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SECTION 3.10 STARTING A SESSION
If TriCaster is not already running, power it up now to reveal the Startup Screen. (If TriCaster is already running, and is in the Live Desktop or another area of the interface, you may need to click the small [x] button at upper-right to exit, or click the Back arrow at upper-left in the Session Page to return to the Home Page.)
The Startup Screen consists of two similar pages – Home and Session. Among other things, the Home Page is where you choose basic TriCaster session settings (see Section 5.1 for a discussion of sessions).
THE HOME PAGE
When no previously created sessions exist, the icon ring dominating the Home Page
defaults to New, inviting you to create a new session.
FIGURE 19 (MULTI-STANDARD TRICASTER SHOWN)
A link initially containing the text “Enter Session Name” is shown at the top of the right-hand pane when the New icon is selected on the ring. Click in this area to modify the name using the keyboard if you like. (The default name is the current date.)
Note: TriCaster supports a variety of optional session configurations for live production. You can choose either HD (High Definition) or SD (Standard Definition) operating modes.
SD options include both 4:3 and 16:9 (widescreen) image aspects. TriCaster Multi- standard models permit you to select from different video standards according to your locale, choosing between NSTC, NTSC-J (Japan) or PAL.
Continue with session creation by designating the Video Standard used in your locale (Multi-standard models only). For the moment, let’s choose 1080i for Resolution (even if the cameras you plan to connect are SD 4:3), then click the Start Session link below.
By default, new sessions are created on TriCaster’s D: (Media) drive (see Section
5.2.1 for a discussion of session Volume options).
THE SESSION PAGE
Clicking Start Session will take you to the Session Page. As our intention is to configure our connections (done in TriCaster’s Live Desktop), click the Live button on the icon ring.
FIGURE 20
Simply click the link labeled Start Live Production to launch the Live Desktop, which is likely where you will spend most of your time working with TriCaster.
THE LIVE DESKTOP
Initially, as you have yet to configure input devices or add content, the Live Desktop will look a bit barren (Figure 21). Take a quick look around, but then let’s continue to configure your devices. (We had a brief glimpse at the Live Desktop back in Section 2.4, but we’ll examine it more closely in Chapter 4, Live Production Walkthrough – coming up soon.)
FIGURE 21 (TRICASTER 8000 SHOWN)