Category: AV Services
Introducing the Media Center Mobile Studio/Control Room (MCMS/CR)
The Media Center Mobile Studio/Control Room (MCMS/CR) was created in response to the increasing video demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing protocol. The MCMS/CR has been instrumental in providing various live-streaming and pre-recorded campus and instructional programming including but not limited to: Convocation, Graduation, Board of Regents Meetings, Culinary Assemblies, The Reading Room series, Professional Development programs, Community Outreach and Marketing initiatives.
After the pandemic, the MCMS/CR equipment upgrade has improved our studio setup while affording us the mobility of shooting on-location. Prior to the MCMS/CR equipment upgrade, in order to “take the show on the road,” the EMC staff had to disassemble and reassemble equipment from the Media Center Control Room and Studio to create a make-shift, mobile control room in order to provide a full-multi camera production on-location. The MCMS/CR eliminated the reconfiguration of equipment by consolidating them into a specifically designed mobile cart. It was a necessary step to providing a streamlined, flexible workflow to meet campus video production needs.
Designed with portability in mind, MCMS/CR allows our limited personnel to safely, effectively and quickly transport the main components of a professional control room to provide broadcast quality video production capability to remote locations on or off campus (e.g. Theatre, laboratory classrooms, and event halls).
At the heart of the MCMS/CR is the Tricaster TC-2, video production platform. One of the stand out features of the TC-2 allows for seamless streaming service compatibility with platforms such as Zoom, Skype, MS Teams, etc. enhancing the participants’ experiences providing two-way communication from the Media Center Studio to participants joining remotely. Additionally the TC-2 allows for delivery to most popular streaming services, e.g. YouTube, Facebook and other social platforms. This built-in streaming feature was integral during the pandemic to provide information to the masses when in large in-person events were restricted. At its core, the TC-2 is a multi-source video switcher for cameras, computers, etc. In addition, it has the ability to store and playback multimedia assets such as video roll-ins, graphics and audio. Additional systems allow monitoring, handling additional tasks for teleprompting, audience and production asset management from the control room and studio floor.
While the MCMS/CR functions as a mobile solution, its primary function is for in-house production in concert with the EMCʻs studio floor and lighting system. While “docked” to the EMC control room console, the MCMS/CR continues all capabilities formerly present in previous studio set up while also extending its capabilities to include variable video resolutions, more audience interactivity, extended quality assurance and streamlined operations. In addition to its mobile capabilities, the studio/control room is available for instructors to create various media deliverables to enhance and compliment their in person and online courses.
More information about the TC-2’s features and a few highlights:
- Allows the audio operator the ability to control sound to studio for video playback
- Live-streaming (Zoom web conferencing, YouTube, etc.) from studio and control room
- Allows for talent on the studio floor to communicate and respond to web conference attendees (Zoom)
- Ability to control studio lighting from the control room
- Ability to prompt talent from the control room, off-air (with a teleprompter)
- Ability to have cameras on-location and switch from the studio (remote studio)
Have an idea for videos that supplement course material or interested in a tour of our facility? Please contact Camden Barruga at extension #604 or email camden@hawaii.edu.
Leeward CC Commencement 2022
“Wonder twin powers activate!”
While we are not that wonderful, nor twins, we did activate! AV Services and Video Production units of the Educational Media Center (EMC) teamed up once again, with the help of student assistants, volunteer staff, and DMED students to provide video services for a livestream of the 2022 Leeward Community College Commencement Ceremony. Hard work pays off. We spent countless hours setting up, testing and preparing newly acquired equipment, (thanks to HEERF) that allows for seamless video streaming of live events and streamlines workflows, to ensure that commencement would be an enjoyable experience for all.
This new equipment reflects the EMC’s commitment to helping the campus deliver products that are technologically current and of high quality. We are trained and knowledgeable to make the best use of the tools available. In other words “we got the tools, we got the talent.”
Check out the Commencement livestream and pre-show if you have the chance.
While livestreaming has been a new service for commencement during the pandemic, the EMC has risen to the opportunity to expand the service to programs such as Convocation, marketing initiatives, and instruction to provide widespread outreach to our campus and surrounding communities.
For more information about AV Services, visit our website or contact one of our Electronics Technicians, Garrett Chaves or Iban Urmeneta.
For more information about Video Production and our services like livestreaming, visit our website or contact Media Specialist, Camden Barruga.
Introducing the Technology Enhanced Classroom (TEC)
Move over Smart Classrooms, there’s a new kid in town. As most of you already heard by now, we have a new technology classroom called the Technology Enhanced Classroom (TEC). Thanks to CARES funding, the campus was able to purchase equipment for 50 TECs (most were former Smart Classrooms and some non-Smart Classrooms) and two casual hires to assist with installation. The TECs are more powerful and flexible than the Smart Classrooms to accommodate different modalities (i.e. in-person, hybrid, and DE) for teaching and learning.
Modular Design
The new modular design for the TECs was created by our very own Electronics Technician, Garrett Chaves. It features:
- laser projector providing brighter images and quieter operation
- flat-field speakers
- longer lifespan
- centralized control
- standardized user-friendly control panel
- ADA lectern with more table space for instructors
- the functionality of adding modules without affecting the overall operation of the room
Hybrid Kit Add-On
One such “module” added onto the TECs (funded by CARES) to support socially-distanced in-person and various hybrid and DE modalities were the “hybrid kits.” The hybrid kit contains:
- Video recorder on a tripod for capturing video in the classroom for streaming, for instance, on Zoom, or creating video recordings
- Elmo document camera for showing 3D objects or demonstrating
- Wacom digital tablet for annotating or drawing on the computer, for instance on Zoom or slides
- Elgato video capture card to allow multiple video inputs for streaming, for instance, on Zoom, or creating video recordings
- Lanyard mic to allow the instructor to be heard, for instance, in Zoom, as they walk about in the classroom
Installation
Our AV Services staff, Iban Urmeneta and Garrett Chaves (Electronics Technicians) and Ryuko Tanner and Jacob Gabriel (Classroom AV Installers) were instrumental for installing and testing equipment to get these classrooms ready for instructors to use starting in Fall 2021. TECs scheduled for Spring 2022 should be ready by the start of the semester.
TEC + Hybrid Kit Support
Visit our Hybrid Classroom Orientation webpage to get acquainted with the equipment, tools, and tips for planning for hybrid instruction.
Contact
- ITG Help Desk for technical problems in the classrooms. Trouble calls will be routed to the appropriate unit, ITG Help Desk or AV Services.
- Educational Technologists for consultation on using the technologies in the classrooms for teaching.
New Tech + Workshops (Spring 2021)
We’ve got new technology equipment for use and checkout, and workshops to support your use of technology in the classroom, hybrid, and online! We hope to see you soon!
- Accessibility Starter Series
- Captioning Your Online Videos with YouTube on Feb. 19 at 2:30-3:30pm
- Making Your Online Documents Accessible on Feb. 26 at 1:00-2:30pm
- Making Your Laulima Content Accessible on Mar. 12 at 1:00-2:00pm
- Tool You Can Use Series (feat. Smart (Hybrid) Classroom Technologies)
- Tool You Can Use: Document Camera (ELMO) on Feb. 12 at 9:00-10:00am
- Tool You Can Use: Video Recorder on Apr. 16 at 9:00-10:00am
- Tool You Can Use: Elgato Video Capture Card on Apr. 23 at 9:00-10:00am
- Tool You Can Use: Wacom Graphics Tablet on Apr. 30 at 9:00-10:00am
- New Laulima Assessment Tools: Rubrics and Gradebook
- Laulima Rubrics: Transparency, Consistency, Efficiency on Mar. 2 at 2:00-3:30pm
- Laulima Gradebook: Transparency, Consistency, Efficiency on Mar. 9 at 2:00-3:30pm
- From Classic to Fantastic: The New Google Sites Workshop on Mar. 23 at 1:00-2:30pm
- Video Recorder Field Kit Workshop on Apr. 9 at 10:00-11:00am