Well, I have way too many opinions and not enough experience with this, yet. Broadcasting the audio at Speedweek, World of Speed and World Finals has the benefit of the live radio broadcasts in conjunction with the organizers' programs, with a feed available from a regular radio. Having watched video crews from Richard Lecky, ESPN and one other the name of which I can't remember right now, they have multiple camera people and directors, producers, etc. At the end of the day they hole up in their motorhomes and thrash through the day's take for an hour or two before leaving the salt. So, involking the KISS Principle . . . . first I'll say that I like the audio and the thread running on the forum, complete with photos uploaded when available. That's a package that serves those who can run the audio on their computer and those limited to just checking in on the thread.
On the other hand, a single camera video feed overlooking the starting line can pinch the organizer's radio trailer audio, like at WoS, without too much trouble. The weak link always seems to be the computer used to run the webcast. Some laptops just don't like running 12-13 hours a day, or maybe I just bring Slim my second rate rebuilt units and they are slightly less reliable than more spendy fresh computers.
We spoke of the split screen options, but watching the pros cover both ends of the course, the measured mile, the pits, the tower, etc., it takes people. I kind of like being in one place or on the move in the vehicle while audio runs, but, then again, that means one cannot wander through the pits and chat with friends all day or all week. Every camera for a split screen would need a volunteer connected to it with a short leash all day.
When I get back to St. Loo, I'll look at camera options and audio feeds. Lecky's crew had a rented lense that costs $120K to buy, and while it had dandy telescopic utility for the long shots, it's a lot of responsibility, let alone $$ to rent.
A single camera from the start line would be easiest at Speedweek, WoS & WF. At Shootout, vehicles start from a variety of places, in the pits, at the 0, at the 1/2, or the 1 1/2, or the mountain end, depending on driver or rider's decision, a decision that is made and/or changed rather quickly. The pro crews have people located all over just to grab short shots and be in on all the action all the time.
The netbook that gave us so much grief dropping the audio last year got an upgrade this season, and ran 13 hours straight one day this year, but wasn't without glitches over the course of two weeks. I'd brought a laptop with bigger drive and memory, but it was the least reliable of the two. Doing audio on the laptop gives us an audio mixer to use on the server's site. The netbook doesn't have enough beans to have that available. Oh, oh, I'm droning on with boring crap.
G'night.
