Episode 33 is now out. Now to work on Episode 34, which I don't have an idea on what it is going to be yet.
I need to return to San Antonio next weekend to try to video Loop 1604 for the third time (first time I realized I was missing an entire segment of footage...not sure if it was recorded. Second time I got caught in road construction that closed off the entire road over on I-10/US-87, so the footage was ruined by that.)
I also want to video I-37 from San Antonio to Corpus Christi, SH-151 (as I have the Loop 1604 side twice and the I-410 side, now I need US-90's side), US-90 (especially where it separates from I-10), SH-130 (the entire length, you already seen the SH-130 Toll and SH-130 when it is multiplexed with I-410, but I need the middle piece that is multiplexed with I-10/US-90, then just with I-10 when US-90 leaves I-10 in Seguin.) I have I-35 through downtown, but I would really like to get I-35 from Laredo to the Oklahoma/Texas border. I have mentioned in past postings that this would be a monumental task, as I would need to record I-35E and I-35W in Dallas and Fort Worth...I'm not sure how to tackle that project.
I'll also need to get back to Dallas and Fort Worth soon, as I still have a few toll roads in the area that I haven't recorded yet (Chisholm Trail Parkway, SH-360 Toll, and the Texpress lanes...which I know over with SH-121/SH-114 and I-820 it's going to be tricky. I also need to record I-30 in its entirety (including the footage I already have from the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike episode), I-20 from its junction with I-30 to around where US-80 comes close to it). There's also US-75 from I-45 to the Texas-Oklahoma line (you've seen old footage of this road, but it has been updated since 2017).
I also need I-820, the other loop in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
A bigger project than I-35 is to video I-10 from Orange Texas to El Paso Texas (from Louisiana to New Mexico, a total of 881 miles). I really am not sure how to do this one.
Far into the future is I-40, I-44 (through Texas and Oklahoma, at least to Oklahoma City initially), and I-27.
Speaking of I-10, I still haven't done that video that shows I-10 through Houston. I'll see about doing that at night time, as it would be nice to have a night time video once in a while.
Anyways, that's all the rambling I can do tonight. Enjoy the video and I'll chat with you soon.
A small delay on releasing Episode 33. Found last minute graphic issues on it (seems like every time I render it, I keep finding something wrong with the video). Working on it now and I hope to have a video out by 12:00 pm Central time. Fortunately, I have already done the time index portion, so it's just a matter of rendering the video, checking to see if the errors were fixed, and release.
Sorry...sometimes I can be a bit of a perfectionist.
Some good news for once. The I-410 video is almost complete. I am, as I type this, waiting for the preview rendering to finish. This is the final editing process where I check for any signage that I may have missed, alignment issues, etc. I have found a few issues already, so this is the second preview render. If all goes okay, I'll make a final 4K render and post it to the channel. I'm looking at completing this today.
It seems that the mainstream music is popular, so I'll continue with that. After all, I think that switch added three subscribers, so I'm only three from my first goal of 100 subscribers.
A difference you'll see on this video versus others is the change of font for the overhead signs. In the U.S., we use two fonts for the road signs: Highway Gothic was the first font and you'll see that on a lot of road signs. A clearer font, called Clearview Highway (or simply Clearview) is also used, which is a little larger and, at least to me, more legible. I've been using Gothic Highway as that matches the fonts on the older signs and it's a public domain font (been used on road signs since the 50's). Clearview, however, does come with a fee, and it is steep. To have one computer installed with the font costs $800, and, depending on usage, that can go up as high as $1500. For a channel that isn't monetized, this is not feasible.
An alternative font was developed in response to the high cost of Clearview: Roadgeeks. This font, although not exactly like Clearview, is the closest out there to matching it. For this video, I'm using the Roadgeeks font (unless it is a speed limit sign, in which case the Gothic Highway font is used as that is the current font used for the smaller caution, construction, directional, and restriction signs).
If you don't like the Roadgeeks font and want me to switch back, I have no issues with doing that. Just let me know in the comments section of the channel or the video of your thoughts on this.
Okay, it's back to editing for me. I should have a bit of an update later today.
Thank you everyone.
Hello, everyone.
Sorry for the lack of updates. Things have been a bit hectic around here, so I haven't been able to post anything.
As to the job front, I'm on the hunt again. The company I was working for went through some corporate changes and my services were no longer needed. Talk about bad timing, but I guess that's what happens in today's job market.
I was able to replace that backplane issue on my server, but then something else was causing issues (getting knocked off the server every few minutes). Ended up replacing then entire OS on it. I'm happy to report it is working much better now.
I'm slowly working on the next video, which will be I-410 in San Antonio. I need to get back to Dallas to video the rest of the roads there, including the mass I-35/I-35E/I-35W video (my plan is to put both I-35E and I-35W in a split video format.)
I'll work on the video this week and, hopefully, I'll have something out this weekend.
Okay...new video out today. Dallas North Tollway is done.
Now, I have made two videos on this. If all works well and I don't get a copyright strike, you'll only see the one video (the other one is a Plan B). I had some success with the US 290 Manor Expressway video (Extra Episode, between 31 and 32). It looks like I have over 400 views on it for the month, which puts it in the top 10.
On this video, I'm using more mainstream music. Unlike last video, I ended up with Content ID notices (they aren't copyright strikes, but they can end up being one if the copyright holder wishes it.) I'm looking for somewhere I can get more mainstream music that won't force me to take out a mortgage on my house. I was using Lickd for this purpose, but the music they had were few and far to be viable.
Anyways, my apologies for this video taking a while. I ended up getting bogged down in my new job and had absolutely no time to complete the video. I was able to complete it this weekend.
What's next on the video list? Good question. I'm dealing with a file server that started going out on Saturday. I didn't notice it shut itself off until I was ready to archive this video. It looks like the backplane that holds the 12 SAS drives is going out. A new backplane has been ordered and will arrive later this week, but I'll need to take some time over the weekend to install it. I'm contemplating whether to get two higher wattage power supplies for it. It currently users two 750 watt systems, but I'm also getting warnings that the power output may not be enough to handle startup (it doesn't use both power supplies...one is a redundant backup). I'm considering changing them to 1100 watt each, but I need to know if the UPS systems on each will hold. If not, then I'm not sure what I'm going to do next for the fileserver.
Anyways, enough ranting on my part. Enjoy the video and take care.
Lots of progress on the Dallas North Tollway video. I was working on it constantly this weekend. I have all the signage in place, the title has been inserted, and now I'm working on the text narration.
I think this version I'll release without the AI voice. From the looks of the last video, you seem to like it better without voices, so long as the text narration is in place.
I'm using some new shortcut methods I've learned while doing these videos, and they seem to help speed up the process. Each sign is its own frame rather than trying to customize and combine signage. Any movements that need to be done will be done using the position effect. I haven't done it for all the frames in this video, but Episode 33 will use that.
Speaking of Episode 33, here's what I have left in inventory. I need to schedule some travel time to gather more video shots, especially up to Dallas/Fort Worth.
- I-35 in San Antonio, between I-410 on the north side to I-410/SH-130 on the south side.
- I-410 in San Antonio
- US75 in Dallas from Spur 366 (Woodall Rogers) to Sam Rayburn Tollway
- Spur 408 in Dallas (because this is a short segment of road, this will likely turn into an extra episode)
- Loop 1604 in San Antonio (this one has been a thorn in my side. I have the complete video, but it used the camera prior to the GoPro, which isn't 4K. I have tried to drive this again using the GoPro, but I ended up being forced off of 1604 on the west side of San Antonio near I-10 due to construction. I said I wasn't going back to video it until that construction area was either completed or in a position where they aren't closing it over a weekend. What I can do for this road is assemble a video with the older footage (circa 2022) and, when I get an opportunity, go back to San Antonio and video the entire route using the GoPro, and post an updated video (similar to SH-99 Grand Parkway and SH-249).
With a video out every three to four weeks, I have enough for a few months, but I'm going to need to get going replenishing my inventory. I have plans to go back to Dallas, but that is a four-hour drive each way, excluding the driving that needs to be done during filming. I'm looking at roughly 12-16 hour day.
San Antonio isn't as bad, as that is a 2½ to 3 hour drive each way. It's a straight shot on I-10, unlike Dallas, which is either SH-99 to I-45 or SH-6 to I-35.
Also, Dallas would have to be done on multiple days. There are a lot of freeways/tollways in Dallas, not to mention the one project that will take all day to video: I-35 from Waco to the Texas/Oklahoma border. That needs two passes: one for I-35E in Dallas and one for I-35W in Fort Worth. This is the massive split screen project I have proposed, and that will take hours just to video the route.
The only road left in Austin (other than the 71 Toll Lane, which I have video off and will also likely be an extra episode due to how short it is) is I-35, but I need to plot it since it is split level (will need to run the route twice) and it is always busy.
The last road in Houston is I-10. I have all sort of videos of it, but none that go from SH-99 near Katy to SH-99 near Baytown. I did have one that went from the Texas/Louisiana border, but I got caught in a massive traffic jam once I entered Houston. I will likely get that route on video this weekend (need to do it early morning on Sunday).
My current subscriber count is at 94. It seems that I will gain one only to lose one (not sure if it is the same subscriber). I'm hoping that one of these videos can push that over the 100 mark, hence why I'm trying different combinations on the videos. If you're annoyed by that, my apologies.
Okay, I think I rambled enough. I'll continue working on Episode 32 and should have something this weekend.
Oh, the test for the extra episode went better than I expected. I thought the music would trigger a copyright hit, but it didn't. I don't know if that may be because none of my videos are monetized since I don't have the subscriber count yet (need 500, have 94, so not even close). I can try to pepper in more of those mainstream titles. Just remember that if there is a strike due to copyright, I will likely have to replace the music in the video with the music that I get using Storyblocks, Artlist, and Epidemic Sound. That's definitely going to mess up my count.
Lots to think about and lots to do, so with that I will stop here.
Until next time...
Okay, everyone. Thought I should give an update.
I'm working on the Dallas North Tollway video as we speak. There hasn't been much progress for a few reasons:
1. Took some time to rebuild my file server. This didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped, but no major issues. I moved the DHCP services from the file server to the router, as the router doesn't get reset as often as the file server. I have restored all operational files.
2. As some of you know from my previous posts, I have been unemployed since around January. I'm happy to report that I now have a job (contract for now, hopefully will turn into a full-time job) and I've been working on that.
I should have the DNT video ready in about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks.
Thanks everyone.
Hopefully, Firefox will behave this time.
Hello everyone. I have some good news today. For those of you wanting Episode 31 without the AI voice, I just released it as promised. The numbers for the last video aren't impressive, just shy of 70 views, maybe the non-voice one will do better.
On the Episode 30 test (this is when I had you choose whether we did an AI narration, standard voice narration, text narration or no narration, here is the breakdown ending today. Those videos were released back on March 11:
Text narration (no voice) - 217 views, 3 likes
AI narration - 131 views, 3 likes
Voice narration - 128 views, 2 likes
No narration - 115 views, 0 likes
It's pretty obvious that nobody really likes the lack of any narration. So, every episode video (with some exceptions) will have an AI version and a text narration version. So, it looks like I may have released Episode 31 in reverse order...perhaps I should have released the text narration version first.
I'll keep track with the next set of episode videos (PGBT and DNT) and see how those do.
The next bit of good news is that I have an extra episode video to be released The extra video is on Manor Expressway (290 Toll) in Austin. It is a short video (roughly four minutes). However, I'm doing something on that video that I have only done once before: use mainstream music.
I've always wanted to use mainstream music in my videos, but, like many YouTube content creators, I'm faced with a choice:
1. Buy the licenses to use the mainstream music, which, in many cases, costs thousands of dollars;
2. Stick with subscription services such as Storyblocks, Artlist, and Epidemic Sound for music. They're good, but not as good as mainstream music; or
3. Use the mainstream music without a license, which means I can't monetize the video and I risk a copyright strike (and three of those gets the entire YouTube channel blocked.)
On my first attempt, I used Option 1 by using a service called Lickd. Unfortunately, Lickd didn't have the music I was really looking for. They could get it, but that would cost thousands of dollars (and since none of the videos are monetized due to not meeting subscriber counts yet, that comes out of my pocket).
This attempt is Option 3. I'm marking the video as non-monetized and I'll post it to see how it takes. The song in question is Hydrogen, which is performed by A. Yarmak and written by Stephen Gilardie. I bought a copy from Amazon Music, so I do own the music, but I don't have a license to distribute (hence the no monetization on the video...not like it matters in my case anyways).
Here's what could happen:
1. Video posts without any issues. That doesn't mean a cease-and-desist notice may come later, but because it isn't part of a numbered episode, I can take it down without issues.
2. Video posts with warnings about copyright, meaning some automated system put a copyright claim on the video. In those cases, if it will allow me to post, I'll monitor it and take it down if it causes issues.
3. YouTube rejects the video. If that's the case, no harm, no fowl. I'll repost the video with different music later (and name it an actual episode).
I think the key here is making sure the video is marked for non-monetization. I think that will allow it a better chance to stay on YouTube as I'm not making money off of it, but if YouTube wants to place ads on it and pay the artist, that'll be fine with me. However, just because I wouldn't be collecting money on it doesn't mean it can't be taken down or hit with a copyright strike. If that happens, then lesson learned and I'll have to find a more reasonable path to put mainstream music in my videos.
One last piece of good news: Subscriber count has gone up by 6 since Episode 30. That may not sound that big of a deal, but I only have 95 subscribers. I was holding at 85 for the longest time, so an extra 10 since the beginning of the year. I'm five subscribers away from hitting 100, so it's pretty exciting.
Okay, I think that pretty much sums up everything I wanted to say. Thanks for watching the videos. If you have questions or feedback, please post them in the comments section.
Until next time...DRIVE SAFELY.
Why is Firefox so unstable with YouTube?
Anyways, Happy Solar Eclipse day. This is the day that the big total solar eclipse happens for some of us in the United States. I live in Houston, which is suppose to have the moon cover 94% of the sun. I was expecting darker skies, but I didn't see it. Pretty disappointed with the performance.
I had a Drive Tour video planned to capture the solar eclipse, but the cloud cover that was predicted would've made the video less captivating.
Anyways...episode 31 is out, at least the AI narration version is. The non-voice narrative version will follow in a few days (it's ready, but I don't want that video to cannibalize any views for the first video.)
Stay tuned...I have more announcements shortly.
Episode 31 is practically done. I ran into troubles with my computer (it died). The replacement came in and, in a stroke of luck that I can only describe as some higher entity is determined not to let me finish this video, it died 30 minutes after I powered it on for the first time. When I mean dead, I don't mean like the first computer where the system would freeze up five minutes after you power it on, no matter what you were doing, I mean keyboard lights up and that's about it. I sent that back to the buyer and purchased another one. This one should arrive on Friday.
In the meantime, I'm working on post-production editing (basically, catching mistakes, performing first render to see how it turned out, and building timestamp list.) I should have it out by the weekend.
Now, I had plans on releasing two videos at once: One using an AI voice (I put some work in making sure it didn't sound robotic) and one without any voices (but the info text is present). However, I have since learned that releasing two videos like that will cause the count to likely be split between the two videos, which causes YouTube's algorithms to promote the channel less.
I'm thinking on creating a second channel for the non-voice videos. I'll mull over it this week and see if that will be beneficial.
Welcome to Drive Tour, a project created by me, Robert Travis Kirton, that shows you various road (especially toll roads) that I travel. It's a similar concept that a few YouTube creators use, but I try to make it fun, entertaining and informative.
The concept is basically to make you, the viewer, experience the drive. I add different types of music as part of the experience, similar to if you were sitting in the vehicle listening to something like Spotify. I also narrate on some of the videos, so it's like listening to a driver/tour guide. Fun facts are also displayed on the bottom of the screen as well as GPS location and map information.
Come and visit with me and experience the joy that driving can be.