Editing OMwiki:Gear

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This page outlines a set of recommendations for recording a meeting using composite video, with slide mixing.  Similar pages for [[OMwiki:Interviews|video-casting stations]], [[OMwiki:Roving|roving cameras]], and audio capture are under preparation.


<imagemap>
File:Composite-room-diagram-withslides.svg|thumb|350px|Alt=Composite Video Room Setup Diagram (w/ Slide Mixing)|<font color="Black">Room setup, diagrammed (with slide mixing).  Click on an object to learn more; the image is [[:wikipedia:Image_map|area-hyperlinked.]]</font>

rect 65 79 123 171 [[#Speaker|Speaker]]
rect 126 96 171 143 [[#Presentation_Laptop|Presenter's Laptop]]
rect 126 158 168 184 [[#VGA_Splitters|VGA Splitter]]
rect 128 187 164 213 [[#Scan_Converters|VGA->Composite Scan Converter]]
rect 182 186 217 212 [[#Monitors|Scan Converter Monitor+Recorder]]
rect 127 358 168 386 [[#Video|Composite Video Switcher/Mixer]]
rect 25 297 114 354 [[#Auxiliary_Video|Auxiliary A/V Source]]
rect 326 238 365 291 [[#Cameras|Camera]]
rect 370 223 409 299 [[#Cameraperson|Cameraperson]]
rect 127 394 315 431 [[#Composite_A.2FV_Splitters|Composite A/V Splittter]]
rect 272 338 300 379 [[#Monitors|A/V Monitor+Recorder (Post-mixing)]]
poly 417 216 431 289 401 339 330 376 409 523 549 356 548 212 [[#Audience|In-Room Audience]]
rect 177 434 204 468 [[#Encoder|Encoder Machine]]
rect 89 476 287 596 [[#Distribution|Internet Broadcast]]
rect 333 47 549 193 [[#Projectors|In-Room Projection]]
rect 186 57 301 166 [[#Lighting|Non-Ambient Lighting]]

desc bottom-left
</imagemap>

==Speaker==
*Properly attired, light makeup if heavy lighting is used
*Helpful to have the speaker tour the room beforehand and try a test run
*Send notification of archival video publication
*Recommendation: >200mW green laser pointer, carefully wielded


==Presentation Laptop==
*Presenters' laptops are not generally available beforehand, but it is helpful to send instructions on signal output expectations.
*Carry several different cable converters: [http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572Z/A Mini DisplayPort to VGA], DVI-to-VGA, miniDVI-to-VGA, ''etc.''
*Recommendation: Thinkpad-style laptops; stay away from HDMI
:Special notes: In-room wireless bandwidth traffic spikes during presentations, so it is best to have on-podium Ethernet connections.


==Splitters==
===VGA Splitters===
*Powered ''via'' outlet power or USB
*No fancy features beyond signal duplication; these are hardware-only devices
*Recommendation: [http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3521446&CAWELAID=325278351 Gigaware 2-Port USB Powered VGA Splitter] or similar

===Composite A/V Splitters===
*Powered ''via'' outlet power; signal-copy only
*Also, carry plain RCA Y-cables and RCA female-to-female couplers
*Recommendation: [http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103065 Distribution Amplifier] or similar


===Audio Splitters===
*Carry minijack Y-cables, XLR Y-cables, TRS connectors, and 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch headphone converters
*Audio splitting is also possible from the soundboard


==Scan Converters==
*Many scan converters do not support higher resolutions commonly used with high-end projectors; [[:wikipedia:UXGA|UXGA (1600x1200)]] support or higher recommended
*Custom menu options available, such as border cropping, freeze-frame, zoom, ''etc.''
*Recommendation: [http://www.kramerelectronics.com/products/model.asp?pid=398 Kramer VP-501xl] (4:3 NTSC) or [http://www.kramerelectronics.com/products/model.asp?pid=585&sf=103 VP-701xl] (4:3 or 16:9; not yet tested)
:Special notes: these devices can warm with usage; be mindful not to tape over ventilation holes


==Monitors==
*Can be used to check and configure scan converters; "monitor" is not used in the "computer monitor" sense
*Often can be set to record audio/video input
Recommendation: http://www.cowonglobal.com/product_wide/product_A2_feature.php Cowon A2] (records to WMV) or [http://www.cowonglobal.com/product_wide/product_A3_feature.php Cowon A3] (not tested)
:Special note: A/V input cables must manufactured by Cowen


==Mixers==
===Audio===
*Also known as a soundboard, hopefully already present and mic-tested

===Video===
*Generally these are expensive, bulky devices.  Technically [http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4023695 optional], they offer clean video switching (read: transitions)
*Aspect ratio switching and picture-in-picture may be possible
*Recommendation: [http://www.edirol.com/index.php/en/products-mainmenu-421/video-mixing-mainmenu-386/lvs-400 Edirol LVS-400] or similar


==Auxiliary Video==
*Another video source can be mixed-in here (''e.g.'', from a 2nd camera)


==Cameras==
*Must have composite video-out
*High-definition vs. standard
*Tape vs. solid state; all-day recording
*Backup recording
*Audio-in
*Time drift problem
*Zoom range
*Suitable tripod


==Cameraperson==
*Present vs. non-present
*Approachability


==Audience==
*Mic'd vs. non (for audience questions)
*Wireless connectivity, competition for outlet power (gaffers tape)
*Reserved areas, tablecloths
*Pan-ability
===Online audience===
*Question/feedback submission mechanism and designated #hashtags
*Back-channel communication ("move the camera that-a-way")
*Use Herdict to report video loading problems:
:[http://www.herdict.org/web/participate/reporter?singleUrl=yoursite.com/live/ http://www.herdict.org/web/participate/reporter?singleUrl=yoursite.com/live/]


==Encoder==
*Needs to have a video capture mechanism: FireWire input or a composite video capture device
*Dedicated internet bandwidth, firewall ports open to ''inbound traffic'' for Flumotion and SSH
*Laptops (USB/FireWire video) vs. mini-machines (USB/FireWire/PCI capture cards)
*Recommendations:
:Shuttle SG31G2V2 running Linux with an Osprey 210 Capture Card (bttv insmod args set to 'card=89'; no audio support here)
:>2.2GHz ThinkPad laptop with a USB video capture dongle (not tested)


==Distribution==
*Plan on having 300-kbps-up ''dedicated'' bandwidth for each video stream
*Mobile broadband can be used if necessary, but Ethernet connections are more reliable
===VLC + Icecast===
*Documented at [http://en.flossmanuals.net/TheoraCookbook/VLCStreaming TheoraCookbook]
*Commercial Icecast hosting is available [evaluating best options now]
===ffmpeg2theora + Icecast===
*Currently, ffmpeg2theora only accepts FireWire audio, so this is non-viable for streaming composite video
===Flumotion===
*Not an easy DIY option due to software complexity, but a good custom option if working with Flumotion directly


==Page embedding==
*Load balancing: client-side ''vs.'' server side


==Projectors==
*Expensive
*Recommendation: Proxima [http://www.askproxima.com/products/projectors/M6/index.htm M6] or [http://www.askproxima.com/products/projectors/M9/index.htm M9] may be good choices


==Lighting==
*Fill lighting is easy to accomplish, but stage lighting is difficult
*Heavy, fragile equipment: sandbags, tall stands often needed
*Liability concerns with heavy equipment
*Possible recommendations:
:[http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/72020-REG/Arri_531600_650_Watt_Plus_Tungsten.html Arri 650 Watt Plus Tungsten Fresnel] or similar
:[http://www.colorkinetics.com/ls/ Phillips LED Lighting Solutions]
:Hire a professional lighting and stage crew


==Power==
*Use a UPS


==Reference Gearlists==
*[[User:openvideopro|Open Video Productions, L.L.C.]]: [[:File:Openvideopro_gearlist.pdf|PDF]], current as of 30-April-2010