The Difference Between the EDGE Replay and the Hudl Sideline - Part II
Two weeks ago we started a three-week series on the differences between the EDGE Replay and the Hudl Sideline. In Part I we reviewed the advantages and disadvantages between the two competitor’s video capturing devices: the EDGE box and the Teradek VidiU.
This week we'll consider the differences between the EDGE and Hudl component arrangements and set-up processes, the difference in software features, and the uploading processes. (And remember that for the sake of simplicity, we will primarily discuss the difference between the EDGE Replay 2 View System and the Hudl Sideline Premium Package with a focus on the Endzone View differences). Next week for Part III, we’ll conclude the series by discoursing the difference in number of supported camera angles and total price both short term and long term.
If you currently own the Hudl Sideline and have been disappointed with the system be sure to check out our Replay Exchange Program. Send us your replay system and pay us your annual subscription fee and we'll give you the EDGE Replay in exchange. Now let’s continue…
What Components are Provided for each System?
The Hudl Sideline system premium package for the Endzone view currently provides you with the Teradek VidiU, two Antennas/Routers, two Ethernet converters, a HDMI splitter, an external battery, and all component cables necessary.
The EDGE Replay for the Endzone view supplies you with the EDGE box, a router, an antenna, an external battery, an extra 25’ HDMI cable, and all component cables necessary. So, what’s the big difference?
PROS & CONS
HUDL SIDELINE:
The Hudl Sideline has some serious disadvantages in this department. The Sideline has a number of compenents that are not necessary with the EDGE Replay. Take a look at the picture below to see what kind of situation is happening. That’s a lot of parts in which a single point of failure could mean the entire system becomes inoperable.
Also, consider what all needs to be powered. Both antennas (one serving as a router), the HDMI splitter, and the Teradek VidiU all need to have electric power. Do the math. That’s four devices that need to be powered in the Endzone. While Hudl does give you a large external battery to power these four devices what they don’t give you is an outlet strip, which you will absolutely need to run everything. So there’s a separate purchase you may have to make.
Lastly, Hudl makes the mistake of assuming every Endzone Camera Tower is using an HDMI cable. Therefore, if your Endzone system uses a component cable to deliver video to your monitor screen, then you’ll need to purchase a new 20-30’ HDMI cable.
EDGE REPLAY:
A big advantage of the EDGE is that it has considerably less components needed for complete operation. Look at the comparison photo to see the difference. Less wires and components mean less points of failure and easier troubleshooting if something goes wrong.
Less components also means less parts need to be powered. The system requires only the router and the EDGE box to be powered and nothing else. That’s two devices that need power versus Hudl’s four. The external battery provided by EDGE has enough component cords to connect both devices. This means you don’t need an additional outlet strip like you do with Hudl.
And finally, the EDGE system provides you with a 25’ HDMI cable just in case your Endzone tower is using a component cable for video. EDGE goes the extra mile to make sure you don’t need to make additional purchases.
What's the Difference between EDGE Replay and Hudl Sideline Software?
The Hudl Sideline iPad app has the usual pause, rewind, fast forward, slow down, and scrubbing features that most tablet video players have. You can also draw on the screen for times when you need to visually show your players what they need to see. A separate, free downloadable app allows you to select ODK for each play. Once uploaded, Hudl tries to match the ODK file attained from this separate app to the recorded plays from the main Sideline app.
The EDGE Replay app has all the same video player features but also includes picture in picture. However, the EDGE app also has a diverse and sophisticated tagging app built into the same player. A virtual football field allows you to drag and drop the football to the proper location that coincides with the play on the field. So not only do you get the basic ODK stats attached to each play clip but you also get down and distance and the specific play that had occurred.
The EDGE app uses this tagging data to also provide a number of features. You can view a game stats engine as well as your opponent tendencies. You can even create tags and virtual roster members and assign plays to the player in your roster.
PROS & CONS
HUDL SIDELINE:
If we’re talking about differences between Hudl’s software and the EDGE, there are no advantages for the Hudl Sideline.
One big disadvantage is the fact that the ODK play tagging app is separate from the replay video player app. This means whoever is controlling the ODK app can’t make any mistakes throughout the entire game. If he misses tagging a play then the ODK tags may not correlate with the play clips and you might need to go through the process of correctly lining up your ODK’s with the correct plays for every single one the day after the game. For example, if the recorded clip is Play #51 and the tagger misses it, then on Play #52 he’ll be tagging for Play #51. The ODK’s will be off for the rest of the game and that could mean a lot of work for you.
Another disadvantage is the inability to use picture in picture since Hudl Sideline doesn’t have this feature. So while replaying a play, if you want to glance over at your Pressbox view’s angle, then you’re out of luck. You can only see one angle at a time.
Most importantly, Hudl Sideline’s biggest software disadvantage is its lack of sophisticated tagging. You can’t tag each clip with the type of play or down and distance. As a result, you do not have any of these helpful statistics attached to the plays during the game or after. If you need to tag the entire game after the fact, you’ll have to do it in the film room one by one as usual.
EDGE REPLAY:
Expectedly, the EDGE does not have any disadvantages in comparison to the Hudl Sideline Software.
As you might have guessed, the advantages of the EDGE are the opposite of the disadvantages of the Hudl Sideline. All the tagging features provided by EDGE are built into the same app that displays the stream of your replay clips. With EDGE you assign your play tags to whichever play clip you want. This means you’ll always have your play tags line up with the correct play clips.
What’s really cool is if you find that a previous play has been mis-tagged you can watch the replay, correct the tags, and then use EDGE’s “Predict” feature to automatically correct the state of the current play so that it can be tagged correctly going forward. For example, if you thought the last play, which was 2nd down, ended on the 35 yard line, barely hitting your first down, but a few minutes later realized it finished on the 30, then you can easily make that correction by selecting the previous play and moving the virtual football. However, the current play will still say 1st and 10 on the 35 yard line because its already been recorded. To fix this, simply select the “Predict” button and the current play will change to 3rd and 5 on the 30 as it should be. Check out the video below for another example of how this advanced feature works and saves you time.
Additional advantages of EDGE’s software are the picture in picture feature and the power of using all of your tagged game statistics live during the game. It would take several blog posts by themselves to discuss every feature. Just know that it’s as powerful as you need it to be. For instance, want to know what your opponent’s pass/run percentage is at 3rd and short in the red? No problem. EDGE gives you that data instantly. In fact, EDGE even provides you with a simple button that gives you all of your opponent’s tendencies on the very next play, thus acting as a nice shortcut so you can bypass all the filtering.
The Difference between EDGE Replay and Hudl Sideline Uploading Processes
The Hudl Sideline app is directly connected to your Hudl account. Once you have an internet connection you will upload your game file directly to your Hudl account from your iPad.
The EDGE Replay app does not have a direct connection to your Hudl account. At any time (with or without an internet connection) you will share your EDGE game file to iTunes on your iPad. Once you have possession of a computer and an internet connection, you will connect your iPad to your computer and transfer the game file. You can then upload the game file to Hudl from your computer using Hudl Mercury.
PROS & CONS
HUDL SIDELINE:
The Hudl Sideline has the advantage in that it has direct access to your Hudl account. You can upload the game file to your Hudl account without the need of connecting to a computer or using Hudl Mercury.
EDGE REPLAY:
The EDGE Replay has the disadvantage in that uploading requires an additional, although simple, extra step in order to upload.
However, it should be noted that the amount of time this extra step requires is usually equivalent to or quite possibly less than the amount of time required to fix any tagging errors that you will most likely encounter by using Hudl’s ODK app, which requires a manual import anyway. And if you’ve decided you’re going to tag the full game using Hudl Sideline, then you’ll be faced with considerably more work than if you had live tagged the game with EDGE.
To learn how simple the uploading process is for EDGE Replay, watch the video below.
Between set-up time, the number of components, in-app software features, and uploading processes, the EDGE Replay cumulatively has a significant advantage over Hudl Sideline. Getting operational before game time is a breeze and is much more intuitive. You have statistical power at your fingertips that no other team will have. And while not attaining quite the uploading convenience of the Sideline, you can still upload everything to Hudl efficiently and without headaches.
If you’ve been reading this blog series and you currently own Hudl Sideline or another replay system and have decided it’s time for a change, check out our Replay Exchange Program now! Under this program, you can send us your replay system and pay us your annual subscription fee and we'll give you the EDGE Replay in exchange. Call (888) 335-7875 for more details or click HERE.
Come back to the Sport Scope Blog next week for Part III, the final post on our EDGE vs. Hudl series. You’ll learn the differences in the number of supported camera angles and the price for each system!
Posted on February 24, 2017 at 11:30 AM