Hello and Welcome to working remotely!
This document has lots of useful information so you can successfully work remotely, so please read through carefully and in its entirety.
Install & Support
A member of our Post Tech team will be in touch directly to support setting up your remote system.
**You will need to be available and in front of your computer during the setup window provided so we can get you set up as quickly as possible.**
Please note: Our amazing Post Tech team is supporting 500+ remote users and systems and we have a handful of tech staff in each location, so please be patient.
If you have any technical issues PLEASE SUBMIT A FRESHDESK TICKET under the “Post Tech” Department, NOT “IT” or “Operations” (see screengrab below).
https://itvus.freshdesk.com/support/home
IT Security
** IMPORTANT **
It is imperative that you follow the below guidelines and take extra precaution regarding your home network, personal email, and devices.
Home Network:
Please ensure you have a secure password on your home internet network (including upper, lower cases as well as symbols etc).
What Makes a Password Strong? The key aspects of a strong password are length (the longer the better); a mix of letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and symbols, no ties to your personal information, and no dictionary words.
You must use YOUR OWN home internet network, NOT your neighbor’s or an “open” or “Free” Wifi connection.
Remote Connectivity to ITV:
You must LOG OUT of your remote session (VPN or Splashtop) when you’re not working. (DO NOT log out of the Host computer, just the VPN session - see below re: HP Remote Boost, aka: RGS). If you are NOT SURE what this means, please ask the Post Tech team member who sets you up.
At Home Internet Dos and Don’ts
Please make sure you don’t have other devices pulling too much bandwidth, ie: phones and non-edit computers on wifi.
We recommend you work via Ethernet cable, not Wifi. If you have to work on Wifi, please know your performance may not be as good – ie: you could encounter lag, dropouts, and other performance issues – as if you were connected via Ethernet.
If you are using an ethernet connection, you should turn off the wifi so that the ethernet connection takes priority.
Please be mindful that you will be working on content at home and be aware of what other people may be able to see on your screen.
If you are using a personal computer or laptop to access ITV materials, please be sure not to download work-related materials to your personal device. If you are remoting in and downloading on your “host” computer at the ITV offices, this is okay.
As a remote user, you will be using your computer at home, the “Client”, to access a computer in the ITV office, the “Host”. Each “Client” computer logs into a corresponding “Host” computer as a 1:1 connection.
Please note when you are logged into the “Host” at the ITV office it may look just like your desktop at home! While you’re working on your Host computer, please do not log off of the ITV Internet or modify any of the connectivity on your Host computer or you won't be able to work.
How To Get Started With Working Remotely
A member of the Post Tech will reach out to schedule a time to set you up. If you have any questions about your setup time or setup requirements, please contact your Post Supervisor.
On your host computer, Post Tech has disabled power options from the start menu to prevent accidental shut downs.
If you need to restart your host computer for troubleshooting purposes or to get a fresh start if your host has been running nonstop for a long period of time, you may do so safely by double clicking the blue Restart icon on the desktop: 
After double clicking this shortcut, your host will cycle through a reboot. You will be disconnected from your HP Remote Boost session while it does this and should be able to connect again within 5-10 minutes. If you are unable to log in 10 minutes after initiating a reboot, submit a ticket to Post Tech via Freshdesk.
VPN Connectivity
It is very important to connect to the VPN before you try to login to your HP Remote Boost (RGS) host.
If you reboot your home computer, your VPN connection will disconnect and you will need to reconnect the VPN.
To connect to the VPN, refer to the instructions below:
MacOS
Click the Global Protect VPN globe icon in the right side of your top menu bar and select Connect
It will prompt for login. Use the credentials provided in the email with subject "ITV America - VPN Credentials”. It may have gone to either your personal or ITV address.
It should then show a shield over the globe icon to indicate that you are connected to the VPN
Windows
Click on the GlobalProtect VPN icon (looks like a globe) in the system tray and choose Connect. If you don’t see the icon, run the GlobalProtect application first.
It will prompt for login. Use the credentials provided in the email with subject "ITV America - VPN Credentials”. It may have gone to either your personal or ITV address.
It should then show a shield over the globe icon to indicate that you are connected to the VPN
PC vs. Mac
The Host computer you are connecting to is a PC. Even if you are using a MAC as the local Client computer, the operating system and default keyboard functions you’re connecting to will be PC based. This is the case for all remote systems using HP remote software.
Mi Keys for using a Mac Keyboard in HP Remote Boost
Mac users are used to certain keyboard shortcuts being performed with the Command key (i.e. Command-S to Save). On Windows the Control Key is used for this purpose and by default the Command key will bring up the Windows menu. The Mi Keys application can swap the functions of the two keys so you can use the Command key as you normally would on a Mac. If you do not have Mi Keys installed on your Remote Boost host, you may request it over FreshDesk.
1. Run the Mi Keys application from the Desktop or bottom Task Bar on the Remote Boost
2. Accept the License Agreement
3. In the System Tray at the bottom-right of the Task Bar, click the Up arrow to show background application
4. Right click the Mi Keys icon and select Swap Keys for Apple Keyboard from the pop-up menu
5. The setting may reset from time to time, such as after a system restart, so this process may need to be repeated as necessary
PC Drive Limitations - PC can only mount 26 drives at one time (A-Z in alphabetical order). Your Host computer is a PC, so when mounting drives through the Nexis Client manager, please only mount the drives you need to work from.
If you need to change, add, or remove drives you MUST close Media Composer FIRST and then use the Nexis Client Manager tool to unmount and re-mount the drives you need. Then re-launch Media Composer. YOU SHOULD NOT unmount and re-mount drives while still working in Media Composer. Doing so may cause major issues with media going offline (AVID can get confused by the drive letters).
Optimal HP Remote Boost Software User Settings
(to maximize playback)
HP Velocity - Leave checked
Enable Advanced Video Compression on Sender - Leave unchecked This setting will cause audio sync issues on playback.
Adaptive Image Quality - Leave unchecked This setting can cause variations in image quality.
Image Quality - Leave at 50
Audio Over HP Remote Boost Software
Audio Alternating L/R - In AVID’s audio settings, make sure your default PAN for mono tracks is set to Alternating L/R. Not doing so can cause audio issues.
Volume - You will need to make sure the audio volume on both the Client and the Host computers are unmuted and set to at least 50%. Lower volume settings on either will cause reduced levels for bass frequencies.
Scratch VO - Remote Workflow
Record your scratch VO on your phone or home computer
E-mail the audio files to yourself
Log into your Host computer
Launch Internet Browser on Host computer (not your local/home computer) and open up your email on the Host computer
Download the audio files you sent yourself to your Host Desktop
Import scratch VO to the SFX_Music_VO partition (NY/CT) or Render Drive (LA)
Delete the files from your phone and/or home computer
HP Remote Boost Software - Full Screen Playback Mode
Internet Bandwidth
Do not use full screen playback mode in AVID while working remotely. The demand for bandwidth is too high and could impact your playback performance as well as others on the shared network.
Custom Settings - Please avoid using custom Windows settings if possible. Going into full screen playback mode while using custom settings may cause AVID to stop responding.
AVID Crashes and when to Force Quit
If AVID crashes and you find yourself unable to close out, you will need to force quit the program. To do this on the Host PC computer:
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up the option to open the Task Manager or open theTask Manager from the Toolbar
If the Task Manager says AVID is not responding, you can choose to “End Task” for AVID and force it to close.
**Be sure to SAVE often to avoid losing work during an AVID crash.**
As a Splashtop user, you will be using your computer at home to log into and remotely control a computer in the ITV office.
The important thing to note is that your screens will be visible to anyone who may be in the office, so please be cognisant of this while working and do not leave your email up when you’re not working. For security purposes, please also log out of Splashtop at home when not working.
VERY IMPORTANT!!!
**DO NOT SHUT DOWN YOUR HOST COMPUTER**
Splashtop is a remote way to view and play audio, it is not a remote Editing system so please be aware that you may see audio/video lag when playing back footage. If this happens, please note that the lag is NOT in the actual native camera footage, it is just in the playback. If you start and stop again, you will notice the lag goes away. If your system starts to lag more than usual, disconnect from Splashtop and then re-open the connection. Remote access is solely internet based so your performance at home will be determined by your internet connectivity and bandwidth at home.
How To Get Started With Splashtop
Open the Splashtop app on your client computer:
When you launch Splashtop and Post Tech gives you the computer number(s) you are assigned to you will be able to search the computer name here:
How To Get Started With Splashtop (Cont’d)
If the computer is being used the icon will be circled in green. If it isn't in use it will be ready to connect:
Once able to connect click on the CONNECT icon to the right of your computer number:
Once connected to your host computer, enter your Unique ID in the Password field of your host computer and log into your assigned host computer. Do not share your unique ID with anyone.
Once connected, below are descriptions of useful icons you will see at the top of your Splashtop window when open on your client computer :
Scratch VO - Remote Workflow (Splashtop)
Record your scratch VO on your phone or home computer
E-mail the audio files to yourself
Log into your HP Remote Boost or Splashtop Host computer
Launch Internet Browser on Host computer (not your local/home computer) and open up your email on the Host computer
Download the audio files you sent yourself to your Host Desktop
Import scratch VO to the SFX_Music_VO partition (NY/CT) or Render Drive (LA)
Delete the files from your phone or home computer
Splashtop Tips & Tricks
Logging into Splashtop - Please note that you will only be able to log into the host computer that Post Tech assigns to you (unless you’re logging into a “shared” station).
AEs - If you need to log into a “shared” computer (ie: Isilon) please remember that this is a shared station. You should NOT open your e-mail or pull up any personal information when using a shared station.
Using Shared Stations - If you are using a “shared” computer, please remember that others may be waiting to use the station, so please only use the shared computers for the specific task you need to do and then log off so others can access that station.
Audio - MAC Users: Please follow the below steps to optimize your audio config in AVID using Splashtop. The order of the below steps is important. Do not skip a step or you will have audio issues when working in AVID.
**Please note that the following steps are for your remote / host system, not your local / home “client” computer. Your home “client” computer audio should be set to your normal “internal audio” or headphones, etc.
On a MAC computer:
Configure the host (remote) machine by navigating to System Preferences > Sound. Select “Splashtop Remote Sound” for both the input and output.
If you do not see Splashtop Remote Sound as an option and are instead seeing Soundflower, submit a ticket to post support asking to get your Splashtop audio driver updated.
*Make sure the Mute boxes are unchecked.
2. Open AVID. Navigate to AVID Media Composer > Preferences > Audio Project. Select Splashtop Remote sound for the Input Source.
3. Open Audio Midi Setup located here:
/Applications/Utilities/Audio MIDI Setup.app
Make sure that both input and output are correctly set to Splashtop Remote Sound (which was done in step 1) and that Master, 1, and 2 faders are slid all the way up in both the input AND output tabs.
Notice how in the above screenshot, AVID is the active application, indicated by the text “AVID Media Composer” on the upper left of the screen.
In the following screenshot, Finder is the active application. Even just clicking between AVID and Finder, the Mac OS audio adjusts itself. The master fader reset to 0.
In this case, when switching back to AVID, you would need to manually slide up the master fader in order to continue receiving audio playback.
You must also verify that the “mute” checkbox is unchecked for each slider.
We recommend keeping Audio Midi Setup open so you can make these adjustments as you work.
If you accidentally close out of your audio devices window, in Audio Midi Setup, you can go to
Window > Show Audio Devices to get it back.
On a PC computer:
For Windows 10, go to “Settings” and check that the volume is up under “App volume and device preferences” for “Splashtop”
For Windows 7, click on the speaker icon in the lower right hand corner and make sure the volume is up in the mixer for “Splashtop.”
Using Splashtop for After Effects
Once you remote into an After Effects station via Splashtop, mount your show partitions and open After Effects the same way you would if you were in the office.
Here are some suggestions for using After Effects over Splashtop:
Displaying projects on 1 screen - When you open the project, go to Window > Workspace > Default. This way you won't need to switch between monitors.
Viewing Size - If your screen size at home is a different size from the one in the office there will be 2 options for viewing, Original and Scaled.
Thank you for reading through this guide.
As a reminder, please submit a Freshdesk ticket to Post Tech if you have any issues while working.