Scoreboard Detection for Basketball

Basketball Scoreboard Detection allows BallerCam to automatically detect and read the physical scoreboard in the gym using the camera feed and display the detected score and clock on the live stream overlay.

This helps reduce the need to manually enter scoreboard information throughout the game while giving viewers an updated view of the score, game clock, and period.

🏀 How Scoreboard Detection Works

When setting up your stream, BallerCam looks for the physical scoreboard within the filming device's camera view.

Scoreboard Detection can use information displayed on the scoreboard, including:

• Home score
• Away score
• Period
• Game clock

For the best results, the scoreboard should remain clearly visible and the detection area should focus on the main scoreboard without including nearby displays, such as shot clocks.

🎥 How to Use Basketball Scoreboard Detection

Before starting detection, make sure the physical scoreboard is clearly visible in the camera view without compromising BallerCam's ability to capture the full court.

To set up Scoreboard Detection:

1. Start your Live Stream as usual.
2. Make sure the physical scoreboard is visible within the camera view.
3. Tap Detect Scoreboard.
4. BallerCam will begin scanning the camera feed. You may see a Detecting Scoreboard... message while detection is in progress.
5. Position the detection area so it captures the:
   • Home score
   • Away score
   • Period
   • Game clock
6. Make sure the detection area does not include the shot clocks, as they can interfere with detection.
7. If detection is successful, a scoreboard preview will appear.
8. Confirm that the correct scoreboard information is being detected before play begins.
9. Adjust the scoreboard overlay settings if needed.

Whenever possible, complete Scoreboard Detection setup before tip-off rather than configuring it during live play.

⚙️ Managing the Scoreboard Overlay

Scoreboard settings can also be managed from a secondary scorekeeping device through Game Settings.

From the secondary device, you can:

• Turn the physical scoreboard overlay on or off
• View the current scoreboard preview
• Refresh the scoreboard preview
• Change the scoreboard position
• Change the scoreboard size

Position Options

• Top Left
• Top Center
• Top Right

Size Options

• Small
• Medium
• Large

Changes made from the secondary device sync with the filming device in real time.

👀 Monitoring Scoreboard Detection During the Game

Basketball scoreboards can change quickly, so it is important to periodically confirm that the detected information remains synchronized with the physical scoreboard.

During the game:

• Check that Scoreboard Detection keeps up after each basket.
• Watch for number misreads, particularly 6 and 8 or 1 and 7, which can occur with some LED scoreboards.
• If the detected score changes by an unexpected amount, manually correct the score and continue monitoring.
• During free throws, confirm that the score updates correctly after each made free throw.
• At quarter breaks, verify that the Period advances correctly.
• If the scoreboard becomes temporarily blocked, check the detected information once the scoreboard is visible again.

✅ Scoreboard Detection Best Practices

For the best results:

• Set up Scoreboard Detection before tip-off.
• Keep the physical scoreboard clearly visible within the camera frame.
• Make sure the detection area includes the Home score, Away score, Period, and Clock.
• Exclude shot clocks and other nearby electronic displays from the detection area.
• Avoid placing the camera where players, spectators, equipment, or other objects frequently block the scoreboard.
• Reduce glare and reflections when possible.
• Keep the filming device stable after detection has been configured.
• Periodically compare the detected score and clock against the physical scoreboard.
• Check detection after free throws, fast scoring sequences, and quarter transitions.

The physical scoreboard should remain the reference point when verifying whether the detected information is correct.

🛠️ Troubleshooting Scoreboard Detection

BallerCam Cannot Find the Scoreboard

If BallerCam cannot detect the scoreboard, you may see:

"Could not find the scoreboard. Please make sure it is visible in the camera view."

After a few seconds, the app will return to the ready state so you can try again.

Before retrying, check that:

• The scoreboard is clearly visible.
• The scoreboard is large enough within the camera view.
• Nothing is blocking the scoreboard.
• Lighting or glare is not making the scoreboard difficult to see.
• The camera angle provides a clear view of the scoreboard.
• Other displays, particularly shot clocks, are not interfering with detection.

Once the setup has been adjusted, tap Detect Scoreboard again.

Shot Clock Is Interfering with Detection

If the shot clock is being included in the detection area or interfering with the scoreboard:

• Resize or reposition the detection area.
• Make sure the detection area includes only the information needed from the main scoreboard.
• Exclude the shot clocks whenever possible.

Score Is Incorrect After a Fast Scoring Run

During periods of rapid scoring, confirm that the detected score remains synchronized with the physical scoreboard.

If the score is incorrect:

1. Manually sync the score with the physical scoreboard.
2. Confirm both teams' scores are correct.
3. Continue monitoring detection as play resumes.

Detected Score Jumps Unexpectedly

If the score suddenly changes by more than expected—for example, increasing by several points from a single detection:

1. Compare the detected score with the physical scoreboard.
2. Manually correct the score.
3. Continue monitoring subsequent score changes.

Also watch for similar-looking numbers on LED scoreboards, particularly 6 and 8 and 1 and 7.

Clock Is Not Detected

If BallerCam is unable to reliably detect the game clock:

• Disable clock detection.
• Enter or manage the clock manually instead.
• Continue using Scoreboard Detection for the other supported scoreboard information when appropriate.

Scoreboard Preview Needs to Be Refreshed

If the scoreboard has already been detected but the preview needs to be updated:

1. Open Game Settings from the secondary scorekeeping device.
2. Locate the physical scoreboard settings.
3. Refresh the scoreboard preview.
4. Confirm that the correct scoreboard is displayed.

You can also adjust the scoreboard's position and size from this screen.

⚠️ Important Limitations

Keep the following in mind when using Basketball Scoreboard Detection:

• Scoreboard Detection is currently available on iOS only.
• The physical scoreboard must be visible within the filming device's camera frame.
• Multiple physical scoreboards are not currently supported.
• Scoreboard Detection remains an experimental feature, so detection performance can vary depending on the venue, scoreboard type, lighting, camera position, and visibility.

Because scoreboard styles can vary between venues, continue monitoring the detected score, clock, and period throughout the game.

ℹ️ Additional Notes

Scoreboard Detection runs on the filming device.

Detection is designed to complete in approximately 5 seconds or less, with a 10-second timeout if the scoreboard cannot be detected.

After successful detection:

• The scoreboard overlay is enabled by default.
• Top Left is the default overlay position.
• Medium is the default overlay size.

These settings can be changed as needed through the scoreboard overlay controls.

✅ Key Reminders

• Set up Scoreboard Detection before tip-off whenever possible.
• Keep the physical scoreboard clearly visible throughout the game.
• Capture the Home score, Away score, Period, and Clock within the detection area.
• Keep shot clocks outside the detection area.
• Monitor the detected score after baskets and free throws.
• Verify the period at each quarter transition.
• Watch for possible LED number misreads such as 6 vs. 8 and 1 vs. 7.
• Manually correct or sync the score if detection becomes inaccurate.
• If the game clock cannot be detected reliably, disable clock detection and manage it manually.
• Use the physical scoreboard to verify that BallerCam's displayed information remains accurate.