Frequently asked questions
What does SwimInSight do?
SwimInSight tracks competitive swimming sets and races live using a computer and a camera overlooking the pool. It records splits for every swimmer and streams real-time results to the coach’s phone.
Does SwimInSight work for both sets and races?
Yes. SwimInSight is designed to track sets with multiple swimmers per lane. It can also track races and other one-swimmer-per-lane sessions.
Is SwimInSight accurate?
Yes. In internal testing, SwimInSight reliably measures wall touches within roughly a tenth of a second of touchpad timing.
SwimInSight is designed to replace manual timing, not touchpads.
What does SwimInSight measure?
For every lap, SwimInSight records:
- Split times and final times
- Underwater breakout time/distance
- Time/position of stroke cycles
Breakout and stroke measurements are currently experimental in multi-swimmer lanes.
What equipment do I need?
You need a mounted camera overlooking the pool, a supported computer running SwimInSight, and an internet connection. A smartphone/tablet is recommended for controlling SwimInSight from the pool deck. We provide camera installation guidance when your team gets started.
Do I need a phone or tablet to operate SwimInSight?
No. A phone or tablet is the best way to control tracking from the pool deck, but the computer can be used as a fallback if the phone is unavailable or its connection drops.
Where should the camera be mounted?
The camera must be mounted in a fixed position along the side of the pool, at least 15 feet above the surface of the water, and angled downward. It must be able to see every corner of the lanes you want to track. The higher it can be mounted, the better.
What kind of computer do I need?
SwimInSight runs on most modern computers. It works on Macs with Apple silicon (M-series; 2020 or later), and a Windows build is also available. Contact us so we can confirm that your computer is supported.
What kind of camera do I need?
SwimInSight requires a fixed, mountable IP camera with ONVIF and RTSP support. The camera must provide an H.264 video stream and support a wired Ethernet connection. It may use either a separate power adapter or Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Our current recommendation is the Reolink CX410W. It is affordable, reliable, and compatible with SwimInSight. Contact us before purchasing a camera so we can confirm that it is suitable for your pool and installation.
How do I connect the camera to the computer?
The camera connects to the computer running SwimInSight through a wired Ethernet connection.
For the Reolink CX410W, use the camera’s power adapter and connect its Ethernet port to the computer. If the computer does not have an Ethernet port, use a USB-C to Ethernet adapter.
A PoE camera requires a PoE injector or switch to provide power through the Ethernet connection. The exact hardware depends on the camera and computer.
What information does SwimInSight need for each session?
You provide the Lane Board, the Swim Plan, and departure intervals where applicable. Enter this information in the cloud dashboard before the session, and it syncs to the computer when SwimInSight starts.
How do I operate SwimInSight during a session?
Place the computer in an accessible, dry location away from the water. Connect the camera to the computer by wired Ethernet and connect the computer to Wi-Fi, then start the SwimInSight app. Open the control panel on your phone to start and control tracking. Live results appear in the same control panel, and the complete session remains available in the cloud dashboard afterward. If the phone is unavailable or its connection drops, control the session from the computer.
When should I start tracking a set?
Press START at the moment the set begins, like you’re starting a stopwatch. This might correspond to the “Go!” in “First group, ready, go!”
Starting at the correct time helps SwimInSight align tracking with the set and its swimmers.
Can swimmers change lanes, pass, or stop early during a set?
For the best tracking results, swimmers should remain in their assigned lanes, maintain their order within the lane, and complete the set once tracking begins. Changing lanes, passing, or stopping early can cause results to be associated with the wrong swimmer.
Does SwimInSight record or store video?
Yes. SwimInSight records sessions on the computer running SwimInSight and uploads completed-session video and data so members of the team workspace can review results and replays. Original session video is retained for up to 30 days, while session results, derived data, and generated replays may be retained indefinitely.
Learn more about how SwimInSight handles video and swimmer data.
Is customer video used to improve SwimInSight?
Yes. SwimInSight uses customer session video internally to develop, test, and improve its timing and tracking algorithms. For this work, video is limited to the calibrated pool region, and swimmer names are replaced with generic identifiers.
Learn more about how SwimInSight handles video and swimmer data.
Is SwimInSight available now?
SwimInSight is currently in beta and available to competitive swimming programs.
What does SwimInSight cost?
Your program’s first three months are free, beginning with its first successful tracked session. Your program is responsible for providing the camera, computer, and other required equipment.
What support is available?
We provide direct support to all users at every step, so they can use SwimInSight successfully.
How can my team get started?
Email hi@swiminsight.io.