Having a properly configured Spiideo Replay workstation makes using Spiideo Replay much easier. Your setup may involve a variety of components, including replay user devices, Spiideo cameras, external cameras, stream encoders, production software, and more. By ensuring all requirements are met, you establish a solid foundation for reliable performance.

Below, we'll showcase a common Spiideo Replay workstation and describe how to set it up.

Please note that this is a generic setup and not a mandatory one. Please consult with the Spiideo team if you have any questions.

Requirements

There are a few requirements that need to be met:

Replay Device Hardware and Software Requirements: Make sure that the replay operator, official, and communicators' devices meet these requirements.
Hardware and Software Requirements for Ingesting Footage with a Stream Encoder in Spiideo Replay: If you are planning on externally ingesting footage from non-Spiideo cameras, make sure that your stream encoders meet these requirements.
Power, Network, and Firewall Requirements: Make sure that your Spiideo cameras meet all the requirements listed in the model-specific guides here.

Roles and Location

Commonly, in an American football replay setup, you'll find:

One replay operator.
One match official.
One communicator.
One on-field official.

The replay operator, match official, and communicator will be located either in a dedicated replay booth at the venue or remotely.

Workflow

Without Remote Collaboration

The replay operator actively tags important events during the game and prepares replay clips for the official to review.
The official reviews potential situations in replay and decides if the game should be stopped and go to review.
The communicator watches the game and provides input to the replay operator and official. The communicator is also responsible for communication with the broadcasting team and the official on the field.
The on-field official receives information from the communicator via radio communication and uses it to make decisions.

Radio communication needs to be solved through a third-party supplier.

With Remote Collaboration

The replay operator joins the collaboration, actively tags important events during the game, and prepares replay clips for the official to review. Replay clips that are being reviewed are shared with the official and communicator through screen sharing.
The official joins the collaboration reviews potential situations in replay and decides if the game should be stopped and go to review.
The communicator joins the collaboration, watches the game, and provides input to the replay operator and official. The communicator is also responsible for communication with the broadcasting team and the official on the field.
The on-field official receives information from the communicator via remote collaboration and uses it to make decisions.

The collaboration session can be used for audio communication.

Set Up Your Spiideo Replay Devices

The replay operator, the game official, and the communicator devices can be either MacBook Pros or Mac Minis, as long as they meet the previously listed requirements.

If the replay team is on site, the communicator will communicate with the on-field official via a third-party radio communication.
If the replay team is remote, the on-field official will review footage on an iPad. The footage is shared on the iPad using the remote collaboration feature.

On-Site Replay Workstation Using MacBook Pros

What do you need?

Two MacBook Pros.
Two laptop chargers to keep your MacBooks powered on.
Two USB-C to Ethernet adapters for wired network connections.
Two Ethernet cables for wired network connections.
An external monitor.
An HDMI or USB-C cable for screen mirroring.

How to set up your workstation:

Connect the MacBook Pros to power.
Connect the MacBook Pros to a network using the USB-C to Ethernet adapter.
Run a network speed test here on both MacBook Pros to ensure that:
- Your upload speed is at least 10Mbps.
- Your download speed is at least 40Mbps.
Connect the game officials' MacBook Pro to an external monitor using HDMI or USB-C.

On-Site Replay Workstation Using Mac Minis

What do you need?

Two Mac minis.
Two USB-C cables to connect the monitors to the Mac minis.
Two Ethernet cables for a wired network connection.
Three external monitors that are compatible with a Mac mini.
An HDMI or USB-C cable for screen mirroring.

How to set up your workstations:

Connect the Mac minis to power.
Connect the Mac minis to the replay operators' and officials' monitors.
Connect the Mac minis to a network via Ethernet.
Run a network speed test here on both Mac minis to ensure that:
- Your upload speed is at least 10Mbps.
- Your download speed is at least 40Mbps.
Connect the officials' Mac mini to the communicator's monitor using an HDMI or USB-C cable.

Replay Workstation Using Remote Collaboration

Remote collaboration is a great alternative when one or more team members from the replay operations team aren't able to be on site at the arena.

Each replay operation team member sets their workstation up using either a MacBook Pro or a Mac Mini, and the on-field official sets their workstation up by the sideline.

Using a MacBook Pro

What do you need?

A MacBook Pro
A laptop charger to keep your MacBook powered on.
A USB-C to Ethernet adapter for wired network connection.
An Ethernet cable for wired network connections.
A wired headset.

Using a Mac Mini and Monitor

What do you need?

A Mac Mini.
An external monitor that is compatible with a Mac Mini.
A USB-C cable to connect the Mac Mini to a monitor.
An Ethernet cable for a wired network connection.
A wired headset.

Using an iPad

What do you need?

An iPad Pro.
Connection dock: Select a multiport USB-C dock with an Ethernet port and the correct regional power connector (e.g., Belkin Multiport).
USB-C cable for power and connectivity.
A supported wired headset.

Set Up Your Workstations

Connect the MacBook Pro/Mac Mini/iPad Pro to power.
Connect the MacBook Pro/Mac Mini/iPad Pro to a network via Ethernet.
Run a network speed test here on all devices to ensure that:
- Your upload speed is at least 10Mbps.
- Your download speed is at least 40Mbps.