Ensemble - A Comprehensive Solution to all Multimedia Needs
September 21, 2016
Ensemble - A Comprehensive Solution to all Multimedia Needs
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Ensemble Video
Ensemble Video is primarily used for hosting and delivering multimedia content in our online classes. A great feature of Ensemble Video is ease of creating submission links and user accounts. This gives us a powerful solution for user submitted content that can then be shared through playlists, links and our Blackboard LMS. With the newer embed options, we've also been using Ensemble Video more in our professional development presentations that are built in Articulate Storyline.
- Adapting to user needs. Ensemble Video seems to always be listening to their clients needs and suggestions by implementing effective features in every system update. Communication seems to always indicate that these features are driven by requests that their customers have made to improve the service.
- Client Support - I have an IT/support background and have had to deal with many vendors and external support. Ensemble is easily the most responsive and effective vendor when it comes to support. When needing certain solutions, they have sent code that was in development and not officially released so I could achieve my goals with project videos. Support is always personal, prompt and effective.
- Customization. New templates, video players, account management, and embed options have allowed us to use Ensemble Video in a much more personalized way. Early versions of the service had an "Ensemble feel" but color schemes and logos are now able to be changed for a better organization feel.
- Sometimes the wait time to convert videos can take awhile. It's not a huge concern but it is something we usually have to point out to students that are uploading their own videos.
- Better file management options would also be nice. Functionality to copy or move video files to different libraries does exist but it can sometimes be a time consuming and tedious process.
- Ease of user contributed content. The videos that users upload to the system can either be automatically published or they can be reviewed by staff before being added to websites and courses. Instead of all these videos living on different sites (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) we now have a centralized location that we have control over.
- LMS Integration - A year ago YouTube changed their policy to not allow direct recording from webcams. This essentially broke the Blackboard Video Everywhere tool that allowed our instructors to post quick comments in class discussions and content areas. While they need to be pre-recorded, the Ensemble Building Block allows our instructors and students to once again upload and post videos, all from directly within the Blackboard content editor.
- Flexibility - With the ease of creating user accounts and video libraries, Ensemble Video has become the go to option for Erikson courses, professional development content and project videos. Different departments can have their own account and have control over their libraries without the worry of them viewing or editing other institute content.