Your camera’s arrived — now it’s time to set it up.
First thing’s first—download the Focus app and make sure any other coaches and team administrators do too. The app is key for camera installation and operation.
If your camera hasn’t been installed, see these steps. Once Focus is on the wall, make sure your schedule is up to date, then enjoy a hassle-free, HD recording of your next home game.
Now that you’ve installed your camera, you might run into some of these logistical questions.
How do I know if I’m recording?
Look at the light on the device itself or open the Focus app to see the camera’s status.
- No lights means the camera does not have power and can’t record.
- A pulsing orange light indicates the camera is booting up.
- A white light indicates the camera is in standby mode, and is ready to record.
- A green light indicates the device is recording.
- A solid yellow light means your camera needs to be activated, or there might be network issues. Check the Hudl Focus app for instructions on what to do next.
- A pulsing red light is a sign that you should give our support team a call.
Okay, but how do I know everything is good to go?
The Focus app is your one-stop shop for the status of your camera. When you’re logged in, it’ll recognize any outstanding actions you need to take to start using your camera and will recommend next steps. We’re always proactively monitoring your camera for any issues too, so if something’s not right, we’ll reach out.
Which angles are available for my recording?
- Tactical
- The camera follows plays as they move up and down the playing surface during recording and zooms in when there’s action. Available for game and practice recordings.
- Left and Right
- This view allows you to see one-half of the playing surface at a time. Only available for practice recordings.
- Panoramic
- This angle view of the entire playing surface. Available for game and practice recordings.
What happens if a recording overlaps?
We weren’t kidding when we said Focus was a smart camera — it knows how to overlap events and upload the games under the correct schedule event and team. The camera starts recording at the scheduled time for each home game and has default recording times based on your sport. For global football (soccer), Focus records for two and a half hours, unless it’s stopped or extended via the Focus app.
My school has two cameras in different gyms or fields and my team plays at both. How should I designate which one when I create a schedule entry?
Your team will be automatically designated to use one camera during setup, so if you’re playing in the other gym, record from the Focus app.
I have more questions.
See more answers. If that doesn’t do the trick, reach out to our support team.
Use Focus to connect with other teams in your school and district.
Involve the whole school.
Any team that plays in the gym or field can use Focus — so once you’re set up, make sure the other coaches know about it too.
You can also use Focus to record non-sporting events like halftime performances and graduation — check with your Hudl rep for more info on how.
Get your away games.
Take advantage of the Focus Exchange Network. For any away games played at a Focus-equipped stadium, the game film will automatically upload to your Hudl library. All you and your opponent need to do is confirm each other on your respective Hudl team schedules. That’s it — Focus does the rest.
If you’re playing at a shared stadium or neutral site with a Focus camera, you’ll be able to gain access to record with the camera.
Add video from a mobile device.
When you record with an iPad, you’re able to upload as the game is happening, allowing you to watch the video as soon as the bus ride home. Even if you don’t have access to Wi-Fi, you can still record the game and easily upload when you get a connection. It’s the simplest way to get video on Hudl.
- Use the Hudl app on an iPad or iPhone to record.
- Select the camera icon from the menu or home page and start recording.
- Connect to Wi-Fi as you record to upload the video live. (If you don’t have access to Wi-Fi, you can always upload later.)
- Add details such as video title and type, then select or create a schedule entry.
Add video from a computer.
If you prefer recording with your existing camera, that’s no problem. Hard drive cameras, especially those that record in HD, are great. When you’re done recording, just connect the camera to your computer and get that video uploaded to Hudl. (To super simplify the process, pop out the camera’s SD card and plug that in instead.)
- Click Upload.
- Drag and drop your video into the browser, or select the file from your computer.
- Add details such as video title and type, then select or create a schedule entry.
Exchange your video with other teams.
Gone are the days of driving across state to exchange games with your upcoming opponents. With the click of a button you are able to send video to teams on Hudl. Play an opponent who doesn’t have Hudl? Download your video and you’ll receive an email with a link to forward on.
Pro Tip: If you’re listed as a coach and not a team administrator on Hudl, you won’t see Exchanges
on your Hudl account. Reach out to a team administrator to exchange the video or to give you access.