In competitive sports like tennis, officials (i.e. referees) are responsible for ensuring that every match is conducted fairly and according to the rules. Still, judging each play fairly can be tough for tennis officials, as their final decisions can have a significant impact on the outcome of those matches, especially since they have to make those decisions on the brink of the moment. While it’s important for tennis referees to be able to make good decisions during matches, human mistakes can still happen, especially in amateur tennis matches, where there are typically less referees. Whenever a player thinks an official makes a bad call, they can try disputing their decision. However, arguing with a tennis official regarding their decisions is generally not productive and can cause frustration for both the player and the referee, which can lead to verbal warnings and potentially result in penalties or even disqualification. This is exactly where having a game analysis solution like the Baseline Vision can come in handy, as this type of tool can help prevent referees from making bad calls and also minimize disputes.
The Baseline Vision is a portable AI-powered tennis game analysis camera system which combines two camera sensors and a computer that are used to detect, track and analyze everything that is happening on the court with full court coverage, providing tennis players and coaches with real-time performance feedback, real-time voice line-calling, valuable match insights, video recording features, and more. Its camera sensors and computer processing unit utilize advanced AI processing software and computer vision technology for its game analysis, allowing for data such as the 3D trajectory of the ball, ball bounce position and player position to be reconstructed from the camera images, while its two built-in 5W speakers and two LED strips provide audible and visual alerts regarding line calls. The system has a shockproof and waterproof construction, is ITF-PAT approved, can be attached to any net post in seconds, features 256GB storage and 8GB RAM, Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi connectivity, and up to 5 hours of battery life. Via the Baseline App, players and coaches are offered real-time performance feedback to keep track of their progression, real-time line calling with 3D visualization, on-court video replays, the ability to download recordings to watch past training sessions, along with gamified drills and 3D Challenges alone or against other players and share results on social media.
Designed to be used in various tennis-related settings including coaching sessions, club facilities, and tournaments, this AI-powered tennis game analysis camera system aims to bring the technology used by elite professionals to tennis players and coaches of all levels. Its impressive range of game analysis capabilities empower players, coaches, and clubs alike, enhancing everyone’s tennis experience, whether that’s for practice sessions or even for competitions.
Below you can find our in-depth review of the Baseline Vision, where we explain in detail exactly how this AI-powered tennis game analysis camera system is designed to work, and also go over the many features it has to offer you.
DESIGN & SPECS
Starting with the system’s dimensions, both its camera unit and camera mount pack a compact form factor that facilitates its installation. The system’s camera unit measures exactly 5.9 inches long by 5.9 inches wide by 2.8 inches tall (150 x 120 x 70 mm), while its dedicated camera mount measures 5.9 inches long by 3.9 inches wide by 7.1 inches tall (150 x 100 x 180 mm).
When attached to each other, both devices (the system’s camera unit and mount) have a combined weight of just 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg), meaning they won’t put a significant amount of weight on the net from your tennis court.
On top of its sleek size, the Baseline Vision also sports a super-modern design, which gives it an extremely discreet look.
Moreover, the system also has a shockproof and waterproof construction, for which it is rated to have an IP33 Water-Resistance rating. Keep in mind that while the system’s camera can sustain light rain, it is not designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. As such, know that you should dismount it as soon as possible in case of heavy rain.
Moving on to the different components that integrate this AI-powered tennis game analysis camera system. For detecting, tracking, and analyzing everything that is happening on the court, the Baseline Vision utilizes two (x2) high-end camera sensors which are oriented to either side of the net (meaning one camera sensor for each side of the court), for which they record video with full court coverage in a 4K resolution at 60fps.
The system’s two camera sensors capture images and transfer them directly to its computer processing unit for image processing and object detection (including the ball, players, rackets, and court lines), while a built-in light sensor constantly measures the illumination and automatically adjusts its camera’s light-exposure settings.
Its camera sensors and computer processing unit leverage a combination of advanced AI processing software and computer vision technology for its game analysis, allowing for the system to not only identify serves and ground strokes, but also to calculate several data parameters including:
- a 3D trajectory of the ball (calculated based on a combination of visual data, aerodynamic models and additional information)
- a 2D representation of the ball’s bounce position
- the ball’s speed (with just a 5% error margin)
- the type of shot a player made (such as forehand, backhand, etc.)
- a 2D representation position of each player
- an estimated rally maximum and average length
- and a visual net clearance of each shot (with just a 5% error margin)
Integrated on both sides of the system’s camera unit, there’s also a set of two (x2) built-in 5-Watt speakers boast a Sound Output of 120dB and two (x2) LED strips which respectively provide players with audible (voice) and visual alerts regarding line calls (e.g. IN / OUT). Both the system’s speakers and LED strips can be switched On/Off via the app.
While the system’s camera sensors detect the ball to be hitting inside (or on top of) the court’s lines, its LED strips will glow in a bright Green light, whereas if the ball happens to land outside the court’s lines, its LED strips will change to a bright Red color. When the device simply has its power turned on but is not actively tracking game activity, its LED strips will glow with a bright White color.
As for its remaining hardware specs, the Baseline Vision features 256GB of storage, allowing it to record approximately 5 hours of video of tennis matches, along with 8GB of RAM (128-bit LPDDR5 DRAM) for its processing power.
When the system’s internal storage is full, the camera will start deleting the oldest session recorded to make room for new ones.
Lastly, we’d also like to note that this AI-powered tennis game analysis camera system is also ITF-PAT approved, meaning it is approved by the International Tennis Federation to be used for helping with the training and judging of tennis matches in both amateur and professional settings.
SET UP / INSTALLATION
Now, when it comes to setting up this AI-powered tennis game analysis camera system, know that its installation process is fairly simply and straightforward, taking you between just 30 seconds to 1 minute at most.
To install it, all you have to do is to clamp the system’s camera mount onto any net post, and then simply attach the camera onto the top-side of its mount, for which you’ll hear a “click” sound once its properly attached.
Know that no electricity or Wi-Fi are required on the court for the Baseline Vision to work.
We’d also like to note that while the system is primarily designed to be used for tracking and analyzing tennis matches on hard-floor tennis courts, its camera can also work on grass-floor courts for as long as the lines are reasonably visible.
Embedded below, you can find the company’s official video guide on how to set up the Baseline Vision:
CONNECTIVITY
For establishing a wireless connection with its mobile App, the Baseline Vision features Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity (supports A2DP and LE Bluetooth profiles) and also Wi-Fi connectivity, for which it supports the following wireless standards (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot).
Once again, note that you don’t require to have an external Wi-Fi network on the court for the system to work, as its camera unit emits its own Wi-Fi signal.
BATTERY & BATTERY LIFE
For its power, the system utilizes a removable 14V 100mAh Lithium-Ion battery which can offer users between 4 to 5 hours of battery life and 20 hours of standby.
When it comes to recharging the system’s battery, know that the device can be connected directly to an electrical socket via its 12W charger. This means that if an electrical socket is available on your court, the device can be plugged in and powered unlimitedly.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The Baseline App
Finally, for operating the Baseline Vision and taking advantage of the system’s different game analysis capabilities, users are required to install the Baseline App, which is available to download for free for iOS and Android devices.
Via the Baseline App, players and coaches are offered real-time performance feedback regarding their personal stats, for which they can a target, start the drill, measure, repeat, and beat the target, thus allowing them to keep track of their overall performance and their progression.
In this menu screen, players can measure the speed of the ball for each of their strikes, net clearance, ball placement, player position, and even get some fitness data.
In addition, the app also provides players with real-time line calling with 3D visualization, which helps to minimize arguments on whether a ball hit inside or outside the court’s lines.
Through the app, players and coaches can also re-watch on-court video replays, and are also given the ability to download recordings to watch past training sessions, which allows them to more easily see in what they can improve, whether that’s in technique, form, etc.
Furthermore, the app also offers players gamified drills and 3D Challenges which help keep them engaged and have fun while practicing their skills by turning the court into a virtual playground, while also allowing them to connect with other players, compete against them, and compare stats.
Players can choose a specific drill for working on their depth, consistency, pace or accuracy, and then the app automatically takes care of everything else, including sound and alerts for feedback, as well as in-app scoreboards and rankings.
Lastly, players can also share their results on social media.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
The system’s entire kit comes inside a carrying case which contains: the Baseline Vision camera unit, its camera mount, its removable battery (and a pouch for it), and its dedicated charger.
FINAL THOUGHTS
All in all, this AI-powered tennis game analysis camera system gives tennis players, coaches, and officials with a reliable game analysis solution that can greatly improve their overall tennis experience thanks to its powerful game analysis capabilities. With it, tennis players and coaches can take their tennis game to a true professional level.
If you’re interested in purchasing it, know that each kit is currently under a 30% discount for a limited time, lowering it from its standard price of $2299 down to $1999 (saves you ($300), and each purchase also comes accompanied by a 30-Days Money Back Guarantee. You can order it online directly from Baseline Vision’s official website.