Sunday, July 15, 2007

Breaking News: We Have a Feed

I'm very pleased to report that we are now webcasting through the Peercast network. Here's what you need to do...

  1. Go to Peercast and download the appropriate software for your operating system and install it.
  2. Go over to the Peercast Address Book and use the drop down menu to select "WMV."
  3. Find Mater Dei Television and click on "Play."

That should be it. Things to keep in mind...

  • You need to be running the Peercast software in order to watch Mater Dei Television.
  • You can help out by configuring your Peercast software as a relay, and remember, since it's peer to peer streaming, the more people logged in means a better signal.
  • There is only going to be one hour of programming per week, although on a continuous loop, at least to start. When we get more programming, we'll air it. Gradually, this will be increased to two hours, three hours, etc, until we are actually airing different programming every day (although probably repeating itself for awhile on a 12 hour loop, but changed out every day).

We're not going to just air old Catholic programming. We do intend on producing new programs, and ideas are welcome. Things to keep in mind with programming...

  • Programs should have some relevance to the Traditional Latin Mass crowd and/or the Catholic Homeschooling crowd.
  • We don't quite have the means to do a Mass yet, although frighteningly enough, I know how to build the PC that would allow me to do live switching between two cameras (and I can make it portable, too). In the meantime, we need to focus on programs that would be easy to produce and edit with one or two cameras, but not done live. Rosaries, Angeluses, speakers, and other programs that don't have to be aired live (or have a quick turnaround) would be ideal.
  • Focusing on Summorum Pontificum would be ideal. It seems as if many bishops are not thrilled with this not because of going backwards necessarily but due to the lack of resources. I'd love to produce a program that helps both priests and laity learn enough Latin to get through the Tridentine Mass every day. Or even a program to help train altar boys. There seems to be endless possibilities as far as programming goes.
  • Histories on how the Church influenced society in various parts of the world would also be welcome. Ideas are always good.
  • If you want to produce for Mater Dei Television, sit tight and stay tuned. We have standards. When I talk this over with the board (or soon to be board), we'll post exactly what these standards are. I'd like a little diversity in this department, because while everything that comes from in house will likely have the same feel, the out of house programming probably won't, and that's ok (MEANING: I use Adobe Premeire Pro 1.5 on my main editor and my portable runs Premiere 5.1. That doesn't mean we won't take anything made with Final Cut Pro, Avid, or Cinelerra among others. Just make it relevant to what we normally air, and don't make it look bad.

Now, having said all this, we've both got a learning curve right now. I'll try to answer any questions the best I possibly can, but bear with me as I get used to this too. These beginnings are truly humble, but together, we'll make this into the first TV network geared for Traditional Catholics.

Here we go!

ICTM,

Chuck, MI

No comments: