NIGHT SKIES NETWORK

USER MANUAL

This User Manual will provide you with all the techniques necessary to Broadcast live over Night Skies Network. The manual also contains instructions on how to obtain a Broadcast Account, Register as a Viewer, and View as a guest.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

What is Night Skies Network? ___________________________________________________________________________ 1

The NSN Story ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1

Site addresses ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1

Site Guidelines ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 2

Rules and regulations _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 2

Rule #1 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2

Rule #2 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3

Rule #3 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3

Rule #4 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3

Rule #5 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4

Rule #6 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4

I Don’t Read Manuals (Just the Facts, Ma’am) __________________________________________________________ 5

Participating in Night Skies Network ___________________________________________________________________ 6

Sign In as a Registered Broadcaster or Viewer __________________________________________________________________ 6

Sign In as a Guest __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7

Viewing the Channel _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 7

The Video Window _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 8

The Viewer Window ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 8

The Chat Window _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 9

Obtaining a Broadcast Account ________________________________________________________________________ 10

Obtaining a Viewer Account ___________________________________________________________________________ 11

Preparing to Broadcast with a Mac ___________________________________________________________________ 12

Overview __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12

Miloslick Hardware Requirements ___________________________________________________________________________ 12

MallincamSky Hardware Requirements______________________________________________________________________ 13

Start MallincamSky/Miloslick ________________________________________________________________________________ 13

Start CamTwist _________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13

Have CamTwist Select area of Desktop that Contain the Video Image _____________________________________ 14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Set Resolution and Frames per Second. ______________________________________________________________________ 14

Start Chrome ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15

Preparing to Broadcast a Windows Desktop _________________________________________________________ 16

Overview __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16

Start MallincamSky/Miloslick ___________________________________________________________________________________ 17

Start Splitcam/ManyCam ________________________________________________________________________________________ 17

Select Part of Desktop in Desktop Capture Program ___________________________________________________________ 17

Choose a Resolution ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 18

Minimize the Desktop Capture Program ________________________________________________________________________ 18

How to Broadcast on Night Skies Network ___________________________________________________________ 20

Overview __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20

Browsers __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20

Connecting ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20

Login to Viewing Channels _______________________________________________________________________________________ 21

Login to your Channel ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 22

Customizing and Controlling Your Channel _____________________________________________________________________ 28

NSN Coffee Break Room________________________________________________________________________________ 30

Help (Something is Wrong) ____________________________________________________________________________ 33

I don’t see my list of cameras in the NSN Camera chooser. ____________________________________________________ 33

Somehow my Image is frozen on NSN. __________________________________________________________________________ 33

My Image is very pixelated _______________________________________________________________________________________ 33

Once I connect to my Camera, my Camera Control Software locks up. _______________________________________ 33

My Sound and Video Are Out of Sync ____________________________________________________________________________ 33

I Keep Getting Knocked out off Night Skies Network __________________________________________________________ 34

I Sign-In and get ‘you are not permitted to broadcast at this time’ message. ________________________________ 34

Do I have to Open up Another Window to see what my Views See? __________________________________________ 34

Can I Broadcast over Wi-Fi? ______________________________________________________________________________________ 34

CamTwist doesn’t work. __________________________________________________________________________________________ 34

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NSN Extras ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 35

Home ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 35

Login _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 35

Community ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 35

Broadcaster Captures __________________________________________________________________________________________ 36

Useful Links ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 36

International Video Astronomy Star Party ___________________________________________________________________ 37

Ecvar Star Party ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 37

About NSN ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 37

Sign Up to Broadcast _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 37

NSN Live Facebook _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 38

Sign Up to Watch __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 38

Site Rules __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 38

Help ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 38

Site Instructions _______________________________________________________________________________________________ 38

Contact Us ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 38

Privacy Policy __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 39

My Account ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 39

NIGHT SKIES NETWORK

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What is Night Skies Network?

THE NSN STORY

Night Skies network was something I dreamed up to give a few of us who would broadcast

In 2008, a handful of observers using MallinCam Video CCD cameras began broadcasting on YahooLive. This

is when Yahoo had a broadcast site. Other live broadcast sites like SparkCast became available, but by 2009,

these sites ceased operation. It was clear that astronomers needed a site where they could share the night

skies with the world live on the internet. Jim Turner took it on his own to create such as site, and by the end

of 2009, Night Skies Network was born.

The prime function of the site was for live, educational broadcasting with astronomical video CCD cameras

to share with the world, astronomy and other related sciences. As a firm supporter of public outreach, Rock

Mallin was the main sponsor for Night Skies Network from the beginning to make sure the site was

maintained as an educational astronomical site dedicated to public outreach and science education for

everyone and enjoy astronomy live on line.

In 2014, during the ECVAR star party, Jim Turner decided to sell NSN, the dedicated server supporting the

site and all files contained thereon pertinent to the operation of NSN, Rock Mallin (owner of Mallincam) was

the successful bidder, and in the Fall of 2014, he purchased the everything related to NSN. Rock paid for

web hosting, server rental, NSN website software, bandwidth usage and site maintenance.

In 2016, Rock implemented some major changes to ensure that Night Skies Network would remain focused

on live, educational broadcasting and outreach. Upgrade Server capabilities were added, along with

software changes to assist both Broadcasters and Viewers.

SITE ADDRESSES

Night Skies Network is a dynamical environment that supports many user communities. As such, there a

variety of web site addresses in which people can access NSN

www.nightskiesnetwork.ca

www.nightskiesnetworklive.com

www.nsnlive.ca

www.nsnlive.com

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Site Guidelines

RULES AND REGULATIONS

By using this site, you agree to abide by and be bound to these terms and conditions.

While most of these rules apply to the broadcasters of NSN, there are some that apply to guests as well.

Please read them. Remember that watching or broadcasting on Night Skies Network is a privilege not a

right. These rules are in place to protect not only Night Skies Network, but also those who use the site as

well.

Here is a brief statement of the NSN rules:

1. NO BROADCASTING OF ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL ALLOWED ON NIGHT SKIES NETWORK EVER. PERIOD! THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!

2. THE SELLING OF PRODUCTS ON NIGHT SKIES NETWORK IS NOT ALLOWED.

3. NO FOUL LANGUAGE, HATESPEECH, DEROGATORY INNUENDO, NO DISPARAGING MEMBERS, THEIR EQUIPMENT, THEIR STATUS AND/OR THEIR PERSON IS PERMITTED ON NIGHT SKIES NETWORK.

4. UNATTENDED BROADCASTS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON NIGHT SKIES NETWORK.

5. ALL VIDEO, CCD, DSLR AND WEB TYPS CAMERAS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BROADCAST ON NSN WITH AMAXIMUM INTEGRATION OF 3 MINUTES MAXIMUM.

6. MANDATORY EQUIPMENT DISCLOSURE.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES CAN LEAD TO BEING BANNED FROM NSN.

For a better understanding of the NSN rules please read further.

Contact nightskiesnetworklive@gmail.com if you have any questions or want clarifications to any of the

terms.

RULE #1

To avoid law suits.

NO BROADCASTING OF ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL IS ALLOWED ON NIGHT SKIES NETWORK EVER. PERIOD! THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!

This means no movies unless they are home made. No TV shows science shows or sporting events and anything that is covered under the FCC Copyright Office and FBI copyright material laws. For example, just because you bought a DVD movie does not give you full copyrights authorization and therefore cannot be broadcast. No advertisements of any kind will be allowed. Music playing in the background from a radio or CD player that is copy righted is not acceptable. Having a device with music playing in the background is also a copyright violation so please make sure your music is not going out to your audience. Other broadcast sites like LIVE STREAM, USTREAM and JUSTIN TV are being sued because of copyright violation. We want to avoid that by making it clear that such violations will not be tolerated. Broadcasters own the rights to all their productions on NSN. Users are not permitted to distribute, sell, re-market, re-brand or use any portion of the video, broadcast, or images in any way shape or form without verifiable authorization by the broadcaster. Verifiable means that it can actually be verified, verbal agreements are void and not acceptable

NIGHT SKIES NETWORK

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regardless of state / provincial law. NSN reserves the right to use any and all productions by any broadcasters without previous approval. Though we will ask anyway.

RULE #2

Night Skies Network is about sharing the night skies with others not about selling a product of any kind or

bragging that you have something that is better than someone else's. Things become misinterpreted way too

easy so please refrain from such practice. It is OK and natural for us to talk about the products we use, but

please think about others when doing so. Think about the manufacturer who makes the product also. They

put a lot of time into the development of their products. Try not to speak too harshly if they have a product

you don't like. No vender or product will have a channel name other than the site sponsor. He has one for

obvious reasons. He's paying for it along with yours. You might take the time out to thank him for his

support of NSN.

RULE #3

NO FOUL LANGUAGE IS ACCEPTED, by you the broadcaster or by guests who are watching. The broadcaster

is responsible for the actions and language on his/her channel. Let's try and keep our conversations on the

main subject astronomy. Broadcasters please warn your viewers and ask them kindly to stop using foul

language. If they don't, then KICK them out! There are some families and clubs that like to tune in to NSN so

please watch how your guest converse. They may have only one name, but that one name could be a class of

students or a club tuned in to watch. This happens more and more. There are guests who may have a very

limited knowledge so please do not make remarks about their questions. Correct them and try to help them

gain better understanding.

RULE #4

Remember people are coming to NSN to watch and see our nighttime skies and to learn. UNATTENDED

BROADCASTS and fixed PICTURES broadcast ARE NOT ALLOWED ON NIGHT SKIES NETWORK.

Do not leave your channel running unattended unless you are at your scope working on something for a few minutes. If you are working on something, please let your audience know this.

DO NOT leave software running on your channel that shows a logo. If you are testing that software, then please state so on the information bar above your screen image. A week or two of testing should be all the time you need to know if it works for you. Don't leave out door scenes from your camera running unless you are testing your set up and camera. Again let your audience know if you are testing. State so in your channel information at the top. Don't waste people’s time. Let them know what you are doing. NSN was designed to be use with video type cameras that feed FPS. This is not a site for still images being posted up and talked about. There are hundreds of sites for CCD long exposure imagers out there. Use one of them please.

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RULE #5

NSN was intended to provide a real to near real-time experience; therefore, we shall be limiting exposure times to a 3-minute maximum rate, which includes all specialty filters when observing DSOs. This would include various types of cameras such as true Video Astronomical cameras, DSLR, CCD's and web type cameras with video mode that refresh an image per exposure. 30 FPS (NTSC) or 25 FPS (PAL) output for true video ccd cameras with frame grabbers and constant live refresh for all other cameras such as DSLR, CCD's and webcam type. Extremely long exposure times tends to lead to off-topic chat, since there is nothing happening on the screen. A 3-minute exposure include total single exposure and total stack image of shorter exposures.

RULE #6

Mandatory equipment disclosure. All broadcasters will need to list the OTA, Camera model and type of

filters in use as well as third-party software used to enhance the image. This will make it a lot easier for all

to see what is being used, and also reduce confusion about the resulting image quality and such. The reason

for this disclosure is to let all viewers; especially new viewers understand what software if any is being used

to enhance the image. (Example software like CamTwist, Virtual Dub, etc...)

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I Don’t Read Manuals (Just the Facts, Ma’am)

Ok we get it. Some of you just want to Log in and get Broadcasting without reading the User Manual. You

love living on the wild side, and are willing to just wing it. So these instructions are for you.

Visit

www.nightskiesnetwork.ca

Login to Broadcast

Channel

Allow Flash to use Camera and Microphone

Right-Click for to Settings to choose Camera

Left-Click to set Resolution and Frames per Second

Start Broadcasting

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Participating in Night Skies Network

You have opened up the Night Skies Network site, and notice that one or more Channels are Broadcasting.

You want to watch the amazing action, so you decide to Sign-In. You have 3 options: Sign-In using your

Broadcaster Account, Sign-In using your Viewer account, or finally Sign-In as a Guest.

SIGN IN AS A REGISTERED BROADCASTER OR VIEWER

If you are a Broadcaster or a Registered Viewer just click on the Orange

Sign-In Button. When the Login Window appears, enter your User Name

and Password, then Click the LOGIN button to Login.

You will be presented with a Broadcast Screen that indicates who is Broadcasting, along with a current

snapshot of their Broadcast Window. Just Click on the Image of the Broadcast Channel of choice to move

into that Channel and enjoy the fun.

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SIGN IN AS A GUEST

If you are new to the site, and would like to watch the Broadcasts as a

Guest, then Click on the Orange Button labelled “VIEW AS GUEST”

After the Sign-In process is completed, you will be presented with a

Channel Page that indicates who is currently Broadcasting. Just Click on

the Image of the Channel which you would like to observe.

VIEWING THE CHANNEL

Now that you are Signed-In, you will be presented with the Channel’s Main Screen. This Screen presents 3

different Windows for you to observer or participate in.

Viewer

Window Video

Window The Chat

Window

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Each of these Windows can be moved or resized to suit your viewing pleasure. The Video Window displays

what is currently being broadcasted by the Channel Owner. The Chat Window displays the current

conversations that are taking place in this Channel. The Viewer Window displays who is currently viewing

the broadcast. If the Viewer has not yet chatted with in the Chat Window, the name of the Viewer will

either start with NSN (this is a registered Viewer) followed by some other digits, or GUEST (this is a Guest

Viewer) followed by some other digits. If the Viewer has chatted in the Chat Window, then he/she would

have assigned a name for himself/herself, that name will be displayed in the Viewer Window.

The Video Window

The Video Window displays the current Video Image being broadcast by the Channel Owner along with

the Channel’s Name. Just Above the Video Window should be (assuming the Broadcaster has read this

manual and is following protocol) information about the equipment being used. If the Broadcaster is using a

microphone, you should be able to hear what is being said over your computer’s speakers. If you need to

disable the sound being broadcast, simply Click on the checkbox beside the microphone symbol on the

upper right side of the Video Window.

The Viewer Window

The Viewer Window lists the current viewers and guests signed into this Channel.

The Channel Owner’s name will also appear in the list along with symbols indicating

if he/she is currently broadcasting with an activated camera and/or a microphone.

At the top of the Viewer Window will be the Channel’s Name followed by the number

of current viewers (can you set a new record?).

The names in the Viewer Window have the following format:

If the names start with NSN then they are registered viewers who are

watching anonymously (these are affectionately known as Lurkers).

If the names start with GUEST, then they are guests to the Night Skies

Network.

If the names actually look like names, then the viewers have visited the Chat

Window and have given themselves a cool name.

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The Chat Window

The Chat Window is where the Viewers and the Broadcasters (Sorry Guests, you

can only observe. No Chatting for you) can carry out conversations (sometimes the

Viewer will use the Chat Window while the Broadcaster will respond over the

Speaker in your computer).

Every time a chat message is sent by a Viewer; you will hear a tiny beep over your

speaker. You can deactivate this beeping sound by Clicking on the Sound Effects

checkbox on the upper right of the Chat Window.

To Start Chatting, simply Click your mouse in the Text Line at the bottom of the

Chat Window. When chatting for the first time in a Channel Session, you should

see a line of Text in the Chat Line saying “Fill your name here”.

Type in the name you would like others to know you by. Remember those Rules in the Rules and

Regulations section in this manual, so use courteous logical names such as Michael (New Hamburg). This

protocol lets users know my name and where I am from.

If you typed in a comment as your name, such as “Hi Chris how is the weather in Toronto?”, then that is

what everyone will see this as your Viewer name (don’t worry, we have all done that at one time or

another), just exit Night Skies Network and Sign back in.

Now you can enter a comment, or ask a question from the Chat Line. If you

want to be unique, you can change the Color of the comments you are tying by

Clicking on the little Color box beside SEND. You can have your comments

displayed in Bold, Underlined, Italic or any combination of the above. You can

also add Emoticons to the comment by selecting an emoticon from the Smiley

Face Icon.

After you have type in your comment, just Click on the Blue Send button, and the comment in broadcast to

all viewers.

Please use proper protocol when commenting, we do have students and families participating in the

Broadcast. We have tried to ban offensive words, and if you accidently type those sequence of letters, we will

replace the broadcasted offensive characters with a few asterisks, ***.

If you do this repeatedly, or on purpose, the Channel owner can Ban you from the site. Administrators are

also monitoring the Channels and we can Ban your IP Address from the Night Skies Network (oh, the

powers we have). So use common sense and common courtesy when making comments.

Hey Chris, what is the temperature like in Toronto?

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Obtaining a Broadcast Account

So you have been watching all of the other Broadcasters amaze the Viewers with

their equipment and skills, and you know you are ready to join the Fun. But, to do

that you need a Broadcast Channel.

The process is quick and painless; unless you had to convince your spouse that you

had to buy all those bells and whistles for your telescope just so you could

Broadcast.

On the Main Night Skies Network Page, locate the Button that says “SIGN-UP TO

BROADCAST”, then Click on it.

This will open up a new Registration Screen which requests that you fill out the

Registration Form with information about yourself and your Channel.

At the Bottom of the Form, don’t forget to check the acknowledgement box, the Click on Submit. In a few

days we will get back to you with verification of your Channel. In the meantime why don’t you read the

chapter ”How to Broadcast on Night Skies Network”, it is great reading if I don’t say so myself.

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Obtaining a Viewer Account

So you have been watching all of the other Broadcasters as a Guest, and you would like

to become more active but are not yet ready to Broadcast.

Then you can obtain a Viewer Account and have a front row seat to the amazing

broadcasts of the various Channels.

The process is quick and painless, even less painless than filling out the form when you

move up to be a Broadcaster.

On the Night Skies Network Home Page, locate the Button that says “SIGN-UP TO

WATCH”, then Click on it.

This will open up a new Registration Screen which requests that you fill out a few

pieces on information so we can get the account ready for you.

Give yourself a User Name, a Password, and tell us who you really are and your email address so we can

inform you when your account is ready.

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Preparing to Broadcast with a Mac

OVERVIEW

In the early days of Night Skies Network, there was the PC and the Video camera and the world has very

happy. NSN would capture the output of the Video Camera, while the camera was controlled by an external

finger or software, then came the Mac (a proud but less common computer than the Window PCs). The

problem with the Mac was software, nobody had written quality software that could control cameras (both

through rs232 or through a usb port), and the Mac owners were sad. Then along came Miloslick, and the

Mallincam SkyRaider, products that allowed the Mac to do imaging on par with that of the Window’s

Computers, and the Mac owners became happy. But, there was a catch, both of these products required

complete control of the Video Signal they produced. This was a problem with NSN, since it needed the Video

Signal to Broadcast. How could both NSN and Miloslick/Skyraider reach a compromise? CamTwist to the

rescue. CamTwist is a piece of software that allows it to act like a video camera to NSN, therefore whatever

CamTwist sees, NSN sees and broadcasts. So, the plan of attack is simply to let Miloslick or MallincamSky

(SkyRaider’s software) run on the Mac displaying and controlling the camera, then let CamTwist capture the

Desktop area which contains the images from camera. So, when CamTwist is connected to NSN as a camera,

NSN can broadcast the images from Milislick or MallincamSky as if directly connected.

One of the issues we always have when trying to run multiple programs simultaneously on Mac (or any

computer) is Screen Real-Estate. We will need to have our Browser displaying the NSN Broadcast window,

we also will need MallincamSky/Miloslick controlling and displaying the image from the camera, and finally,

Camtwist which will capture and pass along to NSN the Video image. It can easily get crowded on your

screen (unless you have two monitors attached). Most find it easier the get your Camera Control Software

(MallincamSky/Miloslick) positioned on the Right Side of the screen, and have Camtwist on the left side of

the screen, to capture the camera’s image. Then finally minimize CamTwist (this way it doesn’t use any

screen space) and then open your Browser also on the Left side of the screen. This way you see the contents

of the Browser on the left side of the screen (it will be pointing to NSN) and the Camera Control Software

on the right side of the screen. Just plan ahead and experiment to see which software placement works best

for your environment.

Miloslick Hardware Requirements

Serial Adapter for Mallincam Video Cameras

To allow Miloslick to control the Mallincam Video Camera’s you need a serial adapter. Excellent results with

adapters from Tripplite (formerly Keyspan), IOGear, FTDI and TrendNet, since these manufactures provide

up-to-date drivers compatible with most versions of Mac OS

Video Capture Device for Miloslick

To bring in the Video signal from the Mallincam Video camera to Miloslick you need a Video Capture device.

There are many brands of Video Capture Devices for the Mac, but the one that users seem have most success

with is the Diamond VC500MAC video grabber.

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MallincamSky Hardware Requirements

Just a free USB port (only one cable to work with, how sweet is that).

Start MallincamSky/Miloslick

With your SkyRaider (or Mallincam Video camera) connected to the Mac, start MallincamSky (or Miloslick if

using Mallincam Video camera) and obtain an image on the video portion of the software.

Start CamTwist

CamTwist is a free piece of software which will capture our desktop image and act like a camera to NSN’s

Flash. CamTwist which can be obtained at http://camtwiststudio.com/

Now I recommend you become familiar on how CamTwist works (don’t be afraid to ask a question on

Mallincam Yahoo Channel for assistance), When in doubt Google “How to use CamTwist” and you will find

lots of information and quite a few Video’s on how to use this product.

With Camtwist Running, choose either Desktop or Desktop+ (Google CamTwist to see the differences) as

the Step 1 Select Video Source. Now using your mouse have Camtwist select the image portion of

MallincamSky/Miloslick that you want broadcasted (uncheck Full Screen and use Select Capture Area

button in the Settings Window on CamTwist).

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Have CamTwist Select area of Desktop that Contain the Video Image

Once you have unclicked Full Screen and selected Select Capture Area in in the Settings portion of

CamTwist, you will see a rectangular box that represents the size and location of the Desktop area where

CamTwist would like to capture. Using your mouse Move and Size this rectangle over the Video display

section of your Camera Control Software (MallincamSky/Miloslick).

Use Command P to pop-up the CamTwist Preview Window (this verifies what CamTwist is capturing).

Once you are satisfied with what you have selected Click Done Selecting from CamTwist Settings box.

Set Resolution and Frames per Second.

Now, open the preferences (CamTwist > Preferences), and select the "General Tab". Set the frame rate to the same frame rate you plan to encode at. We recommend 15 FPS. The higher the FPS, the smoother the video, but the more bandwidth and CPU required to encode and transmit it. Check the Keep camera warm checkbox.

Set video size to "Custom" and set it to your desktop resolution. In my case, I have it set to 640 x 480, which is a typical camera resolution. Set it to the native resolution even if you are going to broadcast at a lower resolution. We will have NSN’s Flash match this video resolution.

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Start Chrome

Google’s Chrome Browser contains (and updates) the Flash driver, which is required by NSN, within itself. So

there is no need to download Flash Media Live Encoder as you would if using Safari.

Have Chrome go to www.Nightskiesnetwork.ca and then you visit the Next Chapter in the User Manual

(How to Broadcast on Night Skies Network) and when you are at the Select Your Camera Stage, just

choose the Camtwist Driver as the camera source (You may see two different ones, both should work).

That’s it., You are now Broadcasting on a Mac.

Camtwist has some amazing Astronomy Filter packs (routines that improve live astronomy images)

produced by Pangea Software. Visit Pangea Software’s website at:

http://www.pangeasoft.net/astro/instructions.html for more information.

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Preparing to Broadcast a Windows Desktop

OVERVIEW

In the early days of Night Skies Network, there was the PC and the Video camera and all was cool. NSN

would capture the output of the Video Camera, while the camera was controlled by a finger or a piece of

software, then along came Mallincam SkyRaider and Miloslick. The Mallincam SkyRaider camera was a USB

camera and as such, was controlled by, and its video image displayed by, an amazing piece of software called

MallincamSky. While, Miloslick not only controlled the camera, but has outstanding image intensifying and

correcting routines and therefore both needed to have complete control of the Video stream. Alas, there was

no direct way to get either MallincamSky and NSN’s Flash, or Miloslick and NSN’s Flash to simultaneously

share the Video signal. Lucky for us, there are a few specialized Software Programs (Splitcam, ManyCam,

WebcamMax, SparkoCam, …) that act like a video camera to NSN, and yet have the capability to capture all or

part of your Windows Desktop (so I will call them, Desktop Capture Programs). Therefore, whatever the

Desktop Capture Program sees, NSN sees and broadcasts. So, the plan of attack is simply to let Miloslick or

MallincamSky run on the Window’s Desktop displaying and controlling the camera, then let the Desktop

Capture Program capture the Desktop area which contains the images from camera, and have NSN chose

the Desktop Capture Program as the camera for Broadcasting (see below for pictorial technique).

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START MALLINCAMSKY/MILOSLICK

With your SkyRaider (or Mallincam Video camera) connected to the Windows PC, start MallincamSky (or

Miloslick if using Mallincam Video camera) and obtain an image on the software.

START SPLITCAM/MANYCAM

Start your Desktop Capture Program of choice. In this User Manual, I will be showing images from

SplitCam, but the procedure will be similar if you are using any other Desktop Capture Program.

One of the issues we always have when trying to run multiple programs simultaneously on a Windows PC is

Screen Real-Estate. We will need to have our Browser running displaying the NSN Broadcast window, we

will also need MallincamSky/Miloslick running controlling and displaying the image from the camera, and

our Desktop Capture Program which will capture and pass along to NSN the Video image. It can get crowded

on your screen (unless you have two monitors attached, and you can spread the software across them). Just

plan ahead and experiment to see how to place the different software packages that best works for your

environment.

SELECT PART OF DESKTOP IN DESKTOP CAPTURE PROGRAM

With MallincamSky or Miloslick on one the sides of your Window Desktop, sized appropriately, use the

Desktop Capture as the Video Source in the Desktop Capture Program. Choose the Desktop Capture

Source that allows you to Size and Pick the area of the Windows’s Desktop that you want to capture, rather

than the while Desktop.

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Size and Position the Desktop Capture Mask over the actual Video Window of the MallincamSky/Miloslick

program. You should now see the Video image inside the Desktop Capture Program’s Video display.

So, when we point NSN’s Flash to the Desktop Capture Program, whatever is in the Desktop Capture

Program’s Display Window is what will be sent through NSN’s Flash and broadcasted on your Night Skies

Network Channel, just as if it was broadcasting directly from the camera.

CHOOSE A RESOLUTION

We now need to tell the Desktop Capture Program what resolution to use when it acts like a camera. It is

recommended that you Start with 640 x 480 (Some Desktop Capture Programs will automatically give you

the best resolution that the image contains, while others have a maximum of 640 x 480).

MINIMIZE THE DESKTOP CAPTURE PROGRAM

Since the Desktop Capture Program knows what area of the Windows Screen to capture, we can minimize

the actual Desktop Capture Program, by Clicking on the Under-Score Image on the top of Desktop

Capture Program’s window.

The Desktop Capture Program is still running, but it is minimized to save you space (isn’t that neat). You

can bring it back to full size by clicking on its icon in the icon tray at the bottom on the Window’s Desktop.

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That’s it. We are now ready to broadcast.

So jump to the Next Chapter in the User Manual (How to Broadcast on Night Skies Network) and when

you are at the Select Your Camera Stage, just choose the Desktop Capture Program as the camera source

(Splitcam Video in this example).

Now remember, the Desktop Capture Program is capturing a defined region of your Windows Desktop,

the region where the MallincaSky/Miloslick is producing its image. So if you decide to move, or resize the

MallincamSky/Miloslick program, the Desktop Capture Program will still just capture the specific defined

Windows Desktop region, not the new MallincamSky/ Miloslick video location. You will have to again tell

the Desktop Capture Program where the new region is by using the Desktop Selection routine in the

Video Sources Tab.

It will take a while for you to get used to Desktop Capture routine, and you will place (or open other

programs) on top of the Capture Location, then after you have done this a couple of times, you will consider

convincing your spouse that you really do need a second monitor for your Broadcast Computer.

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How to Broadcast on Night Skies Network

OVERVIEW

The engine behind Night Skies Network broadcast capabilities is Adobe Flash. Simply what a Broadcaster

does is tell Adobe Flash what DirectShow device that it should latch onto, so it can broadcast that device’s

image. The DirectShow Device can be a physical camera, or a simulated camera that is capturing images

from a desktop environment. NSN can also broadcast sound through the use of a microphone, and also

supports a chat window where viewer can ask questions, provide hints, and become an active participant in

the Broadcaster’s Channel.

BROWSERS

Night Skies Network uses the Flash Plugin for your Browser. Most Browsers (such as Chrome) have this

plugin automatically installed (and updated) within itself. But, as environments change, you may want to

verify that your Browser is compatible with Adobe Flash. Current (Windows) Browsers where a successful

connection has been achieved include Chrome, Internet Explorer, FireFox, and Maxthon.

If you are having difficulties connecting your camera to NSN’s Flash, then try another Browser.

CONNECTING

Using your Browser, connect to: www.nightskiesnetwork.ca

The following login screen should appear on your Browser’s Window:

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LOGIN TO VIEWING CHANNELS

The first step is to Login to NSN Channel Viewer. So, either Click on the orange SIGN IN button near the

middle right of the screen, or Click on the LOGIN button at the top left of the Window.

A popup Window will appear, where you will enter your Username and Password. Click on the orange

LOGIN button to accept.

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You will now be presented with the Master Channel Lineup Window. You can examine the currently

available Channels in the list, and discover any Channels that are currently Broadcasting by observing a

Window snapshot on the its current Broadcast.

LOGIN TO YOUR CHANNEL

Now is the time to log into your Channel. Locate and Click on the Login heading on the right side of the red

line just above the Channel Names. Another Login Window will appear, asking again for your Username and

password.

The Brown Arrows on the left of the instructions that follow indicate when your action is required.

Enter in the information and Click on the PUBLISH CHANNEL button to accept these and start the

Broadcasting routine.

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Flash will attempt to set up a connection to NSN and you may notice some cool effects

as little squares try to align themselves in a row; yep we are getting all our ducks in

a row. Once the procedure is completed, the following window should be visible in

your Browser window.

Do not worry about “NetConnection Call Failed” comment in the Chat Window

You should notice the Adobe Flash Player Settings Window (the one with the Allow

and Deny Buttons.

Click on the Allow Button (else nobody will see and hear your amazing Broadcast; and this is very boring

for most Viewers).

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Now locate the small rectangle Window, the one with the Blue Send Button, and enter a message to let

everyone know what is happening. First Time users may send a message like “Setting Up”, but old pros will

immediately send a list of their current equipment used for the broadcast; “Meade LX200 10 inch SCT,

Mallincam DS, UV Filter”

Looking at the NSN Video window, you will notice some icons at the top. The only two

that you need to concern yourselves with when staring up are the two on the right.

Clicking on the icon that resembles a microphone toggles on and off your

microphone

Sometimes this is a good idea, as some laptop microphones may issue a feedback and

the viewers will hear some very loud echoing noise (They will let you know). If that

occurs just Toggle off the microphone, and in a later step you (with the viewer’s

guidance) will be able to adjust your microphone.

Clicking on the Camera icon will toggle on and off your Broadcast Camera (good to

do if you are broadcasting off your laptop camera and are having a bad hair day and

need to comb it).

Leave the left three icons alone, as they will be adjusted later in another window.

The Color Bar Window Icon toggles (Preview Compression) whether to compress or

not compress the Video Signal. Clicking on this allows you to see the exact same

compressed video stream of your broadcast over the internet as your Viewers see.

Click on it to return to your own uncompressed Source view.

The Circle Looping Arrows Icon will give a Bandwidth recommendation for your

Broadcast. But we will adjust that value later on.

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The Cog Wheel Icon (settings), will allow you to set your Video Source as either

Webcam or External Camera. Again, leave this icon alone, as we will make those

choices in a different Window.

Now is time to connect to our Camera (and if you have multiple microphone, select

one) to the Flash Driver to Broadcast its image.

Move your Mouse inside the NSN Video Window and Right-Click (CTRL-Click on Mac) inside the window

to activate the Settings Pop-Up Window.

The only Setting Headings that we are interested in is the one named Settings…

(the other choices are either disabled, or will take the Browser to the Adobe Help

site that will provide more information about Flash.

Click on the Settings… selection, then the Adobe Flash Play Settings Window will appear. Again we are

only interested in the Right two icons, the Microphone and the Camera.

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To Select your Camera, just Click on the Camera Icon, and select the camera (or ManyCam, WebcamMax,

SplitCam, CamTwist) that you are using to Broadcast your images from the Drop-Down List.

If you need to adjust (most time you will not have to worry about this Icon) your

Microphone, Click on the Microphone Icon.

You can select a specific Microphone (if your system has more than one), you can

adjust the volume, and even checkmark if you would like Flash to help reduce the

echo).

Click on the Close Button to activate these choices.

The Final Adjustment you may need to perform is to provide Flash with the

Bandwidth, Picture, Resolution, and Framerate Settings.

To activate the Flash Settings, Click in the NSN Video Window, and the Settings Window will pop-up.

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As you are streaming out lots of video data, move both the Bandwidth and Picture

Sliders to the right side of the screen.

The actual values depend upon your service provider’s up and down speed, but today

everybody has fast enough internet that placing the sliders on the right will be fine.

Most of us have cameras that are producing at a resolution of 640 x 480, so choose

this setting.

Frame Rate set at 15 Frames per Second is more than adequate for Broadcasting.

The Microphone set at default 11Kz is perfect.

Click on the Green OK Button to accept your updated settings.

There you are; you are now Broadcasting whatever your chosen camera (or Desktop Capture Software) is

displaying. You can now re-adjust the different windows in the Night Skies Network to make the best use of

your screen. You will be seeing what you are Broadcasting in the NSN View Window, you can see who has

logged into your Channel in the User’s Window, and you can Participate in the Channel Chat Window.

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CUSTOMIZING AND CONTROLLING YOUR CHANNEL

You can control the User’s behavior in your Channel by having the ability to Ban a specific user if he/she has

become antagonistic or disrespectful to the Night Skies Network Rules or to you. Near the Top of the

Browser Window you will see a Ban User Heading with a Drop-Down selector. Just use the Drop-Down

Button to select which User you need to Ban. NSN will then remove the user’s IP address from the allowable

devices that can connect to NSN.

There are Administrators also keeping an eye on Night Skies Network Channels, and they may also ban that

User from connecting to NSN.

There are sound effect used when ever a view makes a chat comment, you have the ability to turn off those

beeps by unchecking the Sound Effects checkbox located on the Channel Chat Window.

You can also make the Chat Lines comments more interesting by choosing a different Color, or using Bold,

Underline, and Italic. You can even add graphic symbols (emoticons) to the chatting lines to express

emotions.

Just select the appropriate enhancement choice from the right side of the Chat line.

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Then when you enter a reply and hit the Blue Send Button, the character changes will be displayed on the

Channel Chat Window.

You can observe who is logged into your Video Channel by examining the Viewers Window. You can also

think about Bragging rights by looking at the number of Viewers who are logged into your channel.

When you are finsihed, and have said you good nights, it is time to log out of your Channel. Others may remain

to discuss the amazing images that you have been broadcasting, so the Channel may remain active until they

all exit.

Click on the Red STOP Button on the Night Skies Network Window.

What, Only 2 Viewers. I guess nobody

likes looking at a street light?

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NSN Coffee Break Room

Night Skies Network provides a special location for Viewers and Broadcaster to hang out and chat or pass

along ideas, specifically if no one is currently broadcasting and you have that astronomy bug.

At the Bottom of the Main Night Skies Network Window is a Banner which provides the Doorway to the NSN

Coffee Break Room (Sorry you have to bring your own coffee, or tea, or whatever beverage suits you

tonight). Just Click on the CLICK HERE button.

You will be presented with a cool Login Window.

Enter in your User Name and Password and Click on the Blue Login Button (I know, everything is blue).

The Coffee Room Window will then Open up. Just Chat like you would using the NSN Chat Window

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The Coffee Room has cool sounds as people enter and leave (you leave by Clicking on the Red Dot in the

Upper Right Corner of the Coffee Room Window).

You can customize your experience in the Coffee Room, by Clicking on the Options button near the Bottom.

Another Window will open up where you can select themes, adjust sounds, have fun with effects, and even

adjust the fonts that you prefer to use when chatting. You can even choose a Picture as the Background of

your Theme. Just get in there and have some fun.

If you need to save the Chats, just Click on the Save Button on the Bottom on the screen. The Coffee Room

will open another HTML page with a copy of the Chats. Just save that window using your Browser.

You can also let people know if you are Away, Here, Busy, or BRB by choosing the appropriate heading

beside Options. This message will appear beside your name on the Right side on the Window.

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You can also create Custom and Private Chat areas by clicking on the Add Button near the Top of the Coffee

Room window. Then Give the room a name, and if necessary (I don’t know why) a password.

To EXIT the Coffee Room, you just need to Click on the Red Dot located on the Upper Right Side of the

Coffee Room Window.

So have fun and Visit the Coffee Room (p.s. remember administrators are ensuring proper language and

respect is taking place at all times …).

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Help (Something is Wrong)

I DON’T SEE MY LIST OF CAMERAS IN THE NSN CAMERA CHOOSER.

This is a Flash to Browser issue. It can happen quite often after installing a new Direct Show device. There

are two possible solutions to this. The first try another Browser and see if the other Browser works better

with Flash. The second solution which works for me (as I am always installing and uninstaller DirectShow

Drivers). My current go-to browser is Chrome. But when I try to select a camera in the Camera settings in

NSN, my list is sometime empty (nothing to choose at all). I just log-out. Shutdown Chrome, Start Internet

Explorer, reconnect to NSN, and now I have no difficulties connecting to my camera. Then I again log out,

shutdown Internet Explorer, start Chrome, log back into NSN, and for some reason, I can now select my

camera from the list. Go figure.

SOMEHOW MY IMAGE IS FROZEN ON NSN.

This catches us all by surprise, because everything looks good at our end. It is usually the Viewers who let

you know that something is wrong. We don’t know why this happens, we believe it is Flash that has just

frozen. The only solution is to shut down the Browser (the Channel will still stay active because Viewers are

still in the Channel), then restart the Browser, log back into your Channel. Everything should be back up and

running (in ugly situations, sometimes you have to reboot the computer, a real pain).

MY IMAGE IS VERY PIXELATED

Make sure that settings in NSN is set to a high enough resolution, say 640 x 480. Also if you are using a piece

of Desktop Capture Software (SplitCam, CamTwist, ManyCam), make sure that its resolution is at, say 640 x

480. You can also change the Bandwidth and Picture sliders in the NSN settings window. Maybe your

computer is just having a slow day, or the internet is experiencing a lot of traffic.

ONCE I CONNECT TO MY CAMERA, MY CAMERA CONTROL SOFTWARE LOCKS UP.

The camera’s driver can only be controlled by one piece of software at a time. Sometimes we need software

such as MallincamSky to control our SkyRaider camera. Then MallincamSky MUST have control of the

camera so it can produce the image. You will then need a Desktop Capture Software such as SplitCam,

CamTwist, or ManyCam to capture the portion of the desktop that contains MallincamSky’s Video Window.

You will then tell NSN that the camera you are using is SplitCam, CamTwist, or ManyCam and NSN will

broadcast what the Desktop Capture Software is looking at.

MY SOUND AND VIDEO ARE OUT OF SYNC

Welcome to the world of the internet. Flash is capturing both video and sound sending it to the Night Skies

Network Distribution Server which then sends the data back through the internet to the Viewers. Sound

uses less bandwidth than video, so they can get easily out of sync by one internet relay server being

overwhelmed by all the other internet traffic going through it. You may notice that what the Broadcaster

sees, and what the Viewer sees can get to be out of sync by up to 30 seconds or more.

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I KEEP GETTING KNOCKED OUT OFF NIGHT SKIES NETWORK

There is no really good solution to this, as there could be many temporary causes. It could be that Flash and

your Browser are having a bad time together due to Windows doing some internal house cleaning. It could

also be something along the internet path is having intermittent difficulties, and that causes Flash to lose a

secure connection. Try a complete reboot of your computer (this may allow Windows to finish what it was

trying to do), and see if this fixes the problem.

I SIGN-IN AND GET ‘YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BROADCAST AT THIS TIME’ MESSAGE.

Something has happened to your account permissions. Hopefully you did not misbehave while visiting Night

Skies Network in the recent past. Click on the Contact Us button on the bottom of the Night Skies Network

Home Page and fill in the details for us so we can resolve the problem.

DO I HAVE TO OPEN UP ANOTHER WINDOW TO SEE WHAT MY VIEWS SEE?

Nope, there is no need to do that (unless you are also viewing another Channel). What you see on your NSN

Window is uncompressed Video signal from your camera. This signal is then compressed and send to all of

the other Viewers of your Channel. To see what the Viewers are seeing, just Click on the icon that looks like

a TV with Color Bars at the top on your Broadcast Window. This icon toggles between non-compressed

(what you see) and preview compressed (what your viewers see).

CAN I BROADCAST OVER WI-FI?

Sure, as long as your Wi-Fi has a strong enough signal to the internet, you should have no real difficulty. If

you try to Broadcast and speak at the same time, you are walking on the edge of the through-put

capabilities. But, Broadcaster have had success doing both. Give it a try if you need to, as we have had users

use their Smart Phone as a wireless hub to Broadcast live in the outback in Australia.

CAMTWIST DOESN’T WORK.

The latest version of the Flash player is 64 bit by default. The CamTwist driver doesn't work in 64 bit applications and thus the CamTwist camera will not be visible. You can try running your app (Safari for example) in 32-bit mode to see if that solves the problem. Another possibility is to downgrade the Flash player.

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NSN Extras

If you Look at the Top on the Night Skies Network Window you will notice some Titles.

So let’s look at these more closely.

HOME

Clicking on this Title brings you back to the Home location www.nightskiesnetwork.ca

LOGIN

Clicking on this Title provides an alternate way to Sign-In to the Channel area. It is identical to Clicking on

the Orange SIGN IN button located in the middle of the screen.

COMMUNITY

Placing your mouse over this Title automatically drops-down a menu choice.

From here you can visit some other areas on the Night Skies Network’s Website.

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Broadcaster Captures

If you select the heading Broadcaster Captures, then another window will open up allowing you to look at

previous Broadcaster’s work. You can Click on one of the Dots to go to a specific image, or let the Slide Show

progress on its own. More images will be added as Broadcasters submit their pictures.

Useful Links

As we find Websites that provide cool information, we will add them to the Useful Link area.

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International Video Astronomy Star Party

Every Year Rock Mallin hosts a Video Start Party at his Home. All are Welcome (just make reservations with

him). Clicking on the Title takes you to Rock’s Star Party Website.

Ecvar Star Party

Clicking on the Title will take you to the Ecvar Start Party Website.

About NSN

The About NSN gives a small blurb about NSN (how about that for a great Title).

SIGN UP TO BROADCAST

Another location that duplicates the SIGN UP TO BROADCAST button. You just Click on this Title to register

for a Broadcast Account. See section in manual that covers the process in more detail.

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NSN LIVE FACEBOOK

If you have a Facebook account, you can visit (and join) the NSN Live Facebook page. This Facebook page

contains up to date information about NSN and Mallincam related captures and discussions.

SIGN UP TO WATCH

Another location that duplicates the SIGN UP TO WATCH button. You just Click on this Title to register for a

Viewing Account. See section in manual that covers the process in more detail.

SITE RULES

Clicking on this Title will display the Site rules for Night Skies Network (just in case you did not read them

in this User Manual).

HELP

Hovering your mouse over the Help Title will drop-down Some for Choices.

Site Instructions

This will give you the techniques to get Broadcasting on Night Skies Network (just in case you did not read

the section called I DON’T READ MANUALS in this User Manual).

Contact Us

You guessed it, select this for a pop-up window that allows you to contact us. Just fill in the information and

click on the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the Window, and we will get back to you.

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Privacy Policy

If you want to keep the lawyers happy then select this choice. It provides all of the jargon that should be

there when you are using a Streaming site. Enjoy the reading.

MY ACCOUNT

At the Bottom of the Night Skies Network Home Window are some Duplicate Buttons of the Top of the

Home Window. With one exception. The My Account Button.

Clicking the My Account button will allow you to see your current account information. Along with the

ability to update it. You can also use this area to change your password. Neat eh.