You will find a list here of the different technology set ups that we have in order to run this event.

Webcams

This is coordinated by setting up 3 pcs with webcams. The PC's take a snapshot photo from the webcam every 30 seconds and uploads it to the website. The webcam PC's also host a fish tank screen saver and a fire screen saver to add some effect to the house. The housemates will not be able to use the computers in the house.

Audio

We have a Windows server 2003 machine that host Windows Media Services. This is connected to the internet via 1mb link and is located off of the site. We have the provision of a broadband connection at the Scout Hut, which we can stream the audio across the internet to the server, and then people can listen to the stream from there.

The audio is collected from various microphones around the house and is fed into a mixing desk, where the crew can mix together sounds from different parts of the house. The audio then goes through a 10 second buffer which enables the crew to censor and cut out any parts of the stream that they feel would be unsuitable to broadcast.

We hope to have some other servers available on the internet to increase the amount of people that can listen to the audio stream.

Votes

We are providing lots of different ways in order for people to vote. The text message vote is provided from a mobile phone linked up to a computer. The software on the computer automatically downloads the texts when they are received and then the votes are screened by one of the crew.

The phone vote is just the provision of an answer phone facility on a mobile phone. This means that callers can leave their vote and they are then screened, recorded and then deleted by one of the crew.

The fax service is put in place by using the efax.com service.

Video

We will be filming the event via a series of video cameras around the house. The organising team will have some hand held cameras as well as a couple of permanent cameras in the house. All the video will be compiled into short video clips on the website as well as a full programme at the end of the event.

Mobile video cameras will be borrowed and the permanent cameras will be cameras hooked up to video recorders. These will also be visible in the control room.

Lighting

The main lighting within the house will be just the normal lights. We do plan to set up some lighting effects outside of the house, ready for the eviction shows. This will be the use of different coloured flood lights hooked up to a lighting mixing desk.

More here soon!