Video Recording Matches/ Practice

nineballsafety8

nineballsafety8

6ft 5" 285, hits 'em hard
Silver Member
Greetings all,
Curious as to what everyone might be using in the way of video recording? I am getting ready to buy a house and as part of my practice routine, I plan on video recording my play/practice. Without running a webcam that is always connected to a computer, I am curious as to what other devices you are all using when it comes to recording methods?

I want something that I can mount to a wall/ceiling (possibly a tripod, havent quite decided that yet), but want to be able to record a decent amount of footage (hour or more) with relatively good video quality 720 maybe? and not spend a crap ton of money.

I currently have a very nice Nikon DSLR, but it only does 10mins of video at a time, so that is rather inconvenient.

Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
 
I've had good luck with Canon Camcorders and huge SD cards. It can get pricey though.
 
DAVE_M said:
I've had good luck with Canon Camcorders and huge SD cards. It can get pricey though.
Click to expand...

yeah, that was what I was afraid of... I was hoping to keep the whole setup under $200...

I am thinking I might just buy a mount for the Ipad and do it that way... gonna be a pain, but from what I am finding through "search", you can go webcam, gopro, or expensive... LOL
 
I filmed numerous matches with my iphone.

I took my otterbox case and clip (after the rubber and case broke) and made a mount. I cut out the corner of the belt clip and glued a nut to the bottom. That way I could flip the phone around in the belt clip and mount it to a tripod. It worked well for a while, but I didn't like running my phone that long as it would heat up. And it was also very hard to see what you were filming and it was a pain to turn off and on.
 
My videos in my sig below were recorded on a Samsung Tablet. I think video quality is decent for the purpose of recording pool.
 
I've got a Canon VixiaHD40, but lately I've used my iPhone and been amazed at the quality. The only thing I miss about the Canon is its remote control (I don't need video of me racking the balls).

I already had a decent tripod so all I needed was a mount for the iPhone at http://www.amazon.com/i-Trek-Super-Smartphone-Tripod-Adapter/dp/B005LY9FVU/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1387314394&sr=8-26&keywords=iphone+camera+mount

You can get high quality - low-cost webcams these days. Just do a search for SDI webcam.
 
I tried all of the above. I ended up with a steaming setup (minus the desire to live stream)

I have a camcorder mounted to the wall. Any will do, you can get a used one for 100. But it must have hdmi output. You won't be using the tape or card from the camera at all.

Then you need a box that takes the hdmi from the camera and converts it to USB3 or Thunderbolt to interface with your computer. Black Magic Design is the company that makes this. It costs 140.

Then you need a computer. It has to be 2 yrs old or newer because you need a lot of processing power. The computer is actually compressing the video on the fly.

This setup has huge advantages:
1. You control the recording from your keyboard. No latters to climb ever. Either to control the camera or to remove its recording medium.

2. You control the resolution and compression. I have mine set to 500kb per second and 720p. A 1hr practice session is like 100MB instead of 5 GB that it might be on the camera card.

3. The video gets recorded directly to your computers hard drive. This means you have easy access to all your practice sessions.

4. You can give the recording a meaningful name before or after you hit start record.

5. The files are ready for upload to YouTube. You can't upload long files directly from a camera card, because the files are HUGE (GBs in size).

6. If you already have a recent computer up to the task, the only extra purchase is the converter box. You can go cheap on the camera.

I tried iPhone, FireWire camera, and memory card camera. This setup gives all the other ones the 5 out and the breaks.
 
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Also you can use the DSLR as long as it had hdmi out and a "clean" video out. In other words the on screen camera menus do not show up in the hdmi signal.

Of course with an slr you are unlimited in your lens selection and you can find the best one for your situation. The only issue I know about the slr's is the "rolling shutter" when recording video. But that might not be a problem with the typical pool recording.
 
iusedtoberich said:
I tried all of the above. I ended up with a steaming setup (minus the desire to live stream)

I have a camcorder mounted to the wall. Any will do, you can get a used one for 100. But it must have hdmi output. You won't be using the tape or card from the camera at all.

Then you need a box that takes the hdmi from the camera and converts it to USB3 or Thunderbolt to interface with your computer. Black Magic Design is the company that makes this. It costs 140.

Then you need a computer. It has to be 2 yrs old or newer because you need a lot of processing power. The computer is actually compressing the video on the fly.

This setup has huge advantages:
1. You control the recording from your keyboard. No latters to climb ever. Either to control the camera or to remove its recording medium.

2. You control the resolution and compression. I have mine set to 500kb per second and 720p. A 1hr practice session is like 100MB instead of 5 GB that it might be on the camera card.

3. The video gets recorded directly to your computers hard drive. This means you have easy access to all your practice sessions.

4. You can give the recording a meaningful name before or after you hit start record.

5. The files are ready for upload to YouTube. You can't upload long files directly from a camera card, because the files are HUGE (GBs in size).

6. If you already have a recent computer up to the task, the only extra purchase is the converter box. You can go cheap on the camera.

I tried iPhone, FireWire camera, and memory card camera. This setup gives all the other ones the 5 out and the breaks.
Click to expand...

You do have some nice quality videos.

Right now I just use my iphone, but if I ever got my own table, I'd definitely try your setup.
 
What Rich has sounds great, but its over the $100 you stated. I have a Sony DSC-W650 camera (around $70) and a $30 tripod. Records for half and hour, then you stop the record and start it again, and you are good for another half hour. Get an extra battery (under $10) because it takes about 2-3 hours to recharge after an hour of filming.

Camera has a memory card that downloads to your hardrive, takes just a few minutes. To upload to youtube takes about 8-9 hours unless you use some kind of compression program that I haven't figured out yet.
 
You can definitely use any setup. Especially if you are only recording once in a while. But if you decide you want to record on a very regular basis, you will really enjoy the convenience the streaming type setup affords you.

Also, the light is probably the biggest factor to the picture quality. I just have a normal fluorescent pool light over my table. In the day time with the sun coming through the windows the video quality is excellent. At night however, with the absence of the sunshine, it is significantly less quality and grainy.
 
iusedtoberich said:
I tried all of the above. I ended up with a steaming setup (minus the desire to live stream)

I have a camcorder mounted to the wall. Any will do, you can get a used one for 100. But it must have hdmi output. You won't be using the tape or card from the camera at all.

Then you need a box that takes the hdmi from the camera and converts it to USB3 or Thunderbolt to interface with your computer. Black Magic Design is the company that makes this. It costs 140.

Then you need a computer. It has to be 2 yrs old or newer because you need a lot of processing power. The computer is actually compressing the video on the fly.

This setup has huge advantages:
1. You control the recording from your keyboard. No latters to climb ever. Either to control the camera or to remove its recording medium.

2. You control the resolution and compression. I have mine set to 500kb per second and 720p. A 1hr practice session is like 100MB instead of 5 GB that it might be on the camera card.

3. The video gets recorded directly to your computers hard drive. This means you have easy access to all your practice sessions.

4. You can give the recording a meaningful name before or after you hit start record.

5. The files are ready for upload to YouTube. You can't upload long files directly from a camera card, because the files are HUGE (GBs in size).

6. If you already have a recent computer up to the task, the only extra purchase is the converter box. You can go cheap on the camera.

I tried iPhone, FireWire camera, and memory card camera. This setup gives all the other ones the 5 out and the breaks.
Click to expand...

Very nice. NOthing like the voice of experience.
JoeyA
 
I have been trying to help the local pool room as well as the league grow in my area by recording our league night. I am wondering what people think of the quality of my recordings and any input offered to improve the quality. I am trying to achieve 720 HD and keep UL YouTube file size down to about 700mb. I would like to go to 1080i but I think the file size would be to big. I have posted a link to one of the matches for your review.

Please note there are 2 different camera angles that are shot for each match. I would appreciate if referring to improving quality of a camera then refer to them as camera A and B Camera A would be the view from the end of the table. Camera B is more of a side profile shot a little closer up on the table. This is to avoid confusion when referencing either camera.

Each match in its raw format is about 10GB in size I use Handbrake to compress it down to less then 1GB. I am manually video editting in Adobe Premiere Elements by importing both cameras and then choosing each angle per shot. Very time consuming. I record 4 to 5 matches a week and want to get the best quality I can with the given equipment.

I am recording to DV tape which records about an hour per tape. So I use about 10 tapes. I am not being paid to record matches so I am not looking to step on anyones toes here just looking to do the best job I can for my local room and league.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnD9Ie-DU8M

Thanks in adavnce for any insight.
Chris
 
This is what I use:

Tripod 3D 175 cm ( $25)
33s.jpg


Panasonic HX-DC3 HD Pocket Camcorder ($185)
HX-DC3EB-K-HiRes-Image__Image--[1]((Europe))-1WebA1001001A13B08B20026E01638.jpg



+ 32gb SD card, + 2 extra batteries and charger. But I find out that this camcorder is recording even while it is plugged in socket (but it is not recommended by manufacturer)

And the my result of it you can watch on youtube link below ( FULL HD 1080p 30fps, or 720p 60 fps)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gNt1WPmWzs&list=PLVq2RgzxyZhf3Z2fjVDVCgbcTc2fZJwKU&index=1
 
My inexpensive video setup

While my setup is not what one would call perfect, it is more than acceptable for my needs. I already had the i5 laptop and two Logitech c910 cameras (mounted on the ceiling) & two 16 foot ACTIVE* usb extension cables, so I'm not counting that as an expense for my setup. For the video switching or picture in picture view, I use a free opensource software video switching and broadcasting package that fits every need I have. It saves the video to an MP4 file format and all parameters of the video are adjustable to suite ones needs.

I don't stream with it, but I could with the click of a button. I capture in 720p at 1500 kb/s to keep the file sizes manageable, roughly a gig an hour. I save to a local file rather than use it to stream. I have let it run for up to 8 or more hours at a time without issues.

I use it more for pattern analysis or to record games when I have friends over than observing fine stroke analysis, for that I have a dedicated video camera on a tripod that I can move around the table or behind me.

So, without the cost of the computer, two Logitech webcams, two active* usb cables & free software, I have nearly zero cost for my setup and fits my needs just fine. Below I will include a single frame from a video to give an idea of what this setup will produce. PM me if you have any further questions, I'd be more than happy to share any insight. Good luck.

Dopc.

PlHksqL.png
 
Neil said:
What Rich has sounds great, but its over the $100 you stated. I have a Sony DSC-W650 camera (around $70) and a $30 tripod. Records for half and hour, then you stop the record and start it again, and you are good for another half hour. Get an extra battery (under $10) because it takes about 2-3 hours to recharge after an hour of filming.

Camera has a memory card that downloads to your hardrive, takes just a few minutes. To upload to youtube takes about 8-9 hours unless you use some kind of compression program that I haven't figured out yet.
Click to expand...


I know you pain...

But I have a remedy for you
z5576351X%5B1%5D.jpg


1.Get youself a AVS Video Editor.
2.Cut or edit anything you want upload ( this software is very easy ) and mark if video is 16x9 of 4x3 (if software won't do it automatically, but it should)
3. Click "Produce" --> "File" --> choose MPEG4 --> "Custom" ( put original resolution: e.g 1920 x 1080, etc. / and then the most important: change bitrate to : 720 of 620)

Size of video will be 50 % of original, and so uploading time will be 50% shorter
 
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Hustlin-Felice said:
This is what I use:

Tripod 3D 175 cm ( $25)
33s.jpg


Panasonic HX-DC3 HD Pocket Camcorder ($185)
HX-DC3EB-K-HiRes-Image__Image--[1]((Europe))-1WebA1001001A13B08B20026E01638.jpg



+ 32gb SD card, + 2 extra batteries and charger. But I find out that this camcorder is recording even while it is plugged in socket (but it is not recommended by manufacturer)

And the my result of it you can watch on youtube link below ( FULL HD 1080p 30fps, or 720p 60 fps)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gNt1WPmWzs&list=PLVq2RgzxyZhf3Z2fjVDVCgbcTc2fZJwKU&index=1
Click to expand...
Wow great quality Hustlin! What application do you use to import the video from your camera to your computer? Are you MAC or PC? Thanks for the information that video looks crystal clear.
 
Dopc said:
While my setup is not what one would call perfect, it is more than acceptable for my needs. I already had the i5 laptop and two Logitech c910 cameras (mounted on the ceiling) & two 16 foot ACTIVE* usb extension cables, so I'm not counting that as an expense for my setup. For the video switching or picture in picture view, I use a free opensource software video switching and broadcasting package that fits every need I have. It saves the video to an MP4 file format and all parameters of the video are adjustable to suite ones needs.

I don't stream with it, but I could with the click of a button. I capture in 720p at 1500 kb/s to keep the file sizes manageable, roughly a gig an hour. I save to a local file rather than use it to stream. I have let it run for up to 8 or more hours at a time without issues.

I use it more for pattern analysis or to record games when I have friends over than observing fine stroke analysis, for that I have a dedicated video camera on a tripod that I can move around the table or behind me.

So, without the cost of the computer, two Logitech webcams, two active* usb cables & free software, I have nearly zero cost for my setup and fits my needs just fine. Below I will include a single frame from a video to give an idea of what this setup will produce. PM me if you have any further questions, I'd be more than happy to share any insight. Good luck.

Dopc.

PlHksqL.png
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info Dopc. What is the open source software you are using for video switching? Could you please post a 20 sec clip of video that you have produced so i can see quality of video stream? I would think the video would drag being its USB and a web camera. I have a Logitech 9000 HD but the video is not smooth as a recording from my camcorder.

Thanks again for the info
Chris
 
freedog69 said:
Wow great quality Hustlin! What application do you use to import the video from your camera to your computer? Are you MAC or PC? Thanks for the information that video looks crystal clear.
Click to expand...

Thanks

It is ver simple, and cheap like for that kind of quality and real colors
When I finish recording I taking SD card out from Camcorder and putting to SD slot to my laptop. Very simple. To cut practise, or games out of 1 or 2 hours session I using AVS Video Editor.

I'm not too sure what is the longest time for recording a video on this Camcorder, I assume as long as you got power in you battery ( 1 battery = aprox. 50 min FULL HD). But When I plugged Camcorder to power socket I was able to record 3.5 hours or more :D


PS.
If you don't have SD slot, you can get USB SD adapter [ it costs less then $5 and it works well with me] Something like this one:

41yn5jfDi3L._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
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