HD webcasting setup

[StevenB]

The Oklahoma regional is going to be using HD video (1080i@59.94) for the spectator display this year, so I'm trying to build a PC to handle the webcast and video archiving. My 6-year-old laptop had enough trouble keeping up with 640x480, so instead of spending my spring break working on low-cost match archiving boxes, I'm going to be working on a high-cost box.

Here's the setup I'm looking at so far:

• Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM
• 4 x 1TB HDD, in RAID 5
• NVIDIA GT 540 (In my dreams, I'd like to use NVENC to do H.264 encoding in real time on the GPU, but that will have to wait for next year)
• Blackmagic Intensity Pro HDMI video capture card
• Ubuntu 12.10
• ffmpeg and VLC for capture and streaming
• Ustream.tv (Only because I've used it for five years; I'm open to others)

I've looked at the Hauppauge HD PVR boxes/cards as well.

I'm looking for any suggestions on capture hardware, software setups, and general recommendations about what it takes to work with HD video. After the regional, I'll write a whitepaper about my setup and experience, since the move to HD will be a common trend in the next few years. Thanks!

[dcarr]

Originally Posted by StevenB

After the regional, I'll write a whitepaper about my setup and experience, since the move to HD will be a common trend in the next few years. Thanks!

I certainly hope so. I much prefer seeing robots to seeing shapeless blobs.

[blackwood]

Does this mean you are coming to OKC? If so, we look forward to seeing you.

[Saberbot]

What about a composite interface?

[StevenB]

Originally Posted by blackwood

Does this mean you are coming to OKC? If so, we look forward to seeing you.

Yes.

Originally Posted by Saberbot

What about a composite interface?

Composite video is what I've used for the last few years. It analog, and typically only 480i. That means my poor laptop could handle it with only a $10 capture interface, but it also means that you tend to get shapeless blobs instead of sharp action.

[Bochek]

For your reference, GTR East is being encoded in 480i with a component caputre card.

[hiyou102]

We definitely need more HD in FIRST. I find it odd that footage filmed on expensive HD cameras is only available in 480p. On top of that, sites like like Ustream support HD steaming, so it's not like the technology isn't there.

[Bochek]

Originally Posted by hiyou102

We definitely need more HD in FIRST. I find it odd that footage filmed on expensive HD cameras is only available in 480p. On top of that, sites like like Ustream support HD steaming, so it's not like the technology isn't there.

You will find that most of the camera's used at FIRST events are not HD. 480i or 480P will be the standard.

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by Bochek

You will find that most of the camera's used at FIRST events are not HD. 480i or 480P will be the standard.

I don't think the FMS keyer/key output is HD either.

Last year, we got a local IT company to stream the regional and they spent all the money to get an HD stream and the feed was only SD. (They're doing it again this year, so we did something right.)

[protoserge]

What are you doing for cameras? What kind of cable run lengths are you expecting?

Also look into a Teradek wireless HDMI transmitter/receiver. This might be the ticket... http://www.teradek.com/pages/vidiu