Quote:
Originally Posted by Pendulum^-1
Considering that video equipment is so cheap now that multiple teams (including our team) currently have their robots equipped with GoPRO cameras capable of recording 1080P video for 6 consecutive hours on one 32 GB chip, I fail to see why the above cannot be done at multiple venues for not much cost. Get GoPRO or another video vendor to sponsor it and set it up.
|
All right, I'll bite.
Let's assume that there are 20 fields, each needing its own camera(s). Let's assume that the powers-that-be want a streaming version (any); each camera is $200 minimum (GoPros in this case). Let's also assume that one is NOT enough--pretty reasonable assumption. Let's randomly say that each field gets 5 (partly because that gives a pretty good view, and partly because that gives some nice round numbers). Let me say again: One is NOT enough! If one doesn't work for instant replay, one probably won't work for scouting. (For one thing, how do you identify the robots from above?)
Anyways, 5 x $200 X 20 fields gives $20,000 to set up the cameras that are now broadcasting on a WiFi signal. This does not include any receivers or recorders. Not too bad--but you have no spares (figure 1/field, for an extra $4000) and potential interference.
Let's briefly assume that instead of sending out on WiFi, the cameras record data--just record it. For it to be useful to a group of scouts, the records need to be pulled out of each camera. 32GB is a lot of data to pull at a time, and now there are 5 of those... per event... going up AND being downloaded (and that doesn't even factor in parsing). Not to mention the multi-view options.
Essentially, it could be done. But it's not going to be easy, or cheap.
Quote:
|
The poor video feeds to the internet, and lack of video feed availability in general, really needs to be addressed. And it should help address the scouting/seating issues. Want 20 scouts pouring over match data? No problem. Examine the (multiple-angle?) HD video for hours, using pause, slow-motion, whatever. The access to such match video data should help teams improve their scouting significantly.
|
I'll also bite here. Yes, the poor feeds need to be addressed. Guess what? FIRST does not run the feeds. Local teams/groups do. But they take the video from the video board at the event--there's typically a drop box near Pit Admin or somewhere like that specifically for that purpose--so you get what's being shown on the screen. (I know there are exceptions--teams place their own cameras for some casts.)
It gets better, though. For webcasting, you need an internet connection. Field traffic gets top priority--FMS sends data to FIRST after each match, FTAs may need to e-contact their know-how to help solve problems, stuff like that--and usually has a dedicated line--which may be the only one in the building. If there isn't another one, webcasting over wireless could be somewhat problematic.
However, I don't see that as helping scouting OR seating in the slightest. I can't say that I know of many teams who use video to scout in the first place--they might record matches and just look at the ones they want on occasion, or use video to help their drivers, but very few actually use the video to scout, regardless of source. Also, now you have the entire scout team sitting down somewhere to watch video (or just sitting down)--now another 10 or so of those 40 seats saved by 4 persons have people in them, so it's 14 saving 40 instead of 10 saving 40. (Or maybe 14 saving 50--something like that.)