Hello everyone,
First, let me own up to my learning curve with Zoom (after using it for 5 years). My earlier chat about Millumin had bad audio, and the most recent one? Well, let’s just say I learned what “Auto-start Record” doesn’t mean.
Still, I’m glad these chats keep happening. They’re my way of recreating the casual, creative discussions we used to have in workrooms and graphics “bullpens.” Since 2019, I’ve received incredible feedback and learned a ton from all of you who’ve joined. Thank you for being part of this ongoing conversation.
Getting Noticed in the Industry
Before diving into gear discussions, we talked about something equally crucial: staying visible in this business.
I’ve always believed the best reminder of your value can be as simple as a chocolate bar. Often, the person who gets the job is the one who recently walked by, said hello, or reminded a staffing agent of their existence.
Here are a few tips we discussed:
- Reach out to staffing contacts when you have open dates in your schedule.
- Send friendly updates—not spam—just enough to stay on their radar.
- Consider dropping by (if possible) with a simple gift like a chocolate bar or a handwritten note. In-person visits may be rare these days, but they still make an impact.
The Main Event: Gear
Now, onto gear—the tools that help us do our jobs effectively.
In our chat, I shared some recent changes to my setup, including adding a third machine to my standard package of primary and backup PowerPoint PCs. Surprisingly, many attendees either don’t include gear rental in their services or prefer to let the production company provide hardware.
Let’s clarify what “gear” means for us:
- Our Role: File management and “speaker prophylactics”—helping speakers avoid mistakes on stage.
- How We Support This: By working efficiently, managing files seamlessly, and easing speakers’ nerves with a calm, professional approach.
Why Gear Matters
When you hire me, you’re not just getting a technician—you’re hiring someone who defends your client, their reputation, and their event’s success. My rate reflects that commitment. Producers who recognize the importance of investing in quality gear and reasonable timelines deserve priority.
This brings me to my new setup, which includes:
- Two PCs: Primary and backup PowerPoint machines (this is live production; redundancy is non-negotiable)
- A Third Machine: Dedicated to file management, running Bitfocus Companion modules including OSCPoint (interface images above)
- Mini-Network: A private LAN for secure file sharing
- Streamdeck Keypad: Customizable buttons for efficient show control and file management
Tech Details
We also discussed hardware specs. Here are some quick tips for building a reliable setup:
- Processor: Look for Intel i9 or i7 models with a starting number of 14xxx (e.g., i9 14900). Core count (20–24 cores) is more important than GPU power for PowerPoint.
- RAM: At least 32GB; more is always better.
- Budget: You can get a trustworthy machine for around $1,200 today—no need to spend $4,000.
For those using Bitfocus Companion with MAC setups, you’ll need software like Octopus Listener or Vicreo Listener.
If you’re interested in Raspberry Pi setups, check out these resources:
Wrapping Up
Before I go, I’d love to know—do you have a feedback mechanism to hear from producers about how things went?
And finally, a word from our friend Glenn: “Inflation is real. If you haven’t, raise your rates!”
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at the next chat (or, ideally, too busy to attend because you’re working)!
I’m also including some thoughts on my issues with buying the right dock to get your setup situated in video village. I’m frustrated by marketing descriptions of “speed” when discussing them.
Focusing on just “speed” for a portable hard drive doesn’t tell the whole story. Here’s a breakdown of the technologies that actually influence the I/O (input/output) speeds:
- USB: There are different generations of USB, each with varying speeds.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2×2: The fastest with theoretical speeds up to 20Gbps.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2: Offers speeds up to 10Gbps.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 (or USB 3.1 Gen 1 or USB 3.0): Up to 5Gbps.
- Older USB standards: Significantly slower and best avoided.
- Thunderbolt: Extremely fast, with Thunderbolt 4 offering up to 40Gbps. Primarily found on Apple devices and some high-end PCs. Thunderbolt 5, with a maximum data transfer rate of 80 Gbps (with potential boosts up to 120 Gbps using the “Bandwidth Boost” feature)
- eSATA: Older interface, less common now, but can offer good speeds.
Video Docks
Video docks (sometimes called docking stations or port replicators) can have a lot of technical specs, and it’s easy to get lost in the jargon. Here’s a breakdown of the key technologies to consider. This is for straight PowerPoint or PowerPoint with Presenter View setups, not for widescreen or dual display setups:
1. Connectivity and Ports:
- Interface to your computer: This is crucial for speed and compatibility.
- Thunderbolt: Offers the fastest data transfer speeds, ideal for high-resolution displays and demanding tasks. Common on Macs and some Windows laptops.
- USB-C: Versatile and increasingly common, with varying speeds depending on the USB version (USB 3.2 Gen 2 is a good target).
- USB-A: Older but still common. Look for USB 3.0 or higher for decent speeds.
- Display Outputs: Check the types and number of ports:
- HDMI: Common for connecting to monitors and TVs. Look for HDMI 2.0 or higher for 4K resolution at 60Hz.
- DisplayPort: Another popular standard, often found on higher-end monitors. DisplayPort 1.4 or higher is ideal for high refresh rates and resolutions.
- VGA: Older analog standard, avoid if possible.
- DVI: Less common now, but can still be useful for some monitors.
- Other Ports: Consider your needs for:
- USB-A ports: For connecting peripherals like mice, keyboards, and external drives.
- Ethernet: For a wired network connection.
- Audio jacks: For headphones and microphones.
- SD card reader: For transferring photos and videos.
2. Video Resolution and Refresh Rate:
- Resolution: Make sure the dock supports the resolution of your monitor(s). Common resolutions include 1080p (Full HD), 1440p (QHD), and 4K (UHD).
- Refresh Rate: This determines how many times per second the screen refreshes. Higher refresh rates (e.g., 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz) result in smoother motion.
3. Power Delivery (PD):
- Wattage: Check if the dock can provide enough power to charge your laptop. This is especially important for power-hungry laptops.
- Power Delivery (PD) standard: Ensures safe and efficient charging.
Beyond the Specs:
- Build quality: A sturdy dock will be more durable and less likely to cause connection problems.
- Ergonomics: Consider the dock’s size and design, and how it will fit on your desk.
- Reviews: Read reviews from other users to get a sense of real-world performance and reliability.
Please drop in for our next meeting to discuss any of this in detail.
