Multimedia resources
Get access to a range of media resources on campus and beyond.
Multimedia spaces
The multimedia spaces (NLG.4 and NLG.9) are situated in the Open Learning Centre for Languages and Academic English (OLCLAE) on the lower-ground floor of Samuel Alexander Building.
These versatile language learning spaces are for languages students' priority use, and are equipped with:
- PCs (with headsets with microphones) for DVD and CD playback, videoconferencing, voice recording, use of multilingual software, etc;
- flexible work spaces for individual or pair/group work;
- access to specialised keyboards for inputting in different scripts;
- access to external drives for DVD playback;
- LCD screens for group viewing of DVDs;
- multi-region DVD/BluRay player for single or group viewing.
Film and TV viewing and recording facilities
The main TV viewing and recording facilities are based at Samuel Alexander Building.
DVDs
The library of the Open Learning Centre for Languages and Academic English (OLCLAE) has a substantial collection of DVDs including a large world cinema collection, off-air recordings of documentaries etc, and recordings to accompany language courses.
Access the OLCLAE Library catalogue via the Library Services page.
External drives for DVD/BluRay playback are available for loan from OLCLAE Reception.
Box of Broadcasts
Box of Broadcasts is a streaming video service which allows the scheduling of future recordings, and the viewing of previous recordings. The BoB service can be accessed by visiting Box of Broadcasts (Media Services).
BFI Player
On-demand service from the British Film Institute, streaming acclaimed, landmark and archive films. Their subscription collection includes hundreds of films, which are free-to-view after registering through the University of Manchester Library.
Access to this service is open to all University staff and students.
Kanopy
Kanopy is an on-demand streaming platform for films, TV shows and documentaries. It can be accessed using your University of Manchester login.
TV schedules
Radio Times - TV and radio schedules for all broadcasts on British TV
Reelgood - Free streaming guide for freeview and subscription broadcasts
Off-air recording and AV duplication service
The Open Learning Centre for Languages and Academic English (OLCLAE) in Samuel Alexander Building (building 67 on the Campus Map) offers an off-air recording service.
The University of Manchester is covered by the Education Recording Agency Licence which permits off-air recordings to be made for educational purposes.
Requests for off-air recordings
Students and language teaching staff who require off-air recordings should ask for an off-air recording request form from reception and give as much notice as possible.
Staff who need off-air recordings from channels other than those currently provided should contact us in advance by emailing angela.farrand@manchester.ac.uk.
Requests for AV duplication
An AV duplication service is available from Reception. Please ask for a copy request form.
Legal links
- ERA Licensing - clarification of copyright issues.
- JISC - help with copyright law and its relevance and application to the use of information and communications technologies in UK further and higher education.
Multilingual word processing
Multilingual word processing is possible in all standard PC clusters.
Typing special characters in languages other than English
You can type accented characters for many Western European (and other) languages in any Windows program by holding down the ALT key and typing a four-digit character code. If you are using Microsoft Word, you can also type accented characters using a special set of keyboard shortcuts which are quite easy to remember. Both methods are detailed in the following PDF document:
- How to type foreign language characters (PDF)
- Legacy 3-digit codes for foreign language characters (PDF)
The above method and character codes do not include many accented characters used in Central European languages (such as Polish) and Eastern European languages (such as Turkish). A slightly different method with additional character codes for inputting characters in Polish and Turkish is given in the following PDF document:
Keyboard layouts
The layouts and keys of keyboards are different depending on the country you are in and the language that is spoken there. This means that keyboards can vary.
Special keyboards
Keyboards for Arabic, German, Hebrew, Russian and Turkish are available for loan as reference items from OLCLAE Reception (NLG.6, Samuel Alexander Building).
Remember that it will still be necessary to set the input language.