Hello everyone,

I am a professional figure skater looking into motion capture for use on the ice with skaters. I have access to a simulation software that uses motion capture data to simulate a figure skating jump. I have done extensive research into mocap systems and am looking into the ipisoft ps eye camera system as a cost effective alternative. For research purposes I will be using a larger optical system with active markers; but I am trying to see if a 16 camera PS eye system could be a cheap alternative.

I would like to setup 16 cameras around 1/3 of the rink to capture a skating jump.

Here is a picture displaying my idea, however with 16 cameras instead of just 5.

Hello from iPi Soft's team!

We haven't tested the system on the rink so far.
Sony PS3 Eye cameras are currently the best option for this task.
But there are several limitations in our existing system, that may cause problems for rink environment:

1. Maximum capture area is around 7 by 7 meter. Plus 2.5-3.0 meters distance from scater to camera, this gives in total 12-15 meters max between opposite. At bigger distances, the image of actor on video may be too small for reliable tracking.

2. 60 fps may no be enough for very fast motions (like skater's rotations)

3. Shiny ice may cause lighting problems. The system expects that actor's colors are close in all cameras. Glares from ice may shift colors in some cameras.

The only way to tell for sure is to try using the system in your enviroment, I'm afraid. 6 cameras should be enough for trying, I think. Adding more cameras just decrease tracking errors, but will not make dramatic difference.

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iPi Soft