Finish-line USB webcam integration

If you are looking for an insurance policy for your gated races, this webcam integration will be a handy tool to add to your setup.

Note: The biggest variable in the value of your USB webcam is the frame rate (FPS - Frames per second). Anything over 30 FPS is good, and closer to 120 FPS is great. For example, an iPhone in Slo-Mo mode captures at 240 FPS. Depending on your budget and your laptop's capability, find an FPS camera that performs well outdoors with your laptop.

For a real-world example, check out this video. Note that you will want to use VLC media player to review saved videos post-event: VLC Media Player Example.

To use the USB webcam integration to assist with the processing of your finish-line results follow these steps:

1. The camera we used for developing this feature is from eBay and costs around $98. It has the following description - HD 2MP 1080p CMOS 170 Degree Angle Fish Eye Lens Color Video 120fps USB Camera

2. To use the camera feature plug it into your laptop and make sure it is recognised and happy

3. Startup RaceHQ v 3.21.78 or greater here. This is found by clicking on the version number in the bottom right corner of your RaceHQ software and ticking the Beta option if it is not the current version

4. Now that you have the camera plugged in and are using the correct version, it is time to do a test with the camera in pack mode. Click on pack race and Go race

5. Then click on the camera Icon in the top options bar

6. If your camera is not connected or not happy with your laptop, you will see this message all the time, "Connecting...."

7. When the camera is connected and happy, you will see the footage from your camera. Also, you will see:

1. Ready to Race
2. This number will represent your frame rate; it will fluctuate based on your computer processing power
3. Options with what to do with the footage from your race, it will save or delete automatically when you press save in the race screen

8. For the camera to work, you need to keep the camera pop up window to remain open or minimised. IMPORTANT - If you X or close the camera screen, the video footage will not record or work. So keep that screen open or minimised.

9. Once the race has started the camera screen will display Racing

10. Once the timer starts capturing times the status of the camera screen will change to Capturing

11. The camera will only save a maximum of 14 seconds of footage (to keep the file save reasonable):

• Pack mode - first place time minus 1 second then an additional 13 seconds
• Sprint mode - first place time minus one second then an additional 13 seconds, or if you press stop/all the lanes get times plus 1 second

You can then scroll through the footage to see the places and confirm your places etc. if required. Remember you don't have to see this screen, you can leave it minimised until you need to look at it. It's more of an insurance policy than a required visible screen

12.  When you then press save the footage will be saved (assuming you have the save function on for the camera setting). 

As the footage is saving it gives you a progress bar.

13. It saves the video file, plus the frame form the video that relates to the place trigger. The save location is Documents\ResultsHQ Video\Centre Name\Date

The frame has overlayed on it the following:

• Place
• Race time
• Athlete name (if keyed in on race screen)
• Date and time stamp for that race

14. The camera status will then return to Ready to race once it has saved.