Kinovea - Detailed Review
Sports Tools
Kinovea - Product Overview
Kinovea Overview
Kinovea is a versatile video annotation tool primarily focused on sport analysis, but it also finds applications in fields such as medicine, ergonomics, and animation study.Primary Function
Kinovea is designed to capture, slow down, compare, annotate, and measure motion in videos. It is particularly useful for analyzing human motion, making it a valuable tool for coaches, athletes, medical professionals, and researchers.Target Audience
The main users of Kinovea include:- Coaches and athletes for performance analysis
- Medical professionals for gait analysis and other clinical evaluations
- Students and educators in sports science and related fields
- Physical therapists for rehabilitation and movement analysis
Key Features
Video Handling
- Supports a wide range of video formats, including AVI, MPG, MOV, WMV, MP4, and more.
- Can read almost any video format thanks to the FFMpeg libraries.
Annotation and Measurement
- Allows users to add arrows, descriptions, and other annotations to key positions in the video.
- Enables the measurement of angles, distances, and times manually or through semi-automated tracking of points on the video.
Comparison and Synchronization
- Users can observe two videos side by side and synchronize them on a common event.
- Videos with different frame rates can be synchronized, and users can overlay two videos on top of each other.
Customization and Export
- Supports creating custom tools using XML files to suit specific needs.
- Annotations are saved in KVA files (XML) and can be modified at any time. These annotations can also be exported along with the video or as separate files.
Capture and Recording
- Allows for live capture from camcorders, webcams, and network cameras. It supports various recording approaches, including real-time, delayed, or batch operations.
User Interface and Accessibility
- The user interface is available in 26 languages, making it accessible to a global user base.
- Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7, although there are no versions available for Mac OS X or GNU/Linux.
Conclusion
Kinovea is completely free and open source, supported by users via Patreon, and has been widely used and cited in numerous research papers since its inception in 2004. Kinovea - User Interface and Experience
Kinovea Overview
Kinovea, a tool primarily used for analyzing human motion, offers a user-friendly and feature-rich interface that caters to various needs in the sports and biomechanics fields.
Main Interface
The main window of Kinovea serves as an explorer for video files, favorite folders, and cameras. It allows you to browse through your drives and shortcuts without managing your video collection.
Configuration and Layout
The interface can be configured for different setups, including a single camera, two cameras, or a combination of one camera and one playback screen. This flexibility enables users to capture and analyze multiple video streams simultaneously, even running several instances of Kinovea on the same computer if needed.
Video Playback and Annotation
Kinovea’s video player, powered by FFMpeg libraries, supports almost any video format. It allows for slow-motion playback, time representation in various units (frame number, milliseconds, or timecode), and adjustments for high-speed camera captures. Users can annotate videos with rich text comments, labels, numbers, lines, arrows, curves, and other drawing tools. These annotations are saved in XML files (KVA) and can be easily modified or imported onto other videos.
Image and Video Manipulation
The software offers a range of image transformations such as rotation, zooming, mirroring, deinterlacing, and fixing aspect ratios. Users can also overlay two videos, create key images, and draw attention to specific areas using spotlight or magnifier tools.
Measurement and Analysis
Kinovea provides advanced tools for measuring and analyzing motion. It allows tracking the trajectory of single points or multi-point objects, visualizing scatter plots, and calculating linear and angular kinematics. Users can also create custom tools using an XML framework to suit specific analysis needs.
Capture and Recording
The capture screen supports various camera configurations, including webcams and UVC compliant cameras. Users can record camera streams in real-time, with delays, or in batch operations. The recording can be configured to save compressed or uncompressed video, and even raw BAYER frames for later color reconstruction.
User Experience
The user interface is available in 26 languages, thanks to contributions from global translators. This makes Kinovea accessible to a wide range of users. The software also includes community-contributed tutorials and an active forum where users can discuss workflows, report bugs, and share ideas for new features.
Ease of Use
Kinovea’s interface is designed to be intuitive. The main window doubles as a video file explorer, and the various tools and features are organized around core missions of capture, observation, annotation, and measurement. This organization helps users quickly find and use the tools they need. Additionally, the ability to run multiple instances and configure different setups makes it adaptable to different user needs.
Conclusion
Overall, Kinovea’s user interface is structured to facilitate efficient and detailed analysis of human motion, making it a valuable tool for sports professionals and biomechanics researchers. Its ease of use and extensive feature set ensure a positive user experience.
Kinovea - Key Features and Functionality
Kinovea Overview
Kinovea is a versatile and free video annotation tool primarily used for sport analysis, offering a wide range of features that make it invaluable for athletes, coaches, and researchers. Here are the main features and their functionalities:
Video Capture and Recording
Kinovea allows users to capture live video from various sources, including high-speed cameras. This feature is particularly useful for recording sports events or other high-speed activities, enabling users to review the footage in slow motion. High-speed recording capabilities support cameras like the MER2-160-227U3M and MER2-041-436U3M, making it ideal for capturing detailed movements.
Video Playback and Control
Users can control video playback in several ways, including slowing down the video, playing motion backward with the Reverse function, and adjusting the image aspect ratio. These features help in detailed analysis of movements and actions.
Annotation and Drawing
Kinovea enables users to enrich videos by adding annotations such as arrows, descriptions, and other content to key positions. This feature allows for highlighting important moments, drawing on key images, and using posture references to analyze body positions and movements.
Measurement and Tracking
The software offers extensive measurement tools, allowing users to measure angles, distances, and times manually or using semi-automated tracking. This includes tracking the trajectories of points on the video, which is crucial for analyzing kinematics and movement patterns. Users can also calibrate space and time to ensure accurate measurements.
Comparison and Synchronization
Kinovea allows users to observe two videos side by side and synchronize them on a common event. This feature is useful for comparing different performances or techniques, providing a detailed analysis of how movements differ or improve over time.
Exporting Data
Users can export their analysis data to spreadsheet formats, which is beneficial for scientific studies and further processing. This feature enables the integration of Kinovea data with other analytical tools, making it easier to analyze and present findings.
Medical and Microscope Imaging
While primarily used for sports analysis, Kinovea is also useful for medical imaging and microscope analysis. It allows users to capture and analyze images, add lines, angles, comments, and perform measurements. This makes it a versatile tool for various fields beyond sports.
AI Integration
As of the current information available, Kinovea does not explicitly integrate AI-driven features. The tool relies on manual and semi-automated tracking, which is highly effective but does not involve AI algorithms. The focus is on providing powerful manual tools for detailed analysis rather than automated AI-driven analysis.
Conclusion
In summary, Kinovea is a powerful tool for motion analysis, offering a range of features that make it highly useful for sports coaching, medical imaging, and research. Its ability to capture, annotate, measure, and compare videos makes it an essential tool for anyone needing to analyze movement and performance in detail.
Kinovea - Performance and Accuracy
Performance and Accuracy of Kinovea
Kinovea, a free and open-source video annotation tool, is widely used in sports analysis and various motion studies. Here’s a detailed evaluation of its performance and accuracy, along with some limitations and areas for improvement.Accuracy in Kinematic Analysis
Kinovea has been validated for its accuracy in several studies. For instance, in the context of canine kinematic gait analysis, Kinovea provided accurate kinematic data for the shoulder and elbow joints of healthy dogs, although it was less accurate for the carpal, hip, stifle, and tarsal joints. In human studies, Kinovea has shown promising results. It can measure linear positions and velocities with an accuracy of within 9% when using 30 Hz video footage. However, angular kinematics, especially in sideways falls, showed lower accuracy due to out-of-plane movements.Performance Factors
- Camera Angle and Setup: The accuracy of Kinovea significantly depends on the camera angle. Recording at a 90° angle relative to the analyzed joints is crucial for minimizing errors. Incorrect camera angles, such as 30°, can increase errors in horizontal velocity measurements.
- Filtering and Calibration: The use of appropriate filtering cut-off frequencies and calibration techniques is vital. For example, filtering at 10 Hz and using a 2D grid for calibration improve the accuracy of position and velocity measurements.
- Marker Tracking: Kinovea requires markers with high contrast to the background for accurate tracking. Poor tracking, especially against nonhomogeneous backgrounds, can be a significant issue. Manual correction of marker tracking is often necessary, which can be time-consuming.
Limitations
- Joint-Specific Accuracy: While Kinovea is accurate for certain joints like the shoulder and elbow, it is less accurate for others such as the carpal and hip joints. This variability suggests that the tool may not be universally reliable across all joints.
- Recording Conditions: Kinovea performs better in bright lighting conditions but can struggle with poor contrast between markers and the background. This necessitates careful selection of markers and background to optimize tracking.
- Sampling Rate: Kinovea typically records at 60 Hz, which may be sufficient for medium to large-breed dogs at walking speeds but could be inadequate for high-speed events or smaller, faster-moving subjects.
Areas for Improvement
- Intra- and Interobserver Variability: Further studies are needed to determine the intra- and interobserver variability for Kinovea-based measurements, as manual marker correction can introduce observer-specific variability.
- Application in Clinical Pathologies: The accuracy of Kinovea in dogs with musculoskeletal diseases or joint disorders needs to be validated, as these conditions can alter the kinematics and introduce additional errors.
- Small-Breed Dogs: The tool’s performance on small-breed dogs, which may require higher frame rates and different marker setups, remains to be studied.
User Experience and Support
Kinovea is user-friendly and supported by a community of users. It offers features like slow-motion playback, annotation, and semi-automated tracking, making it accessible for a wide range of users from students to professional athletes and researchers. In summary, Kinovea is a valuable tool for kinematic analysis, offering good accuracy under optimal conditions. However, it has specific limitations and areas that require further research to enhance its reliability and applicability across various scenarios. Kinovea - Pricing and Plans
Kinovea Overview
Kinovea, a video analysis tool primarily used in the sports sector, has a straightforward and generous pricing structure that makes it highly accessible.
Free Usage
Kinovea is completely free to use for any purpose, including personal, academic, or commercial activities. You do not need to ask for permission to use it in various settings such as research, university courses, sports training, or any other business or hobby activity.
No Tiers or Plans
There are no different tiers or plans for Kinovea. The software is offered as a single, free version with all its features available to all users. This includes capabilities such as video capture, slow-motion playback, comparison and synchronization of videos, annotation tools, and measurement features.
Features
The free version of Kinovea includes a wide range of features, such as:
- Video capture and recording from cameras
- Slow-motion playback and time adjustment
- Comparison and synchronization of videos
- Annotation tools (labels, lines, arrows, curves, etc.)
- Measurement tools (angles, distances, times)
- Custom tool creation
- Export options for analysis data and videos
Support
While Kinovea is free, the developer, Joan Charmant, accepts support via Patreon. This support helps in maintaining and improving the software, but it is not mandatory for using Kinovea.
Conclusion
In summary, Kinovea offers a single, free version with all its features available to everyone, making it an excellent tool for sports professionals, students, and anyone interested in video analysis without any cost or subscription requirements.
Kinovea - Integration and Compatibility
Kinovea Overview
Kinovea is a versatile video recording, measurement, and annotation tool that integrates well with various hardware and software components, particularly in the context of sports analysis and other fields like labs and industrial automation.
Hardware Compatibility
Kinovea supports a wide range of cameras, especially those used in machine vision applications. Here are some of the camera types and brands it is compatible with:
- Basler cameras, using the Pylon SDK.
- IDS cameras, specifically the uEye UI-xxx series, though not compatible with the newer U3-xxx cameras.
- Daheng Imaging cameras, using the Daheng Imaging SDK.
- Baumer cameras, with the GAPI SDK.
- Allied Vision, Teledyne FLIR, and Vision Datum cameras, through the GenICam plugin.
It also supports webcams and other UVC (USB Video Class) compliant cameras, allowing for flexible capture setups.
Software Integration
Kinovea leverages several software frameworks to enhance its functionality:
- FFMpeg Libraries: The video player in Kinovea is based on FFMpeg libraries, enabling it to read almost any video format.
- Microsoft .NET Framework: Installation of Kinovea may require the additional installation of Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8.
- GenICam Plugin: This plugin allows integration with cameras from various vendors that support the GenICam standard.
Platform Compatibility
Kinovea is primarily designed for Windows-compatible computers. It is not supported on iOS (Apple systems).
Multi-Device and Multi-Instance Support
Kinovea allows for advanced setups where you can run several instances of the software simultaneously on the same computer. This is useful for capturing more than two cameras at the same time or managing a more complex setup. Each screen or instance can be configured to record to different target files, even on different physical drives to improve I/O performance.
Custom Tools and Annotations
Users can create custom tools using XML files, which describe the behavior and properties of the tools. These tools can be copied, modified, and shared, enhancing the software’s flexibility in various applications.
Conclusion
In summary, Kinovea offers strong integration with a variety of cameras and software frameworks, making it a versatile tool for motion analysis across different fields. However, it is limited to Windows platforms and does not support iOS devices.
Kinovea - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support and Resources
For individuals using Kinovea, a video annotation tool for sport analysis, the customer support and additional resources are somewhat limited but still valuable.
Community Support
Kinovea relies heavily on community support. Users can engage with the developer and other users through the Kinovea forum, where they can post questions and receive feedback from the community. This is a key resource for troubleshooting and learning how to use the various features of the software.
Documentation and Guides
The Kinovea website provides detailed documentation and guides on how to use the software. This includes a list of tools and their functions, such as text and number tools, pencil tools, posture tools, and more. These resources help users understand the capabilities and usage of each tool.
Developer Engagement
Joan Charmant, the creator and developer of Kinovea, is actively involved in the project and appreciates user feedback. Users who support Kinovea through Patreon get access to early work-in-progress screenshots, intermediate test-builds, and the opportunity to provide valuable feedback. This direct engagement with the developer can be beneficial for users who need specific features or have particular issues.
Open Source Nature
Since Kinovea is completely free and open source, users can also explore the source code and potentially contribute to the development of the software. This open-source nature allows for a community-driven approach to improving and expanding the software’s capabilities.
While Kinovea does not offer traditional customer support options like live chat or dedicated support teams, the combination of community forums, detailed documentation, and direct developer engagement provides users with the resources they need to effectively use the software.
Kinovea - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Kinovea
Kinovea offers several significant advantages, particularly in the context of sports analysis and biomechanical studies:
Free and Open Source
Kinovea is completely free to use, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including athletes, coaches, and students.
Versatile Analysis Tools
The software allows users to capture, slow down, compare, annotate, and measure motion in videos. This includes features like adding arrows, descriptions, and other content to key positions in the video.
Accuracy and Efficiency
Kinovea enables the measurement of angles, distances, and times manually or through semi-automated tracking. This helps in identifying and improving suboptimal techniques in sports, providing more accurate and easily interpreted results compared to traditional methods.
Non-Invasive
Unlike some other methods, Kinovea does not require physical contact with the subject, reducing the risk of error and making it safer for repeated measurements.
Enhanced Learning
The software significantly improves students’ ability to analyze biomechanical movements, helping them visualize and understand movements better. This is particularly beneficial in educational settings, such as sports science programs.
User-Friendly
Despite some initial learning curve, Kinovea is generally considered intuitive to use, with good graphic tools that facilitate detailed analysis.
Disadvantages of Kinovea
While Kinovea offers many benefits, there are also some limitations and challenges to consider:
Approximate Measurements
The measurements obtained from Kinovea are considered reasonable approximations rather than highly accurate values. This can be due to various factors such as camera distortions.
Camera Distortions
Video images can be subject to radial distortions caused by the camera lens, which can affect the accuracy of line measurements, especially if the reference lines are at the periphery of the image.
Technical Issues
Some users have reported issues with the software crashing during the saving process, which can be frustrating and require careful management to avoid data loss.
Infrastructure Requirements
To achieve optimal results, Kinovea requires adequate infrastructure support, such as high-quality cameras and sufficient technical knowledge in operating the software.
Overall, Kinovea is a valuable tool for sports analysis and biomechanical studies, offering a range of features that enhance accuracy and efficiency. However, users should be aware of the potential for approximate measurements and technical issues.
Kinovea - Comparison with Competitors
When comparing Kinovea to other sports video analysis tools, several key features and differences stand out:
Kinovea Unique Features
- Free and Open Source: Kinovea is free to use and open-source, making it highly accessible for various users, including sports analysts, medical professionals, and educators.
- High-Speed Recording: It supports high-speed camera recording, which is ideal for capturing and analyzing fast-paced sports and medical imaging. The software allows for slow-motion review and the addition of measurements and comments.
- Annotation and Measurement: Kinovea offers robust annotation and measurement tools, including the ability to add lines, angles, and comments to videos. Annotations are saved in XML format and can be modified or exported.
- Multi-Camera Support: The software can handle multiple camera streams simultaneously, allowing for advanced setups and synchronized video playback.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Kinovea is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it versatile for different user environments.
Alternatives and Comparisons
PhysMo
- Free and Open Source: Like Kinovea, PhysMo is free and open-source. However, it is primarily designed for high school physics education and has not been updated since 2011. It is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
SwingVision
- AI-Powered: SwingVision is an AI-driven app specifically for tennis, offering real-time scoring and stats. It is available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch but is freemium and proprietary, unlike Kinovea’s free and open-source model.
- Platform Limitation: SwingVision is limited to Apple devices, whereas Kinovea has broader platform compatibility.
Video Coach
- Paid and Proprietary: Video Coach is a commercial tool available on Android, offering features like slow motion but lacks the free and open-source benefits of Kinovea.
- Platform Difference: Video Coach is primarily Android-based, whereas Kinovea supports multiple platforms.
Nacsport
- Paid and Proprietary: Nacsport is a professional video analysis tool available on Windows and MacOS. It is designed for in-depth sports analysis but is not free or open-source.
- Professional Focus: Nacsport is geared towards professional sports analysts, which may make it less accessible to casual users compared to Kinovea.
KineticLab
- Freemium and Proprietary: KineticLab is a web-based tool that uses AI for movement analysis. It offers features like voiceover and slow motion but is freemium and proprietary, unlike Kinovea.
- Web-Based: KineticLab’s web-based nature provides different accessibility compared to Kinovea’s desktop application.
Dartfish
- Professional Grade: Dartfish is a highly regarded tool used in professional sports, including the Olympics. It offers advanced features for tactical and performance analysis but is not free or open-source. It is available on Windows and integrates with other systems.
- Advanced Features: Dartfish has more advanced features tailored for professional users, which may not be necessary for all Kinovea users.
Tracker Video Analysis
- Free and Open Source: Tracker is another free and open-source tool, built on the Open Source Physics framework. It is designed for physics education and offers video analysis and modeling features. It is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and online.
- Educational Focus: Tracker is more focused on educational use, particularly in physics, whereas Kinovea has a broader application range.
Summary
In summary, Kinovea stands out for its free and open-source nature, high-speed recording capabilities, and robust annotation tools. While alternatives like PhysMo, SwingVision, and Tracker Video Analysis offer some similar features, they often come with different licensing models, platform limitations, or specific use-case focuses. For users seeking a versatile, free, and open-source solution, Kinovea remains a strong option.
Kinovea - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Kinovea, particularly in the context of its use in sports and motion analysis, along with detailed responses:
1. Can I use Kinovea on MacOS, Linux, Android, or iPhone?
No, Kinovea is only supported on Windows. It is not compatible with MacOS, Linux, Android, or iPhone.
2. Can I use Kinovea for sports analysis and other professional purposes?
Yes, you can use Kinovea for any purpose, including personal, professional, commercial, academic, and research. It is commonly used for sports analysis, physiotherapy, and fitness training.
3. Is Kinovea free to use?
Yes, Kinovea is a free program and does not cost anything to use. It is an open-source software package.
4. What types of cameras can Kinovea support?
Kinovea can support various cameras, including high-speed cameras and UVC compliant cameras such as webcams. However, it does not recommend specific camera brands, as the choice depends on the specific use-case.
5. How does Kinovea handle annotations and measurements in videos?
Kinovea allows you to add various annotations such as lines, angles, comments, and markers to videos. These annotations are saved in KVA files (XML format) and can be modified at any time. You can also paint annotations permanently on video frames and export new videos with these annotations.
6. Can I track and measure specific movements in sports videos using Kinovea?
Yes, Kinovea is ideal for tracking and measuring movements in sports videos. You can use tools like markers, lines, and angles to track the trajectory of a single point or the evolution of a multi-point object. This is particularly useful for analyzing sports like golf and cycling.
7. How does Kinovea handle slow-motion and high-speed video playback?
Kinovea can handle slow-motion and high-speed videos by adjusting the time scale to the capture framerate. This allows you to review high-speed recordings in slow motion and perform accurate measurements and annotations.
8. Can I synchronize and compare multiple videos in Kinovea?
Yes, Kinovea allows you to synchronize and compare videos with heterogeneous framerates. You can overlay two videos on top of each other and create key images at times of interest with rich text comments.
9. Is Kinovea compliant with data protection regulations like HIPAA or GDPR?
No, Kinovea is not applicable to HIPAA or GDPR compliance because it does not store any personal data and does not transmit anything over the internet. It operates as a standalone desktop application.
10. Why might the video playback speed slow down in Kinovea?
The video playback speed might slow down if the original frame rate of the video cannot be sustained by the player. This is indicated by the speed slider being forced down.
Kinovea - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Kinovea in the Sports Tools Category
Kinovea is a highly versatile and free open-source software that excels in capturing, observing, annotating, and measuring human motion, making it an invaluable tool in the sports and health sectors.
Key Features and Benefits
High-Speed Recording
Kinovea can record high-speed videos from cameras, which is particularly useful for analyzing sports movements in slow motion. This feature is beneficial for sports like golf, cycling, and volleyball, where precise movement analysis is crucial.
Annotation and Measurement
The software allows users to add various annotations such as lines, angles, comments, and measurements to videos. This is especially useful for analyzing techniques in sports, assessing rehabilitation progress, and evaluating medical images.
Biomechanical Analysis
Kinovea is effective in analyzing biomechanical movements, helping coaches and athletes identify technical weaknesses, optimize movements, and prevent injuries. It has been successfully used in sports like volleyball to improve students’ ability to analyze and improve their techniques.
Multi-Tool Capabilities
The software supports multiple camera setups, allows for the synchronization of videos with different frame rates, and provides tools for image transformations such as rotation, zooming, and mirroring. It also enables the creation of custom tools using XML files.
Who Would Benefit Most
Sports Professionals
Coaches, physical education teachers, physical trainers, and sports rehabilitation specialists can greatly benefit from Kinovea. It helps in analyzing athlete movements, measuring biomechanical parameters, and providing immediate feedback for performance improvement.
Health Professionals
Medical professionals can use Kinovea for medical imaging analysis, including microscope images. The software’s annotation and measurement features are particularly useful for detailed medical assessments.
Athletes and Students
Athletes looking to improve their techniques and students in sports science programs can use Kinovea to analyze their movements, identify suboptimal techniques, and make necessary adjustments. It enhances the learning experience by providing accurate and detailed analysis.
Overall Recommendation
Kinovea is a highly recommended tool for anyone involved in sports analysis, medical imaging, or rehabilitation. Its free availability, user-friendly interface, and extensive features make it an excellent choice for both professionals and students. However, it is important to note that the effective use of Kinovea requires adequate infrastructure support, such as high-quality cameras and sufficient technical knowledge.
In summary, Kinovea is a powerful and versatile tool that can significantly enhance the analysis and improvement of human motion in various fields, making it a valuable addition to any sports or medical toolkit.