Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleNinja88
Encouraging these lower level events to try and achieve quality video as a goal would be great. Talking with the AV crew from PNW several times, I know it is a lot of work and acquiring the quality equipment they have is not necessarily cheap either. But if FIRST could help support teams in finding the funding, resources, and volunteers to pull it off would be a good start.
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I am happy there is so much interest in this subject. I believe that a great stream adds immense value to our events, which is why we (PNW) put together a strong video system and team. It allows others to be avid fans. It allows for schools across the region to show large numbers of students the dream of FIRST: To give recognition to science and technology.
The issue for FIRST is that video production is not in their core competencies. Shouldn't be either, they have enough to do. When they outsource the video production to others, the costs are surprising. It was cheaper for me to purchase all of the equipment for the PNW streaming setup than it was to hire a professional crew for a single event. Since we do 11 FRC events a year, the value proposition is quite reasonable. It cost us less than $1500 per event the first year. Subsequent years have about a 10% replacement / repair rate. So we spend about $3,000 a year (we have two full systems) in replacement cables and other enhancements.
To make this successful, a new cache of volunteer knowledge is required. The PNW took this on a couple of years ago knowing that a few dedicated individuals and a handful of students could put together a high class broadcast.
Our equipment is very reasonable quality, simple to use, and is good for 4 to 5 years. We have finished our second year. Each setup cost about $16,000 to put together. I shopped explicitly for equipment that would be suitable to be run by students, yet meets the standards for broadcast quality. As such, we end up with about 8 volunteers a week. Three of them need some level of training, and one technical director to help with the details needs a substantial (yet very doable) amount of training.
I am open to sharing everything we know with the greater FIRST community. FIRST is actively looking into how to improve the stream quality at all FRC events. Sometimes doing it with knowledgeable volunteers is a better approach. Keep in mind, most of the staff at an FRC event are volunteers. Integrating the volunteers in with the A/V company (Three Rivers, Sargent, or other local guys) isn't really a problem. It requires a set of volunteers to step forward and own it. Each show requires at least one adult to take ownership and to lead a group of other volunteers (adults and students)
Are you that person?
Kevin Ross
PNW District Chairman