Free updates now available for AEM, Easy-Scout Pro, Easy-Cut

Users of the 2011 versions of Easy-Scout Pro (3.5 or higher), Easy-Cut (4.0 or 4.51) and Athletic Equipment Manager – Advanced Edition (3.0) software are entitled to free maintenance release updates.

Generally speaking, these new releases improve the way existing features or functions work, as opposed to adding a new features or functionality.

More information about each update and a link to download the update or a full installer can be found on our technical support site at www.compusports.net

Software lineup ready to take the field in 2011-2012

The 2011 Lineup from CompuSports

Easy-Scout Professional – Football Scouting and Video Editing
Version 3. 5. Better than ever, with a new video scouting edition that costs just $295

Easy-Scout XP Plus  – Football Scouting
Version 2.1 is a free maintenance release for users of Easy-Scout XP Plus 2.0, and an inexpensive upgrade for users of older Easy-Scout software.  Still only $129 to buy.

Easy-Cut – Video Editing for any sport
Version 4.5 is a free upgrade for users of Version 4, and an inexpensive upgrade for users of Version 3.1 or earlier.  Still only $195 to buy  (even less for Youth programs)

Easy-Recruiter – Athletic Recruiting software
Version 5.1 is a free upgrade for all users of Version 5.  Still only $99 to buy.

Athletic Equipment Manager – Athletic Equipment Inventory software
Now available in a Standard (Version 2) and Advanced (Version 3) editions, starting at $199 to buy (even less for Youth programs)

Easy-Scout Professional Video Scouting Edition

When we released the Easy-Scout Professional Video Scouting Edition earlier this year, we had to put our thinking caps on to make sure we didn’t confuse coaches that wanted to understand how this product fit between our Easy-Scout XP Plus football scouting software and our Easy-Scout Professional Video Editing software.

Even though we did, indeed create some confusion, when we’ve had a chance to explain what we did and why, coaches seem to understand. Many also appreciate our low cost alternative to products that cost quite a bit more, or become a year-after-year line item in an already tight budget.

In short, the Video Scouting Edition is the same (actually a much better version this year) Easy-Scout Professional that we have offered in past years as a $695 Video Editing program.  The primary difference this year is that we used a modular approach which, coupled with small modifications to the software that are transparent to the user, unlocks either video scouting, or video scouting with publishing functionality.

The net result is that for $295, a coach can break down video, edit video and analyze plays – either by printing reports or using an on screen analysis tool that can filter, search for and control the playback and presentation of the video for individual plays or groups of plays from one more more games.

We also offered something new.. what we called a Video Publishing module, that added the ability to create cutups – as an option that could be added for $200 for coaches that need it. Our experience is that a lot of Easy-Scout Pro users do all of their work on a laptop computer, and in some cases a laptop and desktop, but are more interested in the video breakdown and ability to immediately view a play or groups of plays.  Most also use the tendency reporting capabilities.

With the Video Scouting Edition of Easy-Scout Professional Version 3.5, coaches now have an affordable, football-specific  alternative that delivers what they need today, with the ability to add cutups (video publishing) if and when its needed..

Quick Cut Editor Screen Shot

Optimized for Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Version 3.5 supports additional video file types, including Windows Media files created with Windows Live Movie Maker, and (in the video publishing module) adds a significantly improved DV-AVI cutup file option.  This new DV-AVI is smaller in size yet fully compatible with all video playback applications that run on Windows 7 -  with no loss of quality or responsiveness.

Other improvements in Version 3.5 are a redesigned Video Control Layout that improves productivity, Hotkey support for all Video Playback buttons and makes it easy to make Easy-Scout Pro work with inexpensive “remotes”, and a new "slow motion" speed control hotkey for Windows 7

Version 3.5 is the best Easy-Scout Profession ever.. now easier-to-use, still affordably priced – starting at $295 .

A trial version is available on request by visiting www.compusports.com

Easy-Scout Professional Version 3.5 now available

A new release of Easy-Scout Professional that incorporates a number of usability improvements in the video editing playback and control functions was released on April 1. 

Quick Cut Editor Screen Shot

Optimized for Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Version 3.5 supports additional video file types, including Windows Media files created with Windows Live Movie Maker, and adds a significantly improved Export Video (now called Video Publishing) module for producing DV-AVI cutup files that are smaller and fully compatible with all video playback applications that run on Windows 7 -  with no loss of quality or responsiveness.

With a redesigned Video Control Layout that reduces mouse movement and improves productivity, Hotkey support for all Video Playback buttons, a new "slow motion" speed control hotkey for Windows 7 (also works with Windows Media files under Windows XP) and support for Shuttle’s xPress and Shuttle Pro remote controls, Version 3.5 remains easy-to-use and affordably priced – starting at $295 for the Video Scouting Edition.

A trial version is available on request by visiting www.compusports.com

Option Central Technology membership options available

Option Central members now have an added membership benefit – discounted versions of the Easy-Scout and Easy-Cut football scouting and video editing products with “pay as you go pricing” through a number of new membership options.

Full details are available at http://www.optioncentral.net/membership.asp

 

Easy-Cut Release 4 now available

A new version of the Easy-Cut multi-sport video editing and video analysis software is now available.  Combining improved video analysis capabilities with new data analysis tools, Easy-Cut retains its affordable price ($195) and school-friendly licensing. 

With improved video positioning and navigation controls on its two video players – the same playback controls found on the Video Editor,   Easy-Cut Release 4 is more suitable for performing video analysis and video presentations. 

 

In addition, Release  4 includes two new tools that make it possible to analyze the “category” information that identifies plays in the Project Manager grid:

1) A calculation "strip" above the filmstrip
2) A Category report that makes it possible to view or print the data in the category columns, or save it to a number of file
formats, including PDF and Excel.

Easy-Cut retains its compatibility with Easy-Scout Pro fessional – our
scouting and video editing program designed specifically for Football Coaches, and can be configured to adapt to the varying video and data analysis requirements of Offensive and Defensive position coaches, as well as Special teams coaches.

A trial version of Easy-Cut Release  4 is available on request …

For Football Coaches – www.compusports.com/video.asp

For Basketball, Wrestling, Hockey, Baseball and coaches of any sport – www.coachingware.com

Windows Live Movie Maker

When we first saw its snazzy new “ribbon” interface, and experimented with its reported support for new types of video, we were really excited about the potential that the 2011 version of Windows Live Movie Maker held for coaches.  We also liked the fact that Windows DVD Maker is now included in all versions of Windows 7.

When Windows 7 first appeared in 2009, we bumped into the typical issues and limitations that come with a brand new product, which is what Windows Live Movie Maker was at the time.  This, we felt was unfortunate because we had long been advocates of Windows Movie Maker as a simple and free video capture and video production tool for coaches that worked quite well for a long time.   Fortunately, the second release of Windows Live Movie Maker – dubbed 2011 version of Windows Live Movie Maker, improves in a number of areas.  The one that we’re happiest to see is its ability to import and convert video from a variety of cameras and even DVD’s. 

There are a few tricks (easy ones) to getting the best video output for use with our Easy-Scout Pro and Easy-Cut software, but Windows Live Movie maker, in our assessment,  the only 100% Free Video Editing software for Windows 7 users, is, at worst,  a no-lose proposition.  At best, its the solution for those who want to spend less than $300 for a complete football scouting and video analysis system (Easy-Scout Pro) or less than $200 for football and other sports where the need for tendency reporting is minimal (Easy-Cut).

Video Editing Hardware and Accessories store updated

We recently updated our Amazon store with Video Editing Accessories for capturing and converting video. 

A number of products in the store were recently purchased by us for testing on computers running Windows 7 (both 32 and 64 Bit Versions).

 

New pricing for Easy-Recruiter Version 5

Now in its second year, Easy-Recruiter Version 5 is now available at prices starting at $99 (Easy-Recruiter Personal Edition), providing Coaches and Athletic Directors with a new, highly affordable way to get started with Athletic Recruiting software.

With its new, modern look and feel, Easy-Recruiter is also available in a Multi-User version that can be shared on a local area network. 

Both versions of Easy-Recruiter Version 5 have the ability to synchronize recruiting information between office and “mobile” computers. A highly functional trial version of Easy-Recruiter is available at www.compusports.com and www.coachingware.com .

Easy-Scout Pro Version 3.11 now available

The Spring release of Easy-Scout Professional, Version 3.11 for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 is now available for Windows XP and 32 Bit Versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.  A 64 Bit release will be available soon.

The final feature release for the 2010 season, Version 3.11 incorporates one significant new capability and a number of adjustments to existing functions. 

Save Search/Filter saves time and keystrokes

The new Saved Search feature reduces the keystrokes that are required to retrieve specific groups of plays when using the Easy-Scout Pro video analyzer.  Examples of “saved searches” would be 3rd Down plays, Run Plays, Touchdowns, Penalties, etc. Saved searches can also combine search criteria, as in “3rd Down Run Plays”.

There is no limit to the number of saved searches that can be created, and once created, a Saved Search can be copied to other computers that are running Easy-Scout Professional.

Easy-Scout Pro 3.11 can be purchased as an upgrade by registered users.  Schools and Coaches with an active Software Maintenance Agreement  will receive the new version automatically.

Easy-Scout Pro does not require an internet connection, and is available as  traditional license purchase or, as a subscription under the recently reactivated Season Pass program.