TOKYODV Video Log

I met up with one of the founders of Vgo Communications to talk about their latest ‘active presence personal avatar’. I was impressed with the simple design, functionality, and price. At around 5,000 USD, I can see this little thing flying off the shelves for gandma and grandpa..

From the press release: “.. A remote worker establishes their presence in a distant location using VGO, a 4 ft tall stylish audio / video communication device. The remote person’s live image is displayed on the LCD display and they can be heard through VGO’s integrated speakers. With its intelligent drive system, a distant worker can maneuver in tight spaces and turn within VGO’s footprint. VGO can move from a snail’s pace to a brisk walking speed…”
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An interpretation of robot evolution; reptilian, seated/upright, then bipedal. Definite cheese factor evident, but the clip was popular when first released. Some decent shots of the serpent robot, with its small spinning drive-train and ability to roll-over or climb obstacles.
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Two Honda Asimo play soccer, climb stairs, and shadow box on a platform. One plays with a girl and chases her around the arena.

In the last frame, you’ll see a projection of Asimo’s vision. Something like Terminator, it registers the height, angle of the arms, and movement of a child in a computerized brain interface..

(music produced by Jay Berlinsky at Musicians Media Inc – your one stop shop for over 3000+ Music loops in 23 styles, licensed tracks for sale)
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Scenes from a robot expo in Yokohama, Japan. Celebrating Astro Boy’s 50th anniversary, this expo focused on cute, entertaining robots. Featuring Honda Asimo, Sony Qrio, and the cyclops Neon.
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Five small robots dance on stage, do the hula, and shuffle their feet. I think the best shots are of the assistants placing them on stage and turning them on..
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I’ve had my issues with YouTube in the past, but they’ve definitely bumped-up their quality of encoding recently. Not quite Vimeo, but pretty damn good.

I started re-encoding some of TokyDV’s ‘classics’ in 16×9, high definition (well, online HD). But with original 4×3 aspect ratio content, I’m always left with two ‘black bars’ on both sides of the video. This annoys me. I’ve squeezed 4×3 clips into 16×9 before, but it stretches and distorts the content.

To omit of the black bars, I shifted the video content to one side and used the remaining area for something I call an ‘add panel’, or ‘advidisement’. But this space doesn’t only have to be for adds (although, that’s probably what it’ll become); see what I’ve done with the World Trade Center Tribute, or collaboration videos with Tokyo Reporter. There are a number of uses. Although, depending on what’s in the space, it could be just annoying.

TokyoDV Tube! – Check out channel TokyoDV on Vimeo and DailyMotion!

Some close-ups of Asimo’s ankle joints, tinted face shield, and knees.

The lighting was strange/futuristic and the fluid/freaky motions of Asimo made this an intriguing clip; still one of my personal favorites. Shot at one of the Robodex Expos in Yokohama, Japan.
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Originally released in 2002.

My first video of the Sony SDR-4X, now called Qrio.. And discontinued by Sony. In slow-mo to accentuate the movement.

One of the most popular clips, through the ages; created in 2000.. I’ve dubbed it Robo Chi, because it looks like the Sony is doing Tai Chi..
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