Message Board

how does it work

kjel — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:29:50 GMT

hi there, i actually got a question how your broadcast studio works
on your site, you do a live stream with silverlight, but silverlight itself has no webcam support, so my question is how you make this livestream possible

greetings kjel

Forum: Broadcast Studio Support

Delete Account

Bradley — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:18:05 GMT

I would like to remove my account completely... how and where?
Thank you

Forum: Website Support

Quality is everything

poozle — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:50:21 GMT

How do we get the best picture and sound quality out of our broadcast? Well, there are a few things you can keep in mind.

1. Equipment.

You can broadcast with a tiny web cam if you want. But, to get the best quality, a professional video camera would be your best bet. Of course, most of us use this site as a hobby and don't want to invest to much cash into it. A decent quality digital camcorder from your local electronics dealer would work just fine to give you a quality picture and sound. Having a camera operator (one of your buddys) and a tripod might help to keep a steadier and more professional look.

2. Bandwidth.

If you don't understand the concept of computer network bandwidth, that's ok. The simpliest way to explain it is by thinking of your Internet connection as a pipe. The information leaving your computer (in some cases) may be traveling through a pipe 1/2 inch in diameter. Your live video might be the the size of a banana which can make for a tight squeeze through that 1/2 inch pipe. So, to make sure it fits through the pipe ok, don't clog up the pipe by trying to squeeze other things through it as the same time. Leave room for your banana by not running other software while broadcasting that might use the internet. Limit your internet surfing while broadcasting. And most important, don't watch your broadcast while broadcasting. Doing so will surely clog up the pipe. Instead, watch your rerun or stare into the mirror. The more bandwidth you leave open, the better your broadcast picture and sound quality will be.

So, entertain the world but try to make it look and sound good too!

Forum: Broadcasting Tips and Tricks

Shows, Schedules, I'm so Confused...

poozle — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:10:57 GMT

What's the deal with Shows? Everytime I want to broadcast a new show, I can't name it the same name as a Show I've already created. How do I get around this?

Easy answer: You don't! The trick is to think of FameFor15.com as regular old television. Take network TV for example. Every week you can watch a show such as "The A Team" (ok, I'm dating myself). "The A Team" is one show. But every week you watch it, it's a different episode (unless it's a rerun). FameFor15.com is exactly the same.

Create your show, such as "The A Team" (of course, that name is taken already). Schedule your show at a certain date and time and do your live broadcast. Congratulation! You just created an episode. Come back later and schedule your same show "The A Team" for another date and time and broadcast live. Congratulation! You just created a second episode for the same show! There was no need to create another new show for that second broadcast.

And don't forget, every episode you create is saved as as rerun which can be scheduled to rebroadcast or made available to watch on-demand. Shows, Schedules, Reruns... They're not confusing. If you are a fan of television, you already understand.

Forum: Broadcasting Tips and Tricks

Effective use of the Display Panel

poozle — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:46:02 GMT

What is the Display Panel? It's that button underneath the video box in the Broadcast Studio that takes over half the screen and displays my airtime in very large letters. And to top it off, it displays the live channel chatter and covers the entire screen so I can't see myself. What's the deal? It makes no sense.

Actually, there is some sense to it. The Display Panel was designed to give the broadcaster reference to his or her live broadcast data (time and stuff) if he or she is far away from the computer they are broadcasting from. Since FameFor15.com is all about entertainment and not just web cam social networking, we had figured most of you broadcasters out there might need some room to do whatever it is you do and the Display Panel could be your best tool to figure out when the heck your broadcast is ending or how many viewers are watching you without the help of a telescope.

But why does it take up the whole screen with channel chat open? Well, we also figured that entertaining the world through a live Internet broadcast is easier with someone to help man the Broadcast Studio while the entertainers worry only about the entertainment. With the help of two monitors, the person running the Broadcast Studio can work with the small, blue, Broadcast Studio interface and take care of the playlist, polls, callers, etc.. The Display Panel can be dragged to the second monitor and opened full screen. While conveniently being pointed toward the entertainer(s), the second monitor with the help of the Display Panel can keep the performer(s) up to date with the air time, playlist, viewer count, as well as a quick reference to all that channel chatter for some instant interaction.

Entertaining the world over the Internet can be tricky and awkward. We hope tools such as the Display Panel can help take the awkwardness out of the technology and leave it for say the knife juggler who has an accident while on the air .

Forum: Broadcasting Tips and Tricks

Windows Vista Issues

poozle — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:00:33 GMT

If you are having trouble running the Broadcast Studio on Windows Vista, please see the artcle below:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929182

The above article contains a download that will fix the issue.

Forum: Broadcast Studio Support

Help with DVDS...

Niall — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:41:47 GMT

Hi i need help with broadcasting DVDS of mine, i looked at "Broadcasting DVDS?" and i can't convert as it is far too long to do that and i do not understand the part of "Hooking up a DVD player to computer" so if there is any easier way or if you could explain more in detail with "Hooking up a DVD played to computer" or maybe if there is a very good,quick converter anyone can suggest

Thanks!

Forum: Broadcast Studio Support

Can't Connect

Roger — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 05:05:24 GMT

I can't connect to the Server, when I try it disconnects automatically and tells me it is an internal error. HELP!

Forum: Report a bug

No Audio in Broadcast Mode

compozer — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 04:58:46 GMT

I am unable to hear the audio during broadcast. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated

Forum: Show Ideas

Live or YouTube?

poozle — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:28:38 GMT

Even though the intention of this site is to "WOW" your audience through a live broadcast, you can easily store your pre-recorded video file on the site for all to see (kinda like youtube).

First, create your media. Under the media section of the Broadcast Studio, select your video file by choosing "From File" under the video source list box. Make sure the audio source reads "Same as Video."

Next, create a show representing the video and schedule it to broadcast. "Start Broadcast" a few minutes before the schedule and when you're on the air, your video will be playing on the site for the world to see. When it is done, you will see the video saved as a rerun under your show's page on the website. Viewers can now watch it on-demand. You can hide it from viewers by clicking on "hide rerun" under the "My Reruns" section of the "My Account" page on the website.

Things to keep in mind:

1. Adding a video file to your "Media" section of the Broadcast Studio does not upload the video to the server. You must broadcast it for that to happen.
2. Videos shorter than 5 minutes may not record as reruns. Make sure your video is long enough to record.
3. Start you broadcast on time. Late broadcasts may not record as reruns.

Refer to the help videos for more information:
http://www.famefor15.com/bs_help.aspx

Forum: Broadcasting Tips and Tricks

About FameFor15.com

poozle — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:48:21 GMT

FameFor15.com allows you to create your own interactive shows and schedule them to play to an internet audience. All you need is an account, media to play, and an internet connection. In just a few minutes you can set up a show with a variety of content such as prerecorded audio or video, pictures, or a live device such as a webcam. Invite your audience to participate in your show by using the polling, chatting and fan club features, or answer questions from a web-based caller.

You can broadcast on any of the FameFor15.com 15 minute channels - just select an open timeslot, and you can play a 15 minute show. You can also create your own channel, where you can broadcast as long as you would like at any time.

Forum: Broadcast Studio Instructions

Broadcast Software

poozle — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:47:46 GMT

You need FameFor15.com's software to broadcast a show:

1) Download and install the FameFor15.com broadcasting software (Broadcast Studio)

Select "Broadcast" at the top of the home page, then click "Download". Once the file has downloaded to your computer, double-click it to begin the installation. Currently, the Broadcast Studio is available for Windows XP or Vista, with system requirements of 512 MB memory and a 1.8GHz CPU.

2) Start the Broadcast Studio

Log into your FameFor15.com account. You can create an account by clicking the link here if you don't already have one.

Forum: Broadcast Studio Instructions

Making a Show

poozle — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:47:07 GMT

To get started with your own show, you can click the "Quick Start" link, and a wizard will lead you through the process, or you can follow these steps:

1) Create a show

Select the "Shows" link, and on the Shows page click the "Add" button. A window will open asking you for information on your show. Give your show a name and a description, add tag words to make your show searchable, and pick a genre (category). If you want to add an image icon for your show, select the link "Click here to upload an image".

On your own channel, you can use the Private feature. Choosing Private makes your show viewable only to people who type in the pass key. You create your own pass key in the Key field.

2) Schedule your show

Now that you have a show, select the "Schedule" link, and on the Schedule page click the "Add" button. A window will open asking you to schedule a show. Select a show from your list and then select a channel on which to broadcast. Next, select a date for your broadcast from the calendar, and you will see all available timeslots. Select the time you would like to start your show. You never have to worry about time zones - you will see available timeslots with your local time, and your audience will see your show's start time in their local time.

3) Make a playlist of media for your show

Select the "Media" link and on the Media page, click the "Add" button to collect an assortment of content for your show(s). Give each media item a name, and then select either Video Source or Audio Source to browse for the content. Video sources can be a live video device (such as a webcam) or a file type (.asf, .avi, .bmp, .mpg or .wmv). Audio sources can be a live audio device (such as a microphone) or a file type (.mp3, .wav, or .wma). You can also add a description of each media file or select "Test Media" to play it in this window.

Once you have the media you want for your show(s), go to the "Broadcast" page. On the right is the broadcast playlist, where you can add media by clicking the "Add" button. A window will open asking you to choose media from the files that you have added. Select media for your show, adding a time limit for that media to play if you wish. You can also tell the playlist what to do when the media finishes playing by selecting a "Post Action." Once you have your playlist set up, you are ready to broadcast.

4) Broadcast

If you want to practice before you broadcast, check "Rehearsal Mode" at the bottom of the "Broadcast" page. In rehearsal mode, you can simulate your broadcast and it will be saved as a Windows Media video on your hard drive for you to review after the rehearsal is finished. Checking "Rehearsal Mode" will prompt you to select a name and location on your hard drive for the saved file.

When you are ready to broadcast, give yourself a few minutes before your scheduled time to prepare. Make sure "Rehearal Mode" is unchecked, select the appropriate show from your show list and then click the "Start Broadcast" button. Make sure to start your broadcast before your allotted timeslot. Upon connection to the server (which will take a few moments) you will be notified by an audio cue of the time left before you are on the air. Once your show starts, you will see the "On Air" box light up and the first media in your playlist will play. You can switch to any media during your broadcast by clicking on a different item in your playlist at any time.

Forum: Broadcast Studio Instructions

Audience Participation

poozle — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:46:11 GMT

There are several easy ways for you to interact with your audience:

Polls

Go to the "Poll" page of the software and click on the "Add" button. A window will open asking for information about your poll. Enter a poll question, click "Save", and then add items to your poll for answers. During your broadcast you can open a poll that was previously created or create one while you are broadcasting. Just click the "Start Poll" button, and your poll question will be delivered to your audience. They will have 30 seconds to answer the poll through the website, and you will see the results in a little over one minute.

Callers

You can also take callers during your show. Click the "Callers" button from the side menu (which is only accessable during a broadcast) and then click the "Invite Callers" button. After one minute you will see a list of the people that called in (typed in through the website) and you can double-click a name to chat with that caller. A text chat window will appear and you can start chatting. End the call when you want by clicking the "End Call" button. You can select another caller, or you can refresh the list by clicking "Invite Callers" again.

Audience Chat

Your audience can chat with each other during your broadcast. If you want to monitor this chat, on the "Broadcast" page click the "Display Panel" button and then select the "Open Channel Chat" link to watch. the Display Panel is also handy when you are further away from your computer and you need to see what's going on for your broadcast.

Fan Club

Your audience loves you! FameFor15.com registered users have the option to join your fan club through the website. You can communicate with your fans by clicking the "Fan Club" link in your Broadcast Studio. Here you can fill out text fields to send a group message to all of your fans, visit your fan club's chat room, or even appoint one of them as President of your fan club.

Forum: Broadcast Studio Instructions

Ending a Show

poozle — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:44:52 GMT

On free channels, your show will end when the airtime clock runs out. If you are broadcasting on your own channel, you can stop the broadcast whenever you want by clicking on the "Stop Broadcast" button. If you start your show at it's scheduled time, a rerun will be automatically saved on FameFor15.com and will be available within a hour of your show's conclusion. Reruns will only record for up to one hour and will stop if your broadcast is interrupted for any reason.

There are a lot of other features on FameFor15.com that we invite you to explore. We have some exciting features planned for the near future, so check back to the site regularly for updates. If there are any additions to the Broadcast Studio, the software will update itself automatically.

Forum: Broadcast Studio Instructions