Robert Carrol is the Dartfish representative for Ireland and he’s also Thevideoanalyst.com, which has become one of the go-to blogs for those involved in, or wishing to be involved in sports performance analysis. His new eBook ‘The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Sports Video Camera’ is available by registering for his newsletter. Here, he has plucked out his favorite tips.
Do you know your megabits per second from your megabytes? Your HD from your SD? And what are IP cameras all about? Choosing the right camera for your analysis needs can be hard work. The technical specs seem to get longer and longer but what are the key features you really need to worry about and what can you ignore.
Height: For match video, this is the most important element to budget for, even before you spend money on a camera. Anything over 10 feet (3 meters) is good. The higher you get, the easier it is to video a game. Height makes it easier to follow the play and allows you capture the game in a number of different ways. Videoing from pitch level or close to it is no good. Don’t buy an expensive camera if you have no height.
Can you work with what you already have? We all love new gadgets but maybe you already have as much as you need. All of us carry a really good camera with us every day in our smartphone. If you are working on skill development or with individual analysis your phone is a great option. Combining Dartfish Express with your phone or tablet’s built in camera might be all you need.
Ensure you have enough zoom to effectively frame what’s being videoed. Optical zoom uses the actual lens of the camera to zoom. In general the higher the optical zoom the better but anything over 10x will be good enough.
In simple terms optical zoom = GOOD, digital zoom = BAD, so ignore any reference to digital zoom, you should never use it.
HD is not a gimmick. I once thought High Definition (HD) was a bit of a gimmick – a bit like 3D; just a way for manufacturers to sell more TVs. However when you start using HD you really do see a worthwhile difference. Just keep in mind that there are four times more pixels per frame with HD so your computer will need to meet the Dartfish recommended spec and you’ll need more storage space.
Don’t forget the accessories! You will need a tripod. This will steady the shot and make the footage much more viewable. Even if you are using your phone or tablet a tripod is a good idea. Always have a spare long life battery. If the game runs over or you have any technical problems you will need it as the standard battery that comes with a camera never lasts long enough. And don’t forget the waterproofs. Unless you live in somewhere it never rains, protecting all your equipment is vital.
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