Middleware Program Panel Summary and Reviews (5/02) Proposal: "Distributed Streaming Media Application Middleware PI's: Rowe PANEL SUMMARY (NOT COMPETITIVE) --------------- The intent of this proposal is to build a set of middleware applications for distributed streaming media. The project is built on production quality video and components that act as an interface. This work will help simplify the process of creating streaming video. Overall, the panel thought that the pieces seemed 'pretty good,' the team has experience in the field, and that they understand the problem well. The staff/PI are very capable, and the quality of the proposal is very good. However, it was not clear to the panel that the solution is practical or scalable - for example, there is a concern about the ability to add components and how will people use this software. The proposal seemed large in scope, and there is a lot of commercial activity in this area (eg: network interface cards), but the proposal did not refer to the commercial activities or demonstrate an awareness of these technologies. Unfortunately, the proposal lacks sufficient ties to the NMI GRIDS program: most of the proposal is about multimedia. It does mention the Access Grid, and more tools to are needed, but the proposal does not address a central problem of AG: the need to understand and diagnose the loss of audio packets. This proposal might be more suited for another program such as the digital multimedia area. This proposal is not recommended for funding. --------------------------------------- REVIEW 1 (VERY GOOD) ---------------- What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? Development of middleware capable of managing multimedia equipment and streaming devices to simplify the use of streaming media in the teaching and learning environment. Standardizing and simplifying the process of managing the creation of streaming video content has the potential to significantly improve the ability of researchers and educators to utilize streaming technologies and the Internet. The ability to integrate specialized, production quality A/V equipment into the IP environment through an IP connected device could significantly reduce the overall effort associated with producing high-quality streaming video applications. What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity? Simplifying the processes for capturing quality audio and video streams could significantly reduce the cost of and increase the use of streaming media in support of research and education. The publication of the source code being developed by this group is highly commendable and a requirement for continued development of the application by other interested parties. Summary Statement Not clear how the wide variety of device interfaces will be handled by management system. Would appear to require constant adaptations to device specific system interfaces. Project team has significant hands-on experience with the complexities of producing high quality audio and video streams for research and education. The proposal stems from a perceived need to simplify the ability to integrate standard A/V equipment into the IP realm. -------------------------------- REVIEW 2 (FAIR) ---------------- An interesting proposal, but does not address a core Grids middleware topic. (In particular, the single biggest problem with the Access Grid is our inability to diagnose and address problems in the IP multicast of the audio streams. Every other problem pales into insignificance compared to this issue.) This proposal would be better submitted to a digital multimedia program. -------------------------------- REVIEW 3 (GOOD) ---------------- What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields? To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative and original concepts? How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity? Multimedia and Access Grid nodes would benefit from more automation and automatic setup features. But, the key concept here of developing software to abstract details does not seem new, but seems, to this reviewer, to be highly related to other commercial software available. How well qualified is the proposer (individual or team) to conduct the project? (If appropriate, please comment on the quality of prior work.) The PI has relevant publications in the associated fields addressed in this proposal. Is there sufficient access to the necessary resources? There is sufficient access to existing Berkeley resources, but the proposed budget includes funding to build an Access Grid node. What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity? How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geography, etc.)? Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding? What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society? The PI on this proposal is a professor at a major research university, and uses his research material in his coursework and for his graduate students research. Thus, there is a good educational plan in place. The PI also uses his research to support on campus lecture facilities. This proposal specifically address minority outreach efforts, and has a good plan for this. In addition, dissemination of results will follow previous practices and include downloadable software, publications and presentations. To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships? Internet streaming media (webcast, lecture, other apps) is gaining a solid foothold on the internet because technologies and bandwidth are both improving and increasing. Being able to dynamically set up an internet streaming event automatically has broad impact on society and network events. However, it is not clear to this reviewer that a command line API will make significant changes, although it will allow for some short term benefits. Summary Statement This proposal proposes to develop and publish middleware that will significantly reduce the time and effort required to develop muliticast streaming media applications. They propose to develop software that will manage multimedia equip and streams. They plan to address 3 issues: access and control of classroom AV equipment; management of streaming media and services; managing conferences, multicast sessions, media streams. Propose 3 applications that will use software: an end user shell; an automation system for Internet web casts; an automation system for an Access Grid node. Basic enable concept: abstraction of function and data details from the user. Other Comments: This proposal is probably better suited for future funding or for other NSF programs. Project focuses on streaming media. Proposes to develop algorithms and systems to solve problems realeted to accessing and controlling AV equipment (such as AG). Propose to build 3 apps: 1. end-user-shell; 2. Internet webcasting system; 3. Access Grid distributed collaboration system. The proposal lacks an awareness of the NMI scope/effort: it does not mention current NMI project, Grid, GRIDS, etc. so this is really a long term projectd Funding levels for equipment is high, and seems like a way to fund the building of a Grid testbed and to get an Access Grid. Not sure if this is worth it yet. Need to read proposal more. The proposal includes plans to develop an algorithm for automating AV choices in the automatic mode. This work is based on previous work. However, there is no clear summary or description of timelines or a research plan. In particular, there is no clear plan for analyzing performance, which seems important in work of this scope. This is good work and the proposal would benefit from a prototype and a stronger research plan. It is not clear, from the NMI announcement, whether or not this technology is needed at this time. Perhaps this proposal should be resubmitted to another program. --------------------------------