I might try to do this locally and post the video.
DigiBall Passaround Reviews
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SlateMan
Registered
Check out these videos... for a "live" stream, it would be worth it to delay the stream by 1-2 minutes and integrate this technology. I think this is a winner.... patiently waiting on the mailman.....Tracking says tomorrow at 8pm...
When's it gonna happen Nate??
Get w Aramith and set this up!!
I can't imagine much better exposure for the highly anticipated release of Digiball - A promo debut at a tournament venue!!
Aramith has a booth out front, of course.
Natural roll, plays just like an aramith cue ball
DigiBallScanner is now available for Windows and macOS. This is a simple auxiliary program for PCs and Macs that generates an image of the tip contact point on the ball so that OBS can import it as a live overlay. The overlay goes in the corner of a video or stream.
Please see https://sites.google.com/view/nrllc/pages/digiball/digiball-with-obs for more information.
Please see https://sites.google.com/view/nrllc/pages/digiball/digiball-with-obs for more information.
b3p
New member
Very, very nice. Checked your channel and noticed the CoC#2 close back in 2019 - you ever get the 2.5 or 3?? I'm trying to close the 2.5 now for... quite a while..
SlateMan
Registered
I'll break my review into a few posts as my attention span is short! 
DigiBall Weight Comparison
To assess how the DigiBall compares to standard cue balls, I weighed it alongside several others in my collection. The results are shown in the image above.
DigiBall Weight Comparison
To assess how the DigiBall compares to standard cue balls, I weighed it alongside several others in my collection. The results are shown in the image above.
- The DigiBall (top center) weighed in at 166 grams, matching the Aramith measles ball (top left), which also came in at 166 grams.
- On the top right, a generic knockoff cue ball from a college set registered a slightly higher weight of 168 grams.
- In the middle row, the Aramith red circle cue ball (left) and the Aramith blue circle ball (center) both weighed 163 grams.
- Finally, two blue dot Aramith cue balls from Centennial sets (middle right and bottom row) came in at 166 grams and 167 grams, respectively. The heavier one appears to be older and has accumulated more surface grime, which could account for the slight increase in mass.
SlateMan
Registered
DigiBall Diameter Review
Disclaimer: These measurements are subject to minor error. A slight shift in caliper positioning could affect the result by a fraction of a millimeter. I aimed to take each measurement at the caliper's tightest and most consistent point.
To evaluate the DigiBall’s physical dimensions, I compared its diameter against several cue balls from my collection. The image above displays the measured values for each ball.
These results show the DigiBall falls at the upper end of standard cue ball diameters but remains within a reasonable tolerance range when compared to high-quality Aramith balls.
Disclaimer: These measurements are subject to minor error. A slight shift in caliper positioning could affect the result by a fraction of a millimeter. I aimed to take each measurement at the caliper's tightest and most consistent point.
To evaluate the DigiBall’s physical dimensions, I compared its diameter against several cue balls from my collection. The image above displays the measured values for each ball.
- The DigiBall measured 57.0 mm, making it the second largest ball in the group.
- The largest was a generic cue ball from a college set, which measured 57.1 mm.
- The Aramith measles ball measured 56.7 mm, very close in size to the DigiBall.
- The Aramith red circle and blue circle balls came in at 56.4 mm and 56.8 mm, respectively.
- Finally, two Aramith blue dot balls measured 56.6 mm and 56.7 mm.
These results show the DigiBall falls at the upper end of standard cue ball diameters but remains within a reasonable tolerance range when compared to high-quality Aramith balls.
SlateMan
Registered
Digiball Shot preview. I did not realize the text was still on the screen on this recording. But you can see on this video the ball hit prediction. This is accomplished by delaying the video from the feed of the ball and data on the screen. So you see where I will hit the ball before I hit it in the video. This was super cool and I think it will make watching the pro games really interesting.
Like most right handed players, you have a slight steer to your stroke going forward causing the shot line to be off by a few degrees. If you can straighten that out, you'd be a even stronger player. How else would you have known this if not for Digiball?? I guess a guy could pay some coach or player to video tape this, but compare cost vs effect. Digiball gets my vote every time. FYI, I had this prob as well and had learned to compensate over the years. My game got better once I realized what was going on and why right spin was stronger than my left.
I have Digiball to thank for this.
It's really cool you took the time to set this up; video and post. Thanks Rob.
SlateMan
Registered
DigiBall First Impressions and Hands-On Experience
I had the opportunity to test the DigiBall for just over a week, and while I was only able to use it in play about four times during that period, I made the most of the experience. Throughout the week, I not only got to try the product but also expanded my technical skill set considerably. I learned how to re-flash my camera's operating system to enable RTSP video encoding, set up RTSP streaming, and configure OBS Studio for video capture. I also explored Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) integration. Ultimately, I got everything working together and was able to capture some great video footage of the DigiBall in action.
Despite all the technical learning, it's important to note that the DigiBall itself was remarkably easy to use straight out of the box. The extra setup I did was purely to enhance the video capture—not to make the DigiBall functional. To use the DigiBall, all I had to do was charge it (though it may have had enough charge already), plug the broadcast unit into a TV, and touch the ball to the unit. That’s it. Setup was quick and intuitive.
In terms of playability, the DigiBall performed just like any high-quality cue ball—which is high praise. It felt natural on the table, and nobody I played with noticed any difference between it and a standard cue ball. That’s a testament to how well the embedded technology has been integrated.
The broadcast screen was also easy to understand. I did encounter one issue early on: the speed measurements seemed inaccurate compared to the Predator Break App. Initially, I assumed something was wrong, but later discovered a setting that lets you define the table length, which corrected the speed reading. That was a user oversight, not a flaw in the DigiBall—it just reminded me of the importance of reviewing the settings, especially when trying to jump in without reading the manual.
I also installed the companion Bluetooth app on my phone, which allowed me to toggle between kilometers per hour and miles per hour, and even to redirect the video output to another TV via my phone’s broadcast function. Those features were both convenient and fun to explore.
During my hands-on time with the DigiBall, I primarily used it while running the X-Pattern Drill—a well-known exercise that inherently offers visual feedback on cue ball control. With DigiBall, the experience was taken to a new level. It consistently aligned with my expectations of where I was striking the cue ball—even when my strokes weren’t perfectly straight. The real-time feedback allowed me to recognize subtle flaws in my stroke mechanics (of which I have many), helping me to self-correct in ways that would be difficult otherwise.
I also had the chance to test the DigiBall during a lengthy session of One Pocket with a friend. He’s been actively working on refining his stroke, and the DigiBall provided a reality check—confirming that his aim and cueing were usually spot on. In instances where he got lazy or slightly off, the screen feedback immediately made it clear. This kind of instant visual reinforcement was invaluable.
Over time, we didn’t feel the need to check the screen after every shot. However, after particularly technical or impressive shots, we both instinctively looked up to verify exactly where the cue ball was struck and how much speed or spin was applied. It turned our casual play into an informative training session.
One minor downside I noticed was the handling of secondary contacts. When the cue ball caroms off another ball shortly after impact, the system sometimes registers a second "hit" and displays that one instead. If you don’t glance at the screen quickly, you may only see this secondary readout. While not a major issue, it's something that could be refined.
Despite that, I’m convinced this technology will transform the spectator experience, especially in professional broadcasts. I tested this by slightly delaying the DigiBall video feed using OBS, and it created an exciting effect—you could see exactly where the player was about to strike the cue ball before the shot happened. With just a 10–15 second delay on a live stream, this feature could be broadcast to viewers in real time, offering an unmatched level of insight and engagement.
Setting up the delay was easy once I had OBS installed and configured. Although I had never used OBS before, I found the interface intuitive and quick to learn. The biggest challenge was my budget camera—a $30 Wyze cam—which lacked native RTSP support. When I tried to force a delay, the camera froze. Unfortunately, I lost about three hours of One Pocket footage due to that failure. However, without trying to apply the delay manually, the RTSP feed introduced just enough natural lag to achieve the effect I wanted.
As others have noted, massé shots aren’t well-supported, likely due to the extreme spin and rapid cue-ball orientation change. On the other hand, jump shots worked surprisingly well, especially when struck near the vertical center of the ball. (A couple of those shots are included in my videos linked above.)
Even after limited time with the DigiBall, I can confidently say: I’d buy one. While it may not revolutionize every player’s daily practice, it offers tremendous value to content creators, streamers, and serious learners. The simplicity of setup, the quality of feedback, and the entertainment factor make this a product I believe will become a staple in cue sports broadcasting and a powerful tool for self-analysis.
Even at its current price point, the DigiBall is a worthwhile investment, and I’m excited to see it hit the broader market.
I had the opportunity to test the DigiBall for just over a week, and while I was only able to use it in play about four times during that period, I made the most of the experience. Throughout the week, I not only got to try the product but also expanded my technical skill set considerably. I learned how to re-flash my camera's operating system to enable RTSP video encoding, set up RTSP streaming, and configure OBS Studio for video capture. I also explored Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) integration. Ultimately, I got everything working together and was able to capture some great video footage of the DigiBall in action.
Despite all the technical learning, it's important to note that the DigiBall itself was remarkably easy to use straight out of the box. The extra setup I did was purely to enhance the video capture—not to make the DigiBall functional. To use the DigiBall, all I had to do was charge it (though it may have had enough charge already), plug the broadcast unit into a TV, and touch the ball to the unit. That’s it. Setup was quick and intuitive.
In terms of playability, the DigiBall performed just like any high-quality cue ball—which is high praise. It felt natural on the table, and nobody I played with noticed any difference between it and a standard cue ball. That’s a testament to how well the embedded technology has been integrated.
The broadcast screen was also easy to understand. I did encounter one issue early on: the speed measurements seemed inaccurate compared to the Predator Break App. Initially, I assumed something was wrong, but later discovered a setting that lets you define the table length, which corrected the speed reading. That was a user oversight, not a flaw in the DigiBall—it just reminded me of the importance of reviewing the settings, especially when trying to jump in without reading the manual.
I also installed the companion Bluetooth app on my phone, which allowed me to toggle between kilometers per hour and miles per hour, and even to redirect the video output to another TV via my phone’s broadcast function. Those features were both convenient and fun to explore.
During my hands-on time with the DigiBall, I primarily used it while running the X-Pattern Drill—a well-known exercise that inherently offers visual feedback on cue ball control. With DigiBall, the experience was taken to a new level. It consistently aligned with my expectations of where I was striking the cue ball—even when my strokes weren’t perfectly straight. The real-time feedback allowed me to recognize subtle flaws in my stroke mechanics (of which I have many), helping me to self-correct in ways that would be difficult otherwise.
I also had the chance to test the DigiBall during a lengthy session of One Pocket with a friend. He’s been actively working on refining his stroke, and the DigiBall provided a reality check—confirming that his aim and cueing were usually spot on. In instances where he got lazy or slightly off, the screen feedback immediately made it clear. This kind of instant visual reinforcement was invaluable.
Over time, we didn’t feel the need to check the screen after every shot. However, after particularly technical or impressive shots, we both instinctively looked up to verify exactly where the cue ball was struck and how much speed or spin was applied. It turned our casual play into an informative training session.
One minor downside I noticed was the handling of secondary contacts. When the cue ball caroms off another ball shortly after impact, the system sometimes registers a second "hit" and displays that one instead. If you don’t glance at the screen quickly, you may only see this secondary readout. While not a major issue, it's something that could be refined.
Despite that, I’m convinced this technology will transform the spectator experience, especially in professional broadcasts. I tested this by slightly delaying the DigiBall video feed using OBS, and it created an exciting effect—you could see exactly where the player was about to strike the cue ball before the shot happened. With just a 10–15 second delay on a live stream, this feature could be broadcast to viewers in real time, offering an unmatched level of insight and engagement.
Setting up the delay was easy once I had OBS installed and configured. Although I had never used OBS before, I found the interface intuitive and quick to learn. The biggest challenge was my budget camera—a $30 Wyze cam—which lacked native RTSP support. When I tried to force a delay, the camera froze. Unfortunately, I lost about three hours of One Pocket footage due to that failure. However, without trying to apply the delay manually, the RTSP feed introduced just enough natural lag to achieve the effect I wanted.
As others have noted, massé shots aren’t well-supported, likely due to the extreme spin and rapid cue-ball orientation change. On the other hand, jump shots worked surprisingly well, especially when struck near the vertical center of the ball. (A couple of those shots are included in my videos linked above.)
Final Verdict
Even after limited time with the DigiBall, I can confidently say: I’d buy one. While it may not revolutionize every player’s daily practice, it offers tremendous value to content creators, streamers, and serious learners. The simplicity of setup, the quality of feedback, and the entertainment factor make this a product I believe will become a staple in cue sports broadcasting and a powerful tool for self-analysis.
Even at its current price point, the DigiBall is a worthwhile investment, and I’m excited to see it hit the broader market.
It's really cool you took the time to set this up; video and post. Thanks Rob.
Nate hit one out of the park with Digiball. He deserves the best for his commitment to this game.
SlateMan
Registered
Technical Notes and User Experience Feedback on the DigiBall
While using the DigiBall, I encountered a few minor technical issues—none of which were dealbreakers, but they’re worth noting for future product development or user documentation improvements.
Final Thoughts
Despite these minor issues, I found the DigiBall to be an impressively well-designed product. The hardware and software work seamlessly once set up correctly, and the overall user experience is intuitive and enjoyable. The minor technical issues I encountered were easily resolved and are more related to user learning curves than design flaws. With a few small refinements, particularly in user guidance and UI messaging, the DigiBall could deliver an even more polished and foolproof experience.
While using the DigiBall, I encountered a few minor technical issues—none of which were dealbreakers, but they’re worth noting for future product development or user documentation improvements.
- Bluetooth Interference with Medical Devices
When I first installed the Bluetooth-enabled DigiBall app on my phone, I experienced some interference with my blood glucose monitor. This was quickly resolved by restarting the phone. Still, users who rely on medical Bluetooth devices might benefit from a heads-up in the user manual or troubleshooting guide. - Synchronization Confusion
Synchronizing the ball with the software requires rotating the ball horizontally five times with the black dot facing away from you. Initially, I misunderstood this and positioned the dot to my left, rotating it in place—but the settings failed to sync. Once I correctly oriented the black dot directly away from me, synchronization completed smoothly. A diagram or clearer visual in the instructions could help eliminate this confusion for new users. - Shipping Mode Misunderstanding
I ran into trouble trying to activate shipping mode. I was holding the charger on top of the ball with the black dot facing up, expecting it to trigger the mode. Instead, I saw a "charging error" message on the TV screen. After some trial and error—including plugging in the screen broadcaster—I realized the ball didn’t need to have the charger held on it, but instead just needed a quick tap with the charger to begin charging.
A better user experience would include a charging confirmation message on the screen. Currently, the error message appears even when the ball is charging correctly, which could confuse users. - Speed Indicator Suggestion
The speed feedback display is a powerful tool—but it’s sensitive to settings such as table length and break distance. I initially thought it was inaccurate because I hadn’t configured the settings properly. A helpful improvement might be to toggle the speed display off by default, and then prompt users to configure their table settings before it activates. This would prevent confusion and ensure the displayed data is meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Despite these minor issues, I found the DigiBall to be an impressively well-designed product. The hardware and software work seamlessly once set up correctly, and the overall user experience is intuitive and enjoyable. The minor technical issues I encountered were easily resolved and are more related to user learning curves than design flaws. With a few small refinements, particularly in user guidance and UI messaging, the DigiBall could deliver an even more polished and foolproof experience.