American Robot Episode 1
 

Hey everyone,

The much anticipated episode 1 of American Robot is out! Before you watch, keep in mind that this is a University of Rhode Island FIRST Robotics Club production and therefore we show alot of us working. And also, we don't wear our safety glasses as much as we are supposed to...

Follow the link to the movies: URI FRC Homepage
(Low Res - 94 mb)
(HIgh Res - 235 mb)

PLEASE! Post any comments or questions about this movie or our team/club.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

FYI

It is 16:30 long.

It is PG (maybe some PG-13).

Enjoy

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

awsome movie, i want to be in week 2

you should make a blooper reel using the "bad" ending

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

wow guys that was really great! I can't wait to see week two. I would have to say that your shop at the naval base is amazing, I wish our team had some sort of large area like that. How many people do you have on your team? It seemed like there were quite a few there, and like there were even more in the computer room.

awesome job

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Nooooooooooooo!!!!! Not the "bad" ending.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

The high res video has a sound problem. It is very choppy, in and out, somewhat rhythmically. The low res video has no problem. I don't think it is a problem with my computer, but it could be. Other than that, the video is excellent.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

The video is awsome, very good editing and the prototypes look nice too. It would be interesting to see every week.

Good Luck with everything.

David

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

We have about 30 students, 12 engineers, 12 college mentors, and about 5 alumni who help with the team. We are proud to host the other two Rhode Island teams with our field. The reason why this first week seemed a little heavy with mentor work was this: video of students using a drill is boring. Video of me "attacking" Joe Menassa is fun!

For the upcoming episodes, tell me what you want to see more of. More robot, more drama, more funny, more technical stuff, more strategy, more ANYthing! Just let me know.

Thanks for the info about the sound I'll have that fixed for tomorrow hopefully.

Thanks again and keep the comments coming!

(PS - if you can't view the video or use dial-up, go to the link in my signiture. GREAT updated pics there.)

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Alittle bit of everything is good. We are here because of robots, so seeing the robot design and construction phase would be good, but the humor and drama makes the video much better and more interesting. Once again, awesome job so far.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

I only have one suggestion.
Tripod.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

BRAVO!

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

This video was shot with 2 devices, my JVC 725U camcorder, and Rick’s digital camera. Rick edits this using Windows Movie Maker. Since it cannot accept DV files, I had to compress it down to DIVX files with MP3.

I just noticed that audio is a little funny on the camcorder shots. It seems that Windows Movie Maker doesn't like movie files with MP3s. I checked my source DV files and it doesn't suffer from the audio problems.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Oh man... That facility they have there is huge! Last year we worked out of a 7x15 foot closet with tables around the sides. Now I am trying to think how awesome the sound system we would install in a place like that would be.... People for miles around would think that they were either the middle of the biggest earthquake ever recorded, or maybe that someone was having a nuclear war nearby.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Excellent job, guys! Keep it up :)

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

It's a warehouse on the Newport Navy Base. It takes about 15 seconds (rough guess) to get from one end to the other at top speed on a Segway. :D

Dave

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Our sound system is a dewalt radio (see below) that charges the battery as well! Plus that big building devours cell phone reception to the point where digital reception is gone and only analog works.

Also kyle has reported that over 100 people have downloaded the movie! That's great to hear and keep the buzz going.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

When low-res is nearly 100mb, you know it has to be good.

Very good, but I too recomend a TRIPOD. But still, good luck guys.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

I kind of like the lack of a tripod. It gives it more of a documentary feel. The only thing that could be better (in my opinion) was the background noise at the beginning while the second in command guy was introducing the place. I think it was the microphone that did that, but other than that I loved it.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

I agree with russell about the lack of a tripod.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

ditto ~ after looking at the video I feel unoriginal =/ very similar to the arm design we prototyped today :( :ahh: oh well --Good luck, everything looks awesome! Keep up the good work, and add a trailer for week 3 in week 2! (does that even make sense?

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

How about a little more COWBELL!??!

OK, seriously, you have done a great job! It is very well done, and great to watch. Personally, I come down on the "get a tripod" side of things, but I can also see how the lack of one does give it more of a documentary feel.

Oh yeah, and I want to move in to your shop! :)

-dave

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

your shop is...

amazing.

Feel very lucky you get that kind of support. I know I would.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

I have noticed many people commenting about our facility. We think it is great. We have lots of workspace and enough room to make about 70% of the field (the columns get in the way). We have lots of neat workbenches built out of elements from past fields. While the navy can provide us with this great facility, it can also be a pain though. The building is on a Navy Base which has tight security. Because of safety regulations, we cnat have any real machinery such as a mill or lathe in the facility. We do all of our machining in the basement of a volunteer who is unfortunately only around on the weekends.

But we couldn't trade this facility for anything. It is great, especially for long or large meetings. having the portion of a field set up is great for practice as well as planning strategy. We feel very privaleged. We share the playing field with the other teams in RI because they do not have large facilities at their disposal.

For those of you who do not have great facilities, you should contact other local teams. Other teams may have resources that they can share. Several teams working together can save alot of expenses by sharing. If FIRST continues to grow, the only way to get teams the resources they need will be through sharing. Try and see if anyone around you can help you out!

Rob

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Just wanted to say I watched it and was thoroughly entertained. I like the fact that there's no tripod, makes it seem like an actual documentary. Keep it up.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Due to high Demand of American Robot, I am almost going to exceed my bandwidth (50 gigs) for the month. Because of this I have to take down the high resolution version.

I will contact Rick, and make sure that the next American Robot will be smaller, and less bandwidth heavy.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Awesome production! :yikes:

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

i can lend you 100gig bandwidth for free, if you need

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

After a mere 36 hours of being on the web, American Robot has been downloaded approx. 300 times. Collmandoman has offered some bandwith for us to use. We also will be using JoeMenassa.com.

If anyone else in the Chief Delphi community would be gracious enough to mirror the upcoming episodes, please PM or IM me. Team 121 and URI FRC would also to like to thank everyone for the support so far.

Also I do not plan on making smaller episodes. If anyone has any suggestions about making the shorter, lower res or even splitting the episodes into parts please let me know. I like the idea of sharing 15 minutes of our build season every week and really do not want to have to hold it back.

- Rick

PS-Look for a special guest star next week.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Actually the high resolution version was downloaded 431 times, and the low resolution was downloaded 411+

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Any ideas when the episodes will be available again?

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

We are finding other sites to host it, as soon as that is set we will put the links back up.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

When will you guys get the movie on the web again??!

I haven't gotten a chance to download it yet,
the traffic was so heavy when it was on,
and now there's a storm in the northeast.
So no robotics for now.

hopefully u can get it on by monday.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

If the guys at 121 don't mind, and you can receive a 94 MB file, I should be able to e-mail it to you via gmail account (there is a message size limit, but can not find what the limit is). If one of you Rhode Warriors could post if you'll allow this and anyone who wants it can post their e-mail address or PM me with their e-mail address and I'll take care of you.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Thanks to the generosity of Tom Schindler, the video of American Robot Episode 1 is on the web again.

http://tomschindler.net/rhodewarrior...E01_lowres.wmv (right click and save target as)

Enjoy!

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

'Bandwith Exceeded...' :(

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Use the mirror, not the link on the top of the page

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

I suggest you edit the first post with the new link.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

When's episode 2?

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Holy Cow! That is a sloooow mirror. People must be downloading this like mad. If I can get a copy, I'll put it up on two servers.

One has 100Mbps uplink to multiple carriers, the other is on a DSL line. If someone has either copy of the video, I can give you FTP information...

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

I'm getting 150kb/second.. not all that bad... Usually i can get 500 kb/s or more, my server usually extremely capable-- i think chiefdelphi is kicking it in the behind :)

Oh well... it was cheap hosting.. and it works.

Tom

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Mirror'd!

http://www.team195.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=78

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Accursed bandwidth limits... I can't see your site.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Episode 2 needs to be a torrent for sure.


Here's another mirror, hopefully don't use up my bandwith too fast.

www.fragsouth.com/AR_S01_E01_lowres.wmv

Enjoy while it lasts!

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

thanks to the guys on 195, episode one has a home. Episode 2 is on the way and hopefully ill have it ready before i go to work tomorrow at 6pm.

ANYONE who wants to mirror episode II PLEASE Private Message me.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

I am currently investigating a program called "WinMX" (http://www.winmx.com) that doesn't need mirrors and the only bandwidth being used is yours. However, it would be a good Idea to run it on a dedicated server because anybody can access your shared folder (which is settable.):eek: But you should try it. It's free. (just make sure you have plenty of firewalls and filters and spy-ware destroyers:D) good luck!:yikes:

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Dear viewers,

American Robot Episode 2 will be out sometime tonight, although the logistics of getting it to people are a bit scary. As you know, we exceeded the 50 gig/month bandwidth on our team site within 2 days last week, and many people have been gracious enough to help us with hosting or mirroring. I am a bit worried that ALOT of people are going to want to download episode 2 the second it is posted. This could be a bad thing. Some people should probably wait until Thursday just so that there is less traffic at the same time (i.e. avoid rush hour). I would ask any of you that can to share it with others point to point to assist with the distribution. I hope this helps.

Enjoy the viewing!

Rob

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apache/1.3.33 Server at uri.rhodewarrior.org Port 80

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

A Torrent is the only way to go on this one.

Rick is going to upload the video to the 195 server, and it will be available to download for a short period of time. At that point, we will get a torrent tracker set up, and post it here or on my site. Please use that if able to, it will aleviate the bandwith strains on URI's and 195's webservers.

(I believe we are set to go on bandwith, I contacted our host about serving a large amount of video files, and he said the server was up to it.)

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

We will have the following mirrors tonight:
Tom Schindler
Matt from 195
Tom from 195

Any more mirrors OR a reputable hosting source (thats free) would be greatly appreciated.

I have also found some private P2P software to use. This would be a last resort. Details to come.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

Did you notice phrontist's post on page three? Saying that he could host it too. I suggest that you might ask him too, seeing that even with 3 servers, a lot of people will still want it and the more servers the better. If you have already talked to him, disregard this post.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

what time tonight?? I'm checking like every 5 mins, if i could have an appro time frame, that would be nice. And what is the site that has the download?

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

I think the links will be posted when the video is uploaded, for "tom" from team 195...its going to be loaded on www.team195.com and for "Matt" probably his personal web-space.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

approx 4:30 pm

I will gather all of the mirror links and put into a new episode 2 post.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

I am beginning to host my own ftp place. I have technically unlimited bandwidth (as long as my computer stays on), and am planning on serving you videos. When I create an account, anybody should be able to access them with the given password and username later on. More to come.

Re: American Robot Episode 1
 

By the way, Where can I find a download?