Hi tm3dantes,
a) re advising to take or not to take the seminar: that's a hard question - I for my part would probably go again, if that is any help to you. I've also strongly suggested they should do an advanced seminar, since the first seminar is kind of like getting an overview. Some people suggested they didn't really go into enough detail in the first seminar, but then there's probably not enough time for that unless they extend the days.
b) re your 2nd question on image streaming: no experience here yet, I'm experimenting with the 'htt' - some interesting and some not so explicable results
c) materials: course materials (photocopied background info, probably 15 pages or so, work materials for the course itself)
To get to a conclusion should you or should you not, I'd almost suggest you go through the forums page-by-page, e.g. on the subject image streaming, and then come to a conclusion.
Best regards,
sfo