We are excited to announce the release of a highly-requested feature for the RaceDay Mobile Timing App: automated photo capture. This new functionality allows you to automatically take photos at set intervals over a defined period, making it easier than ever to capture great moments at your events.
How It Works
With the new automated photo capture, you can set up a device at a key location, like the finish line, and let the RaceDay Mobile Timing App do the work. Simply configure the “Auto Capture Duration” and “Auto Capture Interval” to your desired settings. For example, you can set the app to take a photo every 5 seconds for the next 3 hours.
To help you plan, the app provides an “Estimated Data Usage” that updates in real-time as you adjust your settings. You’ll notice this is an estimated range (e.g., 1.58 GB – 2.64 GB). This is because of how image compression works—a simpler photo (like a dark one) will take up less space than a busy, detailed photo. When automated capture is turned on, this range estimates the total data usage for the entire duration you’ve set. If automated capture is off, the range shows the estimated usage for 100 photos.
A new Play/Pause button will appear on the screen when this setting is enabled. The ring around the button will light up to indicate that automated capture is active. You can start and stop the automated capture at any time without having to stop the automated photo capture.
Other Changes in Version 5.0.7
In addition to automated photo capture, this release includes several other improvements based on user feedback.
Participant Info on Timing Screen
You’ll now see participant details (age and gender) appear directly on the backup timing screen after entering a bib number. This feature acts as a quick verification tool for backup timers, helping to instantly spot potential errors. For example, it can help you catch a typo (like entering bib 11001 instead of 1001) or identify a runner who might be wearing the wrong bib, ensuring greater accuracy for your results.
Camera Aspect Ratio Selection
To give you more control over photo framing, you can now choose between a 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratio in the camera settings. This update ensures that the camera preview you see on the screen perfectly matches the final captured image, eliminating any guesswork.
What’s Next?
This is the first step in our journey to develop more automated photo capture options. As we look to the future, we are exploring potential enhancements like motion and bib detection, which would allow the app to automatically take a photo when it detects a runner or a bib in the frame.
We believe these new features will be a valuable addition for race timers and event organizers, and we look forward to your feedback.
Download the RaceDay Mobile Timing App Today!
The RaceDay Mobile Timing App is ideal for manually timing smaller endurance or remote events such as Ultra distances, track and field, cross country, running or cycling events and water events. In addition, timers can use the app at large events as a backup or verification recording at milestones along the course and integrate with scoring software by using DropBox or by emailing the data to access as needed.
Download from Google Play Store
Questions?
Contact info@runsignup.com or schedule one-on-one time with Soren Larson here.