Streaming Video of Live and Archived Meetings

Streaming Video of "City in 15" (MGTV-5)

Live Streaming Video of MGTV Message Board

Frequently Asked Questions

Streaming video is a digital version of audio and video that is sent (streamed) over the Internet in compressed form in real time for viewing on a personal computer connected to the Internet.  A viewer does not have to wait until a large file is downloaded to a PC before viewing the video.  Instead, the media is sent in a continuous stream and is played as it arrives.

A major benefit of streaming video is that videos can be archived and accessed simultaneously by more than one computer at any time of the day or night. The contents of the video are indexed, which allows the viewer to skip directly to a desired point in the video without having to fast forward or rewind as required when viewing a videotape on a VCR.

Another feature is a keyword search capability that allows one to search all archived meetings on a keyword.  The results provide links to specific agenda items in all meetings that contained the keyword.

The City of Midland Streaming Video now provides for online, on-demand video/audio access of televised meetings of the City Council and the following boards and commissions: 

• Aviation Advisory Commission
• Cable Access Advisory Commission
• Downtown Development Authority
• Library Board
• Parks & Recreation Commission
• Planning Commission
• West Main Street Historic District Commission
• Zoning Board of Appeals

Each of these meetings will be streamed “live” as well as archived for future viewing.  The live streams can only be viewed at the time the meeting is held.  The links can be found under the heading of Upcoming Events on the Streaming Video page.  The link will change to "In Progress" when a meeting is being streamed live.  Otherwise, archived videos can be viewed at anytime.

In addition, the MGTV message board is streamed live on a 24/7 basis, except when a meeting is being streamed live. And the MGTV-5 program on City services, programs and events - "City in 15" - is now available via streaming video.

The streaming video service has been designed to be compatible with most computers, including Microsoft Windows and Macintosh.  Streaming video requires that your system have a recent version of Internet Explorer, Safari, or Netscape Navigator.  You must have Windows Media Player 9 or above.  Click on the Media Player link for a free download. 

In order to view video, you should have a broadband connection such as DSL, cable modem, or other high speed connection.  Dial-Up users may receive an audio-only stream.