Things to consider when using video cart
Consider this before reservation:
Is the event appropriate for the use of video cart? That is: indoors, one space, max 10-15 m distance from presenter.
Shall you use the Video cart yourself, or do you need an operator? The use of the equipment requires skill, and operators are not always available.
Where do you plan to publish your video?
Do you have a permission to record the event? You should have at least an oral agreement with each speaker.
Where do you plan to publish your material?
Do the presentations contain copyright protected material that can’t be captured and presented online within the reference right. (In brief this means video material produced by somebody else than the presenter.)
Transport to the location:
Videokarry can be transported by one person, and longer distances are possible by car, when using public transport low-treshold-vehicles should be preferred.
Protect the camera bag from rain (there is a cover inside the bag).
When putting the bags and boxes on the stroller, ensure that you bind them to the stroller to avoid falling. The shoulder strap of the camera bag is good for the purpose.
Travelling takes more time with the equipment, so reserve enough in order to play enough time for setting up the equipment at the location (1 h needed for setup).
Do not try to pull or push the stroller in stairs, but dismantle the package and carry the luggage as separate items (or ask for a strong assistant for carrying).
Consider the possibility of theft, and so not leave the items alone.
Setting up:
Reserve enough time (at least 1 h)
Observe the space for optimal camera and microphone locations. Note that the main camera will be placed beside the mixer unit.
The microphones should not be placed further than 10-15 meters from the sound source / presenter. (Otherwise the sound quality may be reduced and proper lipsync lost.)
Ensure that all cables are secured against pull, and that nobody will accidentally trip over the cables or equipment.
Consider the audience, and place the setup to cause minimal disturbance for the event.
Consider your comfort, place the mixing unit and main camera for ergonomic use.
Technical preparations:
Plugin all cables (power, USB, ethernet, mics, HDMIs, headphones).
Note that headphones should be connected to the laptop.
Power up the equipment.
Login to laptop: user “Videokarry” password “vk”.
Open ATEM mixer programme.
Open Media Express programme.
Choose “Capture and log” tab (and you should start hearing mic audio and see the video stream – please, note that the stream is delayed by approx. 2 sec.)
Ensure that sound quality is ok.
In case of electronic disturbance, you may need to plug the main power cable into different slot in the space. DO NOT remove or change any of the pre-plugged cables.
In case of missing sound, ensure that volume is turned on (3 places of likely failure exist).
Check the volume knobs on the small grey box.
Check the volume knobs on the large steely box.
Check the volume setting of the computer.
If still no sound, try if pressing the “MODE” button on the A/D Converter (Behringer Ultramatch Pro/steely box) helps.
Ensure good visual quality.
Test the space in the real lighting that will be used in presentations.
Tweak the exposure levels in cameras to avoid presenter’s screen to flicker.
Test editing and capturing a file.
Make sure there is enough storage space on disk.
You may delete any files from the “videokarry output” folder, in case there are previous files.
Successful capturing:
Capture each presentation as a separate recording. This will help tremendously in the sharing phase.
Packing up:
Coil up the cables properly!
Uploading video to web:
Bring videokarry back to Aalto Media Factory
Open web browser on the videokarry laptop
Navigate to http://tuubi.aalto.fi/upload/ (under construction)
For each of your video files, make appropriate annotations and upload.