Fan streaming video site a good idea?
This came up in the following thread http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/...here-hell.html
The concept (as I imagine it) would be a website where fans on the ground would stream video directly to the web from rallies for fans to view.
I would be really interested on thoughts on this. Both from those who might watch and those currently filming/photographing at rallies.
I can't quite get the concept out of my head and though I don't think I'm in a position to actually do anything about it would be good to get a wide range of ideas and thoughts on the concept.
I'm imagining a website where for example the fan on the stage ready to film would log on. Stage position could be recorded via hand held GPS or by clicking on a graphic of the stage on the website. They would then stream to the site directly for viewing. The footage would though remain as a record of the rally. Those that cannot stream direct could add video footage or photographs later to the correct point in the stage. In all it would end up as a superb record of each rally for the fans.
Fans might have a graphic of the stage showing where live stream was available whilst the stage was live and could point and click to follow live footage. After the stage was complete the footage and any extra media added would also remain for viewing later.
Another good concept would be to follow a driver through a stage, this would need some way to synch the footage being streamed to the car position - as I understand it the WRC cars now carry GPS locators - so that could be useful to achieve this.
As I said this really isn't a test of the water as I have no commercial interest in actually doing such a website. I'm just really interested in the concept. Perhaps a good discussion on the topic might just mean someone will pick it up and run with it and we all get the footage we would really like.
As I understand it, true streaming like this would require a special server so it would not be a trivial undertaking. So that also brings up how should it be funded, advertising or would people be willing to pay subscriptions to view etc? Should those submitting footage be paid etc. How would such a site stand with rights to show fan generated footage on the web?
I'm a bit naive about the technology, but it seems it could be done. But is it something that should be done?
So good or bad idea?
Pay of free for fans?
Is it possible to live stream video out of a cold forest directly to the web?
Would those currently filming seriously consider the expense/hassle of setting up to livestream?
As fans would we we all want such a site and use it?
and any other thoughts, suggestions!