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Greetings, MCF community. I've thrown this idea around for awhile, and have finally gotten around to acting on it. I introduce to you the first video in an extensive series, venturing deep into the mysterious depths of the "how's and why's" of Redstone. This is specific to the XBLA version, and I make it a point to indicate differences and alternatives people can use instead of the methods that only work on the PC version.

If you've played with redstone for any period of time, you probably know the basics. If you know the absolute fundamentals of how each item works, feel free to skip to around 9 minutes into the first video. It is at that point I start talking about soft power vs. hard power, vertical transmission, and the reactions between redstone and certain blocks, depending on opacity. Hopefully this will clear up and confusion players may experience when their circuit fails to function correctly.


Part 1: Item Overview, Abstraction of Emission and Reception


Part 2: "True" Mechanics, Conduction, Reception, Emission, Detection

P.S. I apologize for the mediocre video and audio quality, and my stuffy nose. My PC is far too obsolete to successfully capture gameplay in HD. I may upgrade my PC, capture card, and microphone if this gains a decent amount of interest.

Quote from wolfeuk

ok just watched, apart from barely hearing you this is really noob stuff, but hopefully they will begin to understand redstone logic

Yeah, I am unable to increase the sensitivity of my mic for some reason. I'm guessing I'll need to hunt for another driver to do that. And yes, it is definitely n00b stuff, that's why it's called n00b-friendly! I thought it would be best to start from absolute basics. However I have still met a lot of people that can't seem to grasp the difference between emission and conduction. That is one of the main things I wanted to focus on, along with pointing out our lack of glowstone logic and a simple work around. From what I've seen, those are the two biggest problem areas for most people.

I'll eventually transition to the more advanced and practical side of redstone, start talking about Boolean logic, the inner-workings of various mechanisms, etc. However, I'm not entirely sure how to segue into that topic, it may be better suited in a series of its own. The next video in this series will probably be on BUDs and piston logic, wire cutting and things of that sort. Don't worry, it will definitely get technical, I just want everyone to be on the same page.

Any other criticism? Perhaps about the commentary. I didn't have much of a game plan, other than the little tutorial world. I pretty much just winged it with the explanations, went off topic a couple times, and forgot to mention some things here and there. I just wanted some insight from a YouTuber on how to keep a video better organized.

Quote from wolfeuk

the best advice for any youtuber (including me) is to link videos, that for me atleast that is a big bug bear on most channels, you spend ages hunting for the next video
other than that and the volume id say just get loading videos up lol definitely needed and your the best guy around to do them

i certainly wouldnt script commentary, other than key notes to cover the essentials,

clean, plain and simple i say, although a nice opening sequence redstone related would make your vids have that pro look

and i think the biggest rule is keep it kid safe, swearing, smoking down the mic lol that sort of thing lol

I was thinking about doing some intro with pistons and such, but it's starting to get a bit cheesy, everyone does that nowadays. I would like to find someone who could create a really snazzy intro clip to put on my videos. I haven't played with Flash since high school and don't really have the time to re-learn everything.

I don't think I cursed any, if I did it was accidental, I think the closest I came to it was saying "freaking cows". As for the smoking, you have perceptive ears my friend.

Quote from JSPRINGY

Ok, had a chance to watch it. I could not hear you talking, but you know about that issue. So without hearing the audio, I had to rely on what I saw. I really like what you did, and you hit on a couple of points I missed in my first lesson. I think I can help you out with a few things if you want. First, I'd like to give you a tour of what I built because I did some things a little differently that I think you might like. Secondly, I would be very happy to help you build and refine your tutorials.

As I mentioned, I love being able to help educate people, whether its about chainsaw and trimmer maintenance at work, or redstone on the xbox. I just get a thrill out of seeing that lightbulb go off for people and knowing that they get it now and can have an easier time with things. If your interested, just throw me a friend request. I'll be on tonight and most of tomorrow.

Is the sound really that bad? I can hear it pretty well with the volume turned all the way up. I'll definitely fix that before recording another video though. If not, I guess I'll just have to start yelling into the mic.

But yes, I'll add you. Tonight I'm just going to chill out with a little Dungeon Defenders, but I'll be back on some time after 5 tomorrow. I have no life from Monday to Friday. Wait... Monday to Saturday this week... I hate working six 8's. Love the overtime wages, hate the overtime work.

Quote from wolfeuk

as the sound was so low i had to wear my head phones to hear it, on my laptop so not great speakers anyway
no you didnt swear, not that i would ever think you would lol just one of the fundamental rules lol
i did abit of self taught flash years ago but not enough to help you out

I definitely try not to when presenting something. Tried to treat it as a forum post, though I'm not one of those people that can articulate my thoughts on the fly. My vocabulary seems to double in size when assisted by a keyboard. Even in casual conversation I don't swear too much, usually only when it helps to get a point across. On the other hand, if I'm playing an FPS, I turn into the most foul-mouthed person you've ever seen.

Be warned, there will probably be cursery in some videos, but definitely not the tutorials. I've been thinking about doing some vocal covers (metal) if I get a decent camcorder, (is it still cool to say camcorder?) just for fun, and to get some feedback from a real vocalist. But yeah, some swearing will probably be involved, not that most people will recognize it.

Oh, and I didn't forget about the redstone contest by the way. That will still happen... one day.

EDIT: First subscriber! WOOOOOOOO!

Quote from wolfeuk

the redstone contest would be cool, not sure how you could do it though as you tube has just about ever tut needed for redstone contraptions,lol

I hopefully got that covered. One of the criteria will be originality, not so much for the machine itself, but how it's built. If someone finds a creative way to build a typical device, such as traps or farms, it would still get a decent rating in that department. I can recognize the more popular designs of mechanisms based on Boolean Logic. Other creations I would have to hunt around for tutorials and see if anything looks familiar, compared to the submission.

Quote from morsit

I know you only have one video uploaded to YouTube but if you want to be a YouTuber maybe should consider to buy a capture card. Anyway nice video may help kids or teens that does not know about programming or circuits (thumbs up)

Sorry, but I'm a bit confused. I do have a capture card, that's how I recorded the video. Also, Redstone Theory has absolutely nothing to do with programming or electronic circuitry.

Quote from fairliedaft

btw, did you death metal rick roll me?! hahahaha

EDIT: just watched the video. although i didn't learn anything new, i have to say it is very well structured and informative, as well as simple to follow. bravo my friend, keep up the good work! need tot get that mic volume thing sorted out though, not that it's a huge issue, since i used headphones personally, but others may find it a problem.

I would say it was more metalcore than anything else, but yes, yes I did.

And I'm definitely thinking about a more advanced series. I can probably finish this one up in a couple more videos. Then it's on to logic, memory cells, and other types of mechanisms that commonly comprise binary systems. I'm hoping for a smooth transition into computer science that most players will be able to follow. Eventually I'll convert a mass of players into my very own redstone cult. We will confuse people with our redstone creations, and recruit them while in their bewildered state. From there it's on to animal sacrifice and Satanic rituals.

Quote from Ragnarock1982

Nice vid. Will certainly help out the noobs. I really struggled with redstone when I first started it, as you'll probably rememeber. Maybe sleep at night, so that it's a little clearer?

Looking forward to your next one.

PS, Apologies for just dissappearing off the game last night. For some reason my xbox is playing up a bit, and it just turned off. I must say though, the redstone 'contraptions' near your spawn point were a little confusing. LOL. (Oh, there's a 'bug' in one of the traps on your level. The one where its a tunnel with pressure plates. . half way it blocks you in and fills with water? . . Well, if you swim up and 'punch' around, you glitch into the ceiling and the trap opens up. . . intentional?)

Ohhhhh, no, that was my friend's world. In worlds of my own, there are no buildings, just redstone machines. Usually one major project, random prototype contraptions are kept in a test world that nobody usually sees.

Quote from OverlookeDEnT

For the next video get a hold of me, I can clean up your recording and use some limiters to raise the volume and what not... Haven't had a chance to watch it fully since I'm at work but I did turn the vol all the way up and it's pretty low.

That would be extremely awesome of you. I may not be too shabby with the redstone, but I'm a complete moron when it comes to video editing software. I was pretty proud of myself just for figuring out how to splice the clips together into one full video. I don't think it was too noticeable, except for the audio in the first transition. Do you think you could do that with this first video? I still have the file, and it might be a good idea since some people literally couldn't hear the commentary no matter what.






By the way, thanks for all the great feedback everyone. I'm glad it helped you, if it did. For everyone else, the videos will catch up to your level at some point, unless you're just some kind of prodigal genius. The next video will be all about piston logic, haven't really planned anything beyond that. Although, after the next update, I will definitely do an extensive video on glowstone logic specifically.

Fun fact: YouTube automatic transcripts are extremely accurate, except when they're not.

What I said: "If it receives one tick, it will drop it. But, if it's already out there, and it receives one tick, it'll, uh, still grab it."

What YouTube thinks I said: "to receives one ticket or drop it but if it's already out there overseas one take nicholas still grab it."

Anyway, what I came here to say is that the new enhanced video, with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (Okay, I lied a tiny bit there, but the audio has been amplified.) is 59% uploaded. I will update the OP when it is complete. And I'm glad to hear that, MisterTragedy, that's what the channel is all about.

Speaking of which, I want to mention that this will be an ad-free channel, at least as long as I can support it with my own finances. Hardships do happen, and I'm no stranger to them, but we'll cross that bridge when and if we get there. The point is that no videos of mine will be monetized, as long as I have a job, or at least some source of money. I would like to keep this a channel focused on education and entertainment for my fellow man, rather than the profit.

(However, I will accept donations.)
^^^ That was a joke.

.........

(Seriously though... I do take donations.)

Quote from fairliedaft

fine, metalcore, whatever. at least it was different to the norm! lol

Arbiter started off as a typical deathcore band when they debuted with Colossus, albeit a very good one. Ironclad/Machinations was more like a progressive djent release, though still more deathcore than hardcore. The cover was very remotely death, but not nearly enough of an influence to call it death metal. It's pretty much a (slightly) melodic deathcore track, without any breakdowns, a shortage of chugging, and a more typical/predictable song structure. It's more or less heavier-than-usual metalcore, but hey, there's only so much you can do with a cover while still keeping the original song recognizable within.

Sorry, my other nerdy passion is metal and the 50,000 sub-genres it entails.

Quote from Phoenix_Haze

With the exceptions of the grainy video you sucking snot from a cold or w/e and the sound of you smoking it wasn't a bad start i'm guessing you've seen the redstone academy videos which i watched due to the lack of xbox tutorials for redstone

Yeah, that was annoying me. I took breaks here and there to blow my nose, just didn't think it would be necessary for the smoking. I didn't know it would be so noticeable, though I think a couple of times it was mainly because I would forget to blow away from the mic. Bad habits, hard to quit, hard to maintain.

I have seen some of the tutorial videos out there, but nothing like this series. These specific videos are more about how redstone works, rather than what you can do with it. The only devices shown will be examples for the mechanics of a given redstone-related tile. I'll admit my first video didn't delve too deep into actual theory, but most of the video was just an explanation of the main items, something for the players who are completely new to redstone. I think in the next video I will revisit basic redstone items and attempt to explain the theory behind them, most likely forgetting to mention many important pieces of information. I'll still get around to piston logic and all that, but it would just make sense for it to come later now that I think about it.

Quote from Phoenix_Haze

They are pretty good except not all that stuff works on the xbox version it is great you are doing a tutorials series for xbox but as you suggested maybe it is time for an equipment upgrade the audio didn't seem bad but the image quality could use a boost one thing i see they need to add to make tutorial vidoes easier for players to make is the commands from pc so you can change time of day easier it would also mean less video editing as well

I know, my capture card is terrible. I was more than willing to throw $200 - $300 at a nice HDPVR, but there's a bit of an issue. My PC is horrible, and most HD capture devices require at least a 2 GHz dual-core CPU. There is an HDPVR out there which doesn't require a PC, but it uses component cables, there is nothing like this for HDMI. I just don't have the money at the moment for a new $500+ computer or $200+ HDTV, along with a top-of-the-line HDPVR. But don't worry, I will be recording in HD soon enough, probably sometime within the next few months.

I have tried recording in .avi, which is much better quality than .mp4, but that didn't work too well. The picture was much more clear, but my PC lagged horrendously, the capture software was dropping frames like crazy, and the audio was out of sync within a minute. .mp4 seems to be the happy medium. It's readable by a vast selection of devices, including mobile, the quality isn't too horrible, nothing like .flv, and the size is still relatively small, allowing for my 22 minute video to be pieced together and created as a movie in VideoPad, (it was three separate clips) and completely uploaded to YouTube, all within one hour. From what I've heard from the owners of other channels, especially recording in HD, is that this is pretty darn fast. Speed is priceless with limited free time, I may even be able to sneak in a video on a week day every once in awhile.