Comprehensive programs supporting video golf recording using Kinovea

[Reiner]

Starting with a script of Inorkuo, during the last years a comprehensive program collection has been developed to ease multi camera setup using kinovea.
The programs allow to create even a complex setup (up to 5 camera/replay mapping) of multiple camera and replay objects to record for example the golf swing.

The concept consist of a „Scene“ containg multiple cameras and related replays, that can be combined in different ways.
Each scene can be saved and later recalled on request.
A bunch of scenes are predefined that can be used as they are (Golf recording using 1 camera or 2 cameras, example scenes, other sporting events)

It may help users to create a working setup in short time.

The capabilities of Kinovea are increased in many ways. Only to mention some is user management, switching from recording to replay mode after a given time or using the keyboard, frame-wise synchronization of videos, file deletion after a specified time period to prevent hard disk overload, extensive facilities to post-process the recorded video files like video trimming, rotation, changing frame properties, changing codecs, extract images, stack frames of a video, horizontal or vertical stacking videos, overlay videos and/or images, simple background removal to better show movements and more.

Below you will find a link of my onedrive-directoy containg the ZIP-File (VAInstall.ZIP). It contains all files to setup the system, including Kinovea and other programs.
Imagemagick has to be downloaded and installed separately. There is a button at the installation program.

Please thoroughly read the VA_Quickstart.pdf to get all necessary information to install the program.

Any comments are welcome.


Reiner



Public folder containing the VA_Quickstart.pdf and VAInstall.zip file for download:
(new link that works hopefully)

https://hente-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/familie_hente_onmicrosoft_com/EvTjVA8sRTdEjqTIcKzPuGoBevSBYjpSebzsjf2EFQUg0Q?e=OA9EHQ

VA_Quckstart in reduced quality:
VA_QuickStart95dpi.pdf

[darbysan]

Thanks for the excellent stuff here. I downloaded your files, and got everything working (using Golf Scene2), for a while. Then Started getting strange messages, like Disk Full and Unhandled Exceptions messages. I'm using three SSD drives- one for the main drive C with all the program files, and a separate SSD for each camera (Drive D and E). I deleted everything, and reloaded from scratch. Again, I now have everything working, but now when I hit a shot, the screen does not automatically switch over to the replay instance. I have to go to the computer and hit the Function key F6 or F7.

I liked the way it initially ran the replay for 20 seconds, and then switched back to the camera images. Can you help me locate my issue?? I think it might have something to do with the Post Process command %Run VA Process Scene Active command... but I'm lost

[Reiner]

send you a PM to check

[darbysan]

Well, Reiner has been helping me via Email for the last few days. He really knows his stuff! I had some initial issues with setup, but once I worked through those his routine works great for me. I really appreciate all the help he gave me!!

Reiner has made all of this so easy. He has a zip file above that includes just about everything you need to get started. Just download, unzip, and then follow his instructions in the enclosed PDF. It all sets up automatically in a matter of minutes. He has many pre-defined SCENES. These are "programs" built in Kinovea that make repeated setup easy. Using his golf SCENE2 Scene, it loads 2 cameras, each camera in a separate instance of Kinovea, and then creates a third instance for sync'd playback of both videos. Hit a ball, the video records, reset's the sound trigger, and then switches the screen so you can watch the video's replay in slow motion. See 3 repeats of your swing, and the cameras then switches back to live view. Perfect! You can learn to set up your own scenes in Kinovea, but this sure shortens the learning curve. I'm not sure I could have succeeded without this Jump Start.

For me, I had to use the Scene editor to "rotate" the cameras so I could use the taller orientation. I rotated mine counterclockwise 90 degrees ( setting of 2) . Do not use Windows to rotate the cameras. I tried that, and my frame rate went from 120 to 10! I also changed the Audio trigger from 35 to 40. At 35, I was getting a lot of unwanted recordings . I also had to make sure that my monitors were set to 1928 x 1080.

I look forward to diving deeper into the capabilities of this system, like drawing lines, etc. It gives me something to look forward to. So far, my swing has improved a little, and I am now concentrating more on my Diet !!

**** Thought I would document my build, in case others are looking for details. In my research, it took a while to find PN's, etc, to make everything work.

I have 2 cameras ( ELP 120 FPS Global Shutter 2.8-12 mm lens, OV9281 Sensor. PN ELP-USBGS800P03-SFV). Bought on Ali Express ( https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...nm2usa4itemAda pt ). One is DTL, the other Front View. The front camera is about 6' from the ball, while the rear camera is about 9' back. I had old Camera tripods that I could use, but found these on Amazon at a good price in case you need them ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J8RM35Q...HMZL&psc=1&ref _=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it ) . You want to mount the cameras about Hands High. I also needed a USB extension cord, and used this one (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LA56WDM...product_detail s ).

I am using one monitor ( older 39" tv) for the Kinovea display, and a second 32" monitor to play GSPRO. I have a projector as well, but with the cameras I use a lot of light, and the Projector is just not as functional as a second TV screen for GSPro.

I installed an 18000 Lumen LED light from Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX91T2MK...product_detail s ), hung from the ceiling about 4 ' in front of the golfer (above and just in front of the Face ON Camera). I tried it installed more overhead of the golfer, but had too many shadows. I hung it from the ceiling on a simple Lamp socket with switch (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5NC2251...product_detail s ) .

I have a Microphone clipped to the Skytrak box for the audio trigger (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DPQJQ2L...product_detail s )

In my PC, I installed a separate 500GB SSD to record the videos. (I actually have 2, but so far one is working fine for me). I also have a RX6650XT graphics Card, so each monitor has it's own HDMI connection. The PC uses Win11, has 16GB ram, and Intel i5-12400F Processor.

[ARL67]

Really good stuff in this thread- > thanks Reiner and darbysan !

I just got my garage Sim going a few weeks ago ( GC3 ) and doing swing cams is on my to-do list.

[Snipe]

Does anyone care to do an updated version of this post? The new version of Kinovea has some really nice features (such as opening two instances automatically), however it also has some issues (such as glitchy playback which seems like a resource issue?). I've been trying to figure it out - but have completely screwed up my setup and can no longer record swings. :,(

Reiner - if you're around - the world needs you!