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/
Adidas Predator X
The new predator is here! Now in its 10th installment, the predator is one of adidas’ defining and most iconic products. Since its introduction in 1994 it has been the boot of choice for some of the world’s best football players. One of these players was legend Zinedine Zidane, who has played a part in the development of the new Predator X.
The new boot is constructed from TAURUS calf skin leather, a move away from the K (Kangaroo) leather traditionally used on predators. Adidas have employed an asymmetrical lace system to increase the size of the strike zone, into which a large rubber-silicon predator element with a high coefficient of friction is integrated in order to improve control of the ball.
Powerspine technology, as previously seen in adidas goalkeeper gloves (fingersave) has been used in the sole of the boot, replacing the Powerpulse system. Essentially the Powerspine is an structure which can only flex in one direction. This means that in general movement such as running where the foot requires flexibility the structure can bend, but when going the other way as during a shot, the elements of the Powerspine structure lock together, increasing the overall stiffness and therefore the energy transfer to the ball for more shot power.
Following the launch of the boot on Monday, this weekend will see the debut of the boots in the Premier league by key adidas players. They are due to go on general sale mid November and are available to pre-order now with an RRP of around £135.
Nikon 85mm Macro
An 85mm macro from Nikon - get closer.
Nikon has recently announced the release of a new lens, the AF-S DX MICRO NIKKOR 85MM F/3.5G VR
Firstly, it its worth pointing out that by micro, Nikon actually mean macro. It is a strange terminology not generally adopted by other manufacturers and initially led me to believe that Nikon did not in fact produce a modern macro lens.
Luckily, this is not the case and Nikon have finally decided to add a DX macro to the line up. The lens features a built in Silent wave AF-S motor for fast autofocus, even with entry level DSLRs like the D40/D40x/D60.
The lens employs an advanced VR (Vibration Reduction) for sharp results even at slow shutter speeds, and with a reproduction ratio of 1:1 is ideal for close-up photography.
The lens should go on sale in the UK in Dec with a RRP of £500. Dear Santa…..
Powermat – The future of power?
The Product This new charging system does away with wires and allows you charge a a device simply by throwing it onto a mat. This special mat, known commercially as a Powermat is an innovative technology that is able to wirelessly charge a range of handheld electronics. It is compatible with a number of products including the iphone, Blackberry, and Nintendo DS. There is a catch of course, in that a separate receiver case must be attached to a device to make it compatible with the Powermat. Additionally, you still need to plug in the actual powermat, so there will always be one cord, rendering it somewhat ineffective if only one device is being charged.
The Price Luxury charging comes at a cost. Investment in the technology requires not only the purchase of the base Powermat, but also individual receivers for each device. To give you an idea of how this might tally up, lets look at buying a system to charge an iphone and an ipod Nano.
Powermat £69.99
iPhone Receiver £34.99
Ipod Dock £34.99
Total Spend: £139.97
The Problems For a system that simply charges, this is a hefty tag, particularly for only two devices. Everytime you want to charge a new device, you would have to purchase a new receiver. The receivers themselves are not interchangeable between devices, instead each one is tailored to best fit a particular product. For instance, the iPhone receiver is an outer case whereas the Blackberry receivers take the place of the battery door. Another major drawback is the charging of other devices (ie not an iphone, Blackberry, ipod or Nintendo), which do not seem to have purpose built receivers. For these products, the connection to the Powermat is via a “Universal Powercube receiver” with “interchangeable tips”. Essentially this is a simple receiver with a cable that attaches to the device, negating the main purpose of the Powermat, which is to provide wireless charging.
The Plus Points Criticism aside, the Powermat is a great product. It looks incredible and the premise of wireless charging is extremely exciting. Product reviews have given huge acclaim to the system and it seems to deliver on all of its promises. It is packed with features including magnetic alignment and an RFID handshake to ensure effective power transfer. As well as the main Powermat, there is also a portable fold up version with carry case for wireless charging on the go.
Overall, the Powermat is functional, innovative and highly desirable. It provides a glimpse into the future of wireless power and despite the high price, gives the buyer an easy and effective way to charge multiple handheld devices.
