Options on taping oneself skating

[jjane45]

Well, I'd feel uncomfortable asking anyone, even if paid, to film the rink for 60 minutes!

I don't know what is so difficult in the range thing. Folks at arduino forums hinted that currently there is no economic / simple way of handling tracking with arduino + openCV even without considering range.

Was originally thinking a good webcam, servo, and computer running real time video analysis to follow the emitter on skater would do. Guess I am still asking too much.

Anyways, got my tripod at least

[Adultsk8r509]

I am really lucky to skate at a rink where I am often the only skater or one of a handful during the times I skate.  I tape nearly every practice unless it's too crowded.  I use my iPhone.  I prop it up on the boards in the corner and sometimes put my puffy coat on the ice below, just in case someone slams into the wall and it shakes loose and falls to the ice.  My rink has no current policy against this.  I did skate at another rink recently and I got scolded for doing that....    I have seen many videos of people skating when the camera is following them around.  Unless it's a professional camera operator they are usually dizzying to watch.  I would rather see it from far away.  Just my opinion.

[jjane45]

I climbed up all the way to the top of the stands, extremely close to the ceiling, and still cannot capture the whole rink with camera from the corner!!

What a bummer... I should have checked. Time to find something else...

Related thread: Wide angle video recording?

[jjane45]

I take our GoPro and put it on the boards.  It's a wide angle lens so you can really get sweeping views of the rink.  For instance, here's a video I made with the GoPro with it resting on the far end of the rink.  Look at how much of the ice you can actually see!  If I were to place it in the middle of the oval, I probably would capture most of the rink.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYg_Ic1Ms0w/

Do you remember if it was filmed at 127 angle or 170? Ideally I'd like to put the camera inside hockey box yet still catch the whole rink. Evil dance patterns go all the way to the boards and corners, sigh.

Thanx in advance

[slcbelle]

It was filmed at 127 degrees since I'm recording in 1080p resolution.  If I dropped the resolution down to 960p or 720p the field of view would increase to 170 degrees.

[jjane45]

It was filmed at 127 degrees since I'm recording in 1080p resolution.  If I dropped the resolution down to 960p or 720p the field of view would increase to 170 degrees.

Thank you very much! When you next visit the rink, would you mind experimenting on what it takes to capture the whole rink surface? Pretty please?

[slcbelle]

Thank you very much! When you next visit the rink, would you mind experimenting on what it takes to capture the who rink surface? Pretty please?

I'm eating a bowl of cereal right now and heading out in 10 minutes.  I'll post experiments for you!

[slcbelle]

OK, jjane45!  Here you are.  127 and 170 degrees FOV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kfV9c9gLsA&feature=channel&list=UL

[jjane45]

OK, jjane45!  Here you are.  127 and 170 degrees FOV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kfV9c9gLsA/

You are awesome!! OK it seems like even with an HD+ camcorder with crazy wild ultra wide lens, it's pretty difficult to cover the whole ice and make it productive... Sigh, I'll see what I could make out of it!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN <3 <3

[slcbelle]

You are awesome!! OK it seems like even with an HD+ camcorder with crazy wild ultra wide lens, it's pretty difficult to cover the whole ice and make it productive... Sigh, I'll see what I could make out of it!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN <3 <3

If I had put it more at an angle towards the ends, you probably would capture everything.  Want me to try that tomorrow?  OK!  I will!   

[jjane45]

That's so nice of you! you filmed the video from the boards right? Would you mind also going into the stands, facing the center of the rink, see at what point will it cover both ends of the rink?

I speculate I'll need to setup the camcorder in the stands with tripod, just hoping there is no need to climb to the ceiling... And wondering how big will the skaters be!

Thank you a million!

[slcbelle]

That's so nice of you! you filmed the video from the boards right? Would you mind also going into the stands, facing the center of the rink, see at what point will it cover both ends of the rink?
I speculate I'll need to setup the camcorder in the stands with tripod, just hoping there is no need to climb to the ceiling... And wondering how big will the skaters be!
Thank you a million!

Sure.  I'm going today.  But, would you really want to leave a $200+ camera all alone in the stands for someone to potentially steal?  I think I can get the entire sheet if I place it somewhere between the center line and the rounded end.  Do you need the video to be completely centered on the rink?  Or, are you just trying to capture the entire sheet regardless of angle?  Let me know and I'll tinker.

[jjane45]

I'd love to see both if all possible... From the center for a balanced view, and from a corner for maximum coverage. And yes, whichever angle that captures the most ice.
And please do not leave the $$$ camera unattended

[slcbelle]

I'd love to see both if all possible... From the center for a balanced view, and from a corner for maximum coverage. And yes, whichever angle that captures the most ice.
And please do not leave the $$$ camera unattended

I didn't record today because it was really foggy on the ice.  We FINALLY got some rain and it was if the moisture made it looks like there was dry ice everywhere.  Not ideal for you to see the rink.  I'll try tomorrow.

[slcbelle]

Alrighty...here is video from the bleachers at 170 and 127 FOV for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQPnwcEmDqI&feature=g-upl

[sarahspins]

Would you mind doing one more?  What is the coverage like from a rink corner?

[jjane45]

Alrighty...here is video from the bleachers at 170 and 127 FOV for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQPnwcEmDqI/

You are my hero! The 170 view fits my needs perfectly. How far up did you go in the bleachers? thank you a ton again  ;-)

[slcbelle]

You are my hero! The 170 view fits my needs perfectly. How far up did you go in the bleachers? thank you a ton again  ;-)

You're welcome!  My pleasure.  Halfway up the bleachers.  I wanted to clear the plexiglass.

[jjane45]

OK this is the first test using Vado HD2 and a generic fisheye lens. What do you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjG9pvC_jtM/

[slcbelle]

OK this is the first test using Vado HD2 and a generic fisheye lens. What do you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjG9pvC_jtM/

You certainly can see the whole rink!  Is that enough detail for you?

[jjane45]

Well, for the price of it (total $55 including tripod) I am fairly satisfied. At this point all I need to see is the position of my arms and legs, as I lose track of them lol.

[slcbelle]

Well, for the price of it (total $55 including tripod) I am fairly satisfied. At this point all I need to see is the position of my arms and legs, as I lose track of them lol.

Seems like you are good to go!   

[jjane45]

Seems like you are good to go!  

I think I am!! Thank you slcbelle for all your help <3

Posted some practice vids in the video vault, and I am shocked that our amazing forum members actually see much more than I ever imagined from a faraway angle.

Now the only thing to test is how well it can capture program music from where it stands, will report back after my next outing

[davincisop]

I just saw this and thought a few of you might find it interesting. It's supposed to follow your every move and you can record with your iPhone or android.

http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-swivl/

[jjane45]

I just saw this and thought a few of you might find it interesting. It's supposed to follow your every move and you can record with your iPhone or android.

http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-swivl/

Thanks! Somehow missed this. The problem with it and other motion tracking devices is the limited sensor range of 10 meters or so.

Here is another sample video taken from the boards with fisheye lens. (solo practice of cha cha and fiesta tango)  It's from a corner of the rink because for dance practice I need to see end patterns the most, still captures the whole rink with the other end being extra small.