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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 0 Comments

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Matt just completed production on what will be the show intro to our Plaid tour webisodes. AWESOME stop motion animation. The piece is comprised of 125 individual still photos, brought to life as animation.

Brent Meyer and Todd Lester wrote and produced the custom "Plaid Van" theme song. (Which totally rocks, btw.) You'll eventually be able to download the full version of the song for your iPod. Or iPhone. Or other iDevice.

We'll be video taping everything that happens on tour, and producing regular webisodes that document all of our adventures. The tour kicks off on July 16 - so keep it tuned here for the latest updates!

Labels: dashboard, van, webisode

posted by darryl ohrt at 12:13 PM 1 Comments

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Brian setup the webcam, that will eventually be mounted in the Plaid van. We went with a Logitech camera, and Brian is working out the windshield mounting system.

While on the road, you'll be able to watch our every move. Who's sleeping, who's working, who's staring out the window in a fog. Hopefully at least one person will be attentive, and at the wheel. That's the plan anyway.

Labels: dashboard, van

posted by darryl ohrt at 12:23 AM 0 Comments

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A little more than three weeks before the tires hit the pavement. A sneak peek at what will become our online dashboard for the tour is above.

Rob just completed the work, and Paul's in the process of connecting all of the feeds that will feature live media streams. The van at the top of the page animates, and content will include a live webcam, Twitter, Flicker and blog feeds, and of course webisodes of the daily adventures.

You'll also be able to track our every move - with a GPS/Google maps mashup. NYC to Dallas, watch out!

Labels: dashboard, gps

posted by darryl ohrt at 12:04 PM 2 Comments