How to Be a Guest on NSFW

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Revision as of 18:40, 9 November 2011 by Cheeto (talk | contribs)
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If you're going to be a guest on NSFW show, there are a few steps you can take to make sure everything goes smoothly on your end.

Facts

  • Most shows are done via Skype, both audio and video.
  • All shows are recorded in front of a live webcast audience of several thousand at http://live.twit.tv.
  • Our chat room is very active, often with 1,000 or more people. This is located at http://irc.twit.tv in the channel #unfiltered. You can use a browser or an IRC client to connect.
  • Your entire conversation will be broadcast live to the audience, from the time you say hello until you say goodbye.
  • We do very little editing, so almost everything you say will go into the "final" version of the show, edited in post production and release a day or two later.
  • We are not governed by the FCC, but we like to keep our show with a PG rating. We ask you to follow broadcast standards with language.
  • You will be tempted to watch our live stream while you are on the show. this is a mistake you will likely regret, because it will harm the quality of your audio and video.
  • You 'will' enjoy using our IRC chat during the show, provided you have a thick skin (sometimes chatters can get a little personal). Find it at http://irc.twit.tv.

Topics

  • NSFW ranges in a variety of games/topics. Usually there will be 2 different games per episode.
  • Brian or Justin will usually send a Google Doc with the basic rundown for the episode.
  • Feel free to watch past episodes to get the feel of the show at http://twit.tv/nsfw

Overall Steps

  • Brian, Justin, or Jon invites you to be on NSFW.
  • They will contact you with episode information via email.
  • You go on as scheduled.

Skype

The primary method of communicating with Brian and Justin on NSFW is Skype. Skype is available on Windows, OSX and *NIX, although the Windows version tends to be the most up to date. DO NOT install browser add-ons, as they are annoying (but harmless) to your browsing experience.

Download the latest version of Skype from http://skype.com - it's free. Make sure to have a good Internet connection and test Skype quality prior to your appearance. If you are able to, you may improve Skype call quality by setting a fixed port and enabling port forwarding on your router.

Position your camera so that you'll be looking into it most of the time when you're speaking. Speak clearly and with ample volume, ideally in a room without much echo and few background noises.

We strongly recommend using a USB headset for your appearance. If you wish to buy one on your own, we recommend the Plantronics .audio 655 USB Headset. They run about US$35 on Amazon.com. Do NOT use a Bluetooth headset - they sound terrible. Remember, it is not required you purchase one.

In any case you must at least use headphones to avoid echoes that will disrupt the show. Make sure that you are using the best microphone you have access to and that the outbound microphone volume level is set appropriately both in your computer OS and within Skype. Skype also has its own internal setting for audio input. If unsure what microphone is selected, check the "Sound In" device in Options->"Sound Devices" or call the Skype echo testing service and tap the microphone.

Tips

  • Setup
    • Make sure you have the latest version of Skype. For Macs, it's Skype->Check for Update.
    • You do not need a professional audio/video setup to be on [NSFW]] (of course if you do, congratulations - it should work even better).
      • Please do not use the built-in laptop microphone if at all possible. This is only for use if we have exhausted all other options. If the laptop mic must be used, then find some iPhone/iPod headphones and plug them in so you hear the audio through the headphones. This will prevent echo coming back into the TWiT studio mix.
      • USB headset does not mean a headset with two connectors that look the same as those for iPod headphones. It means that it is plugged into your computer via USB.
      • The newest Mac laptops do support the microphone from the new iPhone headphones, but it's not much better than a laptop mic.
    • Video: you have several options
      • Built-in camera: If you have a new computer, chances are it has a built-in webcam. That should be sufficient.
      • External webcam: This is OK, too. We get excellent results on both Mac and Windows with the Logitech C510 webcams.
      • Firewire-connected DV camera (or even HD).
  • Noise
    • Headset feedback: It's possible that there could be feedback from your headset cable. You will not hear this, but Brian and the other panelists will. Try calling "echo123" on skype and testing your audio for a few minutes. If you hear the feedback (sounds sort of like a tapping pencil), then you will need to sit on any slack in the headset's cord to prevent it from making the noise.
    • Which USB port? We've found that when using a laptop, it's best to use the USB port nearest you (furthest from the screen), as it usually has the least power/interference issues.
    • Multiple USB ports: You will want to make sure the webcam and USB headset are plugged directly into the USB ports, not through a hub.
    • Will your office-mate or family member be shouting nearby? Close the door and put a sign on it that says: "Shhhh! Business phone call in progress. Please don't come in before X o'clock."
    • Please, NEVER play the audio of the show via your computer speakers, internal or external. This creates echo that makes it difficult for the audience to understand the show and is almost impossible to edit out in post production.
  • Skype Audio
    • We use the free version of Skype for all our podcasts.
    • Always make sure you have the latest version of Skype.
    • Skype overwrites the computer's audio and video settings. And these settings usually need to be re-set each time you plug in the headset. On a Mac, go to Skype->Preferences->Audio and select your USB headset for "Audio output" and "Audio input." Leave the "Ringing" setting to your built-in speakers (this is so you can hear it ringing if you've stepped away from your computer. In Windows, go to Tools->Options->Audio Settings. There you will be able to select your USB headset for Microphone and Speakers, but leave "Ringing" set to "Windows default device."
    • We have seen significant problems combining Skype audio (and video) with some recent Linux versions. Please don't use this combination on NSFW.
    • When restarting Skype, call "echo123" and test your audio with "the Skype lady." Tap your headset's microphone to make sure the audio is coming from that source. If your audio sounds hollow or has an echo, then your audio is coming from the laptop microphone.
    • Unplug any other headset or earphones plugged into that computer. They may conflict.
  • Skype video
    • TWiT is quickly moving all its broadcasting to having a live video component.
    • This is done via Skype's free video service.
    • These settings usually need to be re-set each time you plug in the headset.
    • On a Mac, go to Skype->Preferences->Video and select your "Built-in iSight." Check "Enable Skype Video" and "Automatically receive video from: People in my Contact List." Enable iSight camera. When connected with Brian, select the teeny-tiny button that looks like the profile of a video camera.
    • In Windows, go to Tools->Options->Video Settings. Select your webcam. Check "Enable Skype Video" and "Automatically receive video from: People in my Contact List." When connected with Brian, select the teeny-tiny button that looks like the profile of a video camera.
  • Video
    • Feel free to point your friends to http://twit.tv, but don't watch it while you're on, as the delay will confuse you and the bandwidth you're using can harm the quality of the audio/video you're sending us. We'll feed the video back to you.
    • Check to see how you look by using Skype Video settings.
    • Consider your camera. Most built-in webcams are plenty good for our purposes, but if you are purchasing an external camera, you might try something like the Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 (also see this camera's Windows drivers to curb autofocus). Make sure the camera is compatible with your system as some are OS-specific. For a little more money, an external DV camera with Firewire connection is also a good choice. Even with these external cameras, you'll still want to use the headset microphone.
    • Frame the image well. Usually the best way is to have your head almost touching the top of the frame, and your head be in the top three-fifths of the frame and your chest the bottom two-fifths (enough to put your name in the "lower third" of the screen). And please, put the webcam just at the top of the monitor you are going to be using, so you're pointing right at it as you're on your computer. No sideways views, please.
  • Advanced Privacy Settings
    • For the purposes of your call, please go into "Privacy" settings (you may need to click on "Advanced") and allow calls, chats, and video from anyone, and show you're online. After the show, you can revert these settings to be whatever you like.

Chat

  • Our audience loves it when guests participate in chat, but be forewarned it can be distracting. Our IRC chatroom is located at http://irc.twit.tv, the room is #unfiltered. Here's a full primer on IRC. You actually don't need a password to sign in. However, if you're already IRC savvy, particularly if you're going to be on the network more than once, please register and get a "nick" so your identity is reserved and you have special privileges on IRC.
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