The DMS is a compact, versatile platform performing key archival and stream distribution tasks. It is first a multi-stream synchronous network recorder and playback appliance capable of archiving dozens of simultaneous high resolution video and graphics streams along with audio and metadata. Its second vital role is that of a stream distribution and relay node on the network. In this function the DMS converts any uni-cast stream to a multicast stream (and vice-versa) and adjusts the bandwidth of outgoing streams to accommodate the network constraints of collaboration endpoints.