Has anyone ever created a video set-up so that you could take remote riding lessons? I wouldn’t want a Go Pro type camera because I want the instructor, via computer, to have a view from the center or side of the arena, rather than from the back of the horse. Seems like with all of the technology available, it shouldn’t be too difficult but I’ve never seen this.
You can do it with camera robots like Pixio or Soloshot. There are even services that take care of everything for you like trainmedo.com
I had looked into Pixio and Soloshot but found very negative comments about both - have to prepay and waiting years to get the product. And trainmedo.com is only for trainers that participate in their program. I’m looking to use someone of my choice. Thanks for your suggestions.
Possibly it could be done using a drone, the ones my son has you can instruct the drone to follow a specific target at such and such distance… our horse never even paid any attention to the thing
Assuming the barn is hardwired for internet or you have some serious WiFi capabilities with good signal strength, I’d look at a webcam/live streaming solution.
At the most basic level, you can just plug a $20 webcam into a laptop and stream via Skype. The view is going to be limited (probably won’t get most of the arena, no zoom/pan) but it’s a start.
At the higher end, you get webcams that have all the zoom/pan capabilities and interfaces so the viewer (e.g. your instructor) can control them. This will let your instructor see what is going on better, although often those interfaces are sluggish and may not work great in this sort of situation. A better option may be setting up multiple webcams around the ring so the instructor can cycle through them as needed.
I don’t know all the technology in detail, but live streaming is a pretty common capability these days. It shouldn’t be hard to research solutions out there and find something that will work with your budget and setup (e.g. what you do might be different if you can permanently mount the camera vs. having to take it up and down every ride).
Soloshot2 is in production, but it can be used outdoor only. Soloshot3, which is supposed to work in indoor, is not in production, and may never be.
Pixio is in production, and can be used both outdoor and indoor. I just got mine last week (took three days from order to delivery). The drawback is you need to setup three beacons for it to work. This setup, I believe, is the only technology available currently for robot camera to work in lieu of GPS. There needs a way to triangulate your location.
Once you have a camera that follows you, most modern camera is equipped with Bluetooth, which can then be used to link up to your instructor’s computer.
Has anyone tried just having a sports camera on their instructor’s hat/head mount. Seems like some inexpensive cameras could work and you would get the trainer’s voice. Not going to zoom, but guessing that you can do that when you review the footage. I would really like to find a way to capture. Please comment on any success with the soloshot2 or pixio.
