Upload a Race
SwimLab accepts video files from most cameras and phones. Here’s how to get your footage into the platform.
Supported Formats
| Format | Extensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 (H.264) | .mp4 | Recommended — fastest processing |
| MP4 (H.265 / HEVC) | .mp4 | Supported; slightly slower to process |
| MOV | .mov | Common from iPhones and GoPros |
| MTS / M2TS | .mts, .m2ts | Direct camera files; supported |
| AVI | .avi | Supported |
Maximum file size: 10 GB per upload.
Filming at 1080p, 60fps gives the best accuracy for marker placement and split calculations. 4K is supported but will process more slowly.
Upload Your Video
Open the Dashboard
Click New Race in the top-right corner of your dashboard.
Drag or select your file
Drag your video file into the upload area, or click Browse to select it from your computer.
Fill in race details
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | e.g. “State Championships 100 Free — Heat 3” |
| Date | Date the race was swum |
| Pool length | 25m, 50m, or 25 yards |
| Event | e.g. 100m Freestyle |
| Athletes | Select athlete names from your team roster, or type to create a new athlete. Tagging here lets you filter videos by swimmer later. (Optional but recommended) |
Click Upload
SwimLab will upload and process the video. Processing time depends on file size and length — a 3-minute race video typically takes 1–2 minutes to process.
Open the video
Once processing is complete, you’ll see a View button next to the race in your dashboard. Click it to open the annotation screen.
Organising Your Library
All uploaded videos live in your Library (the folder icon in the left sidebar). You can:
- Create folders to group videos by meet, season, or athlete
- Use tags to filter by event type or training phase
- Archive races you no longer need in your main view
Troubleshooting Uploads
Upload gets stuck at 0% Check your internet connection. Large files need a stable connection — wired is best for files over 2 GB.
“Unsupported format” error Convert your video to MP4 using a free tool like HandBrake before uploading.
Video looks very dark or corrupted after upload This can happen with some MTS files. Re-export from your camera software as MP4.
Next Step
Now let’s annotate your first race: Your First Annotation →