VALID.ac was our first attempt to describe and create a decoupled online video playback and streaming architecture to support decentralised video distribution. It received a funding offer from the Technology Strategy Board, and initial planning and public meetings took place, but the match funding didn't arrive on the right terms and the funding was declined.
What is VALID?
VALID is a system to help filmmakers and rights-holders define the license and mechanism to distribute their films at cinema quality to alternative venues such as universities, schools, music venues and community spaces. It is intended that this system will be available under an open source license based on the maximum use of open video principles and protocols.
The system consists of two parts:
- VALID.ac - a build-your-own license system for filmmakers and rights-holders, where owners can specify usage conditions (eg. by country/region, format, platform, audience (ie. education, non-profit, corporate), as well as custom conditions (ie free for a time period, if advert is streamed or to members of a community).
- Streaming Player – a web based player for streaming high definition films to projectors that interprets this usage data and can manage screenings of groups of films.
Who developed it?
VALID’s first stage of development is funded by the Technology Strategy Board Fast Track Programme and managed by a consortia of:
- Netribution – are publishers of the 10,000 copy-selling Film Finance Handbook and publisher of news, resources and research for indie filmmakers using the web since 1999.
- Kendra Foundation – is a non-profit organisation committed to developing and supporting tools to help artists distribute their work online across all platforms. Director, Daniel Harris, developed one of the first online music stores in the mid-90s and sold his ISP Cerbernet shortly after. Neil Harris co-founded CFC, ran Sohonet and won a Technical Academy Award for his work developing the Lightwave edit system. Darren Mothersele founded digital music distribution company, Uploader, which built systems for B2B music distribution, acquired by IODA in 2007.
- Yuva Motion Print – are a visual graphics company who specialising in code generated live visuals and digital signage, pioneering, the Vusic system of ‘live Fantasia’ patches, with clients including the BBC and Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
- Leeds International Film Festival – are the UK’s largest film festival outside London and Edinburgh and has a long-standing reputation for showcasing film classics that fail to find a cinema release.
