DECAST

Imagine a world where live events are not just witnessed but experienced through enhanced post-production powered by AI. Principally designed to be self-healing, self-organising, and self-adjusting.

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Table of Contents

  • Project Summary
    • Creativity & Inspiration
    • What it does
  • About Product
    • How Decast harness the power of Web5
    • Adoption of Web5 in Decast
    • What is it - What it does & Practical Viability
    • Solution - Technical Complexity
    • Prototype & Technology - Rapidly developed, working, and ready for use.
    • Technology - Innovation
    • Design & Implementation
  • Social Impact
    • Creator Experience
    • Viewer Experience
  • What's next for DECAST
    • Team & Contacts
    • Project Roadmap
    • Acknowledgements & Accomplishments
    • Next steps

Creativity & Inspiration

If you have ever downloaded any content over torrent, you'd know that the popularity of the content enhances its speed of downloading. This is peer2peer sharing of resources. Each user downloading the content also shares a bit of their bandwidth to become a node for others and strengthen the network. Peer-to-peer (P2P) torrent technology and the concept behind Decast are similar in their decentralized approaches but serve different purposes. Let us explain how P2P torrent works and then highlight how Decast essentially reverses that concept for video casting:

What it does

Decast - Decentralized P2P network for Video Casting:

  1. Decentralized Video Streaming: Decast essentially reverses the P2P torrent concept to enable decentralized video streaming. Instead of downloading a file, users stream video content from multiple distributed sources.
  2. Distribution of Live Video: In Decast, the live video content is distributed across a network of users who contribute their resources to the streaming process. This distribution is not limited to a central server but utilizes the combined resources of the participating nodes.
  3. Dynamic Content Delivery: Just as in P2P torrents, where users contribute parts of a file they have, in Decast, users contribute parts of the live video stream they have, creating a dynamic and distributed network for content delivery.
  4. Efficient Resource Utilization: Decast optimizes resource utilization by tapping into the available bandwidth and processing power of multiple nodes. This ensures a smoother and more reliable streaming experience for users.
  5. Scalability and Reliability: Instead of getting heavily loaded when more users join a video cast, Decast would actually become stronger and lighter. Similar to the P2P torrent's ability to scale with the number of users, Decast scales and load-balances its video stream to optimize connections as more users join the network. The decentralized approach enhances reliability and enhances uptime while lowering the risk of service interruptions.
  6. Community-Driven Streaming: Decast embraces a community-driven approach, allowing users to actively participate in the casting process. Contributors share their resources, creating a collaborative ecosystem that benefits both content creators and consumers. A financial incentive is shared between the actors of the ecosystem building a thriving reward system for Creators, Operators, and Promoters.

How Decast harness the power of Web5

User Privacy Decast prioritizes user privacy through innovative features:

  • Anonymous Participation: Peers can engage with the platform anonymously, contributing to a privacy-centric environment. This anonymity extends not only to accessing content but also to participating in discussions, events, or any interactive features on Decast.
  • Data Minimization Practices: Decast adopts data minimization principles, ensuring that only essential information is collected and processed. This approach safeguards user privacy by limiting the exposure of personal data.
  • End-to-End Encryption: All communications and transactions within Decast are protected with end-to-end encryption. This advanced security measure guarantees that only authorized parties have access to the content and conversations, further fortifying user privacy.

Content Privacy

  • Restricted Access: Decast guarantees exclusive access to casts or events on its platform, enhancing privacy and providing control over content viewership.
  • This enables individuals to validate their credentials without revealing their actual identity or personal information. This not only improves privacy but also establishes a secure and trustless verification process. By combining these privacy-focused features, Decast establishes a secure and confidential environment for users, allowing them to enjoy content and engage with the platform while maintaining control over their personal information.

Adoption of Web5 in Decast

Exclusive access to content & rewards via VCs

  • Verified Credentials can be employed for managing the accessibility to exclusive or private content.
  • Decast enables the distribution of token rewards to cast attendees or content viewers. The redemption of rewards can be secured through Verified Credentials, ensuring that only specific parties(the ones to whom rewards belong to) have the ability to redeem their rewards.

User Details masked with DIDs

  • Decast also allows anonymous access to the public casts by implementing Decentralized Identities.
  • This allows users to stay in control of the data that is publicly accessible via platform while also managing the various levels of accessibility to the information among the other users.
  • Since DIDs are not platform specific, Decast also allows users to import their DIDs, which allows identification across multiple platforms.

Decentralized Storage of data on DWNs

  • Decast enables the storage of cast data on Decentralized Web Nodes, making it publicly accessible. However, this data remains readable only with specific permissions.
  • Additionally, by implementing cryptographic strategies, Decast ensures the integrity of the stored data.

What it does & Practical Viability

Decentralized Casting with Distributed P2P Computing So how do we build it?

From live casting to post-production, Decast empowers content creators with cutting-edge AI technologies, offering unparalleled opportunities for innovation and self-expression.

Challenges we ran into and Technical Complexity

Frontend Development with Vue.js Building the frontend of Decast posed its set of challenges, primarily revolving around the utilization of the Vue.js framework. Vue.js is known for its flexibility and simplicity, but integrating it seamlessly with the diverse functionalities of Decast required careful consideration. Ensuring a smooth user experience, real-time updates, and responsive design demanded meticulous attention to detail. Overcoming these challenges involved collaborative problem-solving and leveraging the strengths of Vue.js to create an intuitive and engaging user interface.

Backend Complexity with Django and AI Integration- Decast's backend, powered by Django, served as the core engine driving the platform. The integration of an AI model into the backend introduced complexities related to content segmentation and scene suggestion. This involved breaking down textual content into multiple segments and providing creators with appropriate scene recommendations. Developing a robust backend infrastructure that seamlessly incorporated these AI-driven features required a deep understanding of both Django and the specific AI algorithms in use.

Video Upload and Processing- Facilitating creators to upload their video clips and ensuring efficient processing added another layer of technical complexity. Managing video content involves handling large file sizes, optimizing storage, and ensuring swift processing without compromising quality. The challenges here included implementing secure and scalable video upload functionality, integrating it with the backend AI model, and maintaining a seamless workflow for content creators.

Blockchain Integration and Smart Contract Development- In preparation for the upcoming Blockchain Incentivized Testnet, our team delved into integrating blockchain technology, specifically Ethereum. The complexities of writing smart contracts in Solidity and ensuring seamless interaction with Decast's functionalities added a layer of intricacy. Implementing features like wallet issuance, casting credits, and creating a secure environment for blockchain transactions required a deep understanding of blockchain protocols and smart contract development.

Adapting P2P Torrent Concept to Video Casting- The transition from traditional P2P torrent technology to a specialized decentralized video casting platform presented a unique set of challenges. Unlike file downloading, live video streaming demands real-time synchronization and efficient distribution of content. Adapting the decentralized model to this context required the development of sophisticated algorithms for content synchronization, load balancing, and dynamic resource allocation.

Real-time Video Distribution and Sync- Enabling decentralized video streaming involves handling the complexities of real-time video distribution across a network of nodes. Decast had to overcome challenges related to latency, synchronization issues, and ensuring a consistent streaming experience for users regardless of their geographical location. The development team invested significant effort in optimizing the video distribution algorithms to guarantee seamless live streaming.

Dynamic Contribution and Resource Sharing- In a P2P torrent system, users contribute parts of a file they possess. In the case of Decast, users contribute segments of the live video stream they have access to. The challenge here was to create a dynamic contribution model, ensuring efficient resource utilization without compromising the quality of the video stream. This involved developing algorithms to incentivize active contributors, manage bandwidth dynamically, and handle varying user participation levels.

Scalability and Load-Balancing- Decast's promise of scalability and reliability required robust mechanisms for load balancing as more users joined a video cast. Unlike traditional centralized streaming services that may experience increased load, Decast aimed to become stronger and lighter with more users. Achieving this involved intricate load-balancing algorithms and decentralized decision-making processes to optimize connections and distribute the streaming load across the network.

Blockchain Integration for Incentive Mechanism- The implementation of a decentralized incentive mechanism, involving the creation and distribution of native tokens on a blockchain, introduced its set of challenges. Integrating blockchain technology (Ethereum in this case) required developing smart contracts in Solidity and ensuring secure and transparent token transactions. Additionally, the team had to address scalability concerns associated with blockchain interactions in a real-time streaming environment.

Community-Driven Collaboration- Creating a community-driven streaming ecosystem involved overcoming challenges related to fostering active participation and contribution. Designing effective reward systems, managing financial incentives, and ensuring fair distribution among creators, operators, and promoters required a thoughtful approach. The team addressed these challenges by developing a comprehensive governance model and reward distribution algorithm to foster a thriving and collaborative community.

Further implementation of the KNOWLEDGE token and other associated protocol will be implemented on the Ethereum blockchain and the smart contract being written in Solidity. ChainLink is to be used for Oracle to get the real-time price of the cryptocurrency and other off-chain data.

Accomplishments that we're proud of with our Innovation

As an advanced Decentralized Live Casting platform powered by decentralized infrastructure as a service to host events, live streams and private rooms for phygital meetups, Decast uses generative AI for post production and management of all your video data in the most secure manner.

Other than the usual advantages of decentralization with governance and ownership, Decentralized and Distributed systems will provide better performance and resilience to build applications in future.

• Decentralized and Hyperconverged Networked: able to adapt to the growing computing needs of edge computing, where processing occurs closer to the data source. Optimal for scenarios where Edge computing requires low-latency responses. • Democratized Ownership and Access to the Community: access to deploy apps on shared infrastructure which cultivates a collaborative, dynamic, and innovative ecosystem for diverse contributors to collectively shape the future of digital services • On-Demand Costs and Revenue Share: creating a sustainable and collaborative ecosystem where platform operators are fairly compensated, users have pay-per-use fee, and the community supports the ongoing infrastructure maintenance and protocol improvements.

The recorded events and meeting sessions, which can be edited using our platform to create content and use it for future reference. With easy-to-share video content that can be made from the Cast in a few clicks, our platform sets new standards for content post-production. Thanks to this hackathon our solutions can reach a wider audience and have a bigger impact.

Design & Implementation

Decast not only makes content creation easier but also builds an ecosystem based on content creation. Every content creator and active contributor on the platform is rewarded for their contribution through network native cryptocurrency. We can use native token on the network it runs on like Ethereum, Solana, Matic, etc supported by our platform.

Minting of the tokens A certain amount of tokens would be minted every time new event is created or modification is made into existing content. The number of tokens to be minted can be determined by

  • What event creator stakes or buys bandwidth from node operators
  • A concept similar to “bitcoin halving” can be implemented where the event starts with a certain number and halves it after a certain number
  • A volumetric measure of the content can be done where the number of tokens minted will be proportional to the time of viewing

Token Distribution and Rewards

  • The tokens minted would then be distributed among the viewers based on their view cycle as a reward. This rewards viewers for their engagement and time spent on the platform.
  • Event creators would also have the option to contribute custom/creator tokens into the reward pool. These tokens, combined with the reward tokens, would form a liquidity pair that could be distributed as a reward to viewers. This approach incentivizes event creators to actively participate in the ecosystem and contribute to its growth.
  • Successful event creators would receive additional rewards for hosting well-oriented, successful events that reach a broad audience. This encourages creators to focus on creating content that resonates with viewers and attracts a large following.

Viewer Engagement and Token Utilization

  • Viewers would have the ability to redeem the rewarded tokens. These tokens could be used to support their favorite events and creators, encouraging a sense of community and appreciation.
  • Additionally, viewers could use their reward tokens to purchase NFT tickets and passes for events or acquire exclusive NFT moments from the events, allowing users to collect and own special moments from their favorite content.

Staking of the tokens The staking of the tokens follows a straightforward model where the consumer is required to stake INFRA tokens in any of the decentralized exchanges. Staking must be done in the pools which are recognized by the site. This staking would unlock tiers of accessibility.

This benefits the platform and the customer both. The customer-side benefits being:

  • Customers earn LP tokens to provide liquidity.
  • Since the staked tokens belong to the consumer, it gives the consumer the freedom to withdraw the stake as and when needed.
  • The consumer benefits from the growing price of TECH.

The benefits to the platform are:

  • High liquidity of the token ensuring wider adaptation.
  • As the number of consumers grows, so does the price of TECH Token.
  • Since no token is centrally held, it helps the project ethos of decentralization.

Using Fiat Currencies Since cryptocurrencies are still in its early phase of adoption, it is important to have Fiat currencies as a payment option. People who don't want to use cryptocurrency can use a pay-as-you-go subscription model using traditional currency. A certain amount of currency can be added to the wallet which eventually gets exhausted based on the usage. Also, creators can convert their earnings in KNOWLEDGE token to fiat for withdrawal.

Social Impact

In 2017, business events alone involved 1.5 billion participants from 180 countries, and contributed $2.5 trillion of spending while supporting 26 million jobs, according to a 2018 study by Oxford Economics. Prior to the start of the pandemic, the global conference industry was contributing to ​​0.138 to 5.31 billion tons of CO2 equivalent (GT CO2e) per year, or the same as the annual greenhouse gas emissions of the entire United States, suggested Fengqi You, professor at Cornell University.

While professionals complain about "Zoom fatigue" after spending countless hours on online platforms, a poll conducted by Nature found that 74 percent of its 900 survey respondents agreed that virtual conferences should continue after the pandemic as it increases accessibility, followed by the lowering of carbon footprints and costs. The primary reason for not wanting to continue virtual conferences was the poor networking opportunities which all combined begs for a sustainable and innovative online solution to make the experience more engaging while staying sustainable.

With Decast we can optimize physical events by adding simple casting features that increase the reach of events without the additional harmful effects. Decast uses attendee infrastructure as part of the network to further strengthen its power using the unused bandwidths and computational power of the operating node while rewarding the operator with sustainability rewards. A hybrid system could reduce a conference’s carbon footprint and energy use by two-thirds while maintaining more than 50 percent in-person participation. The algorithms will give preference to the viewer nodes such that the idle infra is optimized with the best energy efficiency for the network. A system built to reward sustainable usage and participation.

Project roadmap Roadmap ○ Tokenomics and web Setup ○ Collaboration and edits on Videos Jan 2024 ○ Event records and AI edits Feb 2024 ○ Blockchain Icentivised Testnet - March 2024 § Wallet Issuance and Casting Credits § Class records and Video NFTs § VC drops for certificates§ Playground released for testnet

What's next for Decast

In our upcoming roadmap, we target:

  • Collaborative video-based content creation.
  • Complete decentralized storage and management of the video content
  • A subscription-based cashflow using Stripe and Blockchain-based cryptocurrencies

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