# Optimize Your Recordings

Getting the best quality recording is a very important step:

* It will optimize the AI video breakdown (player and action identification) on the Balltime platform, saving you hours of tedious editing.
* It will create the highest quality video for your Highlight Videos.

In this guide we will cover where to place your camera, and which settings to use. Once you are done recording, you can head over to [upload your video](https://academy.balltime.com/record-and-upload-your-videos/upload-your-videos).

| RECORDING | DOs                                                                                               | DON'Ts                                                                           |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Device    | Anything! iPhone, iPad, GoPro, Samsung, Camcorder                                                 | Do not zoom out, no fish-eye lens                                                |
| Height    | 5ft tall Minimum. Ideally 8-10ft tall. Stationary                                                 | Less than 5ft high. No movement or holding the device                            |
| Quality   | 1080p. 30/60 fps                                                                                  | Avoid 4K videos (due to the size of the file). No previously live-streamed video |
| Location  | Endline. Center court. Or sideline. See all 4 corners of the opposite side of the court from you. | Do not create a V with the corner of the court                                   |

{% embed url="<https://www.loom.com/share/0178ee37ddac47abbcb3d48fc7de9dae>" %}

## **Camera Equipment**

You can record on any device. You can use:

* Smartphone
* Tablet
* GoPro
* Digital camera&#x20;
* etc.&#x20;

Any type of device will work - so long as it fulfills the digital requirements [listed below](#camera-settings-guidelines). If you are using an iPhone or and iPad, do check out the [Balltime mobile app](https://academy.balltime.com/getting-started/login-to-balltime/balltime-mobile-app/android-users), it could really help with the upload process.

## **Camera Location**

Follow the below instructions for optimal recording:

* Record from the middle of the back baseline of **YOUR** team. (Or as close as possible to this. The less side angle the better)
  * If your team switches sides, switch sides with them.
* Use a Tripod to get a good vantage point. Anywhere from 8-15ft is ideal. Eye level is acceptable. A minimum of 5 feet is required height. (Higher is almost always better)
* Try to frame the court with as much of the four corners showing as possible (distance permitting)
* Always record on the side in which your Athlete is playing (moving between sets if necessary)
* Optimize for as few visual obstacles as possible (line referees, spectators, or any other visual obstacle that would block our AI from seeing the athletes). Don’t hesitate to politely ask people to move out of the way.

For reference, this is the ideal framing you are looking for when setting up your recording:&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://788785684-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiyllLrlePTM2R7ArQFer%2Fuploads%2FUUAGrkwo384UAc2maxvk%2FIMG_8256.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=2c15003f-d5f9-45ac-9f1e-b4ad723638e0" alt=""><figcaption><p>Ideal framing for Balltime</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://788785684-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FiyllLrlePTM2R7ArQFer%2Fuploads%2FjZTIZHPoZBNLJOpg63eS%2FIMG_8259.PNG?alt=media&#x26;token=3bd8d488-8c2c-4c79-a653-284c150d5a94" alt=""><figcaption><p>Ideal framing for Balltime</p></figcaption></figure>

##

**Camera Settings Guidelines**

Our platform works best with **raw, unedited footage** that should follow the below specifications:

* No pre-edited videos (meaning do not stop and start the video between every play)
* 1080p resolution minimum
  * Avoid 4K recordings (although works, this will make the upload process very long)
* Avoid previously streamed videos (Quality is usually lower because of bad service)
* Upload entire match or video per set and merge them into one video during the upload.
  * If your are pausing between sets, make sure to make every set an individual video.
* No Zoom Out or fish-eye/wide-angle lens
* No vertical videos
* No multi-camera footage


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