Working with Multi-Cam Videos

Protern Video can automatically create a single video from multiple camera positions, much like a World Cup broadcast feed

• What are Multi-Cam videos?
• Creating a Multi-Cam video
• Viewing a Multi-Cam video
• Editing a Multi-Cam video
• Sharing and exporting a Multi-Cam video
• Removing a Multi-Cam video

What are Multi-Cam videos?

A multi-cam video is a single video that includes multiple videos edited together. The result is much like a World Cup alpine skiing broadcast, where the video tracks the skier by going from one camera position to another. Protern Video can automatically create these if the videos have a valid timecode, and are of the same athlete, run and quantriq.

One of the features that makes Protern Video's multi-cam video unique, is the ability to dynamically switch between camera positions. This is particularly useful when there are overlapping videos, such as multiple angles of the same section of course (e.g. valley cam or a follow-cam and side angle).

Multi-cam videos are denoted in Protern Video's gallery by the multiple camera icon above the time of the video.

Creating a Multi-Cam video

The base requirements for a multi-cam video are the following: 

1. Videos need to have an accurate timecode (e.g. LTC or filmed using the Protern Video app) for proper syncing
2. For Smart Multi-Cam, the following additional requirements are needed:
   1. Videos should all be of the same athlete doing the same run
   2. Videos need to also be associated to the same quantriq

Difference between Smart Multi-Cam and Add Multi-Cam 

There are two ways to create a multi-cam video: Smart Multi-Cam and Add Multi-Cam 

Smart Multi-Cam will scan all the selected videos looking for videos of the same athlete, run and quantriq. When it finds a match, it will automatically make a multi-cam video. Protern Video will make as many multi-cam videos as it finds matches. This is useful when you have imported all your camera positions for multiple athletes. 

Add Multi-Cam will create one multi-cam video from the videos you select. This option is useful if the videos have an accurate timecode, but are not linked to a Protern Athlete - i.e. you've filmed the competition. 

Using Smart Multi-Cam

If your videos meet the requirements above, then here's how to create a multi-cam video in Protern Video:

1. Import all your videos from the multiple camera positions and assign them to a quantriq
2. Select the videos you imported - Tapping the checkbox beside date is the quickest method
   
3. In the multi-select option menu, tap Smart Multi-Cam
   
   
4. Protern Video will now scan the selected videos and create multi-cam videos for videos that include the same athlete, run and quantriq. It will add the multi-cam video icon and download the complete run data.
   

Using Add Multi-Cam

1. Select only the videos you want to include a single multi-cam video
2. Tap the Add Multi-Cam option in the multi-select menu

Viewing a Multi-Cam video

Multi-cam videos are viewed in Protern Video the same way as single videos, with the addition of Multi-Cam Playback mode. Data overlays, side-by-side comparisons, modifying the play-back speed are all possible.

Default Multi-Cam Video Timing

When creating a multi-cam video, Protern Video will play each camera in order until the end, then switch to the next camera. If Camera 1 starts and ends before camera 2, then camera 2 will not be shown by default. In this case, you can switch to Multi-Cam Playback or edit the multi-cam video to transition to camera 2. 

Using Multi-Cam Playback

While watching a multi-cam video in full-screen mode, it is possible to turn on Multi-Cam Playback which will display up to three active cameras in sync. 

1. Watch a multi-cam video in full-screen mode
   
2. Tap the Analyze icon
   
3. Select Multi-Cam Playback
   
4. When there are overlapping videos, Protern Video will show the additional videos in the Monitor 1 and Monitor 2 positions
   
5. Tap on the Monitor 1 or Monitor 2 video to have it switch to the main viewport
   

Editing a Multi-Cam video

It is possible to adjust the in and out points for the multiple cameras. This can be helpful if a camera started filming before the athlete came into frame, or if there is a short video of a particular section of the course.

These are the steps to edit a multi-cam video:

1. Tap on a multi-cam video from the dashboard to get to the video detail screen
2. Tap on the option menu and select Edit Multi-Cam
   
   
3. In edit mode, you will see the all the camera positions and their order timing. You can tap play, or move the progress indicator to different points in the video.
   
4. To adjust the entry point for a camera, drag the camera's handle to the left.
   
5. For cameras that start and finish before the previous one, drag the entry point to the left.
   
6. Protern Video will automatically create a second transition.
   
7. Tap Save to save the edit
   

Sharing and exporting a Multi-Cam video

It is possible to export and share a multi-cam video in the same way as a single video. Simply tap on Export and pick Advanced Video, Rendered Video, or Plain Video.

Advanced Video will include all the original videos in the .protern file in addition to all the data. By including the original videos, it allows the recipient of the .protern file to edit the playback and use Multi-Cam Playback mode.

Removing a Multi-Cam video

It is possible to unlink a multi-cam video if it was done in error, or you would like view the individual videos on their own.

1. In the gallery, tap the option menu for the multi-cam video and select Remove Multi-Cam
   
2. In the video detail page, click the option menu and select Remove Multi-Cam