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 718-683-5605 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.
This means that we will take VHS and miniDV tapes AND will help you ingest DVDs and digital files of your program into our playback system.
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!
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’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-- bu 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?
At this time, we do not require producers to have a username and password to ingest content into our playback system.
Instead, one of our BCAT Media Center staff persons will log onto our server, assist you with the uploading of your file from a DVD or flash drive and ask you to fill out a Program Description.
In the future, we may return to using a username and password system, so please check back for more information.
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
|
Monday
|
Prior Thursday
|
Tuesday
|
Prior Friday
|
| Wednesday |
Prior Saturday
|
| 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.)
What digital formats does the automation system accept?
Our automation system will upload programs that are burned onto a DVD. Only one episode per DVD, please. DO NOT BURN DVD WITH A MENU, BARS/TONE OR BLACK.
(Menus cause issues with the program being encoded for our playback system. The automated system will also not cue up the program to start from the first frame. Rather, it will play it back just as it's ingested, meaning it will include anything you put ahead of your program... so leave the bars/tone and ten seconds of black off.)
The automated system will accepts files in the following format from external hard drives and USBs:
.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.