Here it is!  We have part 1 of LA Riots available for download.  It’s an hour and 20 minutes long and part two will be out shortly.  If you’re wondering why it takes so long it’s because we had to edit and fix a few things in the editing room that we got wrong during the original live broadcast.  Also, I’m interested in hearing what you guys think of the release format because we can try it different ways.

Download links & pics after the jump…

Distribution Methods and Naming Conventions

I’m trying out different distribution methods for LA Riots.  The first is using Bit Torrent to distribute via MiniNova for free and the second is direct downloads via Hotfile.  The advantages of distributing through Bit Torrent and MiniNova are:

• no bandwidth costs
• faster download speeds
• visibility to a new audience

The disadvantages of Bit Torrent are:

• some ISPs throttle Bit Torrent downloads
• sub-optimal download speeds if not configured properly
• requires additional software to download i.e. uTorrent (Windows), Transmission (OS X)

The advantages of distributing through Hotfile are:

• no bandwidth costs for the distributor
• no Bit Torrent knowledge necessary for the downloader
• faster download speeds for premium users

The disadvantages of distributing through Hotfile:

• slower downloads (capped at 150k/s)  for free users
• one download at a time for free users

So that’s the difference.  These are the two methods with which we are able to distribute high quality videos for free at no cost to the downloader.  Other distribution options include DVDs and charging per download, both of which may be additional options in the future.  For now, these seem to be the best methods for distributing free downloads without having to pay for additional bandwidth.

Why Not Just Use YouTube?

YouTube is great for discovering new videos and watching short tutorial/combo videos, but not so good for distributing longer videos.  The goal of LA Riots was to produce a tournament with a run time that people will actually watch (sorry, I refuse to believe that anybody watches all 20 hours of a 2-day tournament).  Due to the 10 minute length limit, YouTube is not the best place to distribute long videos.  Yes, we can cut them up into 10 minute segments, but I want people to have the option to download the videos in a format they can store on their hard drive (h.264) or take with them on their portable devices (iPhone/iPod format).

If people are downloading the videos and adding them to their iTunes/Winamp/whatever library, I feel like they have more staying power and more value because they’ll be treated with the same respect as MP3s and downloaded movies.  In addition, these videos that we are putting out have a fair amount of production effort put into them and so I would rather they be distributed as they were meant to be seen (in one big chunk or sitting, not in 10 minute bites).

Do you prefer:

• one large file release (total runtime is 2hrs30min approximately at about 2GB file size)
• two releases of halves (this part is 871mb, part 2 should be about 950mb)
• weekly releases of approximately 40 minute files
• one large release of the matches cut into individual files

I’m leaning toward the last option so that we would have the files named as such:

gootecks_Coin-Op_TV_Evo_Energy-LA_Riots-120509 (folder name)

• 00-gootecks_Coin-Op_TV_Evo_Energy-LA_Riots-120509.nfo
• 00-gootecks_Coin-Op_TV_Evo_Energy-LA_Riots-120509.m3u
• 00-gootecks_Coin-Op_TV_Evo_Energy-LA_Riots-120509.sfv
• 01-Intro.m4v
• 02-Keno_(Balrog)_vs_Shizza_(Chun_Li)-wb.m4v
• 03-Kai_(El_Fuerte)_vs_ComboJack_(Sagat)-wb.m4v
• 04-Ken_I_(Akuma)_vs_Combofiend_(Abel)-wb.m4v
• 05-gootecks_(Balrog)_vs_Mike_Ross_(Honda_Zangief)-wb.m4v
• etc etc

WB stands for Winners’ Bracket and LB would stand for Losers’ Bracket.

The naming convention is derived from scene MP3 releases, which I believe are organized and packaged very efficiently and effectively.  The reason for splitting up the matches is very simple.  I’m viewing this event as a “video album” where each track is an individual match, rather than putting out one long album without tracks.  This way you can load them into iTunes, Winamp or whatever you use to watch your videos and be able to transfer them to your portable devices easier.

Of course this is probably going to have to wait until LA Riots II (January 16th, 2010 BTW) or at least until part 2 is finished.

Line-Up

• Keno (Balrog) vs. Shizza (Chun Li)
• Kai (El Fuerte) vs. ComboJack (Sagat)
• Ken I (Akuma) vs. Combofiend (Abel)
• gootecks (Balrog) vs. Mike Ross (E. Honda/Zangief)
• Kai (El Fuerte) vs. Shizza (Chun Li)
• Combofiend (Abel) vs. Mike Ross (Zangief)
• ComboJack (Sagat) vs. Keno (Balrog)

Photos

These photos are from Coin-Op TV

[View with PicLens]

Download

via Bit Torrent

[h.264] 871MB – 1hr20min
[iPhone] 900mb – 1hr20min

via Hotfile in RAR archive format

[h.264] Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
[iPhone] Part 1 - Part 2