Week 5_Equipment Trial

Week 5_16 August 2012
Equipment Trial Day

During the week at the team leader meeting we discussed the set up of some equipment for our first trial day with the Video Mixer.

In follow is the first draft which will change during the time.

At the trial we focused on the audio and placing of the microphones on the cloth. While placing the microphone onto the cloth the person has to pay attention where to place it.  The placing does becomes difficult for examples on females with décolleté or open long hair and males with button shirts and/or beard where cloth or hair rub against the microphone and can disturb the quality.
After the recording with the Video Mixer we realized one massive problem. The Panasonic Camera is placing icons during recording time on its display which also get recorded from the Video Mixer and are not removable. We consider that this camera will not be connected to the video mixer. During the post-production time we will add different footage’s from this camera into the videos.

Week 4_ATEM Video Mixer

Week4_09/08/2012

The whole team/class had a break of two weeks, which is counted as time off in Lieu that will be used on the filming days during the uni break.

This week we discussed the ATEM Mixer and the equipment.

Introduction to ATEM Television Studio Video mixer

TEDx Darwin Volunteer Event Coordinator Peter Walker presented an introduction about the ATEM Live Video Mixer this week.

In general you need to understand your technology and cables to organise a live video recording event.

The different cables which we discussed are:

HDMI (10GB/sec)

– transfers very good quality but is limited in travelling data on long distance such as close up camera on stage back to the ATEM mixer to the live screens.

– does not transfer the any data that includes frame sinking over a distance of 5metres.

– does not work on a distance of 20metres as the data transferring way is too long.

SDI (2GB/sec):

– transfers less quality but can be connected to a codex cable and transfers data quicker onto the live screens.

– more successful transferring data on a long distance over 1km.

– for the project we have to manage about 20 – 40 metres of distances between cameras and mixers.

– additionally requires a SDI converter for the ATEM mixer.

– ATEM mixer only converts data transfers from 5metre cables which means it has to be placed within this distance to the cameras.

Following possibilities can go wrong on a TEDx conference or other events:

– microphones are not working

– cables are disconnected

– lights switch off

– wrong lights switch on

– hard drive is running full

ATEM Video mixer

The ATEM M/E Production Switcher is a professional broadcast grade digital production switcher capable of switching and creatively processing a variety of video sources in live video production and broadcast environments.

The ATEM Control panel:

– 2 MB media animation can be uploaded to the panel into a media pool which makes it able to slide in information about the speakers

– transfer straight from Photoshop possible.

Also live video mixing is an art form which

–  reduces the amount of work in postproduction time

– requires training to get the live video mixing as good as possible to reduce work afterwards.

– challenging for the person managing the controlling panel as it requires concentrate listening to the speaker if they point out to a slide on a Power Point Presentation (switching to the slide and back to the speaker).

Video mixer Recording

A few issues and notes to the recording:

– video output is recorded to the computer Hard drive.

– the size of video file for a 4x 90min session depends on the hard drive of the computer used – we have to record in H264 10mbps.

The issues/solutions

– our computer records audio only and external Hard drives are not recommended for HD live captures.

– the ATEM can encode to H264 but quality depends on the drive speed.

– need to get 20mbps quality in h264.

– USB 3.0 will allow us to record uncompressed

– no access to a computer with USB 3.0.

– hard drives always have specifications for read / write speeds (450mbps etc.) which is a load of baloney.

– the actual performance on a HDD is around 25-30mbps read and 10-20mbps write.

Our project has to be recorded on a reduced quality which should be enough for the YouTube stream – all this requires trial sessions including a trial with HDMI/SDI converters and BNC cables.

SDI Converter

The ATEM manufacturers and video guys recommend these products. http://www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/p/25635/blackmagic-design-battery-converters-hdmi-to-sdi-convbatt-hs.html

Each unit can run off normal 75 ohm coax cable which are available for very little to hire.

Week 1_Introducation TEDx Darwin

Week 1_19/07/2012

Presentation of TEDx Darwin

At the 19/07/2012 the team met the project partner Jason Schoolmeester who presented the scope of the recording TEDx Darwin 2012. This year the event will have 20 speakers. The team is required to watch the recorded seminar of Jason Wishnow (Director for Film and Video how to shoot a cinematic talk) to meet the criteria of “how to shoot a TEDx event in TED style” (Jason Schoolmeester 2012). The link can be found on the YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hykE511y3yA

Problems from previous event

Furthermore the team was advised to consider the issue videos presented from the previous event.

– The white balance

This year the focus will be on the correct white balance such as no black background (which makes it hard to recognise speakers in darker cloth) or improvement in the lightening. Additionally the cameras have to be checked on how good the white balance is improved.

– Lights

Last year the event had only two lights in the back which caused a lack in improving the white balance on the cameras. This year TEDx Darwin will provide more lights and/or the location has already different light opportunities installed.

– Website data

This year the data volume has to be lower as the community showed some problems with downloading the videos.

–  Audio

The highest attention has to go to the audio as this has to be perfect. TED requires clear and crisp audio – the light can have less quality.

TEDx Team

This year the team has seven new people on board.

Speakers

Per session is one performance act planned. The correct placing of the microphones is a challenge as every person will present something different such as art, storytelling, photos, performance etc.

One coach (TEDx) has to organise about ten speakers who present their ideas to TEDx Darwin.

Cameras

The team will have three cameras in total. Two will be placed on the sides showing to the stage in a 20degree angle. One camera will be flexible and film the speaker in a full body profile. A camera mixer will be the bonus for the team as it automatically mixes the different camera perspective together.

Guests

Tickets for sale are available and about 100 guests are expected.

Rehearsal

At 7 September 2012 the team will have a dress rehearsal. Also all speakers will come in for a test on stage and microphones.

On Site visit

The team and Jason Schoolmeester had a brief visit at the location. Following discussion has been made:

– The first two rows of chairs have to be covered as they will be too close to the stage. Additionally the beamer will be in the way.

– Stage has to be marked for the speaker so they don’t fall off while presenting.

–  Background is white with lights from the top – creates shadows on the background. This needs to be changed by TED.

– The room is very long – extra camera cables have to be ordered by TEDx.

– Screen on the side has be covered or can be used for Power Point Presentations.

– Emergency exits have to cleared and accessible.

TEDx Darwin Conference September 2012

Welcome to my weekly journal about the project TEDx Darwin Conference September 2012 where students from Charles Darwin University are responsible for the filming and video editing during the event. After the event the videos will be provided on YouTube to share the ideas with the TED community.

I hope you enjoy the read through each weeks process and development of our team.