Computer Setup:
There are two approaches to setting up your courtside computers for Webcasting. Most
schools, for most games, will be using a single computer for recording stats and for
Webcasting. Some schools may want to use two computers that are networked together, where
one is used for recording stats and the other runs the Webcasting software and is
connected to the Internet.
The two-computer configuration allows the Webcast to
be watched and re-started, if necessary, without having to interrupt the statistician.
However, this takes more equipment and occupies more space. Webcasting has shown to be
efficient and reliable by using a single computer, but if the Internet connection is lost
then the Webcast will be interrupted until the statistician has time to reset the
connection and re-start the Webcast.
If you are using a Laptop computer,
keep in mind that most laptops will run twice as fast if they are
connected to an outlet rather than running off of their battery.
Also be sure that you are using the latest version of CyberSports
for Basketball. The version number should be at least 4.2.3,
and you can check the Version number by clicking on Help
--> About the Game Module.
I. PREFERENCES:
Open the Game Module.
Make sure that you have File --> Preferences -->
Other --> Auto Save Options set to Full Autosave
for the computer that is being used to record the game. The settings in Preferences will
be saved, so that you won't have to change this next time.
II. PREPARE TO RECORD STATS:
Open the Game Module.
Step 1: Enter the teams for the game using Pregame -->
Setup. Make sure you have city names (school), team names (nickname), and an
abbreviation set for each team. This information is used in the Webcast.
Step 2: Also in Pregame --> Setup check the
Location, the type of game and enter a brief comment about the game. The comment will
appear when the game is listed on the CyberSports web site.
Step 3: Save the Game File, using File --> Save.
III. PREPARE THE WEBCAST:
Internet Setup:
You are going to need an Internet connection from the computer that
will be running the WebCast software (Game Monitor). Generally this
is done with a dialup network connection on your computer.
Game Monitor Setup:
Step 1: Using Version 4.2.3 (or greater) of the Game Module,
click on Webcast --> Start,
to bring up the Webcast Module popup.
Step 2: Click on Setup --> Timer Interval.
Transmission Delay = 50 seconds
Step 3: Click on Setup --> Web
Export. Make sure that the following button is checked:
[Enable Web Export]. The Output Directory should
remain as c:\.
Step 4 (optional): The prefix file is the banner that appears
across the top of your Webcast and can be used for advertising.
The prefix file should be located in the root directory of the statisticians
computer: c:\prefix.html. The prefix file must be an .html
file and should be named prefix.html. You can also
use the prefix file to modify the background color of your Webcast
display. For help creating your banner, click
here.
Step 5: Click on the Actions --> Send Game File
button. You should get a status message that appears briefly along the top of the Game
Monitor in the center. If you get an error message, then double-check the Internet
connection.
That's all there is. Information will be transmitted every
60 seconds, as the game information is recorded.
TROUBLESHOOTING:
New updates to the Web files will be sent to the Web server about once every 55 seconds.
At the top of the Game Monitor screen you will see a small message area that has the
current status of updating the game information and sending data to the web server. The
message Exporting Files... means the Game Monitor is writing out files and
sending them to the Web Server. You will then see a brief message of either Transfer
Complete or Transfer Failed. If the transfer fails you should check the the
communication line.
Note: During the time that a file is being sent the Game Monitor will not respond to
interactive input.
CREATING A PREFIX FILE:
The live summary and the box score can be configured with whatever
header information is appropriate for your game or tournament. This
configuration file is called the prefix file. The prefix file which
is placed at the start of either of the output files. It is used
for any header information, logos or other static game information.
The default contents of the prefix file are shown below.
<html>
<head>
<Meta Http-equiv=Refresh Content=60>
<title>My Prefix File</title></head>
<body>
<center><img src="http://www.cybersportsUSA.com/livegames/my-header_file.jpg">
</center>
</body>
</html>
The sample above is a very simple prefix file
for a Web page. You can include any HTML constructs at the start
of your Web page. There is one very important part of the prefix
file, which is the second line of the sample prefix. The line
that begins with meta. This is important so that the Web page
will reload itself and update the stats during the game.
You will need someone with some HTML knowledge in order to create the prefix file.
Once this file is created it will be put on the Game Monitor computer so that it can be
included with the output files. If your prefix file contains graphics then these files
will need to be sent to the Web server. You can send these files by using the Send
Graphics option from the Actions menu in the Game Monitor after completing the Game
Monitor setup. For help creating your banner within the prefix file,
click here.
Using a Two-Computer Configuration:
The most reliable way to Webcast is to have two connected computers. Using that method you
have one computer for recording stats during the game and another computer that is running
the Game Monitor. With this method the primary computer for recording the game is not
burdened with Web tasks and a second person can watch the Game Monitor and make sure that
all file transfers are occurring successfully. |
