Recording Live Games 201 - Camera Settings & Fence Placement

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Oct 21, 2016
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Hi All. This thread is an extension of a previous thread, Recording Live Games 101, where lots of folks kindly helped me out with some basic info on how they record games. Link Below to previous thread. With this new thread I'm hoping to go a bit further into details and learn more from everyone's experiences.

https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-discussions/34594-recording-live-games-101-a.html

So since that previous thread I had a bday and asked DW for the Go Pro Hero 5 bundle from Costco. Thanks to whomever specifically suggested that in the previous thread as they had the best price she could find. I also as suggested by many ordered the LinkSpyder to attach the camera to the fence. So I'm on my way to recording games with just the memory cards and extra batteries needed to get through long Softball weekends. I took the GoPro with me on vacation this past week and played around, as well as watched quite few youtube videos on optimal setting, and my videos have gone from pretty bad to pretty good. I started out with my frame rate so high my computer couldn't even play the movies, but with trial and error it has gotten better.

I'm hoping others can share the camera setting they use to specifically record games so I can avoid some of the trial and error I'm sure is involved in optimizing video quality. Everything from Field of View, Frame Rate, Color setting, etc.... I'm also interested in optimal placement of the camera on the fence, although I'm sure the optimal location won't always be available. Is the camera better set up at eye level to batter, or higher? And is the camera best directly behind the catcher or slightly offset left/right? Any other tips/tricks you have on camera settings and placement would be greatly appreciated.
 
Apr 16, 2013
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I can't help you with any specific camera settings as I don't use a Go Pro. However, for the camera placement and such I can offer some advice. Personally, I always place the camera towards the higher end of my reachability to the right side of the ump/catcher. Since most batters are righties, this offers the best field of view. If you put it just behind then you'll never see the pitch very well. I place it high and bent the camera mount piece down. Same reason as before, it lets you see the pitch far better. With the LynkSpyder, you'll find that the left side hooks up easily, but where you'll hook on the right side is always more recessed on your typical chain link fences. So, you'll end up bending the right side hooks a little. Next, get the top hooks in place first with exactly where you want the camera to be looking thru the fence, tighten down, then put the bottom hooks anywhere you can, get them fitted well, then tighten. From there the camera mount controls will let you slide the camera up/down/left/right to fine tune your camera location. Also, make sure the lens isn't sticking thru the fence hole. A foul ball can nail it and potentially cause damage. Make recessed a little to where a foul ball can't touch it.
 

Josh Greer

DFP Vendor
Jul 31, 2013
934
93
Central Missouri
Agree with what was mentioned above. As mentioned because of the recess of the fence (and some fences are more recessed than others), the 4th claw (usually the bottom left) requires a little more effort (kind of like the fitted sheet on a bed....but we are way easier than that). After you get the 3 claws in place, take your finger and push the bottom left corner of the LynkSpyder (assuming that is the 4th claw) into the fence. This will allow the claw to easily fit in the recess. Once tightened, this actually serves to better hold the bracket in place. Here's a video (my gosh...has it been 4 years!) showing how I recommend mounting:
[video=youtube_share;0IjqzWOuGV4]http://youtu.be/0IjqzWOuGV4[/video]
There is a follow up video. But it really is outdated now that GoPro no longer uses the 30 pin port and you are forced to use USB to power the camera externally.

As for settings, I highly recommend shooting in 1080P resolution and 60 frames per second. 60 frames will capture sharp video, assuming you have good lighting. IF it is at night and/or lighting is low, 24fps is generally what I use. The only other exception to the 60 fps is that if your computer experiences problems playing back the video. If you find this to be the case, switching to 30fps will fix this issue and still provide you great video. Just note that 30fps takes up just as much space as 60fps (explain that math to me, if you can). So certainly don't make the decision to downgrade because of storage.

As for location, the higher the better. But in all honesty, I mount it only as high as I can still easily reach the camera to manually start and stop between innings. I like to turn wifi off as it reduces heat in a lot of situations. So I'm never mounting any higher than about a foot over my head. And as for left or right, I usually mount it on the side of our team. If you find that you can't see the ball traveling across the plate, mounting on the right for a right handed batter, and visa versa can certainly help.

As for field of view, I suggest starting at Linear (for the HERO5). This will produce the least amount of distortion. If you find that the action is too far away, reduce down to medium. Much wider than that, and you risk either getting fence in the shot, or having to push your lens too far through the opening. And we don't recommend that.

The last thing I would suggest is to make sure you turn the blinking lights and the beeping off. Either one of these could be cause for distraction. Which is always best to avoid.

I hope this helps.
 
Apr 5, 2013
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Back on the dirt...
I will add that on some fields I can use narrow field of view. Depends on how far the backstop is. I also have stopped the recording between innings to help break up the segments and to change field of view. Narrow when we bat and medium or linear when in the field. I cant always do that when I’m coaching because of being busy so I usually Check it before the game starts.

I had an older iPad that would only allow me to veiw in 1080 30 but the one I have now allows 1080p 60fps.
 
Oct 21, 2016
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Thanks for all the responses, and thanks for the video Josh. A question for you go pro users. Do you have troubles with it getting hot and shutting off on hot days? In my head my plan was to let the camera run from beginning of game to end because I'm generally walking around and taking still shots during games. I really don't want to be stuck turning the camera on and off. I figured I would just edit the video later and take out all the time in between innings.

Does anyone have USB battery suggestions? I'm sure there are heat issues with those as well. I like the idea of the solar USB batteries that recharge themselves, but I'm in the Pacific NW and a lot months we are playing with no sun in sight.
 

Josh Greer

DFP Vendor
Jul 31, 2013
934
93
Central Missouri
This is the battery we recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/EasyAcc-Monster-20000mAh-External-Portable/dp/B013QG7HAA
Others may suggest something different. No heat issues from batteries that I'm aware of. I like this battery because it has (2) 2Amp input/charging ports. This will let you recharge twice as fast as most other units.

As for GoPro heat, if you are recording non-stop, make sure to turn off WiFi. Will keep heat down.

Also don't skimp on a good micro SD card. That can reduce heat as well (the camera doesn't have to work as hard to save/buffer, which cuts down on over taxing the processor)
 
Oct 21, 2016
189
28
This is the battery we recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/EasyAcc-Monster-20000mAh-External-Portable/dp/B013QG7HAA
Others may suggest something different. No heat issues from batteries that I'm aware of. I like this battery because it has (2) 2Amp input/charging ports. This will let you recharge twice as fast as most other units.

As for GoPro heat, if you are recording non-stop, make sure to turn off WiFi. Will keep heat down.

Also don't skimp on a good micro SD card. That can reduce heat as well (the camera doesn't have to work as hard to save/buffer, which cuts down on over taxing the processor)

John - How many charges of the go pro do you get with that battery?
 

Josh Greer

DFP Vendor
Jul 31, 2013
934
93
Central Missouri
John - How many charges of the go pro do you get with that battery?
I once left the field and forgot to turn the camera off. Went out the next morning and saw the GoPro in the car. It was still on. Yea, long time. When we we're doing league all week and tournaments on weekend, I could usually do all on a single charge.
 
Oct 21, 2016
189
28
Thanks everybody. DD has her first scrimmage double header in about 3 weeks with her new team (my dry run), and then her first ever exposure tournament the week after that and I will be ready to record them thanks to all your help.
 

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