One More Test

[asndj]

All,

Thanks to those of you that have provided feedback, both positive and negative, during our migration to our new media player as part of the App State TV service. We take all of your comments as solid customer feedback in an effort to get this product stronger for years to come.

For those that participated in our test last week, we had pretty good success with getting folks to be able to see the HD stream once we got up and running. We identified a bad encoder in our equipment rack that has since been replaced as a part of an unparallelled overhaul of the guts of our operation. We practically broke the new equipment right out of the box during last week's test (it arrived about 4 hours earlier) and got things running smoothly.

Now that our control room is ready for gameday battle, we wish to engage in one final test. We will offer a free glimpse at our HD service tomorrow (Thursday) from 12-2pm. We should have some live action on the turf at this point (Marching Mountaineers don't let us down) and that should again provide a good simulation of the HD service in a gameday application.

You will not need your login information for this test, though if you have not verified your ability to login to premium content by this time, I HIGHLY suggest you try to watch some premium content between now and Saturday and let us know if you have password issues.

For those that have been turned off by our service (or at times lack thereof) over the years, or perhaps are thinking of subscribing for the first time, this will be a good chance to see what the HD product is all about.

Here are a few other things to keep you in the loop on as the streaming year moves forward:

1) We will stream the following sports LIVE in 2013-14: Football (HD), Men's Basketball (HD), Women's Basketball (HD), Volleyball, Wrestling, Softball, and Baseball (HD).

2) We are aiming to provide highlights and post game comments from players and coaches from the vast majority of our home events. This is solely schedule dependent, but know our plan is to cover as many events as possible.

3) We will continue to post archives of both video streams and audio broadcasts. We got the tabs fixed on the new player earlier this week. The archives were there all along, but unless you were Columbo, there was no easy way to find them. Everything should be back to normal now with regard to locating these files. They are usually posted within 24-hours of an event.

4) As you watch HD live streams, take note of the new functions like adaptive streaming, which lets you select your stream rate based on our level of internet service. There is also a 10-second jump-back feature that allows you to replay the last 10-seconds of streamed content for as many times as you click the button. Once you wish to resume the action in real-time, just simply click "Live."

5) As many of you are aware, we produce the video streams of our HOME EVENTS only. It is not feasible from a logistical standpoint for us to travel a full video production unit on the road and stream content. For one, no school would ever allow an opponent that right and two, we don't have the manpower, equipment, or infrastructure to make that possible. If an opponent is also a Neulion partner, most of the time we can gain access to a feed of their stream so our customers don't have to pay for that stream. It's ultimately up to the host school to allow this practice but most of the time we all operate on a reciprocal basis when it comes to allowing "shares."

6) Your subscription gives you full access for the term to all of our premium content, not just the game you think you "bought." This means you get access to our TV show: Always Attack: Inside App State Football (posted Friday's at 5pm), Rock Notes (posted Friday AM), Signing Day Specials, game archives, and many other features we have planned for the year. If you lapse for a period of time and then sign up again, you gain access to all of the same content as you had before.

Lastly, I want to thank you for those of you that have stuck with us as we have grown into more of a live-based video operation over the years. I can tell you we put 100% of what we make off this venture right back into our operation, to help make the service better, but also to help provide funding for the radio network to thrive as well. We could not tell the stories to the people we reach or in the manner we'd chose without our loyal fans providing support to our efforts.

Maybe you've had bad luck in the past with our product. I hope you give us another try. Maybe you have dial up and wonder why you can't see HD live video. I ask the 10% of our client base for which this actually applies to consider taking in games at Panera -- the internet is free and it's faster!

All kidding aside, we have worked hard this summer with our sights set on Saturday -- our first chance to stream HD football to our fan base. We've been fortunate that we've been able to access some monetary tools outside our normal allotment to help enhance these services. We hope you like what you see. We vow that we'll do everything within our control to do right by our teams and produce a product that all can enjoy.

Thanks for watching and listening and here's to a great 2013-14 season.

David Jackson
Associate AD Public Affairs
Appalachian State Athletics
jacksondm@appstate.edu

[hapapp]

Thanks, David. I think I speak for everyone when I say we appreciate all that you do and know that when things haven't gone right in the past, you are more frustrated than those of us watching. We are indeed very fortunate to have your talent and services at App State.

[asu66]

APPsolutely, Jerry. Excellent post!

And another big thank you, DJ!

[asutrnr81]

Thanks DJ and check your email. I think I may have paid for the premium package twice and if so I want you guys to keep the difference and apply to the program.

...I do love the attempt at humor! a good laugh is always refreshing!