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Application/Service/Description
This Article covers the setup and operation of the Skype Talkshow system in the WDSC Production Control Room. This system is used for bringing in guests remotely for productions done in the WDSC Studios. The Talkshow hardware connects video to the switcher and audio to the mixer using Skype software for the remote connection.
Version
Skype TX only as loaded onTalkshow hardware. Remote clients can be any current version of Skype.
Instructions
Preliminary Setup - Turn on Talkshow unit in PCR on the front desk. Password is newtek. (You may need to do this a day ahead of time to allow for the installation of windows updates that may have accumulated, also you may need to send a contact request to the skype guest) Abbr: MCR - Master Control Room, PCR - Production Control Room, ACR - Audio Control Room
Patching – Audio: Make sure that the patches in PCR on the audio patch panel (RK 215 front desk) are connected from #39 out (top row) to #89(bottom row). In ACR it should go from the PCR tie line # 1 to Mixer input #20.
Video: In MCR, patch the SKYPE output (Rk 135 W31) to Aux 1 (RK135 H5) on the Video Switcher. Patch an assignable output from the switcher (Rk 135 1-6) to the SKYPE input (Rk135 X32). Patch an assignable output from the switcher (Rk 135 1-6) to an output on a wall panel in the studio.
Audio Mixer Setup - recall setup #1. This should provide for Aux 2 feeding the mic inputs 1-4 to the TalkShow unit. It also should have Aux 3, 4 set to feed input 20 (TalkShow) to the Host & Guest IFB units.
Video Switcher Setup - On the Ross Dashboard for the switcher control in PCR, assign PGM out to the output patched to the SKYPE unit. Also, assign CAM5 out to the output patched to the studio wall panel.
Studio Setup - Put a microphone and an IFB out for the local host and if needed for a guest. Any wireless mic 1-4 can be used. Place a monitor in view of the host and any on set guests. Connect the monitor to the studio wall panel that you have connected to the CAM5 output from the switcher.
Talkshow Device Setup - On the Talkshow unit in PCR launch the talk show program. You should get a split screen showing the switcher output in the lower window and a Skype graphic in the upper window. Launch the Skype TX program. Choose the WDSC TV account to sign in. If there is an existing contact it should show up in the contacts list. If not, you will need to search and send a contact request or the Skype guest can initiate the call. To connect to a guest from our end, click on the camera icon next to the contact. If they answer, their live video will show up in the upper box under Channel 1 in the Skype TX program. If they talk, you should see a bar on the right of the picture move to their audio. Minimize the Skype Tx window and switch to the Talkshow program window. The Skype live video should now appear in the top window and a blue VU meter should show on the right of that video when they talk.
A headset and microphone is provided for the producer to talk with the Skype caller offline. Click on the Talkback button beneath the viewport to talk to the Skype caller and release for normal audio flow. You can latch the Talkback button on by hitting control before clicking on it. There is a control icon in the lower left portion of the screen to adjust the headset source and volume. The producer can use the clearcom intercom to talk to the Host and Guest IFB.
Operation - On the audio mixer the fader for Ch 20 controls the Skype caller’s input level. Adjust mic levels for the local talent and check that they can hear the skype caller in their IFB. Have the host and guest talk to the skype caller and check that they are receiving them clearly with minimal delay. On the video switcher the Skype caller should appear on CAM5.
Additional Information
- Remote Guest will need a Skype Account