Video Race Timer (VRT) is a custom set of applications to capture, analyze, and publish sprint races. This is a quick introduction to help staff and volunteers in the timing tent familiarize themselves with the tools.
At the end of this series, you should have enough information to understand and run the basic workflow. LHS staff will still need to handle setup, emergencies, and special features.
There are five basic modules, plus Excel.
| VRT Nikon | Control the Nikon DSLR and capture video. |
| VRT Timing | Set up the finish line, analyze video. |
| VRT Upload | Publish results and photos to Facebook. |
| VRT Display | Show results, videos, finish photos on client supplied flat panel at race site. |
| VRT Grid | Validate advancements based on rules. |
| Excel spreadsheet | Import, calculate, export grid details. |
In order to provide the greatest flexibility, we use a macro-enabled Excel spreadsheet to automatically retrieve results from VRT Timing, calculate advancements, and print results for the runner.
Variable Staggered Start Races
You can use VRT Nikon and VRT Timing to capture times for a variable staggered start race. In this race, teams start and finish at the Finish line (the race course is a loop). Teams start at variable intervals, usually (but not exactly) 10 seconds apart. This race is an exciting race since there are turns and boats overtaking each other.
Optional: reposition the camera and move the finish line to the middle of the screen.
A horn starts each team, but their time starts when they cross the start line.
- VRT Nikon
- As the first boat approaches the start line, press F10 to start recording. Leave the camera running.
- After the last boat crosses the start line, press F11 to stop recording.
- VRT Timing: while the teams are racing (but before they approach the finish)
- Import the video and find the first boat crossing the start line.
- Press Set 0 to set the clock to the first boat.
- For each successive boat
- Find the start frame.
- Press the Disqual button (currently labeled "S" to indicate DNS). This will show a pop-up window.
- Press Credit. This applies a time credit based on the start time.
- Save the results.
- VRT Nikon
- Before any boat approaches finish line, press F10 to start recording
- After the last boat crosses the finish line, press F11 to stop recording.
- VRT Timing
- Import the video. The clock will still be based on the first video's time.
- Find the finish time for each boat and update the finish time using Set 1 - Set 8.
- The times will reflect the actual race times, since the time credits will compensate for the staggered start.
- Publish and results.
- Excel: import the results and use Excel to add penalties/credits based on boat issues (impedance, collisions, etc.).