OMwiki:Gear
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
- Check and configure scan converter
- Can be set to record input A/V
Recommendation: Cowen A2 or A3
- Special note: A/V input cables must manufactured by Cowen
Mixers
Audio
- Also known as a soundboard
- Bulky devices with lots of cabling
Video
- Generally expensive, bulky devices
- Can do picture-in-picture
- Different aspect ratios possible
- Transitions between two or more video sources possible
Recommendation: Edirol ____
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
- Very important
- Quiet
- Dedicated internet bandwidth, non-firewalled
- Laptops (USB/FireWire video) vs. mini-machines (USB/FireWire/PCI capture cards)
Distribution
=Page embedding
- Load balancing: client-side vs. server side
Projectors
- Expensive
- Recommendation: Something quiet and reasonably bright
Lighting
- Stage lighting vs. fill lighting
- Heavy, fragile equipment
- Sandbags, tall stands sometimes needed