Team Video - Capturing the Moment
TEAM VIDEO - PROGRESS REPORT 1
For the past few weeks, the video group has explored the many possibilities of recording the #LaunchTheTorch project. From the beginning, we unanimously decided that 360 degree video was the best way to capture the most spectacular shots. Using five GoPro Hero 3 cameras attached to the bottom of the weather balloon, the video will show the Earth from horizon to horizon as the FSU logo pushes its way into the stratosphere. From there we researched several different video stitching softwares that could be used to stitch the videos from the GoPros together, narrowing them down to three programs: Video Stitch, Kolor, and Freedom 360. After reading reviews from several online sources and weighing out the pros and the cons of each software, we decided to use Kolor since it was highly recommended and is the official software used by GoPro. To mount the cameras to the weather balloon, we needed a rig that could hold all five cameras while also keeping them safe and secure. Some for sale online cost up to $700, luckily we found free blueprints for a GoPro rig that we could 3D Print.
While the group did accomplish a lot, we ran into several challenges along the way. The 360 degree stitching software is very expensive. Kolor costs €599.00 (≈$650), which would cost a large chunk of our budget. Luckily, Dr. Marty found someone that we could borrow the video stitching software from, saving us a lot of money. Also, we encountered some problems when trying to 3D print the GoPro rig. One of our group members had to learn how to use the 3D printing software to reconfigure the rig’s design so that we should fit all the cameras on it.
After overcoming the obstacles with the stitching software and the GoPro rig, there are a few more things we need to accomplish in the video group. Since we figured out how to fix the design for the GoPro rig, we now have to print it and test it. The tests we run will determine if it is stable enough to hold the GoPros and also how the cameras look when everything is attached and running. Also, we will need to obtain all five GoPros. Right now, we only have two in our possession so we will have to figure out if we can find someone we can borrow the GoPros from, or whether we will have to buy more online.
