Webcasting Technical Sessions, The Who, What, Where, When, Why & How Alan Amos New England...

Webcasting Technical Sessions, The Who, What, Where, When,

Why & HowAlan Amos

New England Chapter TreasurerKaren Tynan

New England Chapter VPAlan.Amos@Harmonicinc.com KTynan@commscope.com

“Who,What,Where & When”

• Webcasting: What is it?– Webcasting allows individuals or groups in

remote locations to hear the presenter and see what is being presented.

– It does not provide a view of the speaker (no camera is involved).

– Individuals viewing the webcast can submit questions to the speaker.

Webcasting-the “Why” part

• The benefit of webcasting is fairly obvious, it allows more individuals to take part in a chapter meeting. – Too far from the meeting location– Cannot get away for the whole day but want

to see a particular presentation– Small chapters can use the Webcast as a

meeting

Why and Why Not

• The Board had concerns that webcasting would reduce attendance at sessions

• Limited promotion to operators > two hour drive.• The Webcast experience is a substitute for being

there but does not replace “the real thing”.• Curious individuals can sample a meeting to get a

feel for what they are missing. In short, webcasting can be used as a promotional tool!

The “How” part-The Video

– A separate computer is used to “drive” the webcast and requires an operator

– SCTE National sets up the webcast and has been very supportive

– Important to have presentations in advance to avoid last minute scrable!

– An internet connection is needed for the webcasting computer

How cont.-The Audio

• The audio is actually the more technically challenging part

• Wireless mikes and your own sound system are a necessity for good audio

• A telephone connection is required at the session location but not at the remote location

A few of the details

• The audio needs to be coupled into the phone line. Just like Cable TV, proper level and impedance match are required

• There are many ways to accomplish the task but a device that was manufactured to do a similar job is the Ham Radio “phone patch” (my solution). Try E-bay or better yet you are very likely to have a “ham” or two in your chapter. Cost at ham flea markets is typically around $15

• In a “pinch” one could possibly use a speakerphone but quality will be poor

The Phone Patch

What the operator does

• Changes slides on webcasting computer in sync with presenter

• Provides visual emphasis with simulated laser pointer, highlighter and other available tools in webcast software

• Receives questions typed by remote users and relays them to the presenter

• Tries to keep it lively for the remote viewers!

Summary

• Webcasting has not impacted attendance

• Webcasting has enhanced sessions– Collecting presentations in advance provides

opportunity to spot overlap or other issues– Having our own audio system has avoided

last minute problems with hotel systems– More quality questions for speakers– More likely to draw good speakers if they

have a wider audience

You can (and should) do it!

• Many resources are available– SCTE HQ provides plenty of assistance– We are an engineering organization, technical

issues are all very manageable

• Outreach Potential– Systems that have not participated in SCTE– Other Chapters– Tech Schools, Colleges and Universities– CTAM, WIC etc.