Can't handle this at this time, but here is a ballpark figure with some pointers to give you some ideas as it seems this is an important script for you...
This is more complicated than you think - play 30 seconds? total or at a time? if you want to limit the session to 30 secs max, then you need a vod player that is tracking user time. Think around $2-3k for that. If on hitting play, the clock counts down, but can be reset on skipping to another section, then $3-500 for a basci custm player
Basic options, figure about 7-10hrs to complete with all the biller/admin APIs, so around $500-$1000
Very simple ffmpeg or mplayer script - $100
Has to be included in the custom player. either pre- or post-roll. It calls a simple XML file, that is dynamic so you can control what it shows. So basic dynamic XML script generation $100 tack on an extra $100 for the fussy nonsense that goes with "customisation"
Your "what would make this better" is the better way to code stuff like this - keep everything offline etc, exactly for the reason you stated. *IF* and this is very very important, you have a server that is perfectly setup to run ffmpeg *and* mplayer (for wmv's) with all the codecs working between them, *THEN* this is quite straightforward and is around $800-$1.3k, depending upon what CMS this is using (extensive or simple plugin)
So, if I were to quote you, which I can't, I'd say you shouldn't be shocked at $5k quote
