AFM Home | The Staff Report | June 2003

Question: Is there a way to turn my VCR and my PC into film-editing and scouting equipment? I would like to be able to turn the cut-ups into a DVD to either use as a highlight reel, or to give to the coaches and players to watch game film at home. Also, what is the best software for scouting, for the price since I will have to pay for this out of my own pocket. – Justin Hoffman, Defensive Coordinator, Gateway High School (Colo.)

Answer: If your PC is less than one year old, it probably will be fast enough with some modest upgrades to be compatible with most digital video editing systems, including the LRSSports Gamer Video Editing and Game Analysis system. Upgrades may include upgrading your operating system, adding some memory, a firewire card and hard drives for video storage. Any VCR will work, but remember the better the source (camera and deck), the better the quality of the digital video.

The easiest way to burn DVDs is to purchase a set top DVD recorder and use it like you would a VCR. I would suggest a DVD recorder that has a firewire port to get the best video quality. To make the initial copy,

it will take “real time”, so a 45-minute cut-up will take 45 minutes to record to DVD. After recording this DVD, additional time will be needed to make chapters and titles if you want them. From this “master” DVD, you could then make multiple copies faster than real time using a DVD duplicator. There are many post-production software packages available to help create highlight video where you can add your own graphics and music.

Of course the best scouting software is, subjectively speaking, the LRSSports Video Editing and Game Analysis system. Many coaches have said that it is the easiest and most comprehensive integrated scouting software available. In evaluating scouting software, factors to consider include:

• Ease of marking up and adjusting video clips
• Ease of data entry
• Ease of creating and saving reports and
  templates
• Ease of creating titles and new cut-ups
• Ability to print customized reports and video frames
• Ability to customize terminology and staff rooms

With scouting software, you will probably “get what you pay for.” It is very important to consider the financial stability and longevity of the vendor, annual software upgrades and the quality and type of training and technical support you will receive.

– Ronald Wojcicki