DiveOverlay helps you enrich your underwater videos by overlaying dive data such as depth and temperature. Imagine exploring a shipwreck or drifting through a cave — how much more engaging would your footage be if viewers could also see how deep you were or how cold it was?
DiveOverlay takes data from your dive computer, aligns it with your video, and generates a small overlay video file. You can then use this file in your favorite editing software, such as DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere.
1. Prepare Your Data for Processing
Currently, DiveOverlay supports dive data in the Subsurface XML format.
Subsurface is an open-source dive log available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, and it works with most dive computers. You can download Subsurface here.
After installation:
- Go to Import → Import from dive computer
- Select your dive computer model and click Download
- Once imported, choose the dive you want to use
- Export it via File → Export → Subsurface XML, then save the file to your computer
Your dive data is now ready for DiveOverlay.
2. Add Your Files to DiveOverlay
Drag and drop both your XML file and the video files from your dive into the drop area on the DiveOverlay website.
Once added, the files will appear in a list. Each file shows time information, which may be useful later. The logfile tile indicates when the dive began, and each video file tile shows when its clip was created.
3. Choose a Display Style
DiveOverlay offers several display styles, with more in development. If you have suggestions for new styles, send them to info@diveoverlay.com.
For now, pick one of the available styles to continue.
4. Adjust Your Settings
4.1 Sample Rate
Most dive computers record data at intervals of 5–10 seconds. Without adjustment, your overlay would “jump” between values, which doesn’t look smooth.
DiveOverlay interpolates missing data to create smoother updates, defaulting to 1-second intervals. You can adjust this to a higher value if you prefer.
4.2 Time Shift
Accurate overlays depend on synchronized clocks between your dive computer and camera. If possible, sync both devices by connecting them with your smartphone before diving.
If times still don’t match (e.g., due to time zones or unsynced clocks), adjust them in the Time Shift settings.
Example 1:
- Dive computer start time: 09:00
- Video creation time: 12:10
- Real difference: 10 minutes into the dive
In this case, set the Time Shift to -3 hours to align times correctly.
Example 2:
- Dive computer start time: 10:00
- Video creation time: 08:14
- Real difference: 14 minutes into the dive
In this case, set the Time Shift to + 2 hours to align times correctly.
For smaller mismatches, adjust seconds or minutes as needed.
5. Generate the Overlay
When everything is set, click “Let’s Go!” to start processing.
Only metadata (timestamps) from your video files will be read, without uploading the files themselves. The logfile will be uploaded to our servers and deleted afterwards.
Once finished, you’ll see a list of generated overlays. Download them to your computer.
If you see an error, check the message. If it’s unclear, contact us at info@diveoverlay.com
Note: Some video players may not show the overlay correctly because of transparency settings. In your editing software, it will appear normally.
6. Using the Overlay
Open your project in your editing software. Import the overlay file and place it on the timeline directly above the corresponding video clip.
Adjust its size and position as needed. If you’ve already cut the clips, remember to align the overlay clips as well.
You can create and add multiple overlays with different styles if you like.
Tips for Best Results
- Film your dive computer for a few seconds during the dive. This provides a handy reference for synchronization.
- Sometimes, overlays may not perfectly match the values shown on your dive computer’s display. This is due to differences in how some dive computers store vs. display data. We hope to work with vendors to resolve this in the future.