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June 2008                Archive | Ads | Submissions | Links          Online Edition #6


Internationals



3. As a last resort give us a call on our support line: 801.649.2977. Again the number of support personnel operating the phones is limited. Using email will be much faster for the majority of users.


From Webcast Site...

Two levels of delivery
1. Superband: Requires an Internet connection with minimum speeds of 200kbps up to 500kbps. We recommend wired Internet connection. Wireless can cause additional buffering and freezing screen on the video.

2. FREE Audio only: Recommended for slower, dial-up connections

Times and Prices

All times listed are in the Central Time Zone. Please adjust the times listed to your time zone.

We will begin webcasting some sort of information, PSA, or pre-recorded material approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled contest start.

All-Week
LIVE: $150.00
DELAYED VIEWING: $100.00
AUDIO ONLY: FREE
Attendees Discount
DELAYED VIEWING: $50.00
(delayed July 7-14)

Wednesday, July 2nd
Quartets Quarter Finals,
first session, beginning at 11am.
Quartets Quarter Finals,
second session, beginning 7pm.
LIVE: $40.00
DELAYED VIEWING: $25.00
Attendees Discount
DELAYED VIEWING: $12.50
(delayed July 7-14)

Thursday, July 3rd
Quartet Semi-Finals,
beginning at 12pm
Association of International Champions (AIC) Show,
beginning at 7:30pm.
Quartet Semifinals Round
LIVE: $50.00
DELAYED VIEWING: $35.00
Attendees Discount
DELAYED VIEWING: $17.50
(delayed July 7-14)
AIC Show LIVE or DELAYED VIEWING
$25.00 (FREE with Superband All-Week Package)

Friday, July 4th
Chorus Contest, first session,
beginning at 11am
Chorus Contest, second session,
beginning at 6:30pm
Chorus Finals, Sessions 1 & 2
LIVE: $60.00
DELAYED VIEWING: $40.00
Attendees Discount
DELAYED VIEWING: $20.00
(delayed July 7-14)

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Nashville Webcast
(click image for website)

www.Nashville2008.org

Convention Info Links


Technical issues often happen with webcasts.  In 2006 I believe the Internationals webcast was down for a day (first day I think).  Fortunately the footage was available for delayed archival viewing.  I look forward to a report from any Chapter webcast parties.  The Pontiac-Waterford Big Chief Chorus one still on? 


The webcast site www.bhs-live.com advises against using wifi.  With my wifi connection I went to their speed test page and it recommended their 200k video.  Then I went to their video/audio test clip test page.  I had no trouble with the free audio but the video clips staggered, stuttered, and buffered badly.  After emailing their tech support they told me that was indicative of a wifi connection.  I noted that I saw some improvement if I paused the clip and the longer I paused the longer the improvement lasted.  They told me that can help but the buffering issues may return.  This included playing 'delayed' archival clips because they are not a 'download' but are streaming video with the same wifi/connection speed buffering issues.  So except for the free audio don't rely on wifi.  However that is no guarantee against these staggering/stuttering issue as pointed out in their FAQ page...


 Why are the videos staggering or freezing? Whether you have a high-speed (DSL/ Cable Modem/ T1) or a low-speed connection (56k Dial-Up/ISDN), Internet traffic congestion affects your connection speed and/or video performance. You will get slower or faster speeds at different times depending on peak or off-peak use hours. You may get slower speeds during the morning and afternoon, but faster speeds late at night when fewer people are online. Also, streaming quality decreases as more people share the line at one time on a Cable Modem connection.


I also asked about the small video clip windows on the test page and they told me that many additional features including a full screen option will be available in the final flash player version.  It is still being prepared but will be ready in time for Internationals. 


Per their tech support page. 

2. If the frequently asked questions do not help, send us a quick email: support@bhs-live.com
 
Saturday, July 5th
The Bank of America Collegiate Contest,
beginning at 9am
Quartet Finals,
beginning at 7:30pm.
LIVE: $60.00
DELAYED VIEWING: $40.00
Attendees Discount
DELAYED VIEWING: $20.00
(delayed July 7-14)

BTW, cool BHS logo effect on the webcast page. 

Below from BHS Newsletter Livewire
Webcast Sign Up Starts June 6
See AIC Show, "A Tribute to American Music" www.barbershop.org/livewire

Signup for the official 2008 Barbershop Harmony Society webcast begins today, June 6 on our website. Members who can’t make the 70th Annual International Convention can enjoy four days of live programming with four amazing commentators!

This year, Superband subscribers will download a new and improved flash media player that has additional capabilities including moderated user blogging; polling for fan favorites; a customer satisfaction survey; and the ability to evite a friend to watch the webcast. Subscribers will be able to view a rebroadcast of all the sessions up to a week after the broadcast at no extra charge, so watch it on your own schedule!

This year’s broadcast will include the AIC show, “A Tribute to American Music.” Performing quartets and the year they received gold medals are: Max Q (2007) Vocal Spectrum (2006), Realtime (2005), Gotcha! (2004), Four Voices (2002), and FRED (1999).

For more information, and to sign up for the broadcast, go to:

Please Note: Convention Hours Have Changed.  Sign Up Now for HQ Tours!

The Harmony Marketplace/ Registration Area/ Exhibitor Area will open Tuesday, July 1 at 9:00 a.m. during Convention Week in Nashville. Shuttle buses begin running on Tuesday as well.

Members can sign up for tours of the new Barbershop Harmony Society headquarters by clicking on this link: www.barbershop.org/nashville

***Please remember to register in advance of the International Convention to tour the Society’s new headquarters building. We have a lot of folks coming and you won’t want to miss it.

While you’re signing up for HQ tours, take a look at the many exciting Nashville tours we have planned and sign up for those as well. Enjoy Music City to its fullest while you’re here!
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