Webcasting of Regionals

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

I can answer about half these questions and I'll work on getting you an email of the guy that can fully answer all of them.

Most regionals are webcast via NASA. NASA sends out a person to set up the webcast and run it for the event. A few are webcast by experienced volunteers that work in association with the NASA people. So not all the regionals are webcast because there's not enough people to go around. Bandwidth might also have something to do with it. I'm unsure about the archiving.

The video is typically the exact same as is displayed on the screen if that's available. Regionals have differing levels of AV support, so some might only have an overview camera for a video feed. Either way, the webcasting equipment is given a video feed from the AV system.

Staff for webcasting is minimal. You really only need someone to get it set up and running and occasionally check on things. Equipment is varied. It is possible to use most videoconfencing equipment like a Polycom for this. You can also use a computer with a video capture card, but it can't be a Dazzle or anything that captures in MPEG format. It doesn't have to be blazingly fast. You'll also need network connectivity, which usually means an ISDN modem, or a network drop, depending on where you are. Cost is typically dictated by said network connectivity. Getting one or two ISDN lines can be moderately pricey.

I'll find the emails you need to get in touch with webcasting people and PM you if you're really interested in webcasting your local regional.

I know UTC webcasted their regional themselves last year so non-NASA regionals can do it.
I'm hoping Finger Lakes does it.

[sanddrag]

From the sound of things (the posts in this thread), it seems either "NASA handles it" or "if you can do it, go for it and we'll send over a video cable, but no support beyond that." Do I have the right impression here? The reason I'm asking all this is for the regionals that don't get webcasted or archived. Hopefully maybe there is a way they can be.

[Kevin Sevcik]

Currently NASA handles the serving of the webcast. There's still the need for someone to be at the regional to set up a computer or whatever. I believe Alan Federman will be willing to walk you through the process and describe all the stuff that's needed. You wouldn't be left hanging completely if you wanted to run the webcast at your regional.