Public Affairs Qualification Course DVIDS DVIDS. Home Overview Video Review Capabilities Equipment Marketing

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1 As a PAO, one of the most effective communication tools you have at your disposal are still and video imagery. Images can be iconic like the Iwo Jima flag raising, which defined American spirit and resolve during World War II. Video of the Coast Guard rescuing Hurricane Katrina victims helped cement their image in the minds of many Americans as a first responder in times of crisis. However, how valuable is imagery if no one sees it? is an exceptional resource to help you share imagery so people can see what amazing work the U.S. military does on a daily basis The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 1

2 Mission and Description The Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System () provides an accurate, reliable source for media organizations to access visual information of U.S. service members and commanders in support of military operations worldwide. is a turnkey operation that facilitates requests for Public Affairs video, audio, still imagery and print products; coordinates interviews with soldiers and commanders; and provides an archive for ongoing operations worldwide. A turnkey operation is defined as a product or service concept that is complete, installed and ready to use upon delivery or installation. The product or service is then leased or sold to an individual to run as his/her own venture. is a state-of-the-art, 24/7 operation that provides a timely, accurate and reliable connection between the media around the world and the military serving in combat theaters. It consists of a network of portable satellite transmitters located worldwide and a distribution hub in Atlanta, Georgia. throughout the world. It is operated by Third Army/U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) on behalf of the Department of the Army. Third Army/ARCENT has a contract with Encompass Digital Media, Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia, to provide this service. Encompass Digital Media employs civilians to fulfill the contract as media representatives, video editors, web developers and satellite transmission technicians. Information presented on or via is considered public information and may be distributed or copied unless otherwise specified. Use of appropriate byline/ photo/image credits is requested. That covers the basics on. Now let's look more closely at the capabilities it provides. Functions facilitates remote interviews with commanders and subject matter experts engaged in fast-breaking news. It helps link media to deployed military units. enables embedded journalists to transmit broadcast quality video from the field. fulfills requests for products quickly via satellite, fiber and the Internet and submits daily bulletins detailing archive additions and alerts about breaking news. They distribute and coordinate holiday greetings, shout-outs and special events programming involving soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines worldwide. They also maintain a searchable archive of videos, photos and print products. Photo courtesy of upload.wikimedia.org Organization is provided as a public service that supports all branches of the U.S. military and its coalition partners serving with U.S. Forces in the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility and 2 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

3 Video Review Go to this link and watch the DIVIDS overview video. The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 3

4 Capabilities is a 24/7/365 organization to support CONUS and OCONUS military public affairs and combat camera units worldwide with technical support, distribution, marketing and tracking. Product Highlights More than 1,000 pieces of content from video, news, photo, and audio from across the DOD and U.S. government are compiled on a daily basis. They also receive real-time high-quality video, still images and print products. Content from immediate interview opportunities with service members, commanders and subject matter experts is also available. All content on the hub website is created and submitted by U.S. military personnel, U.S. government agencies, and contractors operating in the U.S. Army Central Area of Responsibility, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the world. Benefits The benefit of enables media outlets to receive immediate, first-hand information from commanders and subject matter experts directly involved with fast-breaking events. It provides requested products to media organizations in a timely manner via internet distribution and satellite broadcasts. allows embedded journalists to transmit broadcast quality video back to their networks. pushed into a public webcast to engage with audiences that do not have satellite downlinks such as schools, town halls, universities and veteran organizations. Through the website, can report back to a unit when a media member downloads content and what outlet that reporter is with. Some other examples of benefits include: provides in-house training to PAOs and PA/ComCam troops on a monthly basis, automatically pushes all content received to the Defense Imagery Management Operations Center (DIMOC) for operator ease of upload to both DOD archives, can auto-upload to a unit's YouTube channel and can provide instant, hourly, daily, weekly updates of new content that a user is interested in (subject, keyword, journalist, unit). These alerts drive instant content to the media and other publics. You can take advantage of these capabilities by knowing what equipment you may have at your disposal. maintains a searchable archive of video, photo and print products for interested media and military communities. Any and all video can be Photos courtesy of 4 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

5 Equipment There are three types of transmitters currently in use. The systems vary in size, weight and method of employment. Newslink/Legacy Transmitter This setup was used for the president's address from Afghanistan. This is a 1 meter diamond shaped carbon fiber antenna and includes everything that you need to broadcast live, b-roll, print media, photos except from the video camera. It fits into four, 75-lb, rolling suitcases. In today's media landscape and the structure there are plenty of flexibilities to engage the media/public. Support an interview via a cell phone Skype video calls and rebroadcast it s live broadcast via satellite to anywhere in the world. HD Encoder (Fly-Away Kit/HD Upgrade Kit) These kits are used to supplement both the Newslink/Legacy with 4 large cases, 350 lbs, standard definition capable and the Direct Transmitters, which consist of 2 large cases, 1 small case, with high definition capability. Direct Legacy Systems There are two other older systems you could encounter: Norsat GLOBETrekker System This system contains a 1 meter round carbon fiber antenna, boasts an auto-acquire function and fits into three back packs each weighing about 50 lbs. This is more for a quick deploy, short term mission as everything sits out with the antenna. The manufacturer recommends that this system not remain outside for periods more than a month. Norsat NewsLink This is 2.4 meter Norsat NewsLink system with a large fixed antenna that weighs 485 lbs. This system is considered a transportable system although it is generally installed at a fixed location. If you are in Iraq or Afghanistan you would also need this large antenna to receive video. You know about equipment. The next issue is: how do we deliver products? This is the completely self- sustaining system that can, along with the HD Encoder Kit, provide an HD data stream to the technical operations center (TOC). This, as well as the other systems support both live video feeds and data, photo, news upload. The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 5

6 Marketing Hub The Hub is staffed by several officers and NCOs from the various services and approximately government contractors. The majority of the personnel work as coordination representatives in TV, radio, print and assist DOD service members in planning and executing media interviews as well as marketing and distributing DOD imagery via their public access web site, In addition to having personnel focused on marketing PA products to CONUS based agencies, has a representative that speaks Arabic and specializes in Pan-Arab news agencies. The hub has staff on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. content during upload. This is key to give marketing notes so they know you're expectations and ideas. Products are sent out via satellite, FTP, direct download, or physical copy to interested media. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host or to another host over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet. Access for media specialist contact information. Reporters are able to contact directly with requests for military products. provides 24/7 service for story marketing as well. Products are deemed actionable for marketing by internal assignment editors that review all content as well as by units placing marketing notes on Photo courtesy of static.dvidshub.net 6 The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs

7 Conclusion You will work with extremely professional men and women who capture imagery that can help tell the U.S. military's story. is a vehicle to help you deliver those amazing products, which is why you should understand this important asset. The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 7

8 References and Additional Resources The Center of Excellence for Visual Information and Public Affairs