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GEEK ALERT: This post is all about cameras and technology. Politely ignore if those types of things bore you.

Here's proof that even with advance testing and preparation, things can go wrong.

We've planned for three live webcams when the van is rolling. Each camera has a laptop dedicated to it, to maximize streaming. Of course we're rolling with Macs. Since Mac laptops come with a webcam built in, they're picky about which webcams they'll recognize.

Apple made a webcam years ago (the iSight) that works seamlessly with Apple laptops. Only one problem. Apple stopped producing iSights many years ago. We had purchased two of them on eBay prior to the tour, and had another Logitech camera in the office, successfully running off a Mac. Figured that would be no problem.

Luckily we arrived in Seattle with a pre-production crew so there was time for one last road test. After wiring the van, we fired up all of the cameras for a test broadcast. But the Logitech camera wouldn't work.

Made a quick stop at BestBuy, for another "mac friendly" cam. Which didn't work. Next stop: the Apple store in SouthCenter Seattle. Purchased another Logitech that is guaranteed Apple friendly. Nope. Two hours and two Apple "geniuses" later, we're all stumped. After attempting many scripts (thanks Brian!!), drivers and patches, we've concluded that the iSight is the only camera guaranteed to work for our situation.

We put out a tweet to our Twitter friends. Asked the Apple fanboys at the store in Seattle. And called the team at home on the east coast.

Sara found a used iSight in Derby, CT. And spent her Saturday evening on a wild adventure through Connecticut purchasing a camera from who knows who. It's on a JetBlue flight with Matt as we speak, who joins the tour this afternoon.

So tomorrow morning - we'll be live. With three cameras. We'll dedicate the dashboard cam to Sara. The SaraCam. Thanks Sara, for saving the day!!

Labels: dashboard, technology, van

posted by darryl ohrt at 10:28 AM

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