From f7c17293c9ed17626e3f9771b863ccd17de50e2d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Neale Pickett Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:15:49 -0600 Subject: [PATCH] new paper on derby A/V --- papers/derby-av.mdwn | 96 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ papers/index.mdwn | 1 + 2 files changed, 97 insertions(+) create mode 100644 papers/derby-av.mdwn diff --git a/papers/derby-av.mdwn b/papers/derby-av.mdwn new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f993920 --- /dev/null +++ b/papers/derby-av.mdwn @@ -0,0 +1,96 @@ +title: Running Audio/Visual for a Roller Derby Bout + +If you are a small team getting ready to bout, you are probably +worried about the audio and video requirements. +[LADD](http://losalamosderbydames.com/) worried about this too. +Here's what we currently use: + +Audio: $310 new, under $200 used +================================ + +There are good reasons to hire a DJ: it's one less thing to worry +about, and you don't need to drop a lot of money on a sound system. +But after a few bouts you might realize you can save money by doing it +yourself. + +* One speaker: Harbinger APS-15 ($250 new) +* Two wireless mics: Nady DKW Duo ($60 new) + +The important thing about sound at a bout is the announcer, *not* the +music. I think a small team would do just fine with a single powered +speaker, two wireless mics, and somebody's MP3 playlist. The +Harbinger APS-15 provides a built-in amp *and* mixer, so you really +only need these two items. + +You do not really need to hire a DJ if you can provide a powered speaker +and mics. I have been to a number of bouts, each time with a keen ear +on the music. I've talked to as many DJs as I could, and with the +notable exception of the 2011 Nationals in Denver, they have all told +me their job was to set up equipment and play a mix CD provided by the +team, or a playlist on some team member's MP3 player. They've all been +sort of bored. + +If you want to go for a full mobile DJ setup, I have a [separate DJ +article](dj.html) you might enjoy. Total cost is $650 for that. + + +Video: $350 new, under $300 used +================================ + +Your scoreboard should show period time *and* jam time. Because most +hockey/basketball/etc. scoreboards only have one timer, most teams use +a projector and computer. The Los Alamos Derby Dames has a +[free roller derby scoreboard](http://woozle.org/scoreboard/) you may +use, and there are a few other free options available. + +When shopping for a projector, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the +options. Look for **high lumens** and **low resolution**. + +Lumens +------ + +Lumens are the units that measure how *bright* a projector is. Unless +you are playing in a dark room, you will need at least 2500 lumens. + +You *need to* test some projectors in your venue before committing to a +purchase. The deciding factor here is "ambient light": how much light +is already in the area for your projector to compete with. This is really +the only way to know for sure what your needs are. + +The Derby Dames bought a 2800-lumen projector, after trying a few out +in our outdoor (shady) venue. 4000 lumens or more would have been +better, but those cost over $600. + + +Resolution/Pixels +----------------- + +The resolution is how many dots there are on a screen, like megapixels in +a digital camera. The more dots, the crisper the image. + +Your scoreboard is displaying gigantic numbers to people maybe 100 feet +away. You don't have to care about resolution. + +The Derby Dames bought an 800x600 projector, which is more than enough for +a scoreboard, and can even do 720p (for DVDs). + + +Projection Screen +----------------- + +A good projection screen can really help make your scoreboard more visible. +They are also terribly expensive for the size you will need at a bout. + +Find some way to hang a queen-size white bed sheet vertically and call +it good enough. If you have any team members or fans who like nailing boards +together, you can whip up a decent structure out of scrap lumber. Remember, +it doesn't need to look pretty: you're going to cover it up with a sheet. + + +Summary +======= + +You can run all of this for about $650 new, maybe under $400 if you +shop around for used equipment. + +Ask me questions! I like to help! diff --git a/papers/index.mdwn b/papers/index.mdwn index 67917fa..ab8fc81 100644 --- a/papers/index.mdwn +++ b/papers/index.mdwn @@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ These are papers I have written. Most of them were written to explain a concept to someone on woozle. Hopefully other people will find them useful, too. +* [Running Audio/Visual for a Roller Derby Bout](derby-av.html) * [Dirtbags DJ Setup](dj.html) * [How to make the game of Monopoly suck less](monopoly.html) * [Reply-To Munging Still Considered Harmful](reply-to-still-harmful.html)