This year we need instant replay

[KenWittlief]

Originally Posted by Collmandoman

I think many overestimate how much equipment you would need for instant replay. One camera would suffice mounted over the playing field.

we did an analysis of this back on page one of the thread. A typical video camera has a horizontal resolution of 500 or 520 pixels. Watching the entire 60 foot field with one camera you have a visual resolution of about 3" (per pixel) - which means your one camera will not be able to see hands, feet, arms and extensions sticking out of robots, the tires on the robots, or even to clearly define the lines on the floor. One camera will be useless for instant replays.

Video proof is proof - if there isn't 'indisputable' evidence then you move on. If there is - then do something about it. For people saying that it would be UN GP to have instant replay, I can only say send me directions to your utopia - I'd love to live there. Regardless it's not even an issue about GP.

when you work with technology its easy to start thinking that everything else in the world is cut and dry, black and white, ones and zeros. Its not. Everyone who plays sports knows at some point errors will be made, fouls will be missed by the refs, and bad calls will be made. Sporting events are not 100% fair. That is part of the game. That is not a cop-out, its not GP nonsense, its the reality of the situation.

And this is the misdirected path I was talking about at the top of this page. Once you start down this path, thinking "it should be possible to make the game 'fair' with the right technology", then your basic reasoning is misguided. No sport game can ever be 100% fair - at some point you have to accept that fact, have the personal character to accept it: gracefully. Thats what 'sportsmanship' is all about - understanding this is a game, its not life and death.

You play your best, the refs do their best, and at the end of the day we are FIRST, collectively. Nobody is going to lose a college scholarship, or their job, because their team lost a FIRST match.

Some sponsor drops you because they dont' get enough recognition bc you lost the regional! (I know that's complame) BUT OMG what if?! I guess they aren't in FIRST for the right reasons then!! right?! but that doesn't matter, you dont' have money now-- boohoo

if that really were the case then I believe you will be better off not having that team anymore. The students on a team that only exists to further the image of a corporate sponsor will have a miserable experience, and that team will do a great deal of damage to FIRST as a whole.