges and
  educational institutions to build the nations
  future secure strong.
• Ex. VSAT Programs, Virtual Classrooms, e-lecture,
  e-training

Contd
5
Today, its possible How?

• People always love to keep Webcast as a 2nd
  Option for LIVE entertainment programmes.
• Webcasting has now become an entertainment
  medium to watch live events with curiosity
  enthusiasm right from their offices.

6
How a webcast can be done?

• Webcasting Methods based upon network circuit
• Open Network (preferred)
• Social websites for free live broadcasting
• eg.
  and many more
• Proprietary Web based software for general public
  (Public IP based)
• Closed Network
• CCTV surveillance
• Pre-owned Proprietary Software (WAN based)
• Chatting Tools such as Yahoo Messenger, Skype and
  GTalk

7
Webcasting ToolsA short comparison

• CCTV Surveillance

Points In-Favour
High bandwidth and high data transfer rate over a closed network without internet
Better picture quality software controlled frame rate
No Email ID or user registration required
Cameras can be controlled remotely.
Limitations
Dedicated Hardware and control panel software is required
Hardware Dependency on a closed network, cant migrate to another network immediately.
Quite Expensive
8
Webcasting ToolsA short comparison

• 3rd Party Messengers

Points In-Favour
Freely downloadable tools for multi-usage viz. voice/video chatting, file sharing, etc.
One to one( )and one to many ( , -preferred) web- casting modes
Audio alongwith Video can be transmitted(a complete Video Chat)
Provision to create separate chat rooms for private chatting
Internet Phone Calling Facility is available
User Friendly Interfaces built using Java and other open source technologies.
Optimized Picture quality as per internal settings.
Contd
9
Webcasting ToolsA short comparison

• 3rd Party Messengers(Contd.)

Limitations
Both users (webcaster and viewer) must have an account on the same messenger website to get linked with each other
Viewers need to add broadcasters ID and send request to him to obtain webcast
Continuous flow of requests to perform webcast
Provision to create separate chat rooms for private chatting
Contd
10
Webcasting ToolsA short comparison

• 3rd Party Messengers(Contd.)

Limitations
Confined video resolution and display frame rate both
A malicious viewer can easily interfere during web cast via textual chatting, file sharing etc.
Data Packets during transmission get split exponentially acc. to no. of viewers, leading to lower frame rate and lower resolution
11
Webcasting ToolsA short comparison

• 3rd Party Messengers(Contd.)

Limitations
Viewers Request Management is tedious job at main broadcast points
Remote Camera access permission is required
12
Webcasting ToolsA short comparison

• Social broadcasting web portals

Points In-Favour
Freely available source over internet
Only requires a user a/c wherein multiple channels can be created to broadcast videos LIVE
WYSIWYG response on 24x7 basis using channel URL
Open source webcasting source for public and users
Broadcasting channels can be easily accessed via short URL without sending any request
Facility to customizable Video resolution and its frame rate.
No need to procure hardware except broadcasting terminals with a simple web cam and good internet connectivity.
13
Webcasting ToolsA short comparison

• Social broadcasting web portals (Contd.)

Points In-Favour
No need to send any viewing request to broadcasting point.
No need to create an account for viewing broadcasting video.
Limitations
Time Gap of 10s-30s may arise according to lower bandwidth and other network issues.
Certain websites offer time based broadcasting and recording.
14
Webcasting Cost

• Webcasting costs very low during elections
• A rented Laptop/PC Rs.500 - 800/- per day
• A plug-n-play webcam in case of desktop PC
  Rs.300 500/-
• Internet Connection Rs.2500/-
• Via USB Modems (TataPhoton, Airtel, Idea,
  Reliance NetConnect)
• Via LAN connectivity (NIC, Cable Operators,
  etc..)
• Via Mobile Internet Connection (Rs.400-600/- per
  month unlimited usage)
• A computer operator Rs.400-800/- per day
• TOTAL ESTIMATE Rs.2000 4000/-

15
Webcasting Methods

• Webcasting can be done by following ways
• Using a Laptop/Desktop PC with a webcam and
  internet, OR
• Using hybrid set-up of CCTV(IP Camera) and
  laptop/PC, OR
• Using a laptop/PC with internet connected Mobile
  Phone.
• Minimum Requirement for a perfect webcast
• Min. 30 Kpbs Internet bandwidth connection
• Min. 1.2 MP Plug-n-play webcam
• Any laptop which supports USB 2.0/3.0 Plug-n-play
  Webcam and having atleast 2GB RAM for fast video
  streaming

16
What If

• Internet connectivity is not present at PS?
• Provide a USB Modem OR Mobile Internet Facility
• Hardware purchase cost is very high for every PS?
• Hardware can be hired on rent purpose only for
  Hyper-sensitive PS
• Webcam doesnt support webcast?
• Replace it with a Plug-n-Play Webcam
• Mobile doesnt support webcast?
• Replace 2G-mobile with 3G-mobile having
  high-speed data transfer rate
• Even 3G Mobile support webcast?
• Procure a laptop/PC, connect your 3G Mobile with
  it and start internet for webcasting
• No. of PS increased for webcasting?
• Please webcast Hyper-sensitive areas only, try to
  avoid burden on the system.

17
Flow chart
18
Thank You

• Please submit your feedback / queries
  /suggestions at
• IT Cell
• ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
• Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road,
• New Delhi-110001.
• (Ph) 011-2305-2043
• (E) ecitechsupport_at_gmail.com
• Contact Person Er. Nitesh Kr. Agarwal
• (M) 91-9891754440