Choosing the best endzone camera for your team might not be quite as straight forward as you may have thought. You could go straight for one of the well-known makes, such as Hi-Pod or Endzone Video Systems, simply because you know that other teams use those models with systems like Hudl.
However, jumping straight in and buying an end zone camera based solely on the fact that you know the name won’t guarantee that you get the best video camera tower for the best price. So, before you spend your team’s money on an end zone camera tower to use with Hudl, check out these important features that you should look at before you buy.
Software options
Before we get on to how to shop for an endzone camera, you might be asking the question; what is Hudl? Hudl is one of the best known video coaching software systems on the market and the company provides software, such as Hudl Football and Hudl Soccer, which enables coaches to analyze and share video footage of games and practice sessions. Hudl is not the only company in this market, though, there is a company called Krossover, which supplies similar software, and there is also a fairly new entrant into the market called VideoChamp Sports, which has been getting some extremely good reviews.
The camera
The first thing to think about when you are buying a video camera tower is the camera itself. If you already have a good quality video camera, you will need to make sure that the camera is compatible with the endzone tower equipment. If you don’t have a camera, be sure to check the specifications of any sports video camera tower that you look at, because not all manufacturers include a camera in their package.
Innovative design features
Some of the more established suppliers have pretty much stayed with the same design for many years. It’s well worth looking at some of the new innovative designs, which include the use of carbon fiber poles, which are lightweight and very strong, and swivel-poles, which make moving the camera for one angle to another much easier.
Check the weight
The weight of the various models of endzone camera systems can vary quite considerably, so check how much the whole unit weighs and how easily it can be packed away and carried. As a guide; 50 pounds is probably about the maximum weight that you would want to go with.
Look the battery charging options
Look at the battery life of both the viewing monitor and the cameras, and look what the battery charging options are. Some of the newer, more innovative designs of endzone cameras and remote control cameras have solar battery packs included, which can be great for using in long practice sessions when you can’t get to a power outlet.
Look at the quality of the viewing monitor
The quality of the viewing monitor is also an important consideration when you are shopping for the best endzone camera. You will get the best viewing results from a high-resolution LCD monitor that is at least 7 inches square.
Stability
For good picture quality, and for safety, you need to make sure that a video camera tower is going to stable and that it can be securely anchored to the ground. Look for systems that have independently adjustable legs, so that it can be set up level on uneven ground, and it should also have a full range of anchoring equipment, including straight stakes, spiral stakes, anchor-bags, and spike pegs.
Check the accessories list
When you are comparing the different models of endzone video camera tower systems, make sure that you are comparing like for like. Some suppliers don’t include anywhere near the same number of accessories with their tower units as others do. When you are looking at the price of video camera towers, be sure that you know what is included in the package and what you will need to purchase separately.
Neil Savin