This guide explains how to use NV Play Cricket for live scoring, live streaming, and capturing ball video clips on the same laptop or desktop PC. It also includes setup recommendations to help maintain software performance.
For additional setup information, refer to related guides such as:
- Creating a YouTube live streaming event
- Live streaming with remote video
- System and hardware requirements
This guide includes the following topics:
- Set up before the match
- Set up the video capture device
- Configure the streaming service
- Create the match and start streaming
- Scoring and overlays during the match
- Tips while scoring and streaming
- Keep your PC running smoothly
Set up before the match
Before the match begins:
- Open NV Play Cricket for Windows and log in (if you plan to stream or score live to the Match Centre).
- Open any match (for example, a dummy match for testing) and go to View > Live Streaming to switch to the default streaming layout.
- Locate the Streaming Overlay Control panel. It’s a collapsible panel accessed from the right edge of main interface:
You can customise the default streaming layout (resize or move panels) as needed. To save your custom layout, go to View > Save As, then close the match and NV Play Cricket.
Set up the video capture device
To set up a video capture device on your computer:
- Plug your capture device into the laptop or desktop computer.
- Open NV Play Cricket for Windows and log in (your dummy match will still be open).
- Go to Tools > Configuration. The Configuration dialogue opens.
- Click the Video Capture tab on the Configuration dialogue.
- Click the Add new Capture Device link in the Video Capture Devices section. The Capture Device Settings dialogue opens.
- Select the correct video capture device from the radio buttons to the left of the Capture Device Settings dialogue. If you are using a CamLink or similar device, choose Other Devices and Cameras, then select your device from the Capture Device dropdown.
- Click OK, and then OK again. Your live video feed should appear in the Video Display panel.
The selected device, and its configuration, will be remembered by the NV Play cricket software. You only need to change these settings if you switch to a different computer.
Configure the streaming service
To configure your chosen video streaming platform:
- Go to Tools > Configuration. The Configuration dialogue opens.
- Click the Live Streaming tab on the Configuration dialogue.
- Open the Streaming Service dropdown in the Live Streaming Configuration section and select the appropriate platform (e.g. YouTube).
- Paste the Streaming Server Address (unless automatically populated) and Stream Key into the respective fields. Leave the Resolution, and Target Bitrate on their default settings unless you encounter video issues.
- Click OK.
If using YouTube, see our guide on creating a YouTube event in advance. This is the recommended approach rather than using the quick live stream option.
For more on overlays, auto replays, sponsor images and graphics, see our live streaming with remote video guide.
Create the match and start streaming
Once the pre-match setup is complete:
- Create the live match: go to File > New Match or File > Start Match from Fixture.
- When ready (for example, when players take the field), click Start Stream below the live video feed on the Video Display panel.
To show your live stream on the Match Centre:
- Copy the embed code from your YouTube live video (right-click the YouTube video and select Copy embed code).
- Open NV Play Cricket and go to Live > Add Stream to Match Centre. The Match Centre Live Stream dialogue opens.
- Paste the embed code in the text field and then click Save. The stream might take several minutes to appear on the Match Centre. If it does not appear within five minutes, perform a hard refresh in your browser (Ctrl + F5), after which you can begin scoring the match.
Scoring and overlays during the match
Once the live video stream has started:
- Score the match as normal. Note that the score overlay will appear only after the first innings is created.
- Use the Streaming Overlay Control panel to show graphics like the match title beforehand.
- For automated overlays, use Auto with Cards:
- This mode rotates the main overlay automatically and adds full-screen slides (batting, bowling, milestones) during breaks.
- It also shows wickets, maidens, and breaks automatically.
- If you prefer more manual control, use the Auto mode (baseline rotation only, no full-screen slides).
Tips while scoring and streaming
While scoring and streaming a match, note the following:
- All scoring updates will immediately sync with the Match Centre and stream overlay.
- Use Auto with Cards during play and short breaks.
- For long breaks (e.g. lunch or rain), manually show cards and use the Custom Messages field (e.g. "Next inspection at 3 PM").
- Monitor CPU performance using the Live Video Statistics panel (View > Video > Live Video Statistics) or check CPU % in the bottom right corner of the status bar.
- If the live video becomes choppy, click the settings cog in the top right corner of the Video Display panel, and then select Restart Video Player.
- At the end of the match:
- Save the result promptly so it appears in the stream overlay.
- Allow the overlay to display final stats automatically or use manual slides.
- Click Stop Live Stream once you're done.
Keep your PC running smoothly
Capturing video, streaming, and scoring at the same time can be demanding on computers. To keep yours running smoothly, follow the recommendations in: Laptop and PC Maintenance Guide.
These suggestions include:
- Complete all Windows updates before match day.
- Check for device driver updates from the manufacturer.
- Use a wired internet connection where possible (Wi-Fi is less stable).
- Aim for a minimum broadband upload speed of 10 Mbps.
- Keep laptops plugged in.
- Don’t open the live stream in a web browser on the same computer.
- Avoid running other applications, only use NV Play Cricket.
- Use the Windows High Performance power plan.
- Keep your laptop or computer well-ventilated and clean the fans and vents regularly.