Track video with the overlay

[Expressivedrives]

Hi!

Do you make videos of your racing? What is your equipment and workflow?



I am currently using video from action cam, data from RaceBox, combining together with RaceRender 3, but this workflow is quite clumsy and time-consuming.

[dparm]

If you aren't overly concerned with professional-quality video, the AIM SmartyCam will make it very easy.

https://www.aim-sportline.com/us/pro...v2.1/index.htm

[Ximian]

RaceRender 3 with GoPro 9 on a Mac. No idea why, but it works so much smoother and quicker on a Mac.

[Expressivedrives]

Originally Posted by Ximian

RaceRender 3 with GoPro 9 on a Mac. No idea why, but it works so much smoother and quicker on a Mac.

thanks, where do you get the gps data?

[Expressivedrives]

Originally Posted by dparm

If you aren't overly concerned with professional-quality video, the AIM SmartyCam will make it very easy.

https://www.aim-sportline.com/us/pro...v2.1/index.htm

Thank you, I did not know about this solution!

[Ximian]

Originally Posted by Expressivedrives

thanks, where do you get the gps data?

The GoPro 9 Black has built-in GPS. RaceRender is able to read it and automatically figure out the track map and lap time data.

[torrque]

I use trackaddict and my phone only... it works fine. Cut and Render in Photoshop CC 2020.

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

You can get by a GoPro and race render but after awhile I got tired of the workflow and really just wanted a download and go workflow.

I ended up w a smartycam to add to my existing aim components. Expensive? Heck yes, but it's really idiot proof.

[derbo]

1. AIM solo Race Analysis to export the CSV with data from the Aim Solo.
2. Go Pro Hero 9 + GPS data (optional)
3. RaceRender with template to set and go.

Synchronize the 1st pass of the finish line on all data formats and then export.




The new Garmin Catalyst is pretty neat that it just spits out an overlay right off the bat without intervention. You just copy the overlay video to your laptop/desktop and upload to Youtube.

[StogyBear]

Race render is the easiest. I did it the hard way because I wanted more control.

Capture OBD in Harry's lap timer
Convert to JSON
Import to after effects
Write a few expressions to control everything (including shift lights)
Interpolate the key frames.

This is the end result. Starts around 7:30

[tdott]

My setup atm:
iPhone 6S w/Harry's Laptimer
Bad Elf 10hz GPS addon
GoPoint OBD Bluetooth addon
GoPro Hero 5 Black for video (phone mount is too shaky)

[kyippee]

Keeping it simple now. Garmin catalyst as my only device. Renders on the device and I can pull the video off the SD card.

[Expressivedrives]

Originally Posted by kyippee

Keeping it simple now. Garmin catalyst as my only device. Renders on the device and I can pull the video off the SD card.

totally agree with the simplicity thing. At the end of the day you don't want to use your phone as a track tool. Simple dedicated units have much better usability. Don't want to overload myself with different gadgets, additional pairings, bluetooth etc. There is more than enough to think and focus on the track.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by Expressivedrives

totally agree with the simplicity thing. At the end of the day you don't want to use your phone as a track tool. Simple dedicated units have much better usability. Don't want to overload myself with different gadgets, additional pairings, bluetooth etc. There is more than enough to think and focus on the track.

True, but keep in mind you can repurpose an old phone you might have laying around.

The iPhone 6S I have is pretty much dedicated to track video and Mavic drone controller since I don't use either very often.

Also Harry's laptimer can do video overlay without the extra senors.

The 10hz gps add on just provides more accurate data and the OBD add on provides the additional car data, but those aren't needed to get the video overlay and I started without them.

The GoPro also isn't required, you can use the phone camera for video, but my problem was I didn't have a mount stable enough for the phone and the GoPro seem to provide better video so I started using that also. But again, not required if you want to keep it simple.


Compared to a $1k dedicated device, I prefer to buy myself a new phone which I will use everyday and then take your old phone which is probably more than capable and repurpose it.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by Expressivedrives

totally agree with the simplicity thing. At the end of the day you don't want to use your phone as a track tool. Simple dedicated units have much better usability. Don't want to overload myself with different gadgets, additional pairings, bluetooth etc. There is more than enough to think and focus on the track.

huh? Cellphone is the most simple thing there is for basic track recording with g-force and GPS. You can add-on a 10hz GPS which once paired is completely passive... you do nothing except open your cellpphone track app and the app just uses the external GPS unit. Same as an OBD-II dongle if you want RPM and other car Data. You plug in the dongle and just leave it in the OBD port. They cost $10 on amazon and once paired to your phone you don't have to do anything.

I use my phone with trackaddict app (racerender), a cheap Elm327 OBD adapter, and a Garmin Glo II for more accurate 10hz gps. The process is simple... you download racerender on your PC and then the app syncs your video and data to your PC. Then you can go crazy with the overlays showing whatever you want and export the final video.

[rhyary]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

huh? Cellphone is the most simple thing there is for basic track recording with g-force and GPS. You can add-on a 10hz GPS which once paired is completely passive... you do nothing except open your cellpphone track app and the app just uses the external GPS unit. Same as an OBD-II dongle if you want RPM and other car Data. You plug in the dongle and just leave it in the OBD port. They cost $10 on amazon and once paired to your phone you don't have to do anything.

I use my phone with trackaddict app (racerender), a cheap Elm327 OBD adapter, and a Garmin Glo II for more accurate 10hz gps. The process is simple... you download racerender on your PC and then the app syncs your video and data to your PC. Then you can go crazy with the overlays showing whatever you want and export the final video.

You don't see brake pressure which is just as important as throttle. But yes, it is not necessary. The thing about "necessary" becomes "it depends" on what you want from the video.

If you want to study your driving from the video, the brake pressure and throttle position as well as the steering angle become essential. All of these parameters are available on the CAN bus but not on the OBDII interface.

[derbo]

My current setup:

Aim Solo2 DL + Canbus
GoPro Hero 9 with external mic on rear bumper
RaceRender + saved templated made which is a hybrid of M3 gauges from M3 Number 86 and Harry laptimer clone GUI. I am liking the new Garmin overlay too.

## Workflow

Export Aim Solo data to PC, export to CSV
Export GoPro Hero 9
Open Racerender with template, add video, add aim solo data
Sync the Aim Solo data to the video 1st time passing the finish line.
Do a sanity check on a few spots to ensure synced.
Edit any static text like Track/Date
Export session video for archival
Export best lap video for Youtube.

It usually takes less than 15minutes to get to the final export steps.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by rhyary

You don't see brake pressure which is just as important as throttle. But yes, it is not necessary. The thing about "necessary" becomes "it depends" on what you want from the video.

If you want to study your driving from the video, the brake pressure and throttle position as well as the steering angle become essential. All of these parameters are available on the CAN bus but not on the OBDII interface.

Yes you need a canbus integrated device for the real good data... but i hardly consider that type of setup to be simple or cheap.

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

If you're thinking of dropping money on a new GoPro, just go and buy a Garmin Catalyst instead. Best bang for the buck to help you get faster.

[Ximian]

Originally Posted by sc_tr0jan_m3

If you're thinking of dropping money on a new GoPro, just go and buy a Garmin Catalyst instead. Best bang for the buck to help you get faster.

There's a pretty big price difference between the two. An Aim Solo 2 DL and Garmin Catalyst? I'd understand that as they're closer in price.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Expressivedrives

totally agree with the simplicity thing. At the end of the day you don't want to use your phone as a track tool. Simple dedicated units have much better usability. Don't want to overload myself with different gadgets, additional pairings, bluetooth etc. There is more than enough to think and focus on the track.

This is why the AIM SmartyCam is the right choice. After initial setup, it is zero effort.

But...if you are not using other AIM devices and doing telemetry/data analysis, you are missing out on quite a lot.

What are your objectives and goals? Is the video merely for fun, or are you using it to improve technique and support other data sources?

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by sc_tr0jan_m3

If you're thinking of dropping money on a new GoPro, just go and buy a Garmin Catalyst instead. Best bang for the buck to help you get faster.

I wish Garmin would allow interoperability with other devices to capture video. It currently records 1080p at 30fps. I think it would not be unreasonable to be able to record 4k at 60fps these days.