I want to show Video instantly at a live event

[kissvid]

Hello All,

I couldn't find a section to post this under and I am hoping someone has an answer. I film Dance Competitions. Basically I film these competetions, parents come to my table and see a preview of what we just taped and decide whether they wish to order. At this time I use Adobe Onlocation to record directly to disc which is an external hard drive. I am then taking that external hard drive every 2 hours or so and transferring the footage to the laptops on my table. This takes time and by the time I do all laptops I have wasted an hour. Is there a way to do this instantly? I mean like..someone told me to get a server. I can have Adobe Onlocation record directly to the server and then the server has 3-4 outputs where I can hook up the laptops and parents can access the routines. I don't know if the wording i just used is correct but I hope someone reading this gets the jist of what I am talking about. Is there a way to do this and what would be the correct name of the device? Thank you all in advance.

Marc

[aedipuss]

a network attached storage(nas) unit might work with a switch or router for all the computers to hook up to.

[kissvid]

Thank you for the response. You see that is what confuses me. i have no idea what that is. Would you or anyone be able to expand on what exactly that is. or maybe include a link to ne so I can see one. Thanks again.

Marc

[kissvid]

I stand Corrected. I found a NAS and am now understanding. I assume I would use the wirelesss connection to have material play on each laptop. My only concern is the wireless connection and how I would get the information to the server quickly. Wireless is good but if I have 4 laptops hooked up I onder if the bandwidth would affect playback and maybe should go hard wire but i can't find a NAS with 4 ports. Ummmm. Any Suggestions.

MArc

[aedipuss]

the nas goes into a router or switch along with the computers using cat6 wire along with the computers. the wires can be up to 100ft long. you can turn the wireless part off if using a wireless router or assign fixed ips if using a switch.

if you don't know anything about networking have a friend set it up for you before doing the next show.

[kissvid]

Yeah I really don't know much about the network thing. I will have to find someone locally that does know it, so that they can set this up for me. Thanks for the info.