Recording Billiard Videos
An Idea-Source Reference

Contents:

1. Introduction.
   1. What's this all about?
   2. Seems like a huge overhead.
   3. Who will oversee it?
2. Which Camera?
   1. AzBilliards Forums : Streaming pool camera input?
   2. '2.b'
   3. '2.c'
3. Ideas on Camera Setup.
   1. Record Snooker & Billiards for YouTube.
   2. Ultimate Guide to the Best Camera Setting for Video.
   3. AzBilliards Forums : Camera mounted to light above table.
   4. AzBilliards Forums : Recording pool matches camera angle.
   5. AzBilliards Forums : Designing new light, projector mount, and camera for table.
4. Lighting.
   1. Smart Billiard Lighting.   Demo videos.
   2. Perimeter Billiard Light.
   3. Predator Arena discussions.
5. Streaming Live, or Uploading?
   1. Record Snooker & Billiards for YouTube.   (Same as item 3.a above.)
   2. '5.b'
   3. '5.c'
6. Video Production (Software and Methods).
   1. How to Make a Video: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need.
   2. Dr. Dave's Video Production Methods.
   3. AV-io HD+ Video Capture Card.
   4. Best Video Editing Software of 2023.
   5. OBS Studio.
   6. Billiards Digest : YouTube University.

This reference has been assembled to help help gain a better understanding of the ins and outs of the (seemingly complicated) subject of recording pool matches.

(2023-July)
This is currently a first-pass at gathering information (not even knowing what's really needed or relevant).

It comes about from some of us looking to record their matches.

Aside from having a copy for personal review there is also the idea of posting some of the matches to YouTube (like has been done at Red Shoes Billiards with some of their league and tournament matches).

One currently favored view is that that's only because we don't know what's involved (and we've not stumbled through the steps enough times yet).

Possibly the league director.   Though somebody else may want to pick this up.   Probably depends on if it's just uploading a file to YouTube or the more involved task of processing the video before the upload.

Streaming pool camera input?
on AzBilliards Forums.

Covers various aspects (camera, lens, setup distances and locations, lights) related to the question.

—

—

How to Video Record Snooker & Billiards for YouTube.

Article discusses recording video for upload to a site (which will allow viewing many times at any time) instead of streaming the event (which is a one-time viewing).

Ultimate Guide to the Best Camera Settings for Video.

Gets into the details of using modern DSLR and mirrorless cameras for video.

Camera mounted to light above table
on AzBilliards Forums.

—

Recording pool matches camera angle
on AzBilliards Forums.

—

Designing new light, projector mount, and camera for table
on AzBilliards Forums.

An interesting journey to get things right.

Smart Billiard Lighting.

Shows demo videos of three different installations.

Perimeter Billiard Light.

A modern professional billiard lighting system.   Engineered to meet and exceed WPA tournament lighting specifications.

"Tournament grade brightness" exceeds the WPA 520 LUX level by having an average value of 1000 LUX. (NOTE_Ray : Possibly too bright! The FAQ says the light source is not dim-able.)

It may also light the room too much. Looking at the photos on their web site it lights way beyond the table!

The reviews below are interesting.

One thing that was mentioned on a Reddit post was that the light which leaves the table space can be really bothersome for people who are subject to migranes!

1. Install of Predator Perimeter Light with thoughts about light by Pool Addiction.

   The info here looks worthwhile.   The assembly and installation are shown in fast-forward mode and so it goes along at a reasonable pace while giving a good idea of what's involved.

   The existing light is being changed out to improve video recording of what's happening on the pool table.   Mentions video flicker on slow-motion recordings under normal lighting and how LED lights get around the problem.   Closes this review with a short slow-mo of breaking a 15-ball rack.

   Includes somme links for more details on the light and other people's reviews too.

2. Lite system -or- Predator light on AzBilliards Forums.

3. Littman Lights.

   Uses a reflective diffuser to keep the light out of the player's eyes.   Can do a custom box around the light.

   Example of Littman light from above AzBilliards Forum article (in case you missed the link there).

4. Predator Perimeter Light review on YouTube by BrandonBilliardGuy.

If going with a Predator Arena light I'd go with the CT36 model as it is dimmable and allows color temperature selection.

How to Video Record Snooker & Billiards for YouTube.

Article discusses recording video for upload to a site (which will allow viewing many times at any time) instead of streaming the event (which is a one-time viewing).

—

—

How to Make a Video: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need.

Main topics are:

1. Building blocks of making a good video.
2. How to make a YouTube video.
3. How to make an instructional video.

Dr. Dave's Video Production Methods.

Describes what Dr. Dave does to create and post his pool videos.

AV.io HD+ video capture card.

USB based hardware solution for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.   Input be HDMI, DVI, or VGA.

Best Video Editing Software of 2023.

Reviews:

1. Adobe Premiere Pro.
2. Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.
3. Apple Final Cut Pro X.
4. CyberLink PowerDirector 365.
5. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate.
6. Adobe Premiere Elements 2023.
7. Apple iMovie.
8. Filmora 12.
9. Pinnacle Studio 26.
10. CyberLink PowerDirector mobile app.
11. Magisto Professional.
12. GoPro Quik.

Also presents this list of Video Editing Guides.

1. Best laptops for video editing.
2. How to edit videos: basic video editing tips.
3. Best Cinema cameras.
4. Best cameras for film making.
5. Best vlogging cameras.

OBS Studio.

Open Source software for video recording and live streaming.   It runs under Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Billiards Digest article on YouTube University.

Tells of people getting involved in presenting billiard videos on YouTube.