What types of video systems do people use to record themselves practicing? I have just purchased a new table and wanted to setup something to record myself practicing. Do people use DVR surveillance systems? I was thinking about getting something like this so I could place 3 or 4 cameras around the room to give different angles and overhead shots but I am not sure what the quality is of the video.
Video camera systems to record yourself practicing
- Thread starter rjbigfish
- Start date
Quality would probably suffer, like with a webcam. Nice idea though. Technology wise, most people these days are going HD. Dont be fooled by the cheapie HD cameras like I did. I ended returning one, and caught a price drop on a canon vixia HF M41. Very nice, but its expensive.
JC
Coos Cues
Get something with a remote control so you can turn it off and on frequently and easily. There's a couple reasons for this. Most cameras make a new file each time they are turned off and on. Having your practice sessions in bite sized pieces like this is very handy if you are going to review them on a computer or catalog them for future use. One file per rack is just about right. Secondly, you can elevate the camera to get a better angle on the table without having to worry about reaching up to start and stop it. Still photo cameras with video capabilities although the video quality can be decent usually don't have this remote capability, especially the cheaper ones. That's why a dedicated video camcorder is desirable IMO if you can afford it.
WE use a software designed for teaching & analysis of several sports. It is called CSwing. It is about $180 for a single Camera & about $280 for multiple cameras. We used this at the BCAPL 8-Ball Championships last year & will do so again this year. The video analysis is simply wonderful for watching one's performance
The cameras are going to cost you a wad, but you get what you pay for.
The software works great, allows you to view one or more screens (in sync), zoom any screen & use slow motion to be about 10%...
You can develop a CD that shows several views & several speeds. Great for the player to study later.
The cameras are going to cost you a wad, but you get what you pay for.
The software works great, allows you to view one or more screens (in sync), zoom any screen & use slow motion to be about 10%...
You can develop a CD that shows several views & several speeds. Great for the player to study later.
I have 2 cameras, one is a Canon HV40, you can get them on Ebay for around $450-$600 and the other is a Canon HFR100 which is around $300. THe HV40 uses mini-dv tapes but is better quality and the HFR100 uses an SD card, I get a few hours of HD video on a 16gb card at the top quality and its so simple to take the SD card out and pop it in my SD slot on the computer to look at the footage and download it. I can edit it in Windows Live Movie Maker easily and do not need a serious program to work with the files.
I am going to set up my camera sometime this week if I get the chance to record some stuff, maybe I will try both cameras to show a comparison of them as I have not yet. They are not high end cameras whatsoever but get the job done. If you have interest in a camera and are curious about its quality just go to Youtube or Vimeo and type in the model number, you will usually find reviews or test shooting, understand that the quality can have a good deal to do with how they edited, uploaded or the camera experience of the operator. I recommend looking on Craigslist for one of these or a camera that uses and SD card and a file format that is easy to work with, some HD cameras can be tough because you will have to convert the file unless you have some editing program that can handle any file. Good luck.
I am going to set up my camera sometime this week if I get the chance to record some stuff, maybe I will try both cameras to show a comparison of them as I have not yet. They are not high end cameras whatsoever but get the job done. If you have interest in a camera and are curious about its quality just go to Youtube or Vimeo and type in the model number, you will usually find reviews or test shooting, understand that the quality can have a good deal to do with how they edited, uploaded or the camera experience of the operator. I recommend looking on Craigslist for one of these or a camera that uses and SD card and a file format that is easy to work with, some HD cameras can be tough because you will have to convert the file unless you have some editing program that can handle any file. Good luck.
The zi8 is no more. :-( One of the things that made it a great camera was the 1/2" CMOS sensor, along with the external mic port and remote control accessory. The newer ones such as the zi10 have a 1/3" sensor. So, it means I have to be more careful with the lighting. The bigger the sensor, the more low level light it can pick up and.
I filmed this using the zi8.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeJkKtpej9Y
I filmed this using the zi8.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeJkKtpej9Y
Real Nice Quality.