CCTV has a large inventory of production equipment, editing systems, and studio space that is available to the community. In order to use this stuff, individuals must become members of CCTV and agree to the conditions of our contracting policies. For the most part, members of CCTV are allowed to use most of our equipment and facilities free of charge.
The BeLive studio is a literal interpretation of Public Access as "electronic soapbox," an open forum for the expression of ideas and personal views, politics, culture, news, etc. This low-tech, single-camera studio enables any Cambridge resident or organization to have their own 27-minute live program on Channel 9, without needing to go through any elaborate equipment training.
Any Cambridge residents may have a one-time live show without a membership. To have a regular weekly or monthly show you will have to attend an Orientation and become an Access Member. Slots are available on a first come, first served basis, and there is usually a short waiting list of people looking for a regular time. To get your own BeLive you should pick up a request form or download it here. Cablecast Forms.
CCR is our cable "radio" station which cablecasts live in the mornings on Channel 10. As a member you can sign up and reserve weekly slots to do your own 2 hour block of audio programming after a short training session. For more information about producing a CCR program, contact Renato at 617-661-6900 x122, or download the application form. CCR Program Request
We have a 25' x 25', four camera, fully lighted, digital video studio lined into our master control room. A six member crew can operate the master studio with our Echolab digital switcher, 24 channel audio mixer, Inscriber CG system and record on multiple tape formats (DVD, SVHS, MiniDV). This studio has been used for film, photo, video, and audio productions. We have the ability to record to tape or go LIVE to Cambridge cable subscribers.
CCTV has a wide range of digital video cameras in stock for member use. Cameras range from 3-ccd Panasonic and Sony camcorders to small 1-ccd Canon palmcorder models.
CCTV has also added a fleet of Flip Cameras, personal MPEG4 cameras that record to a hard drive in a format ready for uploading to your favorite video sharing website.
At CCTV we strongly believe that providing the tools to create media enhances citizens' ability to participate in civic life. In 1996, CCTV created computerCENTRAL, a state-of-the art community technology center, to accomplish this goal.
computerCENTRAL is open to the public on a drop-in basis for 13.5 hours every week. Drop in hours are staffed by trained interns who provide hands-on computer assistance as needed. All drop-in hours are free to CCTV’s Affiliate and Access members. Non-members must pay $5.00 per visit, except Sunday and Tuesday.
Learn more about computerCENTRAL.
Our audio equipment is specialized for video recordings, and we have a variety of microphones (omni, cardiod, directional, lav) with any of the cords or adapters you may need. We have field audio mixers and portable audio recording devices in our stock as well.
Our digital video editing workstations are Mac OS X plaforms running the newest versions of Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro software. CCTV will also lend you temporary use of a portable firewire hard drive in order to store your video media while you are editing.
There are all sorts of new products that we add to our inventory each season that helps our members and producers make better media. If you are looking for something special, please contact us with any questions or suggestions.
CCTV's equipment is also available for rent to Access or Affiliate members working on productions not intended for cablecast at CCTV. See our Rental Rate Card.