Rules Governing the Use of Video Equipment

Video cameras may be used be used to settle cases of disagreement or confusion over the order of the finish. If the judges do not agree on what they see in the recording the methods enumerated in these rules will be used to settle the dispute based on what each sees in the recording.

The use of video equipment shall be in a supplemental mode and will not replace the placing judges. If used, the following procedure must be used on each race.

1) The placing judges will call the race as usual. If there is a disagreement among the placing judges, they (and No one else) may call a photo finish. When this happens, the race will be posted as a photo finish. The resolution of this race shall take place prior to the running of the next race.

(a) All placing judges for that race will immediately proceed to the viewing area along with the video and video operator.
(b) Only the placing judges of the disputed or tied race and the video operator shall review the finish. After the placing judges review the video, they shall announce their results. These results shall become official and posted on the scoreboard.

An owner may protest the FINISH of a race and must do so before the running of the next race. The judges will view the tape and rule on the finish. The owner will be allowed to view the video of the protested race with the judges but may not participate in, or attempt to influence, any discussion of what is viewed.

Cameras:

The camera shall be a digital video camera capable of recording moving images in a digital format and playing them back in slow or stop motion with no loss of clarity. The playback equipment must be able to view individual frames in a stop motion format.

Mounting and Positioning:

The camera will be on a firm base at least 7 feet (84 inches) above the ground and on the side of the track which gets the best light to see the dogs, the idea is that no dog is hidden behind any other dog, with higher mounting preferable. A camera on each side of the track is preferable to one mounted on one side of the track, to catch dogs not seen by the other camera. Ideally the camera would be mounted over the center of the track with enough height to see the full track width. The camera shall be placed on the finish line and pointed across the track with a clear view of the full width of the finish line and track. The camera will not follow the dogs down the track. It will allow the dogs to run through its field of view. The camera will have an unimpeded view of the finish.

Use:

The camera shall be set to the fastest shutter speed, called Action Mode on some cameras, to achieve the greatest clarity.
The camera will record the Heat and race numbers, preferably before the race. The recording of the heat and dogs may be visual or audio. The camera should be started before the race starts and shall run until after all dogs that finish cross the finish line.

Retention:

The recordings will be retained until at least two (2) hours after the last race is run.

3.6.1 Video Cameras at Finish Line

The use of a video camera and playback equipment at the finish line is authorized in NOTRA meets. The video camera must be of sufficient speed to be able to actually capture the individual dogs as they cross the finish line. The playback equipment must be able to view individual frames in a stop motion format. The use of video equipment shall be in a supplemental mode and will not replace the placing judges. If used, the following procedure must be used on each race.

3.6.1.1

The placing judges will call the race as usual. If there is a disagreement among the placing judges, they (and No one else) may call a photo finish. When this happens, the race will be posted as a photo finish. The resolution of this race shall take place prior to the running of the next race.

3.6.1.2

All placing judges for that race will immediately proceed to the viewing area along with the video and video operator.

3.6.1.3

Only the placing judges of that race and the video operator shall review the finish. After the placing judges review the video, they shall announce their results. These results shall become official and posted on the score board.