Not all are compatible.

If using a FireWire connection, it is likely that the video camera will be compatible.

If using a video capture device to connect the video camera to the computer, then it depends on the capture device. The capture device must be compatible with Microsoft's DirectShow technology. Some capture devices are only compatible with proprietary software from the manufacturer.

Possibly. It depends on the video camera. Some video cameras will not provide a live video feed using a straight USB cable connection. That connection is instead intended to transfer files from the camera to your computer, not to provide a live video feed.

RaceReplay needs the live video feed. It will record portions of the live feed and save the video to an AVI file on your computer. Your camera does not do any recording.

It is possible, but the video quality may not be very good.  We do recommend that the webcam support at least 1.3 megapixels.  A progressive scan webcam may also provide better video quality.

Instead of using a FireWire connection, you can use a video capture device. These devices connect to a USB port on your computer and then generally provide S-Video and Composite Video connections to the video camera. With a Composite Video connection, you can find a longer cable to give you greater flexibility in where the computer can be located. Radio Shack does carry long Composite Video cables.

The drawback in using a Composite or S-Video connection is that they will not provide video quality as good as a FireWire connection will. However, it is of sufficient quality to display on a projection system or large TV.

If you are using GrandPrix Race Manager in combination with our RaceReplay software, then GrandPrix Race Manager can control the recording of video and trigger the replay sequence or you can do the recording and replay manually.

Computer Setup - How GrandPrix Race Manager communicates with RaceReplay is dependent on your computer setup, if running both programs on the same computer or on networked computers. You will need to select the appropriate option in the Advanced Software Setup screen within GrandPrix Race Manager.

1. Same Computer - If running GrandPrix Race Manager and RaceReplay on the same computer, you can leave GrandPrix Race Manager set to Local communications.
2. Different Computers (Networked) - If running GrandPrix Race Manager V9.0 or above with RaceReplay V2.0 and above on different computers that are networked together, you will need to specify the IP Address for the computer running RaceReplay. To determine the IP Address, go to the Software Setup screen in RaceReplay. The IP address will be listed under the Network Communications section. This is what you will need to enter into the Advanced Software Setup screen for GrandPrix Race Manager.

Controlling Recording with Instant Replay - To have GrandPrix Race Manager control the recording and initiate the instant replay, two things need to be set.

1. In GrandPrix Race Manager, go to the Options menu of the Racing screen (not the Main screen) and select the "Control Instant Replay" option.
2. In RaceReplay, go to the Options menu, select "Replay" and then select the "Auto Replay" option.

Controlling Recording with Manual Replay - To have GrandPrix Race Manager control the recording but you wish to manually trigger the replay for only select heats, then do the following:

1. In GrandPrix Race Manager, go to the Options menu of the Racing screen (not the Main screen) and select the "Control Instant Replay" option.
2. In RaceReplay, go to the Options menu, select "Replay" and make sure that the "Auto Replay" option is turned off.

When Not Replaying - You have two options on what RaceReplay is to do when not displaying the video replay.

1. Minimize Out of Sight - For RaceReplay to minimize out of sight after playing a video replay, go to the Options menu of the Main screen, select After recording/Replay and then select the Minimize Screen option.
2. Keep Visible - You wish RaceReplay to remain visible after playing a video replay, so you can manually trigger a replay or monitor the live preview, then do the following:
   • Make sure that you do not have the Minimize Screen option turned on (as described above).
   • You can reduce the video size down to the minimum to take up less screen space, if desired.
   • Go to the Options menu of the Main screen and select the Always On Top option. This will make sure RaceReplay will stay over the top of other programs, like GrandPrix Race Manager.

Start of Recording - If your timer indicates when the start gate has dropped, then the recording will start at this time; otherwise, recording will start when you see the yellow "Ready" message.

Note: If there is a significant delay in the start of the heat, then the recorded file size will get quite large. Make sure you set the file storage options in RaceReplay as desired.

Stop Recording - As soon as results are received from the timing system, recording will be stopped.

Start of Replay Sequence - The replay sequence will be started once GrandPrix Race Manager has finished performing its end of heat tasks (updating track record, notification of round complete, etc.). This is to make sure that GrandPrix Race Manager will not interfere with the replay sequence.

You can try different video compressors (codecs). Windows comes with several video codecs, but you may also have other codecs that were installed along with media players or video devices. You can also find a variety of video codecs available on the Internet.

You can try out different video codecs by going to the Software Setup screen, click on the Advanced button, next to the selected video device, and then select a different video compressor. However, please note that not all codecs will be compatible with RaceReplay.

Generally, you will have to reach a compromise in video quality and size of the video clip AVI files. If you get great video quality, you are likely to have very large AVI files. If you have small AVI files, you are likely to have poor video quality.

Other limitations are your video camera and if using a video capture device. You will never get better video quality or a faster frame rate than what your hardware can support.

RaceReplay does not control video quality, frame rate, maximum video size or AVI file size. The combination of your hardware and selected video codec controls these.

You may be using a NVIDIA video card. If so, follow the directions below. These were obtained from the NVIDIA website.

Certain video files, which use video overlay, may not display properly on a secondary monitor when running in dual monitor mode. To enable video playback on your secondary monitor or TV, Full Screen Video should be enabled.

Please follow the directions below to enable Full Screen Video:

1. Right-click on your Desktop and select "Properties."
2. This will bring up the Display Properties control panel. Click on the "Settings" tab and then click on the advanced button.
3. Click on the tab corresponding to the graphics card installed in your computer. For example, if you are using an NVIDIA based GeforceFX 5700 graphics card, choose the GeforceFX 5700 tab. A pull out window will appear to the left of the panel. Select "Full Screen Video" from the left pull out window.
4. The "Full Screen Video" panel will appear. If you are running in Dualview mode, select "Auto-Select" from the "Full Screen Device" drop down menu . If you are running in Clone mode, choose "Secondary Display" from the "Full Screen Device" drop down menu option,

Click the OK button to confirm these changes. When a video, which uses video overlay, is running, the video will now appear in Full Screen mode on your secondary display.