Product testing the Veo video system (part one)

I've been using the Veo video system for the last month. In essence, it shoots video without the need for a camera operator. It then analyses the footage to give you a video which follows the play. You can then use that to share clips or the whole game with your players.

Here's my overview of setting it up and sharing the footage.

In subsequent posts, I will be telling you about the ways I used it specifically in coaching and when my team's start playing more regular games, how I've managed the output.

I'm not an expert video analyst and I will come at this from a grassroots approach. My own needs are that I am on the field coaching for about 8+ hours a week on top of a day job and so I need something that is easy to use and quick to share.

However, when I can, I would like to explore more options around using footage and how it can integrated into more sophisticated analysis packages. That said, I know Veo is creating some more video analysis tools using their AI system.

Because of permissions, I can't show you all the specific clips I would like. Here's a typical piece of footage, from Veo on Youtube, and is similar plenty of the other game footage I've seen.

SETTING UP

Before you venture out, eou will need to link you Veo to your phone and computer, which is fairly straightforward.

When you arrive at the ground, you clip the Veo onto the tripod, turn it out and hoist up the tripod to about 7m. When it was windy, I put a sandbag onto one of the arms at the bottom.

You then access the Veo camera app via your phone, check you have the whole pitch in view on the viewfinder and then press record. You will be able to see the two cameras at work.

Two of my early recordings didn't take into account the sun position. Yhey looked it bit strange when I received the final footage (see the clip below).

At the end of the game or training, it's just as quick to take down. The recording is made onto the hard drive in the Veo, and not onto the phone.

SHARING THE FOOTAGE

When you get home, you plug the Veo into your internet router. I'm not sure exactly how long it takes to download, but I've generally plugged it in the evening and I get the results the next morning. You can then access them via an app on your phone or on your computer.

Initially, you get the 180 degree static view of the game. You can zoom in and out using the Veo software. However, the real magic happens when you get the AI version. By some technological wizardry, the footage somehow follows the ball. It also detects tries, kicks at goal and line outs.

With this detection, it creates a highlights reel. You can click on each of these to watch the 30 seconds around this moment.

For example, here's my son's try from a pre-season friendly. It was automatically detected and I could download the clip straight from the app.





You can note that I didn't take into account the sun, hence the two-tone look.

There's a button to "share with the opponent" too, which is good to share footage with the players.

The automatic highlights function works fine for matches, but doesn't (yet) detect scrums. Therefore, you can also create your own highlights with comments. I've used this with some training footage already.

As you can see below, not "sun" problems and the pictures looks very clear.



In the next article, I will talk about how I used to analyse games and training.

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