What to Expect In Atlanta

[dani190]

might sound like a dumb question but is a video camera in the stands useful at all?
Or is the distance so great that its useless?

What about a video camera/ cameras with telephoto lenses on the field?

We plan to be recording off the field management or w.e system also so...

Any advice on this sort of topic is greatly appreciated.

[rspurlin]

Assuming that things are as they have been in the past, minus the tornado:

You will have one media pass so that someone can join your team on the dome floor for photo/video. Since there is a wall before the first row of seats, your media person can usually stand there and get good close up video and photos without obstructing the view of the spectators. You will not be allowed to be near the drive teams during the match, nor will you be permitted to interfere with the army of refs, field reset and other volunteers working the field.

Many teams do take a video feed off the FIRST equipment, but there are a limited number of ports. Other teams set up behind the last row of seats with a camera either recording to tape or a laptop. These teams are usually also doing heavy duty scouting with this setup.

Normal camera lenses work fine if you're on the dome floor. The further you go up in the seats, the more you'll need that telephoto capability. For a clue as to size, go to your nearest football stadium that seats 71,000 people and walk around.

Lastly, make contacts with the other teams in your matches and arange to share video with them, especially if they have the match from a different angle. At our one and only regional, I took my camera down to the lowest row of seats neat the opposing alliance drive station. The school camera was close to midfield but higher up in the stands. That way we have two different angles to study our performance.

[mtaman02]

Each field will have its on A/V Output to any video device of your choice...

JUST MAKE SURE YOU BRING any adapters you think you might need since it's first come first serve (adpaters e.g. BNC Connectors).

as well as what rspurlin as said

[dani190]

Ok so in other words having 2 video cameras, recording field feed and having like 3 cameras is not overkill?

[mtaman02]

Originally Posted by dani190

Ok so in other words having 2 video cameras, recording field feed and having like 3 cameras is not overkill?

haha not really... a couple in the stands with dif angles is a good idea and one on foot isn't bad either. plus if you want from FIRST's view then one to take off their feed would also be good.

[dani190]

Next question is then how do u guys deal with your dv tapes? Il end up with 8 easy with 2 cameras going daily.... Are u guys offloading tape during the day and re using tapes?

[mtaman02]

Originally Posted by dani190

Next question is then how do u guys deal with your dv tapes? Il end up with 8 easy with 2 cameras going daily.... Are u guys offloading tape during the day and re using tapes?

just changing them out before the time runs out but beofre the next match... then offloading at the hotel and re-using them OR just keep changing them and offloading when you get back to your home location.

[rspurlin]

I should have mentioned this before. It's the Essential Information document from the FIRST website. It has a few more details about the video side of things and the media pass, and lots more details about other aspects of the event. Your experience will be greatly improved if your team members are aware of the information in that document as well as the other info FIRST publishes about Championships.

It is like running 4 large regionals simultaneously, but with FTC and FLL events going on as well to ensure consistent chaos.

[dani190]

ok thanks guys, we have 12 dv tapes and i will be offloading whenever i get a chance and keep circulating them...

We will also be recording the live feeds...

[robotlover]

I'm also a rookie this year and have a question! Are all 7 of the fields (for FRC FLL and FTC) all in the same area, or are they really far spread out? Because I would like to visit the FTC and FLL events/pits and check out how that runs, but I'm not sure how much time I'll have if their fields are far away.....

[A_Reed]

Originally Posted by robotlover

I'm also a rookie this year and have a question! Are all 7 of the fields (for FRC FLL and FTC) all in the same area, or are they really far spread out? Because I would like to visit the FTC and FLL events/pits and check out how that runs, but I'm not sure how much time I'll have if their fields are far away.....

All six fields are housed under the roof of the Georgia dome and all of the pits are in Hall C of the convention center.

You can easily walk between both venues, with time permitting, it's not like they are all in separate buildings.

You can watch matches to your hearts content in the dome, walk across the plaza--don't get hit with a frizbee of course--into to the convention center and see all three events' pits all in one very large room.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by robotlover

I'm also a rookie this year and have a question! Are all 7 of the fields (for FRC FLL and FTC) all in the same area, or are they really far spread out? Because I would like to visit the FTC and FLL events/pits and check out how that runs, but I'm not sure how much time I'll have if their fields are far away.....

All the fields are in the same place, the Georgia Dome. All the pits are in the same place, Hall C of the GWCC. If you have enough time to check out another division, you have time to check out FTC and FLL.

[robotlover]

Okay thanks a bunch ^_^ See you guys around in Atlanta

[gorrilla]

I have a question?

how bright does it get in there?

like is there dark spots where it might be hard to work or something(the pits and the dome)



600th post lol

[EricH]

Originally Posted by gorrilla

I have a question?

how bright does it get in there?

like is there dark spots where it might be hard to work or something(the pits and the dome)

Usually, it's pretty bright. If the tarps aren't up, light comes from the sun in the Dome. If they are, there are other lights used.

As for the pits, in most places it's bright enough. If you're near one of the screens, though, make sure that the nearby lights are on. It's a safety hazard if they aren't, because then you can't see well enough to work effectively. Chase down as many people as you can to get the lights on. (Safety judges, FTAs, Pit Admin, people in dark blue FIRST shirts, people from Show Ready, etc.)