It’s a shame that so many tech events in DC go un-recorded. The talks given at Refresh, developer events, unconferences, lectures, and presentations could all have lasting value, but are essentially discarded by not being captured in the first place.
So, lets stop letting that happen. For about $2k we can get a dozen flip cameras, with tripods. We can get free bandwidth, hosting, and transcoding simply by uploading to the internet archive.
I’m sure the logistics of managing a pool of loaner camera’s would be challenging, but doable.
For discussion:
What am I missing?
How do we raise the money?
Got any better ideas for the capture hardware, or the hosting solution?
Comments 11
I think this is a fantastic idea!
Managing the checkout of the cameras could be done via a Google Spreadsheet or Google Calendar at first and then I’m sure someone could build an app (nothing too polished) in an evening or two.
As far as getting the cameras, for the bigger events, why doesn’t one of the sponsor slots be “Video Provided by [Company Name]“? It could be a $250 sponsor slot and could be one of the main slots (more press, bigger logo on things, etc.).
Just a thought.
Posted 16 Nov 2009 at 5:38 am ¶You could always set up a camera and use ustream.tv.
Dallas php user group does this now. I have mentioned doing a live stream to the dcphp group.
I am sure you can get a bunch of people who already have flips to record them.
Posted 16 Nov 2009 at 6:22 am ¶I’m curious about what other people think about streaming.
The trick to depending on people who already own cams is trying to track down someone at every event who has one– it may be part of the solution, but probably won’t be the *whole* solution.
Another random thought: would audio alone be enough for many events? Most?
Posted 16 Nov 2009 at 6:52 am ¶Great idea Ross!
Posted 16 Nov 2009 at 9:52 am ¶Excellent idea, Ross. I would love to have more NetSquared and DC tech events recorded and/or livestreamed (at least when there’s a consistent speaker). The challenge we’ve faced in consistently doing this hasn’t been equipment but (wo)manpower. As you all know there are a ton of moving parts to an event, so you need a volunteer who can focus solely on video. I may have finally found that for NetSquared, but then the camera issue came up.
I’m a big fan of Ustream, but there were just too many technical issues with poor audio and again, having someone sit at the laptop to move it around and interact with the chatroom and cater to the ~50 people there in addition to the live crowd.
So anyway, maybe in addition to a few readily accessible cameras we could have a video corps of volunteers who might be available (if they’re interested and attending the event anyway).
Posted 17 Nov 2009 at 10:03 am ¶We started recording last night. We’re going to livestream next time (didn’t have the right camera), but for now: http://net2dc.blip.tv/
Posted 18 Nov 2009 at 1:03 pm ¶Rock, Matt– Watching now, it turned out great.
What did you record with?
Posted 18 Nov 2009 at 1:28 pm ¶I can’t take credit. Noah Kunin, new Multimedia Content Producer at the Sunlight Foundation, is helping us out on this front. He had a legit hard drive based video camera and tripod, and next time we’ll be livestreaming with a camera, laptop, microphones, and FireWire cable. Again, all thanks to Noah. In the past I’ve tried using my Macbook webcam and flip cams, both to mixed results.
Posted 18 Nov 2009 at 3:20 pm ¶Our course this is a great idea. The problem isn’t a lack of resources – certainly there are already enough cameras in market, with enough operators to do a good job recording as many meetups as possible.
This is a matter of INCENTIVES and RESPONSIBILITY. While people have from time recorded and streamed sessions ‘out of the goodness of their heart’ – what would it look like if there were a tangible perk to doing so? What if it was ‘your job’ in the community to do so for a certain # of meetups?
Just a thought. I don’t have the solution – I need some coffee first.
Posted 23 Nov 2009 at 7:40 am ¶We recorded the Scala Lift off main presentation from Martin Odersky. Still trying to figure out what to do with it. I’ll let you know when we get it up on the web somewhere.
Posted 23 Nov 2009 at 12:20 pm ¶Ross, @corbett3000, @Matt, et al – Super ideas, with the volunteer corps and incentives having great potential.
As for DC Media Makers, we record irregularly and usually with Ustream. Would love to steady that.
As for incentive – I commit to donating a $25 Amex Gift Card to the volunteer video corps (who could commit to a biz quarter?). What do you think of that idea? Just starting a gift ‘fund’ pool?
Posted 13 Dec 2009 at 10:11 am ¶Trackbacks & Pingbacks 3
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