YSTV History Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

BBC

2018-04-09T21:50:04Z

Sam.nicholson:

The British Broadcasting corporation has been an employment source for many an ex-member, including:

*[[Adam Baxter]] - Engineer
*[[Roxanne Benson-Mackey]] - BBC Studios and Post Production, Television Centre
*[[John Biltcliffe]] - initially Post Production Engineer in BBC Resources, currently Technology Manager for Red Bee Media (formerly BBC Broadcast)
*[[James Gallagher]] - Broadcast Journalism, BBC Radio News, London
*[[Jenny Gordon]] - Production, London
*[[Matt Hammond]] - Research & Development, Kingswood Warren
*[[Pete Nichols]] - Researcher, London
*[[Sam Nicholson]] - Research & Development, Manchester (after a stint in London)
*[[Rowan de Pomerai]] - Future Media & Technology, Kingswood Warren
*[[Michael Prior-Jones]] - Research & Development, Kingswood Warren
*[[Kate Rushworth]] - Motion Gallery, BBC Worldwide
*[[Kat Sutton]] - Broadcast Journalism, Leicester
*[[Lloyd Wallis]] - Software Engineer, BBC Future Media, London

In addition, friend of the station [[Greg Dyke]] held a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Director-General_of_the_BBC minor post] for a few years.
[[Category:Related_Organisations]]

User talk:Samw

2015-11-15T17:16:33Z

Sam.nicholson: Welcome!

'''Welcome to ''History Wiki''!'''
We hope you will contribute much and well.
You will probably want to read the [[Help:Contents|help pages]].
Again, welcome and have fun! [[User:Sam.nicholson|Sam.nicholson]] ([[User talk:Sam.nicholson|talk]]) 17:16, 15 November 2015 (UTC)

User:Samw

2015-11-15T17:16:32Z

Sam.nicholson: Creating user page for new user.

Sam Nicholson

2015-08-15T20:11:29Z

Sam.nicholson:

[[File:Sam DSD.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Summer 2014]]
Sam came across YSTV and URY at Fresher's Fair 2010 and decided YSTV looked more fun, and hasn't looked back since. He was the [[Deputy_Computing_Officers|Deputy Computing Officer]] from 2010 through to 2011, then made the step up to [[Computing Officers|Computing Officer]] for the 2011-12 year. Commonly asked whether he was really a fresher in his first year, he spent much of the latter half of his first year and most of his second in YSTV, somewhat to the detriment of his Electronics degree.

Disappeared off (whilst back to being the Deputy Computing Officer) to do an Industrial Placement for the 2012-2013 academic year and returned for 2013-14, as an ordinary member for the first time in a while. Ordinary membership became boring around the Autumn 2013 by-elections, where Sam returned to the Deputy Computing Officer job following the departure of [[Greg Ebdon]]. At the 2014 elections he decided to leave the Computing team to fresh new talent, and replaced [[Matt Johnson]] in the role of [[Deputy_Station_Directors|Deputy Station Director]].

Finally became [[Technical Director]] for a brief stint between the 2015 elections and the end of that academic year, before finally graduating and going to work for BBC R&D in London. Also lived in [[84 Thief Lane]] for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years, and was the last one out at the end, having taken the longest time to pack up on account of having a car and doing all the tip runs.

*Shortly after taking over as Computing Officer was involved in the unfortunate [[Drive Crash]] incident
*Has since implemented a backup solution to prevent a similar accident happening again. Unfortunately it did anyway, see [[Drive Crash 2: The fscking]]
*Dreamt up the new [[docs:Tally_(Roxanne)| Tally]] system with [[Michael Chislett]], which was subsequently replaced with a more wireless (and at time of writing, undocumented) system by [[Tom Cheyney]].
*Started the continuous live channel idea that led to the start of replacing [[Spider and SchedSeven]] with Best Tech award winning [[Tarantula]] (and wrote a sizable chunk of it - no, it's still not finished!)
*Designed and built the balanced [[Studio Comms]] system [[docs:Wedge_(Comms) | Wedge]] - it's not a great deal better than the system it replaced.
*Wrote the Raspberry Pi VT server PiVT, and then completely rewrote it when the original was found to be rubbish.
*Did most of the computery bits for [[docs:Kenobi|Kenobi]], which won a Best Tech award.
*Produced [[Battle Of The Bands 2014]] with [[Robert Walker]]
*Only got the studio declared hazardous and nearly closed once by YUSU while DSD due to a small misunderstanding about taking the lighting rig out!
*Filled [[AutoDerp]] with screws after Robert dropped a box on it and broke it, then again when it fell over - also hit it with a hammer, which helped...kind of.
*Helped install the new [[G/046_Lighting_rig | lighting rig]] after managing to avoid almost all involvement in the YuStart campaign ([[Helen Hobin|Helen]] and co. get the credit for that!)
*Produced [[Elections 2015]] with [[Matthew Ingram]].
*Produced [[Woodstock 2015]] with Helen Hobin and Robert Walker (aka WoodFest/GoodStock/Gooda, Wooda, Shoulda).
*Somehow convinced the BBC to offer him a job to essentially continue being a YSTV techie, and get paid for it!
*Wrote confusing third-person autobiography!

[[Category:People|Nicholson]]
[[Category:84 Thief Lane]]

Technical Directors

2015-08-15T20:11:09Z

Sam.nicholson: I left :(

===1980s===
* 1985-86: {{unsure|Miles}}
* 1986-87: [[Nigel Dallard]]

===1990s===
* 1992-93: [[Tony Robson]]
* 1993-94: [[Dominic Plunkett]]
* 1994-95: [[Paul Hollow]]
* 1995-96: Graham {{unsure|Rees}}, then [[Dominic Plunkett]]
* 1996-97: [[Mike Ross]]
* 1997-98: [[Rob Sprowson]]
* 1998-99: [[Tim Hackett]]
* 1999-00: [[Matt Hammond]], then [[Rob Sprowson]]

===2000s===

* 2000-01: [[Michael Prior-Jones]]
* 2001-02: [[Andrew Talbot]]
* 2002-03: [[Rob Humphrey]]
* 2003-04: [[Ed Jellard]]
* 2004-05: [[Richard Ash]]
* 2005-06: [[Rob Humphrey]], then [[Ian Martindale]]
* 2006-07: [[Ian Martindale]], then [[Nick Howell]]
* 2007-08: [[Nick Howell]]
* 2008-09: [[Deanna O'Reilly]]
* 2009-10: [[Malcolm Chambers]]

===2010s===

* 2010-11: [[Michael Chislett]]
* 2011-12: [[Michael Chislett]]
* 2012-13: [[Elizabeth Pascoe]]
* 2013-14: [[Robert Walker]]
* 2014-15: [[Robert Walker]], then [[Peter Eskdale]], then {{Vacant}}
* 2015-16: [[Sam Nicholson]], then {{Vacant}}

{{Officers}}

Spotlight

2015-05-04T15:49:18Z

Sam.nicholson: Added logo

{{Production Info
| name = Spotlight
| logofile = SpotlightS2Logo.png
| logoalt = Spotlight Titlecard
| genre = Magazine/Light Entertainment
| broadcast =
| start date = 2014
| end date =
| producers = [[Sam Nicholson]] [[Kenric Yuen]]
| url = https://ystv.co.uk/watch/spotlight/series2/
}}

Spotlight is a Magazine show started in 2014, a successor to [[Monday Evening Live]]. Unfortunately, MEL was restricted by the intention of being broadcast only on a Monday, in the evening, and Live. It was ratified at the beginning of 2014-15 academic year, with [[Sam Nicholson]] at the helm. Due to degree commitments, the production passed to [[Kenric Yuen]] in January of 2015.

Spotlight was also the title of a previous YSTV production in 2010, now retconned to be [http://ystv.co.uk/watch/spotlight/series1/ Series 1] as Sam couldn't think of a better title for the new show after a month of trying!

==Show Format:==
Spotlight was created for members to experience a simple live studio show set-up. The show is headed by an executive producer, with each episode produced by a relatively in-experienced member of the station, to help learn or experience how production works. Or at least that was the theory. {{unsure|It hasn't happened so far}}.

The show is set up with three cameras and two sofas in the set, where the presenter(s) sit on one side, and any interviewee(s) on the other. Typically the plasma either goes in the middle or off to one side depending on how much space can be invented in the studio - for Ep3 it was used to show images and slides relevant to that segment of the show, but for the other episodes it didn't get set up.

==Title Sequence==
The title sequence was created by Sam Nicholson, and customised to the content featured on each show. It's built out of a Premiere project for the video tiles and an After Effects project to actually generate it - I'm sure if you can find it you'll figure it out!

==Episodes, Series 2 (2014-15)==
{| border="1"
| '''Episode''' || '''Presenter''' || '''Producer''' || '''Content'''
|-
| Ep1 || Judy Walker and Elish Ashworth || [[Sam Nicholson]] || Yorkshire Marathon, LEGO convention, and interview with Sam Maguire and [[Chris Wall]]
|-
| Ep2 || Judy Walker and Helen Farquharson || [[Sam Nicholson]] || Children in Need, Illumintating York, RAG Week, and [[G/046]] 20th Anniversary
|-
| Ep3 || Helen Hobin and [[Matt Ingram]] || [[Sam Nicholson]] || Somewhat unknown, unfortunately the recording didn't take!
|-
| Ep4 || [[Helen Hobin]] and [[Sarah Mesterton-Gibbons]] || [[Kenric Yuen]] || Pantsoc promotion, YUSU Elections 2015 warm-up, and interview with [[Chris Wall]]
|-
| Ep5 || -|| - || -
|}

At the conclusion of the 2014-15 run, the best piece of advice to give to a future producer of something Spotlight would be not to try and do a live show every other week by yourself (especially not in final year), either tag team with someone else and take alternate weeks or adjust the schedule to be further apart! ~SN

File:SpotlightS2Logo.png

2015-05-04T15:48:53Z

Sam.nicholson: Logo from Spotlight S2 titlecard

Logo from Spotlight S2 titlecard

Elections 2015

2015-05-04T15:47:16Z

Sam.nicholson: Fixed watch link, logo

{{Production Info
| name = Elections 2015
| logofile = Elections2015RainbowLogo.png
| logoalt = Elections Logo
| genre = Events Coverage
| start date = 07/02/2015
| end date = 27/02/2015
| producers = [[Sam Nicholson]] [[Matt Ingram]]
| url = https://ystv.co.uk/watch/Elections/2015/
}}

Elections 2015 built on some of the successes of 2014 and also took advantage of YUSU effectively doing a load of our marketing for us to be one of the most successful live YSTV productions in recent history in terms of viewer numbers. It comprised the 60 Second Manifestos, Full Time Officer Debates and the Elections Results Night itself,

==60 Second Manifestos==
Manifestos were set up the weekend before filming, making use of the slightly larger greenscreen frame borrowed from the Electronics department along with some creative lighting to get a fairly even key (roughly, light the greenscreen first to be completely flat, then light the subject as far in front of it as you can). Initially keying live was attempted, but due to the difficulty in consistently getting a clean key across a variety of clothing patterns and skin tones this was scrapped in favour of doing it in After Effects. For filming the studio was left in this set up all week as no other productions had booked it and it took us the better part of a weekend to set it up. The lighting desk was configured as a sort of "video village", with the laptop feeding a clock graphic to the plasma which was situated immediately behind the camera, along with being used to copy successful takes to Pending Edits and update [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1um9HMg573v8xn05-IKwXK5lgIBYB7f1g5FJQUcgxSTA/edit#gid=0 the spreadsheet]. A TV was also set up and connected to the AC90's HDMI output with the OSD output turned on, to monitor the video and audio levels (and also spot the one time when the camera crashed).

Candidate briefing took place in the middle of the week before filming, during which a sheet of paper was handed around for slot bookings for manifestos, and candidates were briefed on what they could expect from 60SM, FTOs, ERN and URY's Candidate Interview Night. An online system was also setup, making use of [http://youcanbook.me http://youcanbook.me] to sync slot bookings to a Google calendar and allow candidates to edit their slots if they needed to. Slots were 15 minutes long and available all over the weekend, with a limited additional number on the Thursday and Friday for those who were away - candidates who couldn't make any of these times were encouraged to email the producers to find an alternative. Unfortunately several didn't bother, even with URY sending an email summarising the briefing to every candidate a few days later, and a few candidates complained on the following Tuesday morning after the studio was cleared up on Monday and the videos put online - unsurprisingly their failure to read their emails or get in touch meant they didn't get one! Sending the email out to all candidates the evening after the briefing instead of the Friday may have helped with this.

Following filming of each manifesto it was copied to Pending Edits and one of the editors (set up with the two edit PCs and Tom and Lloyd's desktops in G/020) would pick it up and follow through the neat workflow [[Peter Eskdale|Peter]] devised, which involved replacing a template video in After Effects, tweaking the keyer settings if it didn't quite work and then flipping across to Premiere to adjust opening titlecard, background colours and names before exporting. All in all manifestos were completed and ready for upload in about half an hour after they were started. One of the main reasons all the videos got finished in time without anybody needing to pull an all-nighter was having so many people around to help, with four editors along with the two producers and a few other crew filming candidates, finishing videos, reviewing and putting online the backlog was relatively short, although a few Adobe bugs meant some of the manifestos were re-exported five or six times!

Manifestos were put live on Monday evening after Station Meeting as the last of the candidates (who had been away over the weekend and contacted us) had filmed hers and the edit had been turned around. Thanks to YSTV breaking the candidate list (abridged by those who didn't bother filming a manifesto) and YUSU embedding the videos, at time of writing there have been 112778 views of the 42 manifestos for 2015, with the view count crossing the 100k mark by the time voting had closed!

== FTO Debates ==
Coming soon (when my degree finishes!)

== Results Night ==
Coming soon (when my degree finishes!)

{{Elections}}
{{YSTV Productions}}

File:Elections2015RainbowLogo.png

2015-05-04T15:46:42Z

Sam.nicholson: Elections 2015logo/titlecard

Elections 2015logo/titlecard

Template:Elections

2015-05-04T15:44:50Z

Sam.nicholson: 2015 update

{| {{PrettytableCenter}}
|-
|{{Hl2}} align="center" | '''[[YUSU Election Nights]]'''
|-
| align="center" | [[Election 84|1984]] • [[Election 85|1985]] • {{unsure|[[Election 86|1986]]}} • [[Election Night Live 87|1987]] • [[Election 88|1988]] • [[Election 89|1989]]
|-
| align="center" | [[Elections 90|1990]] • {{unsure|[[Elections 91|1991]]}} • {{unsure|[[Elections 92|1992]]}} • [[Election 93|1993]] • [[Election Night 1994|1994]] • [[Election 95|1995]] • [[YUSU Elections 1996|1996]] • [[Election 97|1997]] • [[Election 98|1998]] • [[EN 99|1999]]
|-
| align="center" | [[Election Night 2000|2000]] • [[SU Elections 2001|2001]] • [[Election Night 2002|2002]] • [[Elections 2003|2003]] • [[Elections 2004|2004]] • [[Elections 2005|2005]] • [[Elections 2006|2006]] • [[Elections 2007|2007]] • [[Elections 2008|2008]] • [[Elections 2009|2009]]
|-
| align="center" | [[Elections 2010|2010]] • [[Elections 2011|2011]] • [[Elections 2012|2012]] • [[Elections 2013|2013]] • [[docs:Elections 2014|2014]] • [[Elections 2015|2015]]
|}<noinclude>[[Category:Style and Navigation|{{PAGENAME}}]]</noinclude>

Elections 2015

2015-05-04T15:42:56Z

Sam.nicholson: Started writing up Elections

{{Production Info
| name = Elections 2015
| logofile = .jpg
| logoalt = Elections Logo
| genre = Events Coverage
| start date = 07/02/2015
| end date = 27/02/2015
| producers = [[Sam Nicholson]] [[Matt Ingram]]
| url = https://ystv.co.uk/watch/spotlight/series2/
}}

Elections 2015 built on some of the successes of 2014 and also took advantage of YUSU effectively doing a load of our marketing for us to be one of the most successful live YSTV productions in recent history in terms of viewer numbers. It comprised the 60 Second Manifestos, Full Time Officer Debates and the Elections Results Night itself,

==60 Second Manifestos==
Manifestos were set up the weekend before filming, making use of the slightly larger greenscreen frame borrowed from the Electronics department along with some creative lighting to get a fairly even key (roughly, light the greenscreen first to be completely flat, then light the subject as far in front of it as you can). Initially keying live was attempted, but due to the difficulty in consistently getting a clean key across a variety of clothing patterns and skin tones this was scrapped in favour of doing it in After Effects. For filming the studio was left in this set up all week as no other productions had booked it and it took us the better part of a weekend to set it up. The lighting desk was configured as a sort of "video village", with the laptop feeding a clock graphic to the plasma which was situated immediately behind the camera, along with being used to copy successful takes to Pending Edits and update [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1um9HMg573v8xn05-IKwXK5lgIBYB7f1g5FJQUcgxSTA/edit#gid=0 the spreadsheet]. A TV was also set up and connected to the AC90's HDMI output with the OSD output turned on, to monitor the video and audio levels (and also spot the one time when the camera crashed).

Candidate briefing took place in the middle of the week before filming, during which a sheet of paper was handed around for slot bookings for manifestos, and candidates were briefed on what they could expect from 60SM, FTOs, ERN and URY's Candidate Interview Night. An online system was also setup, making use of [http://youcanbook.me http://youcanbook.me] to sync slot bookings to a Google calendar and allow candidates to edit their slots if they needed to. Slots were 15 minutes long and available all over the weekend, with a limited additional number on the Thursday and Friday for those who were away - candidates who couldn't make any of these times were encouraged to email the producers to find an alternative. Unfortunately several didn't bother, even with URY sending an email summarising the briefing to every candidate a few days later, and a few candidates complained on the following Tuesday morning after the studio was cleared up on Monday and the videos put online - unsurprisingly their failure to read their emails or get in touch meant they didn't get one! Sending the email out to all candidates the evening after the briefing instead of the Friday may have helped with this.

Following filming of each manifesto it was copied to Pending Edits and one of the editors (set up with the two edit PCs and Tom and Lloyd's desktops in G/020) would pick it up and follow through the neat workflow [[Peter Eskdale|Peter]] devised, which involved replacing a template video in After Effects, tweaking the keyer settings if it didn't quite work and then flipping across to Premiere to adjust opening titlecard, background colours and names before exporting. All in all manifestos were completed and ready for upload in about half an hour after they were started. One of the main reasons all the videos got finished in time without anybody needing to pull an all-nighter was having so many people around to help, with four editors along with the two producers and a few other crew filming candidates, finishing videos, reviewing and putting online the backlog was relatively short, although a few Adobe bugs meant some of the manifestos were re-exported five or six times!

Manifestos were put live on Monday evening after Station Meeting as the last of the candidates (who had been away over the weekend and contacted us) had filmed hers and the edit had been turned around. Thanks to YSTV breaking the candidate list (abridged by those who didn't bother filming a manifesto) and YUSU embedding the videos, at time of writing there have been 112778 views of the 42 manifestos for 2015, with the view count crossing the 100k mark by the time voting had closed!

== FTO Debates ==
Coming soon (when my degree finishes!)

== Results Night ==
Coming soon (when my degree finishes!)

{{Elections}}
{{YSTV Productions}}

Spotlight

2015-05-04T14:48:49Z

Sam.nicholson: Updated with a few more details, rest of producer report

{{Production Info
| name = Spotlight
| logofile = .jpg
| logoalt = Spotlight Titlecard
| genre = Magazine/Light Entertainment
| broadcast =
| start date = 2014
| end date =
| producers = [[Sam Nicholson]] [[Kenric Yuen]]
| url = https://ystv.co.uk/watch/spotlight/series2/
}}

Spotlight is a Magazine show started in 2014, a successor to [[Monday Evening Live]]. Unfortunately, MEL was restricted by the intention of being broadcast only on a Monday, in the evening, and Live. It was ratified at the beginning of 2014-15 academic year, with [[Sam Nicholson]] at the helm. Due to degree commitments, the production passed to [[Kenric Yuen]] in January of 2015.

Spotlight was also the title of a previous YSTV production in 2010, now retconned to be [http://ystv.co.uk/watch/spotlight/series1/ Series 1] as Sam couldn't think of a better title for the new show after a month of trying!

==Show Format:==
Spotlight was created for members to experience a simple live studio show set-up. The show is headed by an executive producer, with each episode produced by a relatively in-experienced member of the station, to help learn or experience how production works. Or at least that was the theory. {{unsure|It hasn't happened so far}}.

The show is set up with three cameras and two sofas in the set, where the presenter(s) sit on one side, and any interviewee(s) on the other. Typically the plasma either goes in the middle or off to one side depending on how much space can be invented in the studio - for Ep3 it was used to show images and slides relevant to that segment of the show, but for the other episodes it didn't get set up.

==Title Sequence==
The title sequence was created by Sam Nicholson, and customised to the content featured on each show. It's built out of a Premiere project for the video tiles and an After Effects project to actually generate it - I'm sure if you can find it you'll figure it out!

==Episodes, Series 2 (2014-15)==
{| border="1"
| '''Episode''' || '''Presenter''' || '''Producer''' || '''Content'''
|-
| Ep1 || Judy Walker and Elish Ashworth || [[Sam Nicholson]] || Yorkshire Marathon, LEGO convention, and interview with Sam Maguire and [[Chris Wall]]
|-
| Ep2 || Judy Walker and Helen Farquharson || [[Sam Nicholson]] || Children in Need, Illumintating York, RAG Week, and [[G/046]] 20th Anniversary
|-
| Ep3 || Helen Hobin and [[Matt Ingram]] || [[Sam Nicholson]] || Somewhat unknown, unfortunately the recording didn't take!
|-
| Ep4 || [[Helen Hobin]] and [[Sarah Mesterton-Gibbons]] || [[Kenric Yuen]] || Pantsoc promotion, YUSU Elections 2015 warm-up, and interview with [[Chris Wall]]
|-
| Ep5 || -|| - || -
|}

At the conclusion of the 2014-15 run, the best piece of advice to give to a future producer of something Spotlight would be not to try and do a live show every other week by yourself (especially not in final year), either tag team with someone else and take alternate weeks or adjust the schedule to be further apart! ~SN

User talk:Sarah.m-g

2015-01-20T12:09:52Z

Sam.nicholson: Welcome!

User:Sarah.m-g

2015-01-20T12:09:52Z

Sam.nicholson: Creating user page for new user.

User talk:Liz.pascoe

2014-12-09T01:15:04Z

Sam.nicholson: Welcome!

User:Liz.pascoe

2014-12-09T01:15:04Z

Sam.nicholson: Creating user page for new user.

Sam made this for me and wanders where this text goes....

Emily Torricelli

2014-10-14T17:42:28Z

Sam.nicholson: Elections happened (ages ago)

Treasurers

2014-10-05T19:42:43Z

Sam.nicholson: John left

===1980s===
* {{unsure|1980-81: Adrian Rodaway}}
* {{unsure|1981-82: Jeremy Williams}}

===1990s===

* 1992-93: [[Karen Bagley]]
* 1993-94: [[Chris Kwouk]]
* 1994-95: {{unsure|Craig ??}}, then [[Adam Baxter]]
* 1995-96: [[Graham Quince]]
* 1996-97: [[Andrew Hawkins]], then [[Tim Hackett]]
* 1997-98: [[Tim Hackett]]
* 1998-99: [[Alex Hudson]]
* 1999-00: [[Steve Auld]]

===2000s===

* 2000-01: [[John Biltcliffe]], then [[Richard Davis]]
* 2001-02: {{Unknown}}
* 2002-03: [[Chris Thornton]]
* 2003-04: {{Vacant}}
* 2004-05: [[James Thorniley]]
* 2005-06: [[Dave Baker]], then [[Anthony Laverty]]
* 2006-07: [[Dave Baker]], then [[Rowan de Pomerai]]
* 2007-08: [[Rowan de Pomerai]], then [[Alex Hazell]]
* 2008-09: [[Mark Friend]]
* 2009-10: [[Damian Posener]]

===2010s===

* 2010-11: [[Vivan Jayant]]
* 2011-12: [[Vivan Jayant]], then [[Anmoli Sodha]]
* 2012-13: [[John Caine]]
* 2013-14: [[John Caine]]
* 2014-15: [[John Caine]], then {{Vacant}}

{{Officers}}

Assistant Production Directors

2014-10-05T19:42:08Z

Sam.nicholson: Added Rachel

Created by a policy amendment in 2009, this position was first made available at the [[AGM]] of that year.

===2000s===

* 2009-10: [[Richard McLoughlin]], then {{Vacant}}, then [[Alex Balmer]]

===2010s===

* 2010-11: [[Chris Young]]
* 2011-12: [[Michael Miller]], then [[Kieron Moore]]
* 2012-13: [[Joanna Starzynski]], then [[Christopher Parker]]
* 2013-14: [[Helen Hobin]], then [[Robert Drane]]
* 2014-15: [[Helen Moss]], then {{Vacant}}, then [[Rachel Burns]]

{{Officers}}

FLOPPYs

2014-09-17T22:20:35Z

Sam.nicholson: Added Most Patient Member (found it)

The FLOPPYs are a joke awards event started in 2006 in response to the dreadfulness of the [[YUMAs]] that year. They were created by [[Matthew Tole]] and [[Sarah Leese]], the new and outgoing [[Station Directors]] at the time. They were named the FLOPPYs because that was the best object they could come up for prizes - floppy disks. After some discussion, it became an acronym: '''F'''or the '''L'''ove '''O'''f the '''P'''eople and '''P'''rogrammes of '''Y'''STV.

The awards continued after 2006 with many regular categories, including ''Nicest Member''. New awards were also introduced including ''The Bew Award (for Doing a Bew)'', named after [[Emma Bew]] and the ''[[Alex Muller]] Award for Presentness''. In recent years, the floppy disks have been augmented with (uncategorised) '''D'''eeply '''V'''alued '''D'''eparted discs for the graduating members. Traditionally the awards are organised by the new and outgoing [[Station Director]]s and the Social Sec, and held upstairs at [http://www.evileyelounge.com/ Evil Eye].

== Awards by Year ==

The point of the FLOPPYs is to give every active member at least one award.

===2006===

In 2006, the FLOPPYs were held on the steps of York Minster, after the YSTV End of Term Meal. They were presented by [[Matthew Tole]] and [[Sarah Leese]] who had spent an afternoon coming up with the awards, nominations and winners!

;Show Awards

* Least Original Programme: [[LipSync]]
* Most Over Used Set: YSTV Week Set
* Best New Show: [[YSTV Sport]]

;People Awards

* Human Encyclopedia Award: [[Richard Ash]]
* Most Travelled Member: [[Rob Humphrey]]
* Best Foreign Member: [[Iain Cooke]]
* Meglomaniac Award: [[Rowan de Pomerai]]
* Society Dinosaur: Selbysaurus
* Most Fertile: [[Rick Selby]]
* Kev Loves That Stuff Award (for the person who has loved the most stuff this year): [[Kevin Larkin]]
* Fruit Award: [[Ian Martindale]]
* Best Oldgoer: [[Dave Baker]]
* Back In My Day award: Rob Humphrey
* Humanitarian Award (for the person who had to put up with Ian the most): [[David Furey]]
* One Word award: [[Sarah Cheyne]] ''("Sorry")''
* Best Bullshitter Award: [[James Blackshaw]]
* Most Compulsive Member: Ian Martindale
* Most Opinionated Member: Rowan de Pomerai
* Windiest Member: Rick Selby
* Nicest Member: Sarah Cheyne
* Wildlife Award: [[Matthew Tole]]
* Most pregnant cockney ex-station director: [[Sarah Leese]]
* Lifetime achievement award: Rob Humphrey
* YSTV Personality of the year: Kev Larkin

=== 2010 ===
* Most Reluctant Sportsperson: [[Sarah Pickles]]
* The Unicorn Award: [[Alex Muller]]<ref name="mullertwitpic">[http://twitpic.com/20ybdc Alex Muller on Twitpic]</ref>
* The 'Hi, My Name Is... and I'm a Twitter Addict' Award: Alex Muller<ref name="mullertwitpic" />

=== 2011 ===
''Compiled from photos by [https://www.facebook.com/vivienwchung/media_set?set=a.10150697864455122.708214.786090121&type=3 Viv Chung].''
* The Original Bew Award (for the Original Doing a Bew): [[Emma Bew]]
* The Alex Muller Award for Presentness: [[Vivan Jayant]]
* Friendliest Member: [[Matt Johnson]]
* Most Parental: Sarah Pickles
* Nicest Member: Sarah Pickles
* Best Social Costume: Sarah Pickles
* Best Willow Moment: [[Sam Nicholson]]
* Best Sound Bite: [[Emma Bennett]]
* Best Cabler: [[Tom Gregory]]
* Best Use of the Costume Drawer: [[Greg Ebdon]]
* Best Nickname: [[Marie Mills|Marie N'Giggidy Giggidy Ba-Ba Mills]] (courtesy of [[Steven Perring]])
* Ethnic Sensitivity: Marie Mills
* Best Dressed: [[Michael Miller]]
* Most Likely Flasher: [[Michael Chislett]]
* Most #Epic Moment: [[Sanat Misra]]
* spam@ystv.co.uk: [[Vivien Chung]] 
* The Boomerang Award: [[Mark Friend]]
* The Longest Member: Alina Selega
* The Animal Likeness Award: [[Marcus Tibbitts]]
* The Poser Award: Michael Miller
* The Resistance Award: [[Samuel Crowley]]
* The Sobriety Award: [[Alex Balmer]]

=== 2012 ===
''Compiled from photos by [https://www.facebook.com/vivienwchung/media_set?set=a.10151890912360122.882825.786090121&type=3 Viv Chung].''
* The Bew Award (for Doing a Bew): Sarah David<ref name="dave2014">[https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t31.0-8/10258313_10151846172684159_582584804654153973_o.jpg Sarah David's Facebook wall photo]</ref>
* The Alex Muller Award for Presentness: Marie Mills
* Best Father: Matt Johnson
* Best Mother: Greg Ebdon
* Best Photographer: [[Charlotte Boyle]]<ref name="dave2014" />
* Best Speech: [[Kieron Moore]]
* Best Dressed: [[Tess Humphrey]]
* Best Hair: [[Rachael Sherlock]]
* Best Couple: Sam Nicholson & the Servers
* Best Blagger: Steven Perring
* Nicest Member: [[Liz Pascoe]]
* The Stolen Member Award: [[Alex Williams]]
* The 'I'll Do My Degree Tomorrow' Award: Sarah Pickles
* The Sobriety Award: Sanat Misra
* The 'England Isn't a Country' Award: [[Sarah David]]<ref name="dave2014" />
* Superfluous Surname: [[Joanna Starzynski]]
* The Sparkly Award: [[April Micallef]]
* The Microphone Award: Vivan Jayant
* The Smiley Award: Emma Bennett
* The Paid Member Award: Alex Muller
* The NaSTA'd Award: [[John Caine]]
* Gotta Catch 'Em All (The Pokémon Award): [[Alex Buckley]]

=== 2013 ===
* Sports Personality of the Year: Matt Johnson
* The Bew Award (for Doing a Bew): Marie Mills
* The 'Are You Even Human?' Award: Greg Ebdon
* The 'I Don't Know What the Fuck You Do, But It's Fucking Awesome' Award: [[Robert Walker]]
* The 'He Doesn't Even Go Here' Award: Alex Williams
* Best Dressed: Kieron Moore
* Best Hair: [[Peter Eskdale]]
* Best Arse: [[Matt Judge]]
* YSTV Mum: [[Helen Hobin]]
* YSTV Dad: John Caine
* YSTV Fairy Godmother: Sarah Pickles
* YSTV Kleptomaniac: [[Lucy Walters]]
* The Water Cooler Award: Lucy Walters
* Least Depraved and Furthest Away from [[Josh Hunter]]'s Squalid Pit of Debauchery: [[David Heaton]]
* Bowie of the Year: [[Emily Torricelli]]
* King of the Willow: Chris Wall
* Most Traitorous: [[Adam Taylor]]
* Classiest Member: [[Megan Hollinghurst]]
* Adorable Award: Alex Buckley
* Saltiest Balls: April Micallef
* Nicest Member: [[Hannah Ruddle]]
* Sparkly New Member: Matt Hands

=== 2014 ===
* The Alex Muller Award for Presentness: [[Anthony Williams]]
* Station Captive: [[Lloyd Wallis]]
* You're a Mug: Kieron Moore
* I'd tap that: [[Tom Woffenden]]
* Hulk Smash: Robert Walker
* Best Ban(n/t)er: David Heaton
* Sparkly New Member: [[Liz Williams]]
* Staples Award: Alex Buckley
* Best On-Screen Male: Peter Eskdale
* RSPCA Award for Animal Welfare: [[Thomas Cheyney]]
* Best Hair: [[Kenric Yuen]]
* Sound Gal: [[Helen Moss]]
* YSTV Foreign Correspondent: Emily Torricelli
* YSTV Dad: Sam Nicholson
* Old Spice: Matt Johnson
* Kraken: Matt Judge
* Fairy Godfather: Alex Williams
* Scrubs Up Well: [[Ellen Dunbavin]]
* YSTV Mum: [[Grace Winpenny]]
* Stolen Member: [[Jess Courtney]]
* Cool Story Bro: [[Matt Hands]]
* Nicest Member: [[Rob Drane]]
* Sports Personality of the Year: [[Tim Copeland]]
* Smooth Operator: [[Rachel Burns]]
* Lost and Found: [[Chris Parker]]
* Most Patient Member: Sam Nicholson

== Sources ==
<references />

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Awards]]

Sam Nicholson

2014-05-28T09:26:54Z

Sam.nicholson: New job. Did some stuff

[[File:Sam Nicholson - Deputy Computing Officer.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Summer 2012]]
Sam came across YSTV and URY at Fresher's Fair 2010 and decided YSTV looked more fun, and hasn't looked back since. He was the [[Deputy_Computing_Officers|Deputy Computing Officer]] from 2010 through to 2011, then made the step up to [[Computing Officers|Computing Officer]] for the 2011-12 year. Commonly asked whether he was really a fresher in his first year, he spent much of the latter half of his first year and most of his second in YSTV, somewhat to the detriment of his Electronics degree.

Disappeared off (whilst back to being the Deputy Computing Officer) to do an Industrial Placement for the 2012-2013 academic year and returned for 2013-14, as an ordinary member for the first time in a while. Ordinary membership became boring around the Autumn 2013 by-elections, where Sam returned to the Deputy Computing Officer job following the departure of [[Greg Ebdon]]. At the 2014 elections he decided to leave the Computing team to fresh new talent, and replaced [[Matt Johnson]] in the role of [[Deputy_Station_Directors|Deputy Station Director]].

*Shortly after taking over as Computing Officer was involved in the unfortunate [[Drive Crash]] incident
*Has since implemented a backup solution to prevent a similar accident happening again
*Dreamt up the new [[docs:Tally_(Roxanne)| Tally]] system with [[Michael Chislett]]
*Started the continuous live channel idea that led to the start of replacing [[Spider and SchedSeven]] with Best Tech award winning [[Tarantula]] (and wrote a sizable chunk of it).
*Designed and built the balanced [[Studio Comms]] system [[docs:Wedge_(Comms) | Wedge]]
*Wrote the Raspberry Pi VT server PiVT, and then completely rewrote it when the original was found to be rubbish.
*Did most of the computery bits for [[docs:Kenobi|Kenobi]], which won a Best Tech award.
*Produced [[Battle Of The Bands 2014]] with [[Robert Walker]]
*Wrote confusing third-person autobiography!

[[Category:People|Nicholson]]
[[Category:84 Thief Lane]]

AutoDerp

2014-05-28T09:19:19Z

Sam.nicholson: Added temporary breakage

The AutoDerp teleprompter head was conceived in Summer 2012, using some production budget. The principle behind it, was that unlike the previous [[NaffoCue]], which relied on resting the assembly on-top of a static stool, the whole teleprompter would move with the camera head. The AutoDerp also had a few other specifications:
* Able to withstand potentially decades of abuse (although in 2014 a certain [[Robert Walker | Technical Director]] managed to drop a box of cable on it and break it, requiring a trip to B&Q and lots of screws to fix)
* 16:9 friendly
* To use one of the numerous spare NEC 17" monitors donated by Computer science...
** Hence able to withstand a heavy weight hung a distance from the tripod's mounting point, without it falling out
* Provide a mounting point for the cameras (rather than use two tripods - for the head & camera)
** Hence and adjustable mount would be needed, to stop the whole thing tilting at the will of gravity.

The AutoDerp used one of the "camlink TP1" tripods acquired earlier in 2012, and featured an adjustable mounting rail. When in use, tripod's top-plate is removed, attached to the AutoDerp's camera mount point. The AutoDerp is then bolted to the plate-less tripod. When not in use, the AutoDerp could be removed, with the Tripod top-plate and camera shoe returned to the tripod. This meant we didn't have to waste a tripod permanently (2012 saw a massive shortage of tripods, as so many broke!).

Sam Nicholson

2014-03-24T01:12:50Z

Sam.nicholson: +cat

[[File:Sam Nicholson - Deputy Computing Officer.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Summer 2012]]
Sam came across YSTV and URY at Fresher's Fair 2010 and decided YSTV looked more fun, and hasn't looked back since. He was the [[Deputy_Computing_Officers|Deputy Computing Officer]] from 2010 through to 2011, then made the step up to [[Computing Officers|Computing Officer]] for the 2011-12 year. Commonly asked whether he was really a fresher in his first year, he spent much of the latter half of his first year and most of his second in YSTV, somewhat to the detriment of his Electronics degree.

Disappeared off (whilst back to being the Deputy Computing Officer) to do an Industrial Placement for the 2012-2013 academic year and returned for 2013-14, as an ordinary member for the first time in a while. Ordinary membership became boring around the Autumn 2013 by-elections, where Sam returned to the Deputy Computing Officer job following the departure of [[Greg Ebdon]].

*Shortly after taking over as Computing Officer was involved in the unfortunate [[Drive Crash]] incident
*Has since implemented a backup solution to prevent a similar accident happening again
*Dreamt up the new [[docs:Tally_(Roxanne)| Tally]] system with [[Michael Chislett]]
*Started the continuous live channel idea that led to the start of replacing [[Spider and SchedSeven]] with [[Tarantula]] (and wrote a sizable chunk of it).
*Designed and built the balanced [[Studio Comms]] system [[docs:Wedge_(Comms) | Wedge]]
*Wrote the Raspberry Pi VT server PiVT, and then completely rewrote it when the original was found to be rubbish.
*Wrote confusing third-person autobiography!

[[Category:People|Nicholson]]
[[Category:84 Thief Lane]]

The Mac

2014-03-17T16:38:36Z

Sam.nicholson: Added iMac

By "The Mac" we mean YSTV's first venture into the world of Apple Macintosh computers, our 1998 Mac-based edit suite. In 2011 YSTV again wrangled enough (although now significantly less) money out of YUSU to buy an iMac to open up the possibility of editing using Final Cut Pro.

==The hardware==
At the time of purchase it was incredibly expensive, some £6000, and took YSTV a number of years to pay back YUSU the funds needed to buy it. A solid steel "mac safe" was mandated on insurance grounds, as protecting the investment was paramount. There were only two safe keys, one of which was on the shared key fob held by the porter and the other by the [[Station Director]].

This is a 233MHz beige G3, fitted with a [http://www.media100.com/ Media 100qx] hardware acceleration card in order to be able to capture and play back video in real time.

It is too old to have a Firewire port, and so capture and export can only be analogue. An external 16GB SCSI disk drive provides some extra storage space (but not much!). With no writeable optical drive and only a 10Mbit network connection, finding enough free space to edit in was a perennial problem. The digital copies of [[Mmmbop]], [[50%]] titles, and [[Nony nony nah]] were all done by putting a parasite machine on the spare shelf of the safe and leaving the flattened movie files transferring over a weekend (!) from the serial port via ZModem.

==Decline==
Whilst the picture quality obtained from the system was and is very good, its Achilles heel was the interfacing between MacOS 8.2 and the hardware capture card. This combined with the dubious stability of Adobe Premeire 5.5 for Mac meant that crashes whilst working or during the marathon render times were all to common. In practice, because of this it was rarely used for much other than short VTs and title sequences towards the end - for example, rendering a simple caption would take around ten minutes. This is one reason why [[Bulletin (again)]] rarely had VTs towards the end of its run, falling in the gap between the abandoning of [[Sony Umatic]]/[[JVC SVHS]] editing and quick PC editing.

There was also the problem that new, VT-heavy shows such as [[YSTV Week]], [[Small Screen]] and [[The Music Show]] simply couldn't run using the Mac to edit or play out. This was partly alleviated during 2002 by the availability of the [[Einstein TV]] edit machine, but that disappeared again, leaving us using what was [[Graphics PC]] as an edit suite in the summer term of 2003. The Mac continued to be used for play out because of the poor TV out from the graphics card and concerns over reliability. This was finaly resolved around October/November 2003 when funds came through from YUSU to buy a dedicated [[Edit PC]]. By this point crashes during broadcast play-out had become an all too common event (including virtually every clip in the first episode of [[Small Screen]]). [[Edit PC]] proved both quicker and more reliable, as the rise in CPU powers had made the hardware acceleration unnecessary.

YSTV still has the Mac in a flight case in the studio, although it has not been used since 2005 (although it was fired up at one point in early 2011 by [[Michael Cullen]] to have a bit of a play - it still works), primarily to allow exported material to be recovered - though this is also possible using QuickTime 6.5 on a PC with Media 100's iFinish plugin.

Sofa

2014-03-17T16:19:17Z

Sam.nicholson: What Chris did

YSTV's first sofa arrived in 94/95. With the extra space, of the new studio, sets consisting of more than 4 chairs (the limit in PX002) were possible. The sofa was donated by one of the office staff in the electronics department. Collected in the back of an estate car it arrived with cat scratches on the back and at least 2 wheels missing. Used for any show that needed a 'soft' set, the sofa also became a useful place to hang out and watch TV. Scandalous gossip over whether the sofa had been 'slept on' became a theme of post station meeting sessions in the bar. Finally, it was thrown away in 2001 after being classed as a fire hazard. This incredibly made the pages of [[Vision]].

A new (smaller) sofa was found by a skip in May 2005. After initial reluctance, it became a valued member of the society. During the summer break in 2006, attempts were made to repair the broken springs, and add castors to allow the sofa to be easily moved. The castors eventually broke, and have since been replaced with legs.

No-one attempted to throw it away until the summer of 2008, when it was dutifully replaced with a brand new sofa bought from IKEA. The former sofa was humanely returned to its natural habitat of the skip outside Biology, and the new sofa was adopted as a society prop.

The IKEA sofa (a "Klippan" 2-seater) has removable covers, currently in three colours (black, cream and red), the theory being that dirty covers are a lot easier to clean than a non-removable one.

Unfortunately at [[Live on the Lawn]] in 2013 [[Chris Wall]] managed to break the IKEA sofa by jumping on it, so it was sent to the great studio in the sky (some people call it that skip outside the Drama Barn) and an identical Klippan sofa was bought.

It has been used for:

* [[Good Morning Campus]]
* The [[Greg Dyke]] interview
* [[The Sofa Show]]
* [[Limited Edition]]
* [[YSTV News]]
* [[YSTV spotlight]]
* freshers prize draw 2010
* [[The York Link]]
* [[Man Man]]
* [[Monday Evening Live]]

Sam Nicholson

2014-01-20T00:07:14Z

Sam.nicholson: A little update for 2014

[[File:Sam Nicholson - Deputy Computing Officer.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Summer 2012]]
Sam came across YSTV and URY at Fresher's Fair 2010 and decided YSTV looked more fun, and hasn't looked back since. He was the [[Deputy_Computing_Officers|Deputy Computing Officer]] from 2010 through to 2011, then made the step up to [[Computing Officers|Computing Officer]] for the 2011-12 year. Commonly asked whether he was really a fresher in his first year, he spent much of the latter half of his first year and most of his second in YSTV, somewhat to the detriment of his Electronics degree.

Disappeared off (whilst back to being the Deputy Computing Officer) to do an Industrial Placement for the 2012-2013 academic year and returned for 2013-14, as an ordinary member for the first time in a while. Ordinary membership became boring around the Autumn 2013 by-elections, where Sam returned to the Deputy Computing Officer job following the departure of [[Greg Ebdon]].

*Shortly after taking over as Computing Officer was involved in the unfortunate [[Drive Crash]] incident
*Has since implemented a backup solution to prevent a similar accident happening again
*Dreamt up the new [[docs:Tally_(Roxanne)| Tally]] system with [[Michael Chislett]]
*Started the continuous live channel idea that led to the start of replacing [[Spider and SchedSeven]] with [[Tarantula]] (and wrote a sizable chunk of it).
*Designed and built the balanced [[Studio Comms]] system [[docs:Wedge_(Comms) | Wedge]]
*Wrote the Raspberry Pi VT server PiVT, and then completely rewrote it when the original was found to be rubbish.
*Wrote confusing third-person autobiography!

[[Category:People|Nicholson]]

File:Sam Nicholson - Deputy Computing Officer.jpg

2014-01-19T23:59:42Z

Sam.nicholson: Sam.nicholson uploaded a new version of "File:Sam Nicholson - Deputy Computing Officer.jpg": Never really did like that hair...

User talk:Tom.cheyney

2013-11-06T20:40:57Z

Sam.nicholson: Welcome!

User:Tom.cheyney

2013-11-06T20:40:56Z

Sam.nicholson: Creating user page for new user.

Bargain Mad

2013-10-28T00:20:09Z

Sam.nicholson: Interwiki link

{{Production Info
| name = Bargain Mad
| logofile = BargainMadLogo.png
| logoalt = Bargain Mad Titlecard
| genre = Comedy drama
| broadcast =
| start date = 26th September 2013
| end date =
| producers = [[Christopher Parker|Chris Parker]]
| url = https://ystv.co.uk/watch/bargainmad/
}}

Bargain Mad is YSTV's 2013 live shopping channel show, following previous attempts in [[Campus Shopping Network|1994]] and [[York Shopping Channel|2001]]. The show features [[Christopher Parker|Chris Parker]] and [[Josh Hunter]] attempting to sell various "bargains", with viewers encouraged to purchase them via the use of hashtags (#) on Twitter.

==Episode One==

[[Image:BargainMadBuyIt.jpg|right|thumb|400px|"Buy it!"]]

Episode one aired live at 11PM on 26th September 2013. Amazingly, Chris and Josh managed to provide 52 minutes of largely unscripted hilarity, and even managed a sale, leading to applause from the crew at the end of the show.

===Format===

The first episode placed Chris and Josh on stools on either side of the [[docs:Panasonic_Plasma_Screen | plasma]], which was used to display the Bargain Mad logo and VT's of the products being rotated on a table. New products were brought on to set by the Floor Manager for live demonstrations. Numerous puns were made along the theme of bargains ("bargain mad", "bargain up the wrong tree", etc.).

===Products===

* 11 old VHS cases ("Luxury plastic versatile storage solution")
** Hashtag: #BLOCKBUSTER
** Initial price: £5.99 each
** Final price: £0.39 each
** Result: 1 damaged (attempting to prove its sturdiness), 1 donated to Floor Manager [[Liz Pascoe]], 9 unsold
** Memorable quote: "It's like books that you don't have to read."

* 1985 Sun newspaper ("Antique paperised updates from 20th September 1985")
** Hashtag: #[[Vision|VISION]] (York's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_tops#Red_top red top])
** Initial price: £0.80
** Final price: £0.12
** Result: partially destroyed and chewed, unsold
** Memorable quote: "Falklands fear: a Labour handover" "Well, I think we all know how that turned out, don't we?" "Well no - I haven't read this yet."

* 10 copies of the script to [[Checkmate]] ("Limited edition word recording for chess-based drama")
** Hashtag: #CHEMISTRY
** Initial price: £8.00 each
** Final price: £0.10 each
** Result: 3 copies sold to the chair of ComedySoc, 7 unsold (fortunately they hadn't actually been printed)
** Memorable quote: "I'm not sure whether these shivers of ecstasy that I'm feeling right now are due to this script or the fact that it's a bargain."

* 2 signed, framed photos of YUSU president Kallum Taylor ("Autographed portrait of YUSU president and Denim enthusiast Kallum Taylor")
** Hashtag: #DENIM
** Initial price: £30.00 each
** Final price: £0.50
** Result: 1 picture "bought" by Chris (later smashed), 1 unsold
** Memorable quote: "I reckon I'd probably put it next to Kallum Taylor, after I kidnap him"

===In-jokes===

====Crew====

Chris made a number of references to members of the show's crew:
* [[Peter Eskdale]] (Director)
* [[Liz Pascoe]] (Floor Manager)
* [[Lucy Walters]] (Graphics Op)
* [[Kieron Moore]] (Camera Op, "the gentleman in the purple jumper")
* [[Sam Nicholson]] (Vision Mixer)
* [[Alex Williams]] (Camera Op)

===="Local feminist writer"====

In the 2012-2013 academic year, a female first year student (who shall remain unnamed) led a campaign to stop YUSU's shop Your Shop selling The Sun newspaper, due to the misogynistic message that some students (notably the unratified FemSoc) believed was sent by the paper's page three feature. The motion was ultimately defeated 3:1 in YUSU's referendum.

In the end, FemSoc didn't get ratified and had to change its name to "University of York Feminists" as it was deemed by YUSU to offer largely the same services as the union's Women's Committee. The Sun was quietly removed from Your Shop anyway, due to no-one actually buying it.

===="[[Lucy Walters]] stalking in the background"====

A running joke around the period in which the show was broadcast was Lucy's supposed crush on Kallum Taylor. A week later, she would perform a musical tribute to the "Special K" to the tune of Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus) during the final live Freshers week show.

===Reception===

Despite having a relatively small live audience (broadcast in week 0, [[Summer Camp]], before most of the new freshers arrived) the episode was well received. The chair of ComedySoc commented on Facebook: "This is incorporating my favourite thing about TV shopping channels, the desperation to keep talking no matter what." On the episode's on-demand page of the website, one [[Helen Hobin|anonymous viewer]] called the presenters "the next Mochrie and Stiles", branding the show "a triumph".

{{YSTV Productions}}
[[Category:Productions]]

User talk:Peter.eskdale

2013-10-27T11:08:09Z

Sam.nicholson: Welcome!

User:Peter.eskdale

2013-10-27T11:08:09Z

Sam.nicholson: Creating user page for new user.

#REDIRECT [[Peter Eskdale]]

User talk:Helen.hobin

2013-10-24T07:51:55Z

Sam.nicholson: Welcome!

User:Helen.hobin

2013-10-24T07:51:55Z

Sam.nicholson: Creating user page for new user.

Helen first encountered YSTV at Fresher's Fair 2012, when she saw a big, shiny camera and a microphone-wielding Emma Bew. Having hovered around for a few moments, trying not to look creepy, she eventually asked to be interviewed – mostly in order to get a closer look at what seemed like something straight out of the BBC. She signed up to the email list, but spent most of her first term running around trying out every society she could and subconsciously leaving the best for last.

During late Autumn Term she signed up to be a camera op and participant (not at the same time) on the critically acclaimed magic show, ‘Pushing the Senses’. Following the kind encouragement of Chris Wall and Peter Eskdale, Helen decided that YSTV was something she wanted to be a part of. During the start of the Spring Term, having attended a few station meetings, crewed for ‘Monday Evening Live’ and participated in various training days, she was beginning to consider the possibility of starting her own show. One night, inspiration struck: whilst thinking about her essay on the Brontës, she suddenly realised that she could combine her love of literature with television – thus, the series ‘Lights on Literature’ was born.

On the 28th January 2013, Helen nervously pitched her idea of a programme about the literary world of Yorkshire, and the show was voted in. Thanks to the help of pretty much every member of YSTV, she learnt a huge amount when making her first episode about the Brontës – from the bus timetables of Haworth, to the importance of colour-balancing, and from the necessity of gloves whilst trekking across moors in January, to the fun that can be had working alongside a wonderful crew – in this case, Harriet Myzak-Douglas and Antonia Callan. She had further splendid adventures with Antonia, Anya Diaz Cebreiro and Chris Parker when filming the second episode about James Herriot and interviewing his daughter, Rosie, in the Summer Term of her first year.

She gained the position of Assistant Production Director on the 15th May 2013 – a role which she really enjoys, despite its involvement of the term ‘Ass Prod’. Although she has yet to fulfill Chris Parker’s requests to fetch him a coffee, she has learnt a lot from being involved with the committee and the station’s overall production department. She is currently producing her first live show, YSTV's annual broadcast of ‘Children in Need’, which has provided very valuable experiences of organising a team, making decisions, and sending out twice the usual amount of emails.

For an unknown reason, Helen is fairly notorious when it comes to socials/nights out, and the day following an event her words can often be found all over the Quotes Board. She is reported to have been kicked out of the Willow several times, and would probably be embarrassed to have it known that this was for the - perfectly understandable - activity of napping. Following the consumption of alcohol she is more active in literally prodding people, and has a penchant for arm-wrestling. She is an avid fan of hit show ‘Bargain Mad’.

User talk:David.heaton

2013-10-20T17:24:04Z

Sam.nicholson: Welcome!

User:David.heaton

2013-10-20T17:24:03Z

Sam.nicholson: Creating user page for new user.

David joined YSTV at Refreshers Fair 2013, keen to find an escape from his crippling addiction to solder fumes.

Quotes board

2013-10-19T01:09:08Z

Sam.nicholson: Update, it came back

The online YSTV quotes board was born in the summer of 2003. For many, many years "humorous" quotes had often been collected during productions, sometimes to be put online (such as in [[Games Disaster]] III's dedicated website) but usually forgotten about ultimately. The online "board" was added to find a place to view these and be stored for history to judge upon (not necessarily a good thing!). It was initially accessible from the main website until a number of rather bizarre unsolicited contributions led to it being moved to the internal pages, along with the new [[YSTV Messageboard]]. Now nearly four years' worth of random mutterings are available to view. The most quotable person in YSTV over this time has probably been [[Cally Nixon]] due to her ability to spot dirty innuendo in most conversations - what would the children think?

It should be pointed out that the idea of a quotes board, rather like [[Good Morning Campus]], actually originated much earlier in the station's history. In the early-mid 1990s, quotes were written on a sheet pinned to a wall in the "office" of [[P/X/002]], and the practice continued after the move. [[Alan Murrell]] was particularly quotable... If the messageboard could handle random mutterings going back 17 years or so, they could probably be supplied.

After a brief hiatus the quotes board came back as part of the 2009 website redesign, with quotes pulled out of the archived old site back to {{unsure|about 2006}}, and still remains in active (and hilarious) use, although is often hidden in the first few weeks of the new year to avoid scaring too many people off!

Contribution Network

2013-10-19T00:48:26Z

Sam.nicholson: Death of the Network

Less intensively used than the [[Distribution Network]], the availability of the campus contribution network has been key to YSTV's long history of doing outside broadcasts for [[Events Coverage|major events]].
== The Ring ==
The "ring" was the original contribution system that was installed in Langwith, Derwent, and Chemistry to provide audio and video connectivity. As far as is known, YSTV has never made of use of this system, which anyway has mostly been unusable since the chemistry fire of the 1970s. Before this point it would in theory have provided a way to get audio and video from Derwent and Langwith to the studio in Chemistry, and thence to other places around campus.

== Rediffusion ==
After various problems with the ring system, the decision was made {{unsure|date?}} to contract the Rediffusion company to install a video distribution and contribution system around the campus, still under construction. Located somewhere within most colleges was an AV rack, usually located in a vent room somewhere. This was fed from a collection of contribution points located in seminar or lecture rooms in the college using coax for video and unshielded twisted quad cable for audio. Within the rack, the video could be patched in to a video line driver which was linked via shielded twisted pair to a corresponding receiver over in LTC. The audio was directly patched to the audio contribution cables, as this was already a balanced line.
Wentworth was the last of the original 6 colleges to be built and no system of AV contribution was installed, presumably as a cost saving measure. Langwith and Derwent had been built before the Rediffusion system was commissioned, so although a distribution network was installed, and possibly a link from the old ring system, no Rediffusion contribution system was installed.

== Current System ==
The racks are now gone, but a number of the balanced contribution cables are still used by YSTV to send video back from outside broadcasts. This normally means linking cables passively in LTC, to get from a line driver at the OB site to a line receiver in the station. The local contribution point cables are rarely used, except in Vanbrugh where one of them is now part of the [[Distribution Network]].

== Demise ==
As of 2011, the last of the network links has been broken (the rennovation of SU buildings and walkways around the Exhibition Centre took out the [[Goodricke-Physics-Hub]] line). As a result, the contribution network has firmly died, although URY have been known to use their parts for OBs in the Vanbrugh area. Future plans mostly revolve around streaming over IP using the campus data network, for better picture quality and fewer maintenance headaches.

Studio Comms

2013-10-16T19:31:13Z

Sam.nicholson: Wedge works now!

Looking for the current system? Try [[docs:Wedge_(Comms) | the docswiki]].

Some people say that Studio Comms are the last thing to be set up and the first thing to go wrong when a YSTV programme is made. Conceived for [[Breaker 88]], and still in regular use in YSTV's studios in 2007 until finally being scrapped in 2010.

[[Image:19940226_8-siward-street_ystv-comms-system.jpg|thumb|Comms system laid bare]]
[[Image:19940226_8-siward-street_john-stubley-ystv-comms-system.jpg|thumb|John Stubley trying to fix one connection before another one breaks]]

Prior to [[Election Night 1994]] it was recognised that the Studio Comms system needed a look at to see if any of the idiosyncracies could be ironed out from the system. [[John Stubley]] volunteered for this role and was assisted by [[Owain Davies]]. Normally the system would have been in full time use, however since YSTV at the time was a station without studio, it enabled the system to have a good going over.

The system came out of storage somewhere on campus and went round to Owain's place of residence at the time, [[8 Siward Street]]. For two weekends, John and Owain worked tirelessly on the system in the front room. Their impression was that some thought must have gone into the design of the system, however the realisation gave the appearance that it had all been thrown together at the very last minute. The design of the system seemed to consist of

* three floor manager sets
* four separate output channels for speaking to cameras
* a system of red and green lights for the camera people to signal back to the director (rarely used effectively - often used by camera people to indicate their frustrations with the director)
* two seperate channels to speak to presenters
* three control boxes allowing upto three people to independently control and talk to parts or all of the system.
* a control room ring circuit to allow the operators of the three control boxes to talk to each other

The system was primarily constructed on veroboard, which was either mounted on pillars on the side of the rackmount box or, as in the case of three boards containing the analogue switches, held by gaffa tape in the centre of the box.

Owain and John did transcribe some of the circuitry on to paper, which led to the explanation for why the control room ring circuit never worked. At some point in the earlier life of the system, an electrolytic smoothing capacitor had been placed erroneoulsy between ground and the audio channel for the control room ring circuit on one of the analogue switch boards. This was removed from audio channel and placed on the relevant supply rail, as it was on the other two boards. Their remaining time was spent sorting out an accummulation of minor faults in all the other ancillary equipment that went with the system.

Some time in {{unsure|1995 or 1996}}, Owain adapted the system to give a line level output (loose description) from one of the control boxes to feed into the SVHS machine on one of the audio channels. Channel separation was pretty good on the stereo track of the SVHS. This was done on-the-quiet for Election Night, where the SVHS machine had the honour of recording the proceedings. After the programme, there was a complaint about some comments being made over the comms systems about one of the guests. The tape was reviewed, and as it happened, the control box that was tapped turned out to be the producer's as opposed to the directer, so the issue could not be resolved categorically (I believe the line at the time, was that there was nothing on the tape). Never the less, it did provide an interesting retrospective into the mechanics of the program.

As it approaches its 20th birthday it's not clear when a brave soul will step forward with a design for a new wireless digital comms system.

==A Possible Replacement==
[[Dominic Plunkett]] designed a system involving a single XLR cable connecting all the comms boxes sometime between 1992-1993. This formed part of a first year group project for his and others degree and won the prize. The design and development were quite advanced, but it is not known if it was trialed on any YSTV productions.

==Another Possible Replacement==
[[Malcolm Chambers]] made an effort over Summer 2009 to design a replacement capable of running over CAT5 (actually, it's designed with OB comms and studio comms in mind). This is desperately needed as both current systems are getting way to old for reliable electronics.

==Yet another possible Replacement==
[[Michael Chislett]] was (2010/2011 winter) working on another idea - As [[Malcolm Chambers|Malcolm's]] never actually got finished (some things worked...). It is based upon the "party line" principle, yet because of some clever Powering, is able to carry three signal states, instead of the two offered by the standard canford/tecpro system used in most theatres. The three states, power, and audio all fit down a standard 3 pin XLR.
[[Category: Equipment]]

==Moving on to balanced ideas==
Given the noise issues with the current systems, another ideas was floated, balanced party-line comms running over XLR, designed to be sufficiently compatible with microphones that they won't go pop if plugged in to the sound desk. As of summer 2013 the system entered active service in the studio and on most OBs, see [[docs:Wedge_(Comms) | Wedge]] on the docswiki for more.

Sam Nicholson

2013-10-16T19:28:08Z

Sam.nicholson: Updated with some project progress

Tarantula

2013-10-16T19:17:56Z

Sam.nicholson: Docswiki link

Looking for usage documentation? Try [[docs:Tarantula]]

Tarantula was a project to replace [[Spider and SchedSeven]] with a better engineered, more functional and generally less awful system. Development started at the end of Summer 2011 with [[Michael Cullen]] designing quite a lot of the core and defining how a lot of the software would work before he left, and occasionally updating it over the following months. At the start of 2012 the project was put on hiatus.

During Summer 2012, [[Sam Nicholson|Sam Nicholson]] attempted to resurrect and complete Tarantula so that YSTV might have a scheduling system again. In April 2013 the near-complete core software won the NaSTA Best Technical award at NaSTA 40 in Exeter, with Sam, [[John Caine|John Caine]] and [[Liz Pascoe|Liz Pascoe]] collecting the award. Shortly after, the software was [http://ystv.co.uk/tarantula released] open-source under the GNU General Public License to the wider student TV community. Its first production use was at [[Roses 2013]], where it played out scheduled videos to fill time between live shows.

A few more months of development saw the system go into production in late October of 2013, finally giving [[Emily Torricelli]], the [[Scheduling Manager]] something to do on the live channel.

Tarantula

2013-10-16T18:30:38Z

Sam.nicholson: Some stuff ripped from the docswiki page

Tarantula was a project to replace [[Spider and SchedSeven]] with a better engineered, more functional and generally less awful system. Development started at the end of Summer 2011 with [[Michael Cullen]] designing quite a lot of the core and defining how a lot of the software would work before he left, and occasionally updating it over the following months. At the start of 2012 the project was put on hiatus.

During Summer 2012, [[Sam Nicholson|Sam Nicholson]] attempted to resurrect and complete Tarantula so that YSTV might have a scheduling system again. In April 2013 the near-complete core software won the NaSTA Best Technical award at NaSTA 40 in Exeter, with Sam, [[John Caine|John Caine]] and [[Liz Pascoe|Liz Pascoe]] collecting the award. Shortly after, the software was [http://ystv.co.uk/tarantula released] open-source under the GNU General Public License to the wider student TV community. Its first production use was at [[Roses 2013]], where it played out scheduled videos to fill time between live shows.

A few more months of development saw the system go into production in late October of 2013, finally giving [[Emily Torricelli]], the [[Scheduling Manager]] something to do on the live channel.

Three Composite along Cat-5

2013-08-15T23:43:22Z

Sam.nicholson: Changed HD tag to no HD

{{HDNO}}
=====Practical Setup=====

This is a way to get three composite video signals in the same direction between two points over a single CAT5 computer network cable. It also has the optional function of sending mono audio in the same direction as the video signals over the sam cat 5 cable.

This requires a length of CAT5 computer network cable long enough to join the points you want to send video between, the pair of VGA over CAT5 adaptors, and the pair of BNC to VGA break-out boxes. The cat5 adapters are both different, IE there is a 'transmitter' and a 'receiver'. Both of these are powered from a mains-to-DC adapter.

From the old YSTV website: "Both the BNC to VGA adaptors and the VGA over CAT5 are different at the two ends, so you need the right bits at each end of the cable."

[[User:Malcolm.chambers|Malcolm.chambers]] 20:57, 1 January 2010 (UTC) The powered cat5 adapters are certainly different and the right one must be at each end. HOWEVER, I don't see why the bodged BNC to VGA adapters should be different, surely the same pin is used at both ends of a VGA cable for each colour. Having made the claim that they're identical, problems (IE none of the three video signals reaching their destination) were experienced at Woodstock 2009, and if the BNC to VGA bodges are indeed different then this could be the source of the problem.

[[User:Michael.Cullen|Michael.Cullen]] 22:59, 11 January 2010 (UTC) Not wanting to turn this into a conversation, I think that the difference is that one has a male VGA on the other has female. You can actually connect them together and run a video signal through it. The upside of this is that if there are any other differences, the connectors prevent this from causing problems. Woodstock suffered bad cat5 runs - it worked over a short cable (well, one of the BNCs did...)

=====Technical Operation=====

Rextron part number EVA214, consists of a transmitter (part no. EVA12L, serial number V37034HG00065) and receiver (part no. EVA02R, serial number V35034HG00065) which are linked using any convenient CAT-5 network cable. You can then put a VGA video signal plus mono audio into the transmitter, and get them back out of the receiver. Also has built-in DAs at both ends, so each box has two independent outputs, as well as the CAT-5 output from the transmitter.

This was an inspired confection first developed to overcome a lack of long video cables at Woodstock 2007, but offering some very nice advantages for the future. The starting point was the availability of the pair of boxes for sending VGA analogue PC video over a CAT5 network cable. These commercial adaptors provide a neat, practical solution to the impedance matching and balancing required to send the component video and sync signals of a standard VGA signal over the 110R twisted pairs of CAT5 cable.

Because the Red, Green and Blue components of the VGA picture are sent as separate signals in the VGA connector, each on a 75R coax cable, it is possible to send over the same circuits three lots of composite video signals independently. Whilst for a given resolution the colour components have lower bandwidth than a composite signal, the much higher refresh rate and resolution of PC video means that there is plenty of bandwidth to carry a standard composite signal.

The boxes already provide the necessary HF correction for making up the losses in long runs of cable, switched to accommodate variable cable lengths, giving good picture quality.
[[Category:Technical]]
[[Category:Vision Path]]
[[Category:Equipment]]

Tom trolley

2013-07-27T21:53:05Z

Sam.nicholson: Reverted edits by Sam.nicholson (talk) to last revision by Robert.walker

{{HDNO}}
{{Outofdate}}
The '''Tom trolley''', also known as the '''Outside broadcast trolley''' or '''OB-1''', is YSTV's single-unit system for capture and live streaming of shows outside the studio. It is a pre-built system designed to be wheeled to a location and set up within an hour for broadcast to our network.

Unfortunately, due to the Panasonic Max being a little less reliable than is ideal, the OB Trolley is now just a trolley in a sad corner of the control room. This article will stay here for the time being, and when the techies have rebuilt it with some of our other equipment, it will be back in business again.

Setting up the trolley requires moderate technical knowledge, though nothing beyond what a competent technical assistant should know already. The most involved part of the setup is likely to be sound, as there is no standard audio configuration (though there are some [[#Common audio configurations|common ones]]). In total setup should not take more than around 90 minutes, depending on the size of the event and number of crew.

== What to bring ==

This section is divided into three lists: "Essential", "Useful" and "Optional". Should be fairly obvious what these mean.

=== Essential ===

* '''Cameras''': Sony HDV are recommended. Note that the trolley supports widescreen but not HD for capture. You should also bring the requisite accessories, i.e. tripods; batteries and/or power supplies; breakout cables or S-video converters.
* '''BNC cables''': of suitable length to run to the cameras.
* '''Sound desk''': Normally to be found in a white box in the Techie Room. It's a rather sizeable Behringer Eurodesk which is the staple for OBs. Don't forget headphones!
* '''Microphones''': Which ones you need and how many thereof will depend on the event. Don't forget mic stands if you need them.
* '''XLR cables''': Should go without saying really.
* '''6-15" TV screen''': Optional if you have fewer than four inputs, otherwise needed to see the main output of the vision mixer. Don't forget a BNC and power cable to connect it up with.
* '''Crew''': You'll need a vision mixer, sound op and camera operators. You may also need a VT op. Runners/TAs are also recommended.

=== Useful ===

* '''VT laptop''': For playing VTs. You'll also need a stereo 3.5mm mini-jack (from laptop) to 6.35mm jack (to sound desk), and an S-video converter (to the video inputs). [[#VT laptop sound|See note]] on using laptop sound.
* '''Cat5e cable''': For running network to the trolley for live streaming. Consult the computing team prior to the event to sort out a network port and setting up the streamers.
* '''Tape''': Of the sticky kind. Gaffer and hazard tape for cable runs, electrical tape for binding up cables afterwards.
* '''DI boxes''': If sound is being done externally (e.g. by Ents), you may need a couple of these to get a sound feed from their equipment. (See [[Using a DI Box]])

=== Optional ===

* '''Plasma screen''': Oh, you know you want to. Once again make sure you've got the right cables for video/power.
* '''Ring comms''': If you're worried about your camera ops, comms may be an idea. This will involve more cable runs though, and may substantially increase your setup time.
* '''Video processor''': This is a little black box that can be used to fade video to black. If you're working with a projector in the room, you may want to use this when we don't want to appear on the big screen. It can also adjust the video signal, which can help with more "quirky" projectors.
* '''PA system''': Public address speakers are available on hire from [http://www.york.ac.uk/campusservices/avcentre/ Audio-Visual] (£20 plus VAT), or can potentially be blagged off BandSoc for the night. Useful when the event itself has no speakers of its own available to use, and also avoids reliance on the event organisers to engineer the sound (which will usually ends in tears).

== The setup ==

=== Inputs and outputs ===
Inputs on the back panel are:
* Video in (4xBNC)
* Network (1xRJ45)

Outputs on the DA are:
* Video Out (Many x BNC)
* Audio Out (Many x Phono)

=== Sound ===
Sound is handled with two XLR cables, and 4 compressor cables. The main mix cables are tied to each other, as are the compressor cables.

The XLR cables have adapters on the end because the sound desk does not have XLR output.

When using sound, it seems that the trolley has no head room whatsoever, so you'll want the audio to peak at -2 or so because peaking at 0 distorts slightly.

=== Streaming and capture ===
Streaming and Capture is performed on the attached OB PC. It should power on auto-magically when the whole trolly gets power. Make sure the network cable (if needed) is connected before you turn it on otherwise you'll run into problems if you plan to do streaming.

When the PC is fully booted you should be presented with a desktop that looks somewhat like this:
[[Image:OB-1 Desktop.png|thumb|center|500px|OB PC Desktop ]]

... If you don't, then something has gone wrong and you should find a techie :|

==== Capture ====
[[Image:OB-1 Record Step1.png|thumb|right|OB PC Capture Step 1 ]]
[[Image:OB-1 Record Step2.png|thumb|right|OB PC Capture Step 2 ]]
[[Image:OB-1 Record Step3.png|thumb|right|OB PC Capture Step 3 ]]
Capture is started by double clicking the big red record button. This will bring up a terminal window with some instructions for you to follow.

''Step 1:'' Enter in the filename you want the video to be saved as and press enter. This should include the extension of '''.mpg'''. The file will be saved in the /data/ directory on the machine.

''Step 2:'' You'll be prompted again to 'press enter' when you're ready to start recording. It would be a good idea to do this just before you need to start recording so you don't miss the beginning of whatever you are filming.

''Step 3:'' Leave it running for the duration of the event, and then press enter to stop recording. Finally, you'll be prompted to press enter again to exit the terminal window.

==== Streaming ====
[[Image:OB-1 Streaming.png|thumb|right|OB PC Streaming ]]

Streaming is a little more involved than capture since it invovles some networking know-how. If you plan to stream it live using our stream servers you also need to talk nicely to the computing team so they can change the streamer configs. In special cases the computing team may be willing to teach someone else how to do it and give them the required priviledges.

Assuming you're still reading and able to stream, here are the rest of the instructions.

''Step 1:'' Find out, and make a note of, the IP address of the OB PC. It is currently set to Roam on CompServs network, so as long as it is connected to a 'normal' compserv network port it should be an IP address in the 144.32.*.* range. If it doesn't, then you definately need a member of the computing team.

''Step 2:'' Double click the big blue 'Stream' button on the desktop. If all goes well you should see something that looks like the image to the right. Notice the output from ffmpeg at the bottom of the window. This should be continuously changing and the fps value should be about 25 (one above or below is ok, but signifcantly less is bad).

''Step 3a:'' If you're streaming to somewhere other than our live stream, then simply point your player (or whatever other receiver of stream) to <nowiki>http://<IP_of_OBPC>:8080/stream.flv</nowiki>. Note that this will '''only''' work on campus.

''Step 3b:'' If you're streaming to YSTV stream servers (and have the required privs) you need to modify /usr/local/bin/runobhighqstream.sh on ystvstrm0 and change the IP address to be the IP of the OB PC. Save and exit. Then, you need to stop the normal webstream (by issuing /etc/init.d/webstream stop) and then start the ob webstream (by issuing /etc/init.d/obwebstream start). Do this as soon as you want to 'Cut to Net'. Make sure you don't try to have both streams at the same time otherwise bad stuff will happen, and make sure you stop the obwebstream and start the normal webstream when you're finnished.

==== Getting your recorded footage ====

When capturing, your footage is stored in the /data/ directory. To get the footage off once you've made it back to ystv you should follow these steps.

''Step 1:'' Connect the OB PC to the network in YSTV by plugging into port 4 on the well between the edit PC monitors. If this doesn't work, connect a cable durectly into the 48Port switch at the top of the server rack. Then power on the trolly and PC

''Step 2:'' Copy the data over the network to ystvfsrv using scp. Do this by getting a terminal window up (Applications -> Accsessories -> Terminal) and issue this command: '''scp /data/<your_file_name> user.name@ystvfsrv:/data/UserData/Shows/<Event_Name>/''' and press enter. Obviously replace filenames and folder names as appropriate.

The <Event_Name> folder will need to have been created on ystvfsrv already (you can do this on an Edit PC, or via ssh if you like). Also replace 'user.name' with you're ystv username (must be a firstname.surname style user). When you press enter you'll be prompted for your password, and assuming you get it correct, the copying shall commence.

''Step 3:'' Bask in your glory as you watch back your footage on an Edit PC...

== Tips and tricks ==

=== Vision mixing on Max ===

If you're used to mixing on DaVE then the Panasonic Max might be a bit of a culture shock. Unlike DaVE it is a hardware mixer, which means the T-bar position will change which buttons you need to use. Thankfully this is relatively obvious: use the bottom row when the T-bar is lowered, and the top row when it is raised.

You may well experience a slight jutter when cutting between two inputs on this desk. There is an "auto-take" button located to the right of the T-bar, which will give you a much smoother transition when used. Simply set the duration knob (just above auto-take) all the way to minimum to do a cut, and put it about 1/4 way up for a fade (mix). The duration knob only affects auto-take, it has no effect on the T-bar.

=== VT laptop sound ===

Note: This section also applies to any other laptop used, e.g. for music, during the event.

Almost all laptops, when plugged into the mains and wired directly to the sound desk, will suffer from interference. There are a couple of workarounds to solve this:

* Unplugging the power, bit of a no-brainer really. Most VTs are shorter than 10 minutes in length and the laptop's battery will certainly survive long enough for that.
* Using a DI (direct injection) box. DI boxes are specifically designed for the job of putting anything-other-than-mic inputs to the main mix. Simply run the VT laptop output to the DI box first, then out to the sound desk. You'll need extra cables to do this of course. (See [[Using a DI Box]])

Hoping some more sound-engineery types can expand on this section a bit.

=== Common audio configurations ===

==== V/045 ====

For V/045 and other similar lecture theatres (P/X/001, L/N/028 etc.), a cardioid microphone (e.g. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shure_SM58 SM58], Sennheiser Evo 825) pointed at each table is usually sufficient to pick up everyone sat at that table. You may also want a separate mic for the lectern if that is to be used. Alternatively, you may choose to simply wire everyone up with a separate tie microphone, though this assumes they won't be moving around during the show.

==== Central Hall ====

Central Hall has its own sound system installed, however all its equipment is located on the balcony. Liaison with AV will be required beforehand to get sound inputs diverted to somewhere more useful for us, this may also require liaison with the society putting on the event.
[[Category:Technical]]
[[Category:OBs]]
[[Category:Vision Path]]
[[Category:Audio]]
[[Category:Equipment]]
[[Category:To-do]]

Tom trolley

2013-07-12T16:20:23Z

Sam.nicholson: Reverted edits by Robert.walker (talk) to last revision by Michael.chislett

The '''Tom trolley''', also known as the '''Outside broadcast trolley''' or '''OB-1''', is YSTV's single-unit system for capture and live streaming of shows outside the studio. It is a pre-built system designed to be wheeled to a location and set up within an hour for broadcast to our network.

This article is mostly about how you ''use'' the trolley, rather than what goes on inside of it. If you're interested in the tech side instead, have a look at the [[Technical:Tom trolley|Tom trolley]] article in the Technical namespace.

Unfortunately, due to the Panasonic Max being a little less reliable than is ideal, the OB Trolley is now just a trolley in a sad corner of the control room. This article will stay here for the time being, and when the techies have rebuilt it with some of our other equipment, it will be back in business again.

Setting up the trolley requires moderate technical knowledge, though nothing beyond what a competent technical assistant should know already. The most involved part of the setup is likely to be sound, as there is no standard audio configuration (though there are some [[#Common audio configurations|common ones]]). In total setup should not take more than around 90 minutes, depending on the size of the event and number of crew.

== What to bring ==

This section is divided into three lists: "Essential", "Useful" and "Optional". Should be fairly obvious what these mean.

=== Essential ===

* '''Cameras''': Sony HDV are recommended. Note that the trolley supports widescreen but not HD for capture. You should also bring the requisite accessories, i.e. tripods; batteries and/or power supplies; breakout cables or S-video converters.
* '''BNC cables''': of suitable length to run to the cameras.
* '''Sound desk''': Normally to be found in a white box in the Techie Room. It's a rather sizeable Behringer Eurodesk which is the staple for OBs. Don't forget headphones!
* '''Microphones''': Which ones you need and how many thereof will depend on the event. Don't forget mic stands if you need them.
* '''XLR cables''': Should go without saying really.
* '''6-15" TV screen''': Optional if you have fewer than four inputs, otherwise needed to see the main output of the vision mixer. Don't forget a BNC and power cable to connect it up with.
* '''Crew''': You'll need a vision mixer, sound op and camera operators. You may also need a VT op. Runners/TAs are also recommended.

=== Useful ===

* '''VT laptop''': For playing VTs. You'll also need a stereo 3.5mm mini-jack (from laptop) to 6.35mm jack (to sound desk), and an S-video converter (to the video inputs). [[#VT laptop sound|See note]] on using laptop sound.
* '''Cat5e cable''': For running network to the trolley for live streaming. Consult the computing team prior to the event to sort out a network port and setting up the streamers.
* '''Tape''': Of the sticky kind. Gaffer and hazard tape for cable runs, electrical tape for binding up cables afterwards.
* '''DI boxes''': If sound is being done externally (e.g. by Ents), you may need a couple of these to get a sound feed from their equipment. (See [[Using a DI Box]])

=== Optional ===

* '''Plasma screen''': Oh, you know you want to. Once again make sure you've got the right cables for video/power.
* '''Ring comms''': If you're worried about your camera ops, comms may be an idea. This will involve more cable runs though, and may substantially increase your setup time.
* '''Video processor''': This is a little black box that can be used to fade video to black. If you're working with a projector in the room, you may want to use this when we don't want to appear on the big screen. It can also adjust the video signal, which can help with more "quirky" projectors.
* '''PA system''': Public address speakers are available on hire from [http://www.york.ac.uk/campusservices/avcentre/ Audio-Visual] (£20 plus VAT), or can potentially be blagged off BandSoc for the night. Useful when the event itself has no speakers of its own available to use, and also avoids reliance on the event organisers to engineer the sound (which will usually ends in tears).

== The setup ==

=== Inputs and outputs ===
Inputs on the back panel are:
* Video in (4xBNC)
* Network (1xRJ45)

Outputs on the DA are:
* Video Out (Many x BNC)
* Audio Out (Many x Phono)

=== Sound ===
Sound is handled with two XLR cables, and 4 compressor cables. The main mix cables are tied to each other, as are the compressor cables.

The XLR cables have adapters on the end because the sound desk does not have XLR output.

When using sound, it seems that the trolley has no head room whatsoever, so you'll want the audio to peak at -2 or so because peaking at 0 distorts slightly.

=== Streaming and capture ===
Streaming and Capture is performed on the attached OB PC. It should power on auto-magically when the whole trolly gets power. Make sure the network cable (if needed) is connected before you turn it on otherwise you'll run into problems if you plan to do streaming.

When the PC is fully booted you should be presented with a desktop that looks somewhat like this:
[[Image:OB-1 Desktop.png|thumb|center|500px|OB PC Desktop ]]

... If you don't, then something has gone wrong and you should find a techie :|

==== Capture ====
[[Image:OB-1 Record Step1.png|thumb|right|OB PC Capture Step 1 ]]
[[Image:OB-1 Record Step2.png|thumb|right|OB PC Capture Step 2 ]]
[[Image:OB-1 Record Step3.png|thumb|right|OB PC Capture Step 3 ]]
Capture is started by double clicking the big red record button. This will bring up a terminal window with some instructions for you to follow.

''Step 1:'' Enter in the filename you want the video to be saved as and press enter. This should include the extension of '''.mpg'''. The file will be saved in the /data/ directory on the machine.

''Step 2:'' You'll be prompted again to 'press enter' when you're ready to start recording. It would be a good idea to do this just before you need to start recording so you don't miss the beginning of whatever you are filming.

''Step 3:'' Leave it running for the duration of the event, and then press enter to stop recording. Finally, you'll be prompted to press enter again to exit the terminal window.

==== Streaming ====
[[Image:OB-1 Streaming.png|thumb|right|OB PC Streaming ]]

Streaming is a little more involved than capture since it invovles some networking know-how. If you plan to stream it live using our stream servers you also need to talk nicely to the computing team so they can change the streamer configs. In special cases the computing team may be willing to teach someone else how to do it and give them the required priviledges.

Assuming you're still reading and able to stream, here are the rest of the instructions.

''Step 1:'' Find out, and make a note of, the IP address of the OB PC. It is currently set to Roam on CompServs network, so as long as it is connected to a 'normal' compserv network port it should be an IP address in the 144.32.*.* range. If it doesn't, then you definately need a member of the computing team.

''Step 2:'' Double click the big blue 'Stream' button on the desktop. If all goes well you should see something that looks like the image to the right. Notice the output from ffmpeg at the bottom of the window. This should be continuously changing and the fps value should be about 25 (one above or below is ok, but signifcantly less is bad).

''Step 3a:'' If you're streaming to somewhere other than our live stream, then simply point your player (or whatever other receiver of stream) to <nowiki>http://<IP_of_OBPC>:8080/stream.flv</nowiki>. Note that this will '''only''' work on campus.

''Step 3b:'' If you're streaming to YSTV stream servers (and have the required privs) you need to modify /usr/local/bin/runobhighqstream.sh on ystvstrm0 and change the IP address to be the IP of the OB PC. Save and exit. Then, you need to stop the normal webstream (by issuing /etc/init.d/webstream stop) and then start the ob webstream (by issuing /etc/init.d/obwebstream start). Do this as soon as you want to 'Cut to Net'. Make sure you don't try to have both streams at the same time otherwise bad stuff will happen, and make sure you stop the obwebstream and start the normal webstream when you're finnished.

==== Getting your recorded footage ====

When capturing, your footage is stored in the /data/ directory. To get the footage off once you've made it back to ystv you should follow these steps.

''Step 1:'' Connect the OB PC to the network in YSTV by plugging into port 4 on the well between the edit PC monitors. If this doesn't work, connect a cable durectly into the 48Port switch at the top of the server rack. Then power on the trolly and PC

''Step 2:'' Copy the data over the network to ystvfsrv using scp. Do this by getting a terminal window up (Applications -> Accsessories -> Terminal) and issue this command: '''scp /data/<your_file_name> user.name@ystvfsrv:/data/UserData/Shows/<Event_Name>/''' and press enter. Obviously replace filenames and folder names as appropriate.

The <Event_Name> folder will need to have been created on ystvfsrv already (you can do this on an Edit PC, or via ssh if you like). Also replace 'user.name' with you're ystv username (must be a firstname.surname style user). When you press enter you'll be prompted for your password, and assuming you get it correct, the copying shall commence.

''Step 3:'' Bask in your glory as you watch back your footage on an Edit PC...

== Tips and tricks ==

=== Vision mixing on Max ===

If you're used to mixing on DaVE then the Panasonic Max might be a bit of a culture shock. Unlike DaVE it is a hardware mixer, which means the T-bar position will change which buttons you need to use. Thankfully this is relatively obvious: use the bottom row when the T-bar is lowered, and the top row when it is raised.

You may well experience a slight jutter when cutting between two inputs on this desk. There is an "auto-take" button located to the right of the T-bar, which will give you a much smoother transition when used. Simply set the duration knob (just above auto-take) all the way to minimum to do a cut, and put it about 1/4 way up for a fade (mix). The duration knob only affects auto-take, it has no effect on the T-bar.

=== VT laptop sound ===

Note: This section also applies to any other laptop used, e.g. for music, during the event.

Almost all laptops, when plugged into the mains and wired directly to the sound desk, will suffer from interference. There are a couple of workarounds to solve this:

* Unplugging the power, bit of a no-brainer really. Most VTs are shorter than 10 minutes in length and the laptop's battery will certainly survive long enough for that.
* Using a DI (direct injection) box. DI boxes are specifically designed for the job of putting anything-other-than-mic inputs to the main mix. Simply run the VT laptop output to the DI box first, then out to the sound desk. You'll need extra cables to do this of course. (See [[Using a DI Box]])

Hoping some more sound-engineery types can expand on this section a bit.

=== Common audio configurations ===

==== V/045 ====

For V/045 and other similar lecture theatres (P/X/001, L/N/028 etc.), a cardioid microphone (e.g. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shure_SM58 SM58], Sennheiser Evo 825) pointed at each table is usually sufficient to pick up everyone sat at that table. You may also want a separate mic for the lectern if that is to be used. Alternatively, you may choose to simply wire everyone up with a separate tie microphone, though this assumes they won't be moving around during the show.

==== Central Hall ====

Central Hall has its own sound system installed, however all its equipment is located on the balcony. Liaison with AV will be required beforehand to get sound inputs diverted to somewhere more useful for us, this may also require liaison with the society putting on the event.

Banner

2013-07-06T15:38:33Z

Sam.nicholson: Loss of the banner

[[Image:Banner.JPG|thumb|right|The YSTV banner at election night]]

YSTV's giant logo banner was purchased by [[Sarah Leese]] in 2005 for use at outside broadcasts such as [[YUSU Election Nights]] and live coverage such as [[Woodstock]]. It features the [[Idiot Logo]].

[[URY]] have had a similar (although actually even bigger) banner for many years, and in summer 2003 the possibility of buying a YSTV version was brought to a station meeting. It was turned down because it was thought that our logo would normally be on a big screen of some sort and the money could be better spent. Two years later however opinion had shifted and the banner made its debut at [[Woodstock]] 2005.

Sadly it was left on the balcony after Woodstock 2011, and has never been seen since.
[[Image:BannerWoodstock05.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The YSTV banner at Woodstock]]

Chris Wall

2013-05-24T07:14:46Z

Sam.nicholson: Typo fix

[[File:Chris Wall - Station Director.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Summer 2012]]
Chris joined the University of York in 2011 as a Film and Television Production Student. Chris joined YSTV after attending the freshers meeting and discovering how friendly and passionate people were about producing great TV.

In the Spring Term of 2012 Chris began producing [[Pushing The Senses]] YSTV's first 'magic' show since [[Magic Hands]]. During this term Chris also worked on the 2012 [[Best Broadcaster]] showreel along with [[Sarah Pickles]], [[Steven Perring]], and [[Michael Miller]] (note the use of an oxford comma). YSTV ultimately went on to win [[Best Broadcaster]] that year whilst Chris' own show, [[Pushing The Senses]], went on to claim the prize for Highly Commended in the Light Entertainment category.

In the Summer term of 2012, May the 16th, Chris was elected [[Station Director]] of YSTV. During this time he was probably most famous for the [[Cute Animal]] feature of the 'Everyone E-Mail'.

Posts Held:
*[[Station Director]] (2012-2013)
*[[Outside Broadcast Coordinator]] (2013)

Shows Produced:
*[[Pushing The Senses]] (2012)

[[Category:People|Wall]]

Woodstock 2012

2012-08-19T16:01:30Z

Sam.nicholson: cat etc

One of the most meticulously planned events in recent memory, Woodstock 2012 continued the two-stage tradition of many previous years and saw the introduction of far more video sources than was sensible and shiny new [[Studio Comms]] system.

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:1em;"
! colspan="2" | <big>Woodstock 2012</big>
|-
! Format
| Live Music
|-
! Producers
| [[Sam Nicholson]] [[Rachael Sherlock]] Assisted by [[Greg Ebdon]]
|-
! Presenters
| Everyone who could be drafted on the day
|-
! Air date
| Saturday 23rd June 2012
|-
! Watch On-Demand
| [http://ystv.co.uk/watch/Woodstock/2012 YSTV Website]
|-
|}

== Planning ==
Some time in the autumn of 2011 Sam Nicholson got it set in his head to produce Woodstock, and started quietly dreaming up ideas. Fast-forward to the end of spring term, with dark memories of [[Woodstock 2011]] and an all-night rig, the entire of Vanbrugh first floor is booked up from the preceding Thursday all the way to the following Sunday and planning begins in earnest.

Dreaming big, the production team devised an 8-camera, 10-source rig complete with hiring in a jib, remote roaming cameras and a 2-camera indoor rig in parallel. All this went into a document for Health and Safety and numerous diagrams and detailed plans, all of which (should) be archived in YSTV's documents drive for future reference.

== Rigging ==
Due to a massive planning error, the new Comms system was being built as the rig was taking place, leaving a very thinly stretched team of techies to put everything together. Nevertheless, the rig started well on the Thursday evening, with most of the control room done shortly after midnight, and the team dreaming of finishing early the following day.

This was not to be, with intermittent rain slowing the entire process down, a series of cable failures and [[John Caine]] sitting in traffic for most of the evening trying to collect the jib from Manchester. In the end, everyone made it out at about 4 in the morning, getting a few hours sleep before the live show.
== Live Show ==
The standard pre-show scramble ensued, but by and large broadcast started at 12. Due to JSS showing up late to set up their sound rig, we started with no sound and spent the early part of the show with a rifle mic pointed out of a window, and a comms system being hurriedly built by [[Alex Williams]] and [[Elizabeth Pascoe]] in one of the many spare rooms. By about 4, things had calmed down considerably and while the comms were still dodgy as ever, rain put the odd dampener on the proceedings and cameras dropped out periodically things were going well.

Later in the evening, one camera cable had completely packed up and the Indoor stage got shut down after the camera ops and their equipment were nearly crushed, but overall the show went well.
== Aftermath ==
To save a late night on the Saturday, de-rigging was Sunday morning's problem, so the tech team diligently showed up and took everything apart (grumbling that almost no-one else had shown up to help them). Reviewing the footage later it turned out the audio had been running too hot for most of the day and some of the indoor camera angles were a bit dodgy, but after a week or so of editing the main stage went up online, with indoor following later on, see the link in the box for all the results.

{{Woodstock}}
{{YSTV Productions}}
[[Category:Productions]]

Woodstock 2012

2012-08-19T16:00:48Z

Sam.nicholson: Wrote up some stuff, style is poor and needs cleanup, but its a start

The Mux

2012-07-12T22:38:52Z

Sam.nicholson: Updated for new control system

The '''''main mux''''' is the huge black thing in the [[AV rack]]. It routes video to different places, and also has analogue TV demodulator inputs. It's controlled by an outboard box which sits on the Director/Vision Mixer's desk.

==Functions==

* 32 input to 4 output matrix

==Faults & unknowns==
*2 composite inputs to the matrix are dead.

==Explanation of operation==
This was originally based around a PIC16F84 with an 8MHz crystal containing code written by [[hist:Rob Sprowson|Rob Sprowson]], the code for which is now lost.

A new PIC, a PIC18F2455 using a 20MHz crystal, has replaced this PIC through use of an extra 'daughter' board. This change in PIC was to allow easier coding, using C instead of assembler, and to provide USB capabilities. The source code has also been lost.

It now runs on an installed Arduino, and is one of the first [[YVP_Protocol|YVP Protocol]] compatible devices. This does mean a computer is needed to control it however, connected to the now real, RS-232 compliant serial port on the back.

==Power supply==
This is very much the weak point of the mux, and is tied up with why there are loads of unconnected [[BNC]]s on the back. - The Mux used to hold a distribution amplifier for creating 8 outputs of each main output from the matrix. Sadly though, this experienced some heavy cross-talk, and was misdiagnosed as "electric fields". The original creators now propose that simply adding better decoupling to the power supply would have solved the problem.

There are two mains transformers:
* 2x6V
**50VA
**powers + and - 5V rails

*2x6V
**3VA
**wired as 1x12V, 3VA to provide the +12V rail.

All the supplies are smoothed with big electrolitics, and then regulated with 78/79 series regulators.

All this is built on a length of chocolate block connector strip, with a lot of stranded hookup wire.

[[Category:Technical]]
[[Category:Vision Path]]