Dashware.net video editing software review

    Let me start off my saying that I believe DashWare is great software.  I have used it on a limited basis so far but it did exactly what I was looking for.  Let me describe the problem I had, and how I came across the solution.



    I just recently bought a POV camera for my helmet to document my rides.  It is the Contour GPS.  You can read a review about it on my blog.  I was so excited to get going on making videos that had GPS data imbedded inside.  I took a ride in my car, and made my first video.  I got home, uploaded the video to my computer, and started up Story Teller (contours program for showing videos.)  All was great up until I tried to upload the video onto YouTube.  All the GPS info was gone.  This means that if I want to show people the GPS imbedded video I have to upload it to Storytellers website where the whole world can see.  I didn’t like the idea of that if I wanted limit the showing of a video to only my family.  That lead me to look for a better solution than Story Teller.  I have found that solution.  It is DashWare. 

    I went online to see if anybody else had the same frustration I did with Contour’s default software. There wasn’t a ton of information, but there was enough to give me hope.  I researched several different software packages, most where pretty good but all had their shortcomings.  For example, they all made me export my GPS data from off the camera first, then re-import the data into the software to be able to view it.  Too clumsy of a solution, so I kept looking.  That is when I found Dashware.net.  I downloaded the free trial.  Right away upon using the software I knew that I had found a winner.

    Why is it so good?  There are several reasons but the biggest one is that it automatically imports my GPS data from off the camera.  I wanted the ability to show my speed and altitude in my video without having to go to extreme measures that others I have read about online have gone to.  DashWare imports your contour video and automatically generates a data file for GPS information.  You can place different gauges into the video and it seamlessly reads the GPS data.  If you don’t like the look of the gauges that comes with the software, then with a bit of time you can custom make your own.  It is virtually limitless on the possibilities of gauge design. 

    Is Dash Ware limited to just GPS data?  NO.  It will display and sync any data you have from a data logger.  I am thinking of wearing a heart rate monitor and showing that information.  Others show acceleration, RPM’s, temperature, when the brake vs gas is applied, lap times for those racing on a track, and much more.  Like I said the possibilities are endless.  For those racers out there trying to gather and analyze data manually, you really should look into buying Dash Ware.
   
    Is the software that perfect?  No, not exactly.  I does display exactly what I want it to with very little effort with the exception of one thing.  Showing a satellite picture of a map with my tracks on it.  I don’t know of an easy way to show the map.  It will easily show my tracks, and that is built in, but I want to have it read my GPS coordinates and automatically inlay a map.  The operative word here is EASILY.  It can be done.  You can take a snapshot of the area you are riding in from say Google maps, then import the picture and line it up with your tracks manually.  It is just a bit labor intensive to do sometimes.  I wish it was more automated, and after talking to the guys over at Dash Ware I found out they do too.  The problem lies in Google’s mapping policies that prohibit Dash Ware from programming this particular feature in.  They are working on it.

    Wrap up.  I think that $50 is well worth the money.  It is a good company who seem to be responsive to their users for support.  They have spent time making the software easy to use and straight forward.  You would benefit from implementing Dash Ware in your videos if you plan to imbed data logging statistics like I do.

Summary:   

    Pros: Easily imports data from different loggers, looks at race stats, crops video, customizable gauges, tons of pre-made gauges that look great. Import multiple data sources into your video. Worth every penny of the $50.

    Cons:  Not to many that I can see.  Wish it would imbed maps easier. But again worth every penny. 

You should download the 30 day free trial and see if you like it.  I am sure you will, and it will then be easy to justify the cost.
 



This is not my video... I wanted to make my own to show the software's capabilities, but when I got out there on a ride I discovered my camera's battery was dead.  I was angry. I must have left it on the night before.  Maybe once I have my own example of the software working I will update this blog.


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