Casio EX-FS10: Slow Motion Golf
Golf is an obsession for millions and now an Olympic sport. The intricacies, delicacies and finer details of the game is what sets it apart and makes it one of the most loved and hated sports in the world. Golf is a rough sea of changing hope and fortune, a game of highs and lows, alterations and frustrations. At the centre of this sporting mosaic lies the swing. The way the club moves through the air determines everything from whether or not the ball feels like a rock or marshmallow on impact to its resulting trajectory and indeed, its destination. Every golfer dreams of the perfect swing, of hitting that monster drive, of playing that perfect approach. Coaching is essential for improvement; and even the best players in the world receive regular support. However, lessons can be expensive and sometimes self-analysis can be an easier and more rewarding option. Recording and watching your swing is a crucial first step and seeing it properly for the first time is akin to hearing to the sound of your own voice. The next step is to compare your swing to one that works and who better to look to for guidance than those that swing a club for a living? For years I have compared my swing to that of a certain Mr Eldrick Woods, believed by many to have the greatest golf swing of all time.
Before the days of high speed Internet, when classic dial up was the pinnacle of technology, I subscribed to the Golf digest website. There, amongst the plethora of help articles, were frame-by-frame visual maps of all of the top golfer’s swings. It was basic, but strangely rewarding despite having to wait 15 minutes for the pictures to load. Since the advent of high speed Internet and video upload sites, it has become relatively easy to find clips of almost any professional golfer online. In seconds you can access fast loading, high quality streams of your favourite player on youtube. To add to this, advances in camera technology have meant golf swings can be captured at extremely high frame rates. For instance, BBC golf coverage now makes regular use of its ARRI Tornado camera, which operates at 1000 frames per second (fps). The combination of this technology and broadband means that professional golfer’s swings can be analysed online and in detail by anyone. Below is some stunning high-speed camera footage of Tiger captured by Nike with a Phantom V5:
Armed with Tiger’s footage, it should be easy to compare the differences with my own. Unfortunately for amateur golfers like me, capturing my own swing in such detail is a rather expensive affair. High-speed cameras such as the Phantom typically cost in excess of $10,000. Not exactly a small time investment and a factor that has kept high-speed filming firmly planted on the professional side of the line. However, that could be all about to change. No longer will high-speed footage be a privilege reserved only for those who get special passes at tour events and wear funny green caps. A new Casio range of cameras delivers rapid frame exchange at a price that doesn’t require you to sell your Pings and get a second mortgage.
The EXILM High speed range delivers high-speed filming to the masses. The new EX FS-10, EX FH-20 and EX-F1 are all capable of shooting slow-motion (which is really high-speed) video at at least 1000 fps, putting them on par with much larger, pricier commercial systems such as the Phantom. No tripod is needed and they work well in a variety of light conditions so you can leave the high-powered halogens at home. Casio’s flagship high-speed camera, the EX-F1 can shoot 1200 fps at a resolution of 336 x 96 and 300 fps (an industry standard for high speed golf analysis), at a respectable 512 x 384. This particular camera is already being employed in commercial applications such as crash dummy design due to its relative low cost to performance ratio.
The cameras are already available for purchase in the US. However, most interesting is the recent announcement of the addition of some virtual golf pro firmware to a new version of the EX FS-10. Casio clearly understand the impact their cameras are going to have on the golfing market. The firmware will allow the posture and swing plane of the player to be analysed in tandem with the high-speed video modes. In video review, corrective positions for key body parts such as the head and elbow as well as adjustments in spine angle are suggested in an attempt to improve general swing technique. This means that as well as being able to see what your swing looks like in glorious slow motion and compare it to Tiger’s; you can get advice on how to improve it, straight from the camera.
How exactly the feedback is given will be an essential component to the success of the product. As the general population is being targeted the information needs to be easy to understand and interpret without requiring expert knowledge on the golf swing. However, the system could also potentially be an affordable way for golf professionals to implement high-speed camera analysis into lessons.
But how effective is the camera at capturing high-speed footage? A crucial aspect is the resolution as this is typically what is most affected by an increase in frame rate. According to Casio, at 1000fps the resolution of the EX-FS10 is 224 x 56. To put this is perspective here is an image of the same size:
The Resolution of the EX-FS10 at 1000 fps
It is clear that at this resolution, it is not really possible to capture the entire swing, rendering the accompanying software somewhat useless at the maximum frame rate. Having said that, at 210 fps, which is still quite high, the resolution is 480 x 360, which is not terrible considering the camera does not require a tripod or any additional specialist equipment. This is most likely the frame rate for which the firmware update is intended and at which it will be most effective.
It is interesting this technology has been implemented by Casio, not generally considered one of the front runners and more known for their retro digital watches and school calculators than innovative digital cameras. I would have thought this technology would have come from Sony or Canon. One of the big boys. The high-speed capability paired with the virtual pro feature comes as a surprise, and a very pleasant one. It is important to note that this technology has been implemented in a consumer product rather than at the top end of the EX line, meaning it is going to be available to the average golfer. Sadly the firmware will initially only be made available in Japan. This is possibly to test the waters before the all-important US golf market is targeted. Not that the firmware itself is essential. You can download a whole host of swing analysis software online, with features exceeding those to be implemented in the EX-FS10. What sets the Casio firmware apart is the ability to analyse on the go, which makes it ideal for swing tweaks on the course or at the driving range. The release of cameras with such high-speed capabilities highlights the sharp rise we are seeing in imaging technology. For instance, at the top end of the scale, the latest Phantom V710 allows for a 7520fps capture at full resolution (1280x 800). At an equivalent resolution to the 1000fps on the Casio Ex-FX10, the Phantom can capture an astonishing 288,800 fps. It is only a matter of time before some of this high speed filming prowess further trickles down to the consumer market.
The new Casio EX-FS10 with Virtual pro firmware will be released in Japan on November 26th 2009, with an RRP of around $350. I have a feeling we are going to be seeing a lot more slow motion golf swings on youtube very soon.
Update: this piece was featured on engineeringsport.co.uk here:
http://engineeringsport.co.uk/2009/11/24/casio-ex-fx10-slow-motion-golf/
Frankmusik
Frankmusik (real name Vincent Frank) is one of the new kids on the block, bringing a refreshing retro electropop sound to the music table. In 2008 he was listed in the BBC’s Sound of 2009 after creating buzz with his song “3 little words”.
The same year, he travelled round the UK as part of his Live and Lost Tour. The idea was that he could travel between gigs with only the help of his fans. He went from Loch Ness to Camden, for the launch of his single “Better Off as Two”. I was luckily enough to attend the event as a plus 1 for Amy, who had taken Frankmusik from Birmingham to Norwich. The Launch Party at Dingwalls was high energy and Vince was very dynamic on stage. He showed great confidence and seemed very at ease with the crowd as he guided them through the electro-ballads that had gained him such an avid fanbase. Main support was from Starsmith, who played a great live remix of Kings of Leons Sex on Fire.
In August this year, he released his debut album, Complete Me to critical acclaim. He has since seen the album make it to the number 13 spot in the album charts and three of his singles have made it into the UK top 40.
His latest tour sees him playing all over the country throughout November. His stop at the Plug in Sheffield was just as high octane as in Camden, but the support from Killa Kela added something extra to the occasion. As arguably one of the World’s most gifted beatboxers, he demonstrated skills well and above those first brought to the spotlight by Rahzel with “If your Mother Only Knew”. His performance of “Milkshake” by Kelis with beats, tune and lyrics blew the crowd away.
When Frankmusik took to the stage he delivered his electro sounds with soul and conviction and worked the crowd with regular and intimate interaction. Vince has some beat boxing ability of his own (he used to be called Mr Mouth), and he used this talent to good effect during a “technical issues” moment to keep the crowd interested. He demonstrated once again with an intense and energetic performance that Frankmusik means business.
Here is a selection of photos from the event:
Vitalic – Flashmob
Pascal Arbez, aka Vitalic is back with a new album, a follow up to his debut in 2005, Ok Cowboy. His live version of OK Cowboy, Vlive, showcased a vibrant collection of electro to rival Daft Punk, who are often cited as one of his major musical inspirations.
His latest track medley, entitled Flashmob (released on September 27th 09), is sure to be another classic. Here is the video for poison lips, one of the songs from the new album, directed beautifully by Julien Levy.
