Get the Equipment You Need

If your department has the equipment, staff, and expertise to webcast your event, then you can do it yourself. For departments that do not, BU Productions and Networked Information Services can help. See below.

Components	Options
The Decision	Think about whether you want an audio webcast similar to the Food for Thought talks or a video webcast similar to The Great Debate. Video provides the richer experience, so that will typically be your first choice. However, your budget might be the determining factor. A video webcast will cost more than an audio webcast. If you are unsure, you can discuss it with BU Productions.
The Camera (video webcast)	BU Productions BU Productions can provide all the equipment, staff, and expertise to video tape your event. For information and a cost estimate, contact Nancy Marrs at 353-3217 or nmarrs@bu.edu. Make inquiries as early as possible. Location scouting, television lighting, and technical set-up are included in the fee.
The Audio (audio-only webcast)	The Media Group This group can provide all the equipment, staff, and expertise to audio tape your event. For information and a cost estimate, contact Bill Gillooly at 353-6875 or gillooly@bu.edu.
Note	Both groups charge for their services. Typically, this is the only cost associated with a live webcast.
The Computers	Networked Information Services NIS can provide the encoding and monitoring computers and staff to operate them. NIS services are free of charge. The encoding station is equipped with special video hardware and encoding software.
The Network	The encoding and monitoring stations are connected to two data ports in the room where the event is taking place. So, the room must have at least two unused and working ports. If you don't know yourself, talk to the system administrator responsible for the room. If you cannot locate the administrator, send mail to nethelp.
The RealServer	The RealServer, located in the basement of 111 Cummington Street, is capable of webcasting audio and video to up to 400 simultaneous viewers and listeners worldwide. NIS webcasts at two rates: one suitable for viewers on 56K modems, such as people at home; the other suitable for viewers with fast connections, such as people at universities and large companies.
The Viewers	If you are going to webcast your event, you want to ensure that it is well attended. Otherwise, it's not worth doing. How do people find out about your webcast? You must publicize and advertise the event. You are probably already producing press releases, brochures, posters, electronic mailings, and other materials to publicize your event. You should include information about your webcast in all of those materials. You should create an event home page and put that URL in all your materials. Those joining your event via the webcast will go to that page to view the event. Also, for large events, you should talk to the BU Public Relations group. Finally, to promote your webcast further, you can have your event listed in webcast guides.
The Event Venue	The room you hold your event in should be large enough to comfortably accommodate your expected attendees as well as camera equipment, computers, and a crew of at least three people. The room should have good acoustics and lighting. BU Productions and NIS will evaluate your venue to ensure that it is suitable for hosting a webcast.