Orlando Regional Live Broadcast

[ttcole1254]

Alright. I wouldn't know where to start to find their contact info. Do you know where I could find it?

[MARS_James]

Originally Posted by ttcole1254

Alright. I wouldn't know where to start to find their contact info. Do you know where I could find it?

Link

[Mr B]

I too have family and friends that would love to watch, and I'm grateful that you are taking on this challenge. Plus, I'm sure there are a lot of scouts out there that would like a first look at some of the great robots in Orlando. I'd prefer it if your field shot was a static view of the whole field - and a bonus if it's from up high. Cameras sometimes zoom in on the face of a driver while an epic robot battle takes place on the field. But hey, it's your gig. Do whatever you like and we'll be happy. Thanks!

[ttcole1254]

I'm hoping I can get really high up, but I don't know.. The shot of the field will definitely be static, but the other cam will move every now and then. We're thinking of having a television with the show on it in our pit and also next to the control system so people can watch. I'll have the URL on the bottom of those TVs so people walking by can watch it for themselves if they would like.

We're planning on setting up on the second floor (where you get into the stands) because I would like to keep as much wired as I can. Wireless cameras are iffy at this point, problems keep popping up. Part of the problem is that we have to rely on 3G smartphones to provide Internet to the wireless cams.

If anyone could get me some really good open source music, I'm taking requests as I honestly don't have any plans for music right now. Hoping for at least 200 songs total to avoid it being annoying. So far I found foobar2000 to handle music playlists, but if any of you have better ideas, I'd be willing to look into them.

Also, I don't know how we're going to receive the scores live to post on the scoreboard. Maybe have the stands camera operator be on a chat on their phone and they can tell the scores as they change.

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by ttcole1254

If anyone could get me some really good open source music, I'm taking requests as I honestly don't have any plans for music right now. Hoping for at least 200 songs total to avoid it being annoying. So far I found foobar2000 to handle music playlists, but if any of you have better ideas, I'd be willing to look into them.

Two of my favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe
http://www.youtube.com/user/AudioPad

Both 100% free to use, even commercially. For the second link, take note of the license for any song you download, since some may require you to attribute the song. I would assume a lower third with the name of the song and artist would suffice.

Originally Posted by ttcole1254

Also, I don't know how we're going to receive the scores live to post on the scoreboard. Maybe have the stands camera operator be on a chat on their phone and they can tell the scores as they change.

https://twitter.com/frcfms

While not 100% reliable, it's close enough for you to use for a live broadcast. How you translate the tweets into data suitable for your broadcasting software is up to you.

[ttcole1254]

Really cool. Thanks for the info! I'll definitely get those tracks downloaded and set up in a playlist We're also thinking of conducting interviews and then airing them throughout the regional at different times. Does this seem like a good idea?

[MARS_James]

Originally Posted by ttcole1254

We're also thinking of conducting interviews and then airing them throughout the regional at different times. Does this seem like a good idea?

Who are you planning on interviewing?

[ttcole1254]

Originally Posted by MARS_James

Who are you planning on interviewing?

Anyone willing really.. members of other teams, mentors, etc.. just to get people's opinion about the games, how they participate, what their team does, stuff like that. It's actually an idea one of my friends had who is also on the team. It's a last minute kind of thing, so it's up in the air as to if we're actually going to do it or not.

[ttcole1254]

Alright, so we got everything taken care of in terms of permission, and we'll actually be getting help from Moose team 1065 in order to pull it off. It will broadcast to the web on UStream (MekheadsLive is what it's called now.. will change the name to reflect the collaboration) as well as possibly having sections on Nasa TV as well as some other extras. We've got 8 HD security cameras, some wireless cameras, camcorders, etc. so it should be great!

If any of you guys have any music suggestions, we'd love to have em. Just make sure they're copyright free, or the owner has given permission. If they require credit on the stream, that can be arranged without a problem.

Also any help in general would be greatly appreciated. What would you like to see done on the show?

[dodar]

Do you guys have ideas to where these cameras will be placed?

[ttcole1254]

As of right now, no not quite yet. We'll for sure have a majority of them in the stands placed at different strategic locations.

So far, I know that our team will definitely have a camera in the pits, on the robot, and at the driver station looking at the drivers' faces. Other angles aren't set in stone yet.

Did you have any in mind?

[peetam22]

Do you know what the link would be for the live stream? I'm assuming this would be a separate stream from the NASA TV one, correct?

[ttcole1254]

I don't yet.. we haven't agreed on a name for it yet. I'll post a URL as soon as I can though.

Actually, I know for a fact that a link will be placed on our homepage (mekheads.org) in the top right corner.

[dodar]

I would say that you could do one up above the stands perpendicular to the field. 1 up high above the stands behind each driver station overlooking the field and then 1 on each corner of the field closest to the stands looking towards the corner across the field from it. I'd also say if possible to have one camera just continuously pointed towards the score screen.

[Denise Bohnsack]

Tyler from the Mekheads, just wanted to say your first message was very eloquent and well written and I commend you for your efforts to enhance the FIRST experience for those watching online.Also for the gracious professionalism you have shown in asking others opinions and cooperating with other teams/groups efforts. Thank you.