Throughout the history of Personal Computing, there has been a direct correlation between the technical capabilities of the computing “platform” of the day and the types of computer “applications” that were possible. The computing platform starts with the hardware components, such as the microprocessor (ex: Intel Pentium, Mac G4),  system memory, disk storage speed and capacity, and its graphic display and printing capabilities. The final, and perhaps the most important piece of the platform is the Operating System (DOS, MS Windows, Mac OS)- which must continue to evolve as well in order for software developers to be able to create “applications” that use the capabilities of the hardware.

From the days of 12 inch or smaller “monochrome” text-only displays and dot matrix printers of the early 80’s to today’s “Flat Screen’s” stunning color graphics capabilities, sports technology companies have always delivered applications that were made possible by the computing platform at any given time. In the very early days, applications were largely statistical and “data” oriented, with “output” that was limited to whatever could be produced with dots. As we progressed through the 90’s, graphical applications such as play drawing and animation software became both possible and affordable.

SPORTS VIDEO EDITING BECOMES PRACTICAL

The most recent advances (last 2 or 3 years) in computing platform technology have made it possible for sports technology companies to offer Digital (or non-linear) Video systems at increasingly affordable prices. Plus, their software is getting easier-to-use and more powerful, as some of the “heavy lifting” has been done by computing companies like Intel and Microsoft and “consumer” electronics companies such as Sony and Panasonic.  The result is that we have entered what could may someday be called the age of Digital Video in Sports – at all levels.

SPORTS VIDEO EDITING BECOMES AFFORDABLE

Only recently have price points on “Sports-Specific”Digital Video Editing systems started to reach the level of affordability for the “masses” – small college, High School and Youth programs. Much like $1000 was a price that saw the widespread adoption of computers in the home or consumer market, this year’s plethora of “sub $10,000” video editing systems has seen increased adoption of this technology by sports programs at all levels.

SPORTS VIDEO EDITING – THE “KILLER APP FOR COACHES”

What is special and different about this latest computing technology trend has to do with the importance of Video as a coaching and teaching tool. Just like eMail communication was the “killer app” that brought computers into the mainstream of humanity, Digital Video promises to do the same for coaches. While it may have been possible for coaches to ignore computers until now, the combination of the benefits delivered by Digital Video and its increasing affordability will make doing so increasingly difficult, if not impossible.

To be sure, we are still at the beginning of this trend. Many computers that are still in use today struggle to handle the demands of Digital Video – even with add-on devices. And many do not have DVD players, which will increasingly become the medium of choice for distributing video until the DVD is replaced or augmented by the computer network, whether it be a private Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area (WAN) campus or school network, or Public Network such as the Internet.

SPORTS VIDEO EDITING SYSTEMS – THE COMPONENT APPROACH

So, what is the coach who has yet to enter the world of “Sports” Digital Video (as defined by purchasing a $3500 plus Video Editing system) to do?

Waiting until next season, at this point, may be just fine. Just as 2003 saw an exponential increase in the number of vendors offering affordable video editing systems, 2004 will be more of the same. And, systems will improve and cost significantly less. Guaranteed!

However, if you want to get started in the world of Digital Video but funds are limited, you can begin to build a Video Editing System the way many “baby boomers” built component stereo systems in the late 70’s – by adding components as your budget allows.  The price tag – about $2000 for a name brand Digital Camcorder, Super VHS VCR, Computer with Flat Screen Display and Video Capture Card, and general purpose Video Editing software.

THE PIECES OF ALL VIDEO EDITING SYSTEMS

The primary components of any Digital Video Editing system, sports or otherwise are:

1) Camera – probably the most important.
2) Camera to PC Transfer mechanism – the way you get the video from either a tape or a camera into the computer and from the computer to a tape. This depends on the camera and VCR’s that you have as well as the connections on your computer.
3) Computer – including processor, operating system, storage devices such as disk drives, disk packs and CD and DVD recorders and players. It may also include a special video card.
4) Software – the program(s) that capture, catalog, and manage the video files (in the purest sense, they are just very large files on your computer) and provide the ability to perform data functions based on the video. The software can be “specialized” and expensive, or “generic” and inexpensive or free.

The type of camera used will have a significant impact on a number of things, such as the quality of the video and how it will get from the camera to your computer – not to mention the size of the video files. Recent improvements in Digital Camcorders have made it possible to purchase one for well under $1000 that will produce an acceptable quality, and even a $400 Camcorder produces surprising good digital video.

JUST WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A “COMPONENT BASED EDITING SYSTEM”?

Once a game is on the Camcorder tape (99.9% still record to tape), its simply a matter of deciding what you want to do with it. Your options include:

1) Watching it on the PC Monitor without transferring it to your PC
2) Transferring it to the PC and watching it on the PC in one window while you use a scouting, spreadsheet or other program in another window if you wish
3) Transferring it directly to a VHS, SVHS tape or a DVD that you can pop in your player or give to your staff members
4) Transferring it to the PC and doing some basic editing (organizing the Offense, Defense and Special teams, for example) and then dumping to tape or DVD.

It may come as a surprise that ALL of these things can be done using what are called “common off-the-shelf” components. Essentially the only piece that is missing is the (OPTIONAL) software that catalogs the video clips, which is where the biggest expense usually lies.

If you can forego this option for now, you can add it later, since many companies will sell you their sports editing software to work with your existing hardware.

THE “DEMOCRATIZATION” OF VIDEO EDITING SYSTEMS – AN UNSTOPPABLE TREND

Much like Camcorders and VCR’s did nearly 20 years ago, the progress of Digital Video as a technology will have a huge impact on sports in general and coaching in particular. Coupled with recent and future improvements in the computer’s ability to “process”, store and manage video files, the editing systems of tomorrow promise to be more powerful, easier to use and less expensive.