Introducing the iOS Finish Cam app, version 1.5 (UPDATED)
The RaceClocker Finish Cam app turns an iPhone into a finish-line camera for sports races. It livestreams video to the RaceClocker dashboard, where the feed can be followed in real time or reviewed later. It’s great for backup review, for make timing corrections, or to add timestamps linked to race participants.
Finish Cam can also read runner bib numbers directly from the video and post their finish times automatically (a feature currently in testing). Finish Cam is NOT a standalone full-featured app, it serves as an integral component of the RaceClocker race timing platform
To make manual timing even better, we’ve added an innovative component to the RaceClocker timing system: the RaceClocker Finish Cam app for iPhone. It can be used in two different use cases:
Backup video solution. Every session is recorded with a synchronised on-screen clock, so during or after the race you open the player inside the RaceClocker dashboard and jump to any moment in the video and read the exact time. Great for settling close finishes, fixing a missed timestamp, or for full ‘remote’ timing.
Automatic timing (new). Finish Cam reads bib numbers from the live video and posts finish times to the RaceClocker backend by itself. No tapping or any action required. As each competitor crosses the line, a loud beep and on screen notification confirms their time is recorded and instantly displays in the live results.
How to get started?
First, install the Finish Cam App. The app is currently created for iPhone only and can downloaded on your phone from the App store.
Next, open the Timers tab in your RaceClocker Dashboard. In addition to the usual timer app links, you’ll find an “Open Finish Cam app” option.
Tapping this button on your iPhone opens the Finish Cam app for that timing point. The underlying link is also copied to your clipboard so you can share it with others. When you’re on a laptop or desktop, this menu option leads you to a QR code on screen that you can scan with your iPhone camera (example here). This will also open the app on your iPhone with the correct timer key.
All options mentioned above to open the app will bypass the ‘timer key input screen’. As, alternatively, you can also enter the timer key manually. Either enter or paste the 16-character timer key to connect the app to the correct race. You’ll find the key in your timer links e.g. https://raceclocker.com/finishcam/?timerkey=abcdefgh01234567.
Finish Cam then looks up your event and timing point automatically. If the key is wrong, or the account’s subscription isn’t active, you’ll see a message at the top of the screen and “Start streaming” stays disabled until it’s fixed.
Next, pick your mode from the settings screen
The gear icon on the main screen brings up the Settings screen. At the top you’ll find a line that confirms the name of the race and the timing point, that you’re livestream will be associated with. Here you can also turn on the ‘auto-timing’ feature and choose between ‘3D’ mode, typically for a running or cycling race where you see bib numbers coming towards the camera. The other mode is ‘2D’, where the camera is placed perpendicular to the finishing path of participants as is common in for example rowing and other water sports (more on that below).
And then start streaming
Then, back on the camera preview screen, use the slider to adjust zoom (available in 2D mode only) and tap anywhere in the camera preview to focus on that point. Note that the on-screen clock is synchronized with the RaceClocker race server. Then tap ‘Start Streaming’ to begin capture auto-timing and send the live video feed to our video server.
Streams typically become available in the dashboard after 15–20 seconds. Make sure to refresh the page in order to see the live stream menu and from there open the video player.
About auto-timing
Finish Cam scans each frame for bib numbers (1–5 numerical digits) as you stream, using on-device text recognition, so nothing leaves the phone to do it. Every bib it reads gets a live box drawn into the video so you can see what the camera is picking up. The boxes are shown in blue for numbers in your event’s start list, and in red for all other recognized numbers.
When a competitor in your event crosses the finish line, Finish Cam calculates the precise crossing moment, plays a finish beep, and posts the time to RaceClocker, where it’s broadcast live to everyone watching.
Below video is a short video capture of a test run we timed in august ‘26. Of the 67 finish line passings, 64 were captured automatically and accurately. The reasons we missed three is due to occlusion (holding both hands in front of a bib number to stop a watch during the entire viewing stretch, or a number that passed just outside the finish marker line. In absence of a loud beep, our manual backup timekeeper was triggered to mark the finish on a phone, and still have a correct and complete result.
Rather than relying on one lucky readable frame, Finish Cam tracks each runner’s approach and interpolates the exact instant they reach the line, so the time stays accurate even if the bib is briefly unreadable in the final metres. Single as well as multiple finish line passings, for lap races, are taken into account
Bib detection also runs in preview, before you go live: you’ll see the live boxes, and a crossing runner’s bib and name will flash on screen so you can confirm everything’s working. Nothing is recorded yet, real timing only begins once you tap “Start streaming”.
Note that auto-timing is a test feature as we’re still in the process of gathering user data and optimizing the recognition settings.
Auto-timing is a test feature and is off by default. Turn it on in Settings (gear icon) under Bib number detection and auto-timing. While it’s in testing, feedback is welcome at info@raceclocker.com.
2D versus 3D auto-timing
Competitors cross a finish line differently, so Finish Cam has two modes, pick the one matching your camera position and race type under Settings.
Running 3D (camera facing the finish line head-on): the camera looks straight down the course as competitors run towards it. Finish Cam uses the iPhone’s depth sensing to build a 3D finish plane at chest height, so timing matches the runner’s body, not their feet. Just drag the two markers, A and B, onto each end of the finish line. The plane then shows as a translucent wall so you can check it’s positioned correctly. A “Pro” iPhone (LiDAR) is strongly recommended for best accuracy; it also works, less precisely, on other recent dual-camera iPhones, but isn’t available on iPhones without a depth camera.
Rowing 2D (camera beside the line): competitors cross the frame from edge to edge. This is typical for water sports where the bib or bow number is readable from the side. Just drag the vertical finish line into place and adjust the zoom level. Make sure the view has enough runway to collect multiple positive bow number readings. This doesn’t require an iPhone with depth measuring, but do make sure the focal point is set and the camera is close to the numbers such that they’re well readable.
Viewing livestream video in the RaceClocker dashboard
Whether or not you use auto-timing, every stream is saved as a scrubbable video with the synchronised clock. In the dashboard you can access all video’s, live or recorded, from the video icon next to the name of the timing point. Video’s are identified by date, start time and duration. Via ‘Manage streams’ video’s can be downloaded to your device or deleted. Video’s are kept for 14 days on our servers and then removed.
The video player appears as a draggable overlay on your RaceClocker dashboard. Keyboard shortcuts make navigating the video quick and easy:
Space bar – Play/pause
Arrow keys – Move 1 second forward or backward
Shift + Arrow keys – Move 1 frame forward or backward
Verify and adjust (manual) time stamps
When a video is loaded, time stamps that are present in the dashboard become clickable links. Clicking a time stamp jumps the video to that moment, allowing you to check and fine-tune accuracy. Once you’ve set the exact moment a participant crosses the line, you can grab the video time directly into your time stamp list via the small icon next to the time. This significantly improves timing precision and consistency.
Finish Cam can also be used as your primary timing tool. Race directors can watch the live stream remotely, pause when a participant crosses the line, and record the time directly in RaceClocker. Keyboard shortcuts and the search filter make it quick to find the correct participant and confirm times efficiently.
Requirements
The RaceClocker Finish Cam app (1.5) is for iPhone only and can be downloaded from the Apple app store.
The app can be used in combination with our Essentials or Premium subscription plan. See plans overview here.
A modern iPhone, on a tripod, in landscape.
For automatic timing in Running mode a ”Pro” iPhone with LiDAR is strongly recommended. Rowing mode and live-streaming work on any recent iPhone.
A strong and stable internet connection and ideally connected to power at the finish line.
#Happytiming
Wow, great idea. Any plans for an Android version?
Quick clarification on the subscription requirements for FinishCam 1.5. The article says FinishCam can be used with either an Essentials or Premium subscription, but the RaceClocker pricing page appears to list FinishCam only under Premium.
Will the $99/year Essentials plan include FinishCam 1.5 and the Running 3D automatic timing/bib recognition features for races of up to 100 participants?
I'm looking forward to trying this alongside our existing RFID timing system at some of our smaller races.