We know that you probably have tons of questions about this new system. We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent questions we’ve received. Please review these questions to find the answer you are looking for. If the answer you're looking for isn't below, please contact the BCAT Media Center at 718-935-1122 x 221 and we'll try to answer your question. Continue to check this web page for additional questions as we'll update it through out the digital transition.
Why is the BCAT TV Network moving away from using tapes for playback?
We're making this change because tape-based playback is becoming more and more obsolete in the television realm. Much like the transition of music being available on LPs, then cassette tapes, then CDs and now as digital files you can download onto a computer, we're seeing that video production is following the same path. The storage of video tapes, maintaining their shelf life and the repair and/or replacement of tape decks becomes more difficult to manage and maintain as the production community we work with daily moves in this digital direction.
To keep up with the changes, we've moved to an automated playback system that plays programs on our channels via digital files uploaded by our community producers. This means that episodes community producers submit for playback will be in a different, digital format either contained on a flash drive or burned onto a DVD.
Our new automation system provides more efficient playback of programs, cleaner reception for viewers of your program and, in the long run, will save you time and money. (No more buying tapes to drop off at the BCAT Media Center! And-- coming soon! -- no more having to come to the BCAT Media Center to drop off tapes!-- more on this in "Does this mean I can now upload my programs online from my home computer?")
When will you stop taking tapes for playback?
In past notices, we’d announced that on March 29, 2010 the BCAT TV Network would no longer take tapes for playback on our channels. After conferring with our BCAT Media Center staff and receiving requests from community producers for more time to learn the digital system, we continue to take tapes for playback. At this time, we will not impose a definite deadline for when we’ll become a tapeless facility--- but please be prepared for that announcement to be made.
In the meantime, we recommend that you explore the options available to make your program digital. There are many editing programs, DVD burning products and tape conversion services out there; please take some time to research which options would best suit your production.
You might also consider taking the Brooklyn Center for Media Education's Basic Field and Non-Linear class. It will also show you how to create a program and have it available in a digital format. (Plus, you'll be certified to use our editing equipment and cameras free of charge!)
What's "ingestion"?
Instead of dropping off tapes, you’ll ‘ingest’ or 'upload' your episode onto a computer located at the BCAT Media Center. This means no more tapes, no more tape drop-off, no more tape-pick up. You'll simply come into the BCAT Media Center, ingest your program from the DVD or flash drive you saved your program on, then leave once it has finished copying to our system.
And—this is exciting!—we’re currently working on a service that will allow you to upload your program from home using your home computer. Stay tuned for more information!
To learn more about the ingestion process, visit our on-line tutorials.
I don’t feel comfortable using computers and am worried about using these new digital ingestion stations. Will you teach me how to use them?
We understand that using computers can be intimidating for some people. But don’t worry! We’ve got plenty of opportunities to learn how to use the new digital ingestion stations in-person. Simply ask a BCAT Media Center Staff person about our in-person digital ingestion tutorials and we’ll sign you up for our next available session.
We’ll be able to walk you through the process and will have plenty of helpful staff people available to help you through your first couple of times using the new ingestion stations. As always—if you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask!
Since you're reading this page now, you probably feel comfortable enough with computers to surf the Internet-- so why don't you visit our on-line tutorial page to watch how simple it is to ingest your program into our automated playback system.
If you still have questions, we encourage you to attend one of our in-person tutorials. Take a look at our in-person tutorials and see if there's one that fits your schedule
(You might also want to consider taking the Basic Computer Literacy class at our Brooklyn Center for Media Education. After you take this class, we’re pretty sure you’ll feel a little better about using this new technology.)
How do I get a Username and Password?
We give usernames and passwords to producers who have a scheduled airdate for either a series or a Special on the BCAT TV Network. We’ve sent the majority of these usernames and passwords out via e-mail, in our Renewal letters as well as through automated phone calls. If you have a program scheduled to air on the BCAT TV Network, but have not received this information, please check with the BCAT Media Center staff to ensure we have the correct contact information for you on file.
You may obtain your username and password during your next visit to the BCAT Media Center. Simply present a picture ID and Tape Drop-Off will be happy to provide you with that information.
If you cannot visit the BCAT Media Center, but need to obtain this information as soon as possible, please call Matthew Allen at 718-935-1122 x221. He will ask you to verify your mailing address and main contact telephone number. If the information you give matches the record we have on file, he will provide you with your username and password. If it does not match, you will need to come to the BCAT Media Center and fill out a Change of Information form to update your contact information in our database.
Someone told me that it doesn’t matter how I type in my username into the ingestion system, but that I need to be careful about typing in my password because it’s ‘case sensitive.’ What does ‘case sensitive’ mean?
Case sensitive means that you must type in your password EXACTLY as it appears in your Renewal Letter, in the e-mail we sent or on the print out given to you by Tape Drop-Off or PE. For example, if your password is ‘coolKid23’ you must be sure to type the password in with the capital letter ‘K’. If not, the computer will not recognize your password and won’t allow you to access your files.
I am ingesting my show digitally. Does this affect the due date for my show to be turned in to Programming?
No. We are still keeping the same due dates for shows to be turned into Programming. That schedule is:
Cablecast Day
|
Program Due Date
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Monday
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Prior Thursday
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Tuesday
|
Prior Friday
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| Wednesday |
Prior Saturday
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| Thursday |
Prior Sunday |
| Friday |
Prior Monday |
| Saturday |
Prior Tuesday |
| Sunday |
Prior Wednesday |
Does this mean I can now upload my programs online from my home computer?
No, not yet-- but SOON! We are planning on having FTP service so you can upload your episodes from home. However, that service is not available at this time. When we do have this functionality in place, we will be sure to alert our community with instructions on how to begin that process. Until that time, you will need to ingest your programs at the BCAT Media Center’s digital ingestion stations or upload your program from one of our Avid edit suites (if you’re NLE Certified.)
I’m the Co-Producer (the editor, an assistant) of a show presently airing on the BCAT TV Network, but I’m not the listed for a username and password. How do I get a Username and Password so I can start ingesting my show digitally?
We are only giving the username and passwords to the individuals who are listed in our files as the main producer of the show. If you are a co-producer (or editor or assistant, etc.) you will need to contact the individual who is listed in our records as the program’s producer for the username and password, as they are ultimately responsible for all content, from creation to playback.
I’m a certified producer without a series presently playing on the BCAT TV Network, but I do have Specials scheduled to play. How come I don’t have a username and password?
If you’ve already submitted an Application for a Special, you’ll receive your username and password when you are assigned and airdate by Programming. Programming will mail this letter to the address we have listed in our records. Please wait until you receive your airdate and username and password before attempting to ingest your program.
PLEASE NOTE: In the future, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with Programming to apply for a Special. During this appointment time, you’ll be given an airdate as well as a username and password (if you have not received one already). If you have your Special completed, you’ll be able to upload it immediately after the appointment at the BCAT Media Center’s digital ingestion stations. We’ll be sure to alert our community when this new process is implemented.
What digital formats will the new automation system accept?
The automated system will also accept files in the following format:
.mov
.mp2
.mp4
.mv4
The majority of editing systems available will allow you to export your show in one of the above formats.
At this time, we are not accepting .avi formats. Please continue to check this website for information about converting .avi files to one of the above formats.
What settings should I use for exporting my .mv4 file using Quicktime Pro?
Please visit our Create files using Quicktime page or download our step-by-step guide from our Download Settings page.
What settings should I use for burning my episode to a DVD?
Download helpful settings for creating a digital file on DVD.
I use Adobe Premiere to edit. How do I make my file an .mp2?
Download step-by-step instructions for Adobe Premiere users: creating .mp2 files.
I use Adobe Premiere to edit. How do I export my file to Quicktime?
Download step-by-step instructions for Adobe Premiere users: exporting to Quicktime.