Monero Defcon 27 Supplies
What
Last year the people at Defcon were nice enough to provide us Audio/Video recording for our village, however the quality could have been better as can be seen from the videos here:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SuzXZj9FIk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjM3GTBaUvo
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAzYkg3wuHs
Why did the video suck and how can it be improved?
The main problem with the video quality was lighting. The ISO might have been set too high causing a grainy image with lots of noise. The proposed solution is to use a LED lighting to help lower the ISO and properly light the subject from different angles. I plan to rent a Promaster LED1000B Specialist LED 2 Light Transport Kit from B&C Camera.
Another problem with the video, was audio. To improve it, I will rent a Zoom H5 Handy Recorder to record the sound directly from the mixer. After Defcon, I'll import the audio and edit the videos with Shotcut. In post-production, I'm going to blur the faces of attendees if recorded by accident to protect their privacy. I will then upload the videos to Youtube. This work will be done on an unpaid basis.
In addition, I plan to set up a live video stream with Elgato Cam Link 4K and OBS. The video link will be embedded directly in the Monero village website. Stream will be broadcast in 720p/60 fps format and will connect to a HDMI Switch to have 3 feeds to switch from live (projector, camcorder A, camcorder B).
The video set up will be as follows:
The PA system
Last year, we didn't have a PA system for the first few talks due to difficulties in coordinating with goons. Defcon can be hectic and it is hard getting in contact with the right people. They were able to eventually help us get one set up. It would be much better to have our own PA system set up before the talks. I suggest getting this Rockville Package PA System.
The audio set up will be as follows:
How do you plan to store all this stuff after Defcon?
Last year, the community funded the purchase of supplies and a member that lives in Las Vegas helped with receiving packages (an inventory of what we have can be viewed here). After Defcon, I packed all the supplies and banners in a large duffle bag and checked in the luggage for my trip back home. I kept the bag in a garage and will take it with me back to Las Vegas this year. If we fund the purchase of Audio/Video equipment, it is not practical to fly stuff back and forth.
I propose leasing a space in Las Vegas in a climate-controlled warehouse. I've received a quote from a logistics company that specializes in expos. We will be able to ship supplies from Amazon directly to the company for storage. A community member plans to rent a SUV during Defcon and has offered to help transport between the warehouse to hotel and back.
Who
I am ajs. I've co-authored the scripts for the Monero explainer videos and volunteered last year to help with Defcon badges, supplies, and communications direction. This year, I will be response for A/V activities, communications direction, and logistics delivery.
Proposal & Milestones
- Sign storage lease (1 year, includes package handling charges) - June 15, 2019 ($800)
- Purchase A/V equipment - July 1, 2019 ($1,128.22)
- Oversized checked baggage (last year's supplies and banners) - August 5, 2019 ($100)
- Rental equipment August 6, 2019 ($524.56)
Promaster LED1000B Specialist LED 2 Light Transport Kit - Bi-Color
Qty: 7 Days @ $17.14
$120.00
Deposit $300.00
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Body
Qty: 7 Days @ $40.71
$285.00
Deposit $3000.00
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Qty: 7 Days @ $4.29
$30.00
Deposit $50.00
Benro Mach 3 Legs with Manfrotto MHXPRO-2W 2-Way Pan/Tilt Head
Qty: 7 Days @ $4.29
$30.00
Deposit $100.00
Canon LP-E6N Battery
Qty: 7 Days @ $2.14
$15.00
Deposit: $50.00
Zoom H5 Handy Recorder with Interchangeable Microphone System
Qty: 7 Days @ $8.57
$60.00
Deposit: $100.00
Sub-Total: $480.00
Tax (8.25%): $44.55
Total (USD): $524.56Total cost: $2,552.78
Security deposit: $3,600 (deposit will be returned to core team after the event and saved for next year's rentals)
Exchange estimate of 1 XMR = 85 USD
Grand Total: 73 XMR
Merge request reports
Activity
I'm quite always in favor of buying new stuff and having things for later use. I have one question, isn't there a possibility for leasing/renting the equipment?
I'm just asking, I would prefer buying things for later use and I do accept this proposal. You have the experience and everything looks it has been working well (Btw, I checked the inventory. Nice to have Monero supplies).
Yes, it is possible, but the problem is that rental companies, such as B&C, require a large security deposit. I am not sure how practical this would be in the context of the CCS. For instance, should I use the community funds to make the deposit and then return it after Defcon? If so, to whom, the core team? There are some benefits of renting though. We could get more professional equipment and use the raised funds again for the security deposit next year. The equipment we are buying here is budget entry-level equipment.
I have some doubts about buying the equipment (at least the audio/video stuff). If i got this correctly the equipment will be used once a year and then it will sit in a garage. That's a waste, beside the fact that audio components tend to degradate if not used and checked regularly. Also, seems like it would be a pain in the ass to move all that stuff around.
I see the issue with giving a large deposit, but i would investigate that possibility anyway, because buying 2000$ of equipment to use it only once and then sit in a garage for the rest of the year is a waste of money. it would be much easier to rent the needed stuff from a local business in Vegas. Usually, a/v stuff is bought if there is the certainty of a repeated use, otherwise, in my experience, renting is always the best option.
I think the solution could be to say in the proposal that N amount is needed for the deposit and that N amount will be sent back to the general fund once refunded by the renter. I would support a proposal with those terms.
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@erciccione @lh1008 @ProkhorZ proposal updated to include rental equipment
mentioned in commit eb912c1f
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There is the feeling by many in the community that this proposal has been merged too early. We didn't have time to discuss the changes @ajs proposed, but this got merged anyway. Also, some details were not matching (in fact, another MR has been opened just now to fix this: !74 (merged) )
@luigi1111 Could you clarify? The discussion is ongoing in
#monero-communityEdited by erciccione
