PC Tech Thread

Yes it does as it gave me the option to boot from it.

budget NAS running Windows 10

?

Well NAS/server.

Windows 10 isn't hugely different from Windows server which I've been running on my current NAS for 10b years.

I've limited experience of booting into Windows USB - might be worth booting into another live CD (ubuntu is pretty straightforward) and checking the drive is playing nicely.

Check which boot mode your motherboard is set to (UEFI or ‘legacy BIOS’), use Rufus to create a bootable Win10 USB stick of the correct type for your board.

Thanks both, managed to get windows set up on the SSD. It has made a noticeable difference for sure.

Now looking at sourcing some ram. I think the max it can take is 16gb. It currently has 3x2gb sticks in now.

Anyone looking to offload some?

If I wanted to learn more about networking how would I go about that?

Are there recommended resources / books / youtube channels? I don't have anything specific, I'd just like to know more and be less reliant on others.

I'd like to know how certain bits of equipment fit into our workflows for example on live / remote shoots - what people use them for / what they can be used for.

I'd like to know about VPNs and remote control of a laptop (for example I'd like to see if it's possible to control focus / exposure on a camera through a switcher connected to a laptop that I send out to client and then access remotely).

I'd like to know more about networked storage (local but also providing remote access to it for freelance editors) etc.

I've always had people sort this stuff out for me but figure I'd like to be a little more resilient and useful.

This is a bible of sorts for learning about networking concepts and protocols: http://index-of.es/Varios-2/Computer%20Networks%205th%20Edition.pdf

As for practically making things work, it entirely depends on the kit you’re using and its implementation of those protocols and its user interface. Manuals, forums, Slack groups, IRC channels etc dedicated to the particular platform/piece of equipment are your best bet.

I find YouTube ‘tutorials’ mostly useless as they’re often made by people with a poor grasp of networking themselves, and are unwatchable.

Thanks for the PDF that looks solid. Will work my way through it as I suspect it'll solve lots of my pondering (or point me in the right direction).

Just one case in point - I've been sending out drop kits with a pcc6k, some simple lights, sound, power etc - usually they're with either a Video Assist 12G screwed into the lid of the peli. Everything is plugged in ready to go so the end user just has to open it up and connect to power and/or a computer. For the most part it's solid and I can remote monitor over zoom/other what they're capturing for talking heads / remote joining conferences etc. But I'd love to have far end control of the camera so 'talent' don't have to do anything in terms of focus/exposure etc via atem camera control. I presume my options are:

1. send a more complicated kit including a laptop with a VPN that I can use to remote access an atem (probably just a mini pro for the sake of size).

2. something else. I was hoping to retain a small footprint and not have to send a laptop. Saw this but not 100% sure how it works: https://www.skaarhoj.com/product/atem-tcp-link and am not in a hurry to ask end users to dabble in network stuff (like changing router settings). I could just send a different camera (like the E2C) which has easy remote control over ethernet. But we already have half a dozen 6ks so am trying to make the best with what we've got.

I’ve done very similar in the past using a Raspberry Pi/Intel Compute Stick running Companion, for remote ATEM control.

The Skaarhoj devices are good but very expensive compared to roll-your-own open-source solutions, and you’d still need an intermediary device which connects to your VPN concentrator.

I’m happy to consult if you need help with a solution.

So I've joined the modern PC world, my current PC has lasted me 9 years, which is pretty good going (SSD and graphics card upgrade in the middle)

Ryzen 5 5600x
16gb 3600mhz
512gb NVME SSD
RTX 3060 12gb

The GPU market looks completely fucked, looks like I can sell my current 1050ti for more than I bought it for several years ago...

The GPU market looks completely fucked

It is. Totes.

It’s bonkers.

We’re having to spec £5K Quadro cards for new video servers that really don’t need it just because they’re the only Nvidia GPUs we can reliably source right now.

Yep. I was thinking of building a new PC for Zwifting and Sufferfesting with a half decent GPU. Gave up pretty quickly.

The secret at the moment is buying a complete machine.

Zwifting and Sufferfesting with a half decent GPU

Do you really need more than Intel HD750 integrated graphics to play Zwift?

Ryzen 5 4650g chips with their integrated APUs should be a pretty good fit for Zwift and lower res gaming.

The APUs get better performance than most of the cheaper affordable cards you can actually buy.

And you can add a card later.

I'd like to know about VPNs and remote control of a laptop (for example I'd like to see if it's possible to control focus / exposure on a camera through a switcher connected to a laptop that I send out to client and then access remotely).

What you are looking for is https://tailscale.com/

This is the modern thing everyone is doing. All your computers and devices on the same logical network even when they are remote. If you can control them locally, then you can control them remotely.

No.

One thing you can say for Zwift is that it works very well on low end/older graphics. I've moved from my desktop with fairly high end RTX 2060s, which for some reason Zwift isn't stable on, to an old business laptop with Intel HD520, and the difference is minimal. I think the shadows are a bit different and you don't get a headlight at night.

However, the desktop (which I've just realised is a decade old) is great for GTBikeV.

The GPU market looks completely fucked

I'm up to 20 weeks now, waiting for my 3080 to be in stock.

At least I got to pay a reasonable price for it.

It can run ok, but if you’re outputting to a 1080 tv or screen, it’s nice to have the extra GPU power.

My now ancient i5 2500k has been a trooper, probably repurpose the current PC for something.

Wow, assuming you could resell your current graphics card for more than you paid for the 3080 when it does finally arrive?

I will see whether I can get my hands on a new release graphics card, and resell the 3060. £700+ on eBay, wtf

At least I got to pay a reasonable price for it.

Got mine a few months back after being on the wait list for a few months. Got RRP though (actually slightly less) so I got my 3080 for £600. I'm tempted to sell tbh as I'm really not playing games on the desktop at the moment. But I'll never find one again at this rate.

iPad has been the best option I've found so far. Tend to just Airplay/mirror it to the TV. If I'm doing a workout on TrainerRoad then I run TR on the phone to control the turbo and Zwift on the iPad at the same time (mostly just for the ticking through the levels), since I don't think the iPad would let 2 apps connect to the turbo at the same time.