OMwiki:Gear

Revision as of 15:45, 19 March 2010 (edit) GChriss (Talk | contribs) (→Lighting: add notes) ← Older edit		Revision as of 15:58, 19 March 2010 (edit) (undo) GChriss (Talk | contribs) (→Encoder: add notes -- there is more to document here) Newer edit →
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	==Encoder==		==Encoder==
-	*Very important	+	*Needs to have a video capture mechanism: FireWire input or a composite video capture device
-	*Quiet	+	*Dedicated internet bandwidth, firewall ports open to ''inbound traffic'' for Flumotion and SSH
-	*Dedicated internet bandwidth, non-firewalled	+	*Laptops (USB/FireWire video) vs. mini-machines (USB/FireWire/PCI capture cards)
-	*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==		==Distribution==

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Revision as of 15:58, 19 March 2010

Contents 1 Speaker 2 Presentation Laptop 3 Splitters 3.1 VGA Splitters 3.2 Composite A/V Splitters 3.3 Audio Splitters 4 Scan Converters 5 Monitors 6 Mixers 6.1 Audio 6.2 Video 7 Auxiliary video 8 Secondary cameras 9 Cameras 10 Cameraperson 11 Audience 12 Encoder 13 Distribution 14 Page embedding 15 Projectors 16 Lighting 17 Power

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: 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: 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: 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; UXGA (1600x1200) support or higher recommended
• Custom menu options available, such as border cropping, freeze-frame, zoom, etc.
• Recommendation: Kramer VP-501xl (4:3 NTSC) or 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: Cowon A2 (records to WMV) or 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 optional, they offer clean video switching (read: transitions)
• Aspect ratio switching and picture-in-picture may be possible
• Recommendation: Edirol LVS-400 or similar

Auxiliary video

Secondary cameras

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

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

Page embedding

• Load balancing: client-side vs. server side

Projectors

• Expensive
• Recommendation: Something quiet and reasonably bright

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
• Recommendations: Arri 650 Watt Plus Tungsten Fresnel or similar; better yet, hire a professional lighting and stage crew

Power