TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The information added here is to assist with set-up and trouble shooting. Procuct information will be added as new equipment is pruchased to suppliment the Media Production and Broadcasting hardware. Software being used will also be added here. The basic Set-up plan is also added for your convenience.
ATEM television studio
To me, this is the heart of the operationa and has given us the ability to grow into broadcasting. Initially we were just doing live mixing and recording and the ATEM made that easy for us. Once students and staff mastered the mixing console we were able to look at live streaming. The big plus of this hardware is that you are doing real-time editing (mixing) and it saves hours in the edit suite after an event. These days I am able to have an event uploaded within an hour of closing. I generally take the recorded (mixed) material straight from the laptop, add a title and credits with iMovie and export it direct to my vimeo channel overnight (as well as a desktop version for archives). By the next morning I have been emailed the link to share and can send that to our webmaster to add to the schools website (if and as needed).
The alternative for us was a mixing console that requires saving to an SD card through a 1000 euro piece of equipment. Transfering the files to a computer, converting the files, then editing etc. I have save hours with this hardware and associated software!!
PRICE: $995
Canon Legria HF R406
HDMI only - standard to mini
This is our entry level camera for broadcasting. It meets all of our needs at an affordable price. Two key features to seek at entry level (1)HDMI capacity and (2) the ability to turn off the screen data. Anything extra is a bonus. We purchased 8 of these cameras that are used by other divisions and classes but available to us when and if we need more that 3 cameras per event.
PRICE: 199 pounds
Canon XA10
HDMI only - standard to mini
This is our principle braodcasting camera. It is light, portable and beautifully crisp in its image quality. As with most technology now it is becoming outdated and probably able to be picked up cheaper than we did. We still use these camera extensively and feel confident that the students aslo have become quite good cinematographers when using these.
PRICE: 1,234 pounds
DataVision Intercom
This equipment is vital for a fully coordinated production. With this you are able to speak between the camera operators and the mixing desk. The mixing desk is calling the shots and will be preparing shots before they are needed, informing the cameras and then switching to 'conduct' a finely tuned production.
The fibre optic system (see below) replaces this in one cable and saves set-up time and cable tangles.
We now use this system to communicate with our floor manager and any support crew when running a live broadcast. It has added to the ability of the team to run a smooth show without interupting the broadcast or presenters.
It allows 8 people to be connected at the same time and to all hear the instructions. our usual mix is 4 cameras, one floor manager and 1 or 2 floor runners.
PRICE: 735 pounds
JVC Everio 3CCD
HDMI - standard to standard
This was my first HD video camera. WHen I bought it I had no idea that it would be capable of live streaming and would be my principle back-up camera. It is very reliable and sturdy. I alsolike the fact that it is HDMI (standard to standard)
PRICE: 260 pounds (used) - so old it is not available new
Canon XA25
HDMI + SDI + WiFi
This camera will be our next upgrade as it offers us direct SDI capacity althought with the new Fibre Optics system planned we may save money by expanding our XA10 numbers as fibre optics eliminates the need for SDI to a extent. A beautiful camera to have and use!
PRICE: 1,999 pounds
WireCast
Wirecast is the software solution for our broadcasting. It gives us the capacity to live broadcast from our mixer, from IP cameras and from prerecorded material. It is not cheap but they do offer a discount to educational users and there support has been excellent.
Intensity Extreme, the World’s first HD/SD editing solution to feature lightning fast Thunderbolt™ technology. Simply plug in Intensity Extreme to get incredible quality HDMI, component video, S-Video and composite capture and playback for Thunderbolt™ based computers. The perfect solution for videographers, Intensity Extreme includes SD/HD capture and playback in compressed and uncompressed video quality. Better still, this revolutionary new device is compatible with DaVinci Resolve, Fusion, Avid Media Composer 6™, Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro CC, After Effects CC and more.
PRICE: 900 Euro / licence - one licence can be loaded onto multiple machines but only two can be active at the same time. We have purchased the support package too so that has added to our cost on this.
PRICE: Intensity Extreme - $299
Laptop or PC
These days laptops are everywhere and make this a much more affordable system than our first system which required dedicated hardware. The hardware was expensive, cumbersome and difficult to set up. Once we discovered ATEM Television studio and the laptop software we have not loked back and feel this has saved us 1000's of euros.
REcently we have invested in MacMini's as they have more storage capacity and then allow us to edit the final product without transfering to another computer.
PRICE: 600 euro
HDMI SYSTEM
This technology is a little 'flakey' in my opinion but is the way the industry has chosen to go. The HDMI cameras are cheaper than the SDI cameras so it is a necessary evil initially. The maximum length you can go with HDMI is about 15 meters so that also limits where you can broadcast from. Ideally HDMI would be best in a small, permanent school TV studio or classroom.
NOTE: you will need to connect most cameras to something with HDMI so I recommend buying the best quality cables and the maximum length. I also think having a backup cables is vital plus a collection of shorter cables (3-5 metres)
The Price: varies greatly with quality - buy best quality!
Fibre Optic Solution
High School Cube
High School Cube is a free solution for streaming to your global community. Currently they are going through some website development but this has not impacted out streaming in any way. The streamed event is automatically recorded and archives so it is always there for you. They are downloadable too if required which means editing cn be dome for a more compact or professional final product.
PRICE: FREE
Set-Up diagram
IThis simple diagram is the life-line to success! Without it trouble shooting is almost impossible and set-up requires one expert that knows the system inside out. With it set-up can be allocated to almost anyone and is the first tool for problem solving.
PRICE: one laminated A4 photocopy sheet
SDI SYSTEM
If you choose the SDI option you will increase your costs but also your ability to cover more events. The big advantage of SDI is the increased distances you can cover - up to 100 meters without dropping quality or reliability.
The disadvantages is the need to purchase a converter box and HDMI cables to connect the cameras to the SDI / HDMI box. The other disadvab=ntage is that the converter box needs a power source which limits where you can place your cameras
PRICE: Varies depending on Quality of both the cables and the converters
PRICE: Converter - $295
The Production Team
What began as a one off event for Upper School students has blossomed into a full production studio with volunteer groups and curriculum classes. The age ranges from Grade 5's to Seniors (10yo - 18yo). We have parent volunteers and now our product is being actively sought by parents at every even we cover. At last count we had 28,590 Loads and 6,849 total plays from 69 different countries.
PRICE: PRICELESS!
This is the future of the live broadcasting at FIS. We will move into a fibre optic system with SDI/HDMI back-up systems. Fibre optics will give us flexibility to cover events throughout our campus as we can produce high quality broadcasts over longer distances with minimal set-up time and equipment.
The Price: $1995 + $595/camera