Does your association videotape games?

[coach41]

Our group doesn't tape during the regular high school season that I am aware of. That being said, our group DOES tape during our "spring training" sessions at a local spring high school league.

Our group holds two-person (for newer officials) and three-person (for experienced officials looking to get more three-person mechanic) practice every spring. The group tapes these sessions while we officiate games (we usually do two games in these sessions) and then the observers discuss with us what they saw and look at some things on tape.

The upside is you get to see yourself on tape. The downside is that the games are usually not as intense as a typical regular season high school game so you're not challenged by certain things that might occur in a high level game. Personally, seeing myself on tape is good. You don't realize certain habits you have until you see it.

[cford]

The item that I would like to test out and purchase (if it works properly) is this:



Auto Pan-Tilt Head

I talked to Jean who sells them and he sounded unsure if it would work in a gym 50-100 feet from the action. Possibly more interference.

It uses an Ultrasonic Audio Signal. It says that it has an operating distance of 35 ft unobstructed but Jean said that it will work farther depending on situation. He said you could possibly add a parabolic shaped disc to amplify the signal.

I thought about purchasing it, testing it, and then sending it back if it didn't work but he said that it would have to be returned in the EXACT condition, box in excellent condition, etc. for him to accept it. They are located in Rohnert Park, California (40 min from San Francisco). Is anyone close to this that would want to go over there some time and give it a test? Or coordinate with him to take it to a gym and test it with him?

I think the potential of this device are huge for officials!
- You can be on the court and not have to worry about having a camera operator. If your remote for your camcorder works far away then you could hit record right before the game starts or have someone at the table go hit record for you right before the jump ball.
- Or your association could use it for training and not have to have a camera operator (who forgets to pan the camera on that fast break at the end of the game that was the most critical play to see)! It wouldn't miss a single play and it would be fluid.

Are there any engineers/DIYers here that think they could get this device to work at a farther range based on the specs?

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by cford

The item that I would like to test out and purchase (if it works properly) is this:



Auto Pan-Tilt Head

I talked to Jean who sells them and he sounded unsure if it would work in a gym 50-100 feet from the action. Possibly more interference.

It uses an Ultrasonic Audio Signal. It says that it has an operating distance of 35 ft unobstructed but Jean said that it will work farther depending on situation. He said you could possibly add a parabolic shaped disc to amplify the signal.

I thought about purchasing it, testing it, and then sending it back if it didn't work but he said that it would have to be returned in the EXACT condition, box in excellent condition, etc. for him to accept it. They are located in Rohnert Park, California (40 min from San Francisco). Is anyone close to this that would want to go over there some time and give it a test? Or coordinate with him to take it to a gym and test it with him?

I think the potential of this device are huge for officials!
- You can be on the court and not have to worry about having a camera operator. If your remote for your camcorder works far away then you could hit record right before the game starts or have someone at the table go hit record for you right before the jump ball.
- Or your association could use it for training and not have to have a camera operator (who forgets to pan the camera on that fast break at the end of the game that was the most critical play to see)! It wouldn't miss a single play and it would be fluid.

Are there any engineers/DIYers here that think they could get this device to work at a farther range based on the specs?

$360? Seems a little bit pricey. My biggest concern is that if you're on a basketball court, it's going to always keep you in the middle of the screen (as you are wearing the sensor). However, you are not going to be in the middle of the action. Unless you have a wide angle on the court you might be getting junk to watch. And who wants to wear that awesome sensor pack that goes around your waist?

BTW, we do not video tape for our association. However, I've developed pretty good relationships with most of the ADs that I work with and they are more than willing to give copies of the games if asked.

-Josh