VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin

Introduction

The VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin enhances the functionality of video broadcasting platforms by organizing scheduling and tracking of video playlists. It facilitates planning and displaying video shows in customizable time slots, ensuring a smooth and sequential playback experience. This plugin is particularly beneficial for managing broadcast schedules across different time zones and informing viewers of upcoming shows.

Feature Overview

Calendar Display

The plugin includes a calendar interface that displays scheduled shows to end users, showcasing the day and time for each planned broadcast. This feature maintains uniformity and clarity, adapting to various time zones to ensure all users see the correct scheduling information.

Key Features

1. Show as Playlist of Videos:

   • Playlist Correspondence: Each scheduled show is linked to a specific playlist of videos, treating individual videos within the playlist as distinct episodes.
   • Show Host: The user who owns the playlist is designated as the show host.

2. Administration and Scheduling:

   • Administrative Control: Only users with administrative privileges can schedule shows.
   • Time Slot Management: Shows can be scheduled in 30-minute increments, with administrators having the flexibility to extend a show's duration across multiple consecutive time slots.

3. Enhanced Customization:

   • Custom Notes: Administrators can personalize time slots with custom notes. This customization supports HTML content, allowing for varied text styles and background colors, facilitated by an integrated HTML editor. These notes serve to provide additional details about each time slot.

4. Sequential Play and Accessibility:

   • Orderly Playback: Shows are set to play in a sequential order. For instance, if a show is scheduled every Tuesday at 01:00 UTC, the episodes will stream sequentially each week.
   • Video On Demand (VOD): Post-live stream, episodes become available as VOD, allowing users to view them at their convenience.
   • Episode Activation: Videos within the playlist are initially set to inactive and are activated and made public only after they have been broadcasted as scheduled episodes.

Implementation and Usage

Using the Plugin

1. Navigate to the plugins manager page and click on the calendar button in the VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin.

Creating a Show

1. On the right panel, navigate to the Playlist Show tab.
2. Select one or more time slots from the integrated calendar interface.
3. In this tab, search for a playlist, add a title, and select a color to organize your calendar effectively.
4. Click on save; the selected time slot will now be designated as the selected show.

Scheduling the Same Show Multiple Times

To schedule a show, an administrator must:

1. Select one or more time slots from the integrated calendar interface.
2. Assign a show to the selected time slot at the top, effectively scheduling the show.

Editing a Show

1. Drag and drop the scheduled show in the calendar to change its timing.
2. Resize the show to occupy more or fewer time slots.

Advanced Scheduling Techniques

• Multiple Day Scheduling: Users can schedule a playlist to play across multiple days at specified times. For example, scheduling a show for Monday and Wednesday at 3 PM means the playlist will sequentially cycle through its videos, starting with the first video on Monday, the second on Wednesday, and so on.

• Different Schedules, Same Playlist: If a playlist is scheduled for different days or times (e.g., Monday at 3 PM and Wednesday at 5 PM), each instance will start with the first video of the playlist during its initial broadcast.

Conclusion

The VideoPlaylistScheduler plugin offers a robust solution for managing video playlists and broadcast schedules on digital platforms. It enhances viewer engagement by ensuring broadcasts are well-organized and information about them is clearly communicated. This plugin is ideal for platforms looking to streamline their video content delivery and improve audience retention.