How to Broadcast MF Games:Do You Want to Know

[Reginald Rutledge]

While NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN, and FOX expect millions for broadcasting rights to college football, we are in the unique position of being able to broadcast our games on the cheap.

For the most part, the cost of equipment, your ingenuity, and labor makes this a prime potential means to see miniature football at a reasonable price. With the CBSMF and the BAM making a strong push to change the way the game is viewed, I wonder how long before every conference come up to speed on broadcasting.

It will be nice one day to see the SEC, ACC, Big East, Big 10, SWC, Mountain West, and PAC10 playing games on TV/Internet all at the same time. With Windows 7 OS, you can easily switch back and forth between games as I did last weekend.

I was able to watch Purdue/FSU from the Big 10 and had the chance to switch back to OU/Arkansas to catch the last 30 seconds where the lead changed 3 times only to see OU win the game on a 30 yard pass to Billy Sims!

Having that type of excitement, I really don't think you can appreciate until you understand where we came from. Certain guys across the country like Rick Garrison, Treks1, Ken Allen, Joe Greco, and Mozeek took the time to learn how to broadcast games because they wanted everyone watching. They have been more than willing to show guys (if they want to know) how to do this.

Don't allow this knowledge to slip away. Everyone should want to do this. We talk about promoting the hobby. It's not just about selling your stadiums, or your boards, or your figures. Sell the game! Sell the image! If guys outside the hobby knew that we could bring games to you live and in color, do you not see the positive promotional effects?

Most guys will not raise a finger to try to do this but they want all the "air-time" in the world. Get out of the "thinking it's about you" and learn how to do something for the game, not just your own W-L record! Everybody who plays in this CBSMF should be willing to do this as you are promoting not only your own team but the league as a whole. Just an observation.

All it takes is a camcorder, a firewire cable, and the camcorder software. Ustream has a site to download the necessary drivers. Get more knowledge and make the league even better. More people knowledge = stronger league.

Reg

[mantaraydre]

REG,

Explain it slowly we we all can have first hand knowledge.

1) what has to be set on the camera ?

2) how do you set it up with upstream ?

3) how do you use the upstream software ?

etc etc

thanx
mantaraydre

[Treks1]

Broadcasting games has brought this to another level. Its somewhat of a hassle, especially if you are having laptop issues. I am hoping that in our Conference, every game site will have the capability. Although I am still trying to upgrade- figure out the ins-and-outs of UStream, it seams to be a very useful site and relatively easy to use. You may download pics for a slide show when not broadcasting, design you own colors and logos for your show page, follow other shows, save shows. The show you create is basically a web-site!

Sign up for the basic membership for UStream is free.

Setting up your camera can be tricky based on your camera's software. I went through heck last year trying to set mine of for broadband last year, but was amazed that I got a $29.99 mini web cam, downloaded the software that came with the disc; NO problems. It was VERY easy.

I think it woud be great if each conference or independents in the CBSMF made a effort to start broadcasting their games. Don't have a lop top, have each coach chip in and get one for your league or contact the Commissioner if you need assistance. We are missing a lot of great action and its a good way for coaches across the country to get know you and what is happening with your teams. As exemplied by some things Reg is doing, I think it could be very valuable for training purposes; taping practices and the like....

I am greatful to Reg and the CBSMF for opening up this technology.......
This is a currently under-used asset and I think it could be a very useful tool for the MFCA, leagues and events.

[Reginald Rutledge]

1. Get a good quality camera. It does not have to be a high end camera. It does not necessarily have to be HD. I've got 6 cameras and I use everything from my analog camera that I got about 12 years ago to my Sony camera in 1998 to my new camera which is used for the AmazingRhianna Foundation. That camera is HD and professional quality.

2. If you are using an older camera (before HD), there should be a Picture Package driver software that downloads the drivers for the laptop. This is key because everything is seen based on this software. Sometimes, companies still have the software that you can easily download.

3. I know that with my '98 cameras, the software is obsolete for modern computers. So I went and got me an old computer. One that has Windows XP.

4. A quality laptop is needed. The connection (outlet) must be very tight because you will lose your picture.

5. Memory space is needed on this computer because bandwidth is eaten into. So if you have things that are not used on your computer, delete them.

6. For the older version cameras (after 2004), Windows XP works well for this broadcasting. A regular USB cable from the computer to the camera should work. No firewire cable is needed for this type.

7. Attach the USB to the computer and the other end to the camera. At this point, the software (drivers) should be loaded onto the computer.

8. After this is done, establish a UStream account. Go to www.ustream.com and set up an account. Go to:
Your Shows and create your shows that you want to establish. You can upload logos and other things here.

9. Go to advanced settings and create the things like player size (screen), whether you want co-host, and other things.

10. Once this is all done, save. At that point, you can simply "Broadcast". At this point, there may be some fine-tuning things that need to happen. Once you hit the broadcast prompt, it will ask you if you want your camera and maybe microphone recognize. You should say yes or whatever the thing that is positive says.

11. At that point, you should be able to see a picture. If not, further trouble shooting needs to take place. At that point, go back to the beginning and change some of your parameters.

12. Based on the type of camera (old models), the broadcast will be easy.

13. In newer models, the driver software is already internal in the camera and can be downloaded to the computer from there. Once the drivers are loaded, go to Step 7.

14. You may be better off using a firewire cable if you have an HD-type camera. It definitely uses bandwidth but it allows for greater protection. There are several camcorders that do very well ranging from Sony-brand, JVC and Canon to Mitsubishi and others. The important thing is to make sure the computer can download the drivers.

15. My computer of choice is a Sony. I tried Gateway and Dell with my Sony camera but for whatever the reason, it just did not work well.

16. Also, because computers are usually only equipped with USB ports (and not firewire), you may have to get a firewire adaptor which allows you to hook that type of connection to a camcorder.

17. Like I said, on my old Sony cameras, I simply used a USB cable and it works very well.

Shown below are some cameras commonly used to do this type of streaming. Yes, everyone who plays in the CBSMF should familiarize yourself with how to do your own video streaming instead of relying on others.