The Machine Room

A small machine room is located next to the control room. It is used to house equipment that does not require constant attention, and that would add to the noise level and require space in the crowded control room. This is where the VCRs and the editing system computer are located, and where the two encoding computers and the remote control computer will be installed.

Figure 18.3 shows multiple encoding computers installed in a large machine-room rack at Microsoft. The patch bay to the right enables operators to quickly change the routing of source signals to encoders.

Figure 18.3: Encoding computers installed in a typical machine room.

Fabrikam will install two encoding computers that can provide multiple streams encoded at different bit rates, and these will be able to feed multiple broadcast publishing points on the sever. Redundant streams can also be encoded as a backup. The third computer will run the Windows Media Services Administrator for the Web and Windows Media Player. The director will be able to view and operate the computers in the control room from a single monitor, mouse, and keyboard by using a KVM switchbox. The entire live production, from switching video sources to controlling the server, can be run by the director from one location.

An alternative to the KVM switchbox would be to connect to the encoding computers by using Remote Desktop Connection in Windows XP. You could use this method if the computers were located too far from the control room to use the KVM switchbox. Keep in mind, however, that you cannot open and control the encoder unless the remote computer sound setting is configured as Leave at Remote computer. Also, Remote Desktop Connection draws on system resources that could be used by the encoder. Make sure the encoding computer has adequate processing power and memory before using this method.

Figure 18.4 shows the encoder control room at the Microsoft in-house video production facility. Microsoft makes extensive use of live and on-demand streaming media. In this control room, source signals, streams, and encoding computers can be monitored, and encoders can be controlled remotely. If you have programming skills, you can create a program for controlling Windows Media Encoder remotely by using the Windows Media Encoder SDK.

Figure 18.4: A typical control room layout.