In this blog post, we will take a more in-depth look at the process that is crucial in the analysis segment of Once Video Analyser – tagging. Tagging is the technique we use to distinguish segments of our videos, our matches one from another. By selecting the beginning and the end moment of an action, we have effectively tagged an action or an event inside a video. In the fast growing world of video analysis, tagging events inside a video has been an industry standard, even before the new millenium.
Some of the stats that we find most basic, or even a quick replay of a near miss, couldn’t be attained if it wasn’t for some hard-working soul tagging events, segmenting plays for our enjoyment. Imagine what the game would be like for the viewership if such a basic element of a live broadcast like replays didn’t exist. Some households would probably still be arguing right now if there was no video evidence to support one’s claims.

(remember this little gem, England fans?)

Well, I guess VAR probably wouldn’t be around yet, but we have to pick our battles here.

Now that we have established that tagging is not only an essential part of competitive video analysis, but also how we experience sports during casual watching, let’s take a closer look at Once tagging possibilities. Our resident expert will take you on a walkthrough of all of the Once tagging features, that make it the ultimate video analysis software.

 

Recording mode

Recording mode is our most basic form of tagging moments inside a video. Even though it has been around since the earliest versions of our software, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have anything special to offer. In fact, if you like flexible options during your post-game analysis, our Recording mode offers you just that.

So, how do we use it?

By pressing Space on your keyboard or this icon () in the analysis screen, we are practically setting the first point of an action (the start time) you get this (↓) screen:

Recording mode - Once Video Analyser

Here you can see:

  1. Actions and players

a) Search box used to search for and create actions

All the actions already known to the software in this configuration, separated by parts of the game to which they belong

b) Search box used to search for and create players

Each column has its own [ + ] button, which we use in combination with the search boxes to create new actions and players.

2. Filters and notes

a) Good / Bad / Favorite filters

Note: while an action can be both Bad and Favorite (if you’re into that sort of thing) it can’t be both Good and Bad – we’re here to control and suppress chaos, not to enforce it

b) Note box 

You can use this to add your own personalized note to any last action you are currently recording.

3. “Now recording” box

This one is pretty self explanatory.

After you select (or create and then select) which action you want  recorded a black and red bar such as this one will appear indicating what action is currently being recorded and the time we began recording that action:

new action recording

Now we come to the flexible part of Recording mode.

Options available to us are, in no particular order:

  1. pressing space again and adding a player to the action
  2. pressing space again and adding filters(and/or a note) to the action – if we decide to go with this option we must confirm our choices by clicking on the green check
  3. pressing space again and select another action that we want recorded – there is virtually no limit to how many action you can record at the same time
  4. pressing Enter and stopping all active recordings (setting an end tag for all actively recorded actions)
  5. forgetting you are in the middle of a recording and just enjoy the match (don’t worry, you can still rewind and set the end tag for the action. The program will only remember the start time and the end time, it will not remember how much time it took you to do it)

Well, recording mode seems amazing and just what I needed, why would I need anything else?

Well, imaginary reader, you’re in for a treat. What’s coming is arguably even more exciting and in certain situations even more versatile. I know that it seems impossible at this point, but bear with me.

 

Code buttons

Code buttons are those beautiful colour coded action buttons on your right-hand side. The whole reason we have 5, and not 4 boxes in the home screen are the code buttons.

Add actions & players screen, that we can now also call configurations’ screen, is dedicated (almost) exclusively to code buttons. Here we can configure them, make our lives easier and our analysis (much) faster.

There are two types of code buttons available to us:

1. (regular) Code buttons – the ones with the predetermined numerical values

2. Recording mode code buttons

While against all odds we managed to improve on the recording mode, let’s first give our bread and butter, regular code buttons, some well deserved love.

Code buttons are as simple as they are amazing. At the moment you press them they create an action carrying the same name as the code button, take the numerical values (- and +) and record the action with that name for that interval. The code button also does that in the fraction of a second. The only limit is the 20 second limit on the + and -.

Simply amazing, right? But what’s even better, in my humble opinion, is the latest installment in the adventure that is code buttons.

It’s that good that it deserves its own heading.

filters added to code buttons - Once Video Analyser

Recording mode code buttons

Is this one a game changer, or what? Recording mode code buttons do not only possess the amazing simplicity of the regular code buttons, but also the unprecedented flexibility of our recording mode. How can it be, you ask? Well, keep on reading to find out.

Recording mode code buttons are created in the same place as the regular code buttons, the “Add actions & players” screen. You create one by simply pressing on this dot once, until it turns red.

Recording mode code buttons - Once Video Analyser

What it does is that by simply pressing the recording mode code button, you do the equivalent of clicking space, selecting the action carrying that name and starting the recording of that action. Quick and easy. You can benefit from all the flexibility of the regular recording mode (see the list above), and also a couple other features.

Recording mode is arguably even more flexible on account of two things:

1. Hotkeys

Hotkeys are amazing! You can add them to any of the code buttons (even regular ones, yes), and they make your work SO MUCH FASTER. Now you can even use the code buttons even if you don’t see them on your screen.

2. Being able to click on the button to end recording of only that action

It seems pretty simple, even too simple to be that good, but that’s the reason the recording mode code button IS the best thing since sliced bread. Being able to stop recording only one action instantly when you are actually recording 5 is oh, so tasty.

But wait, there’s more.

 

Timeline features

Opening timeline means you can’t see your precious code buttons anymore, but in return, it provides you with a list of all actions you recorded in the analysis. It doesn’t matter if you used code buttons or recording mode, the timeline doesn’t judge, it shows them all. It also comes with many special features of his own.

You can unlock all features designed for a certain action by simply right clicking on an action.

It will open up this list of possibilities.

timeline features - Once Video Analyser
  • Good/ Bad/ Favorite filters – You can add all the filters according to the same criteria as before here
  • Add/replace player – If a player shows up on the Players list when you click Space, you can also add him to the action this way, also if you picked the wrong player you can replace him here, no need to redo the whole action
  • Replace action – Similar to Renaming the action, but if you have already created an action carrying the desired name you can replace it here
  • Add/edit note – Same as on the Recording mode screen
  • Play – let’s you see how the recorded action panned out and lets you decide if it needs further editing
  • Draw – takes you to the drawing screen, but only for this one action
  • Edit – let’s you edit the duration of the video (hint: if you pause the video before editing you can easily see the screen that would become your new tag)
  • Rename – let’s you give a new name to your action, use only if you don’t have the action that has the same name already created
  • Delete – if you’re too unhappy with the recording, or maybe don’t need the action anymore in this analysis, you can delete it here

As you can see all the filters you might ever need are here and all options for an action that you might ever need.

Also, if after this blog you want to know even more about tagging with Once Video Analyser, you can check out our YouTube channel. To watch Once tagging tutorials, click here.

All good things must come to an end and the same is with this blog post. If you are not amazed by now, see for yourself, get your free trial at once.de/once-pro-free-trial/ and try out all these amazing features for yourself. If you like what you’re reading, tell us on social media, and share it with your friends and colleagues you think might like it as well. Also, stay put for the next blog post which will cover tagging in Live analysis in a similar fashion.