Until the end of this year students and staff will have access to two digital television services through the Library website. UniSat, the University's own satellite television service will now run alongside e-cast, a commercial digital television service.
The goal is to provide an opportunity for staff and students to compare the two services so that the University is in a position to review its requirements for digital television, within a teaching and learning context, at the end of 2009.
E-cast is a New Zealand internet television provider that allows students and staff access to live channels and recorded content. In the past students were able to able to download files from UniSat, however, this privilege will now only be available for staff. Staff will also be able to request recordings of various educational programmes and will be able to download and save media files.
There are no restrictions on the channel, the type of programme, or the amount of programmes copied as long as the programme or excerpt is used for educational purposes. The University's Screenrights license provides more information for academic staff who may be interested in copying educational material from television.