Billiard University (BU) playing-ability-exam scores and ratings

StraightPoolIU said:

Unfortunately video for me really isn't feasible. I don't have a good camera for it, and I don't have a table at home. Even if I had a camera I wouldn't really want to set one up in the pool room.

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We'll trust you.

Catch you later,
Dave

Neil said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kinxws_Qf4Y That's the link to the one that I think is unviewable to the public.

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You are correct. It is still not viewable. The same message appeared when I tried to view my latest Exam II video, but after I "acknowledged" the copyrighted material and removed the "blocking" songs with the procedure I described, my video can be now be viewed by others. I'm not sure why it didn't work for you. If you or anybody else figures it out, please let us know.

Thanks,
Dave

dr_dave said:

You are correct. It is still not viewable. The same message appeared when I tried to view my latest Exam II video, but after I "acknowledged" the copyrighted material and removed the "blocking" songs with the procedure I described, my video can be now be viewed by others. I'm not sure why it didn't work for you. If you or anybody else figures it out, please let us know.

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I will certainly not include background music on any future videos I post, and I recommend everyone else follow this same advice.

Good luck on the exams,
Dave

Spimp13 said:

Is there a deduction in the score keeping for playing on a 7' vs a 9' ?

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It depends on whether or not you qualify for the Doctorate-level Exam II. If you take the exams on a table smaller than 9' (8' or 7'), you are not allowed to take the Doctorate version of Exam II. Even if your Exam I score qualifies you for the Doctorate-level Exam II, you must take the Masters-level Exam II instead, which has few points available. For more info, see: BU Exam Instructions document, the BU Assessment Philosophy page, and the BU Rating System page.

Good luck on the exams,
Dave

Spimp13 said:

Thanks Dave, I forwarded this to a few people....I am not sure if they will try it or not, but it looks pretty interesting to say the least....I probably should fix my stance before trying this to give myself the best chance to score high. I have a 7' Olhausen at home thats in decent shape, but the side pockets are a bit wide in my opinion. Corners are a tad tight which is good.

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I look forward to seeing your scores (and videos if available).

FYI, if you want some help with your stance and other fundamentals important in the BU Exams (and in general play), check out these videos:

NV D.7 - Pool Fundamentals - The Stance - from Vol-I of the Billiard University instructional DVD series
NV D.8 - Stun Shot Drill - from Vol-II of the Billiard University instructional DVD series
NV D.9 - How to Aim Pool Shots - from Vol-II of the Billiard University instructional DVD series
NV D.10 - Draw Shot Trisect Aiming System - from Vol-II of the Billiard University instructional DVD series
NV D.11 - Cue Ball Control Target Pool Drill - from Vol-II of the Billiard University instructional DVD series
NV D.12 - Safety Drill - from Vol-III of the Billiard University instructional DVD series
NV D.13 - Kick Shot Aiming Systems - from Vol-III of the Billiard University instructional DVD series
NV D.14 - Pool Break Technique Advice - from Vol-III of the Billiard University instructional DVD series


Also, the following videos provide complete examples of each shot in both exams, along with how to score them:

NV D.4 - Billiard University - Part 4: Exam-I Overview - demonstrations and scoring of the Fundamentals Exam
NV D.5 - Billiard University - Part 5: Exam II Overview - demonstrations and scoring of the Skills Exam

Good luck,
Dave

Spimp13 said:

Thanks again...printed off exam 1 and exam 2 bachelor and master. My flip camera file can probably keep track long enough to finish a test, but I would have to post it on youtube or something like that as the file size is enormous. 17 minutes was about 1.1 gig I think.

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Maybe other people out there who have faced similar issues can offer some advice.

Please post your scores even if you can't get the video thing to work.

Good luck on the exams,
Dave

FYI, here are the latest updated results:

AZB'ers who have taken the BU playing-ability exams:

BU score - User - BU Rating, 10-ball ghost rating - table size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf - Video/post links:

168 - Gerry Williams - semi pro (A++/AAA), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
164 - theUBC - semi pro (A++/AAA), ??? - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - Exam I, Exam II
161 - Gerry Williams - semi pro (A++/AAA), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
160 - scottjen26 - semi pro (A++/AAA), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
159 - Gerry Williams - adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
157 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
157 - scottjen26 - adv-3 (A+/A), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (AZB post)
156 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
156 - Gerry Williams - adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
152 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
149 - scottjen26 - adv-3 (A+/A), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
148 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
146 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 58 (A) - 7', 4 1/2", 4 1/2", 3/4" - AZB post
142 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 58 (A) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
141 - 12squared - adv-3 (A+/A); 78 (Pro) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - AZB post
141 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 3 1/2", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
135 - dr_dave - adv-2 (A-/B+), 54 (B+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
133 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
132 - Gerry Williams - adv-2 (A-/B+), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132 - BRussell - adv-2 (A-/B+), 51 (B+) - 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
127 - Okie -adv-2 (A-/B+), 61 (A+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
127 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, AZB post
124 - StraightPoolIU - adv-1 (B/B-), 50 (B) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4" - AZB post
124 - JC - adv-1 (B/B-), 57 (A) - 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam 1, Exam 2
121 - TheOneGnat - adv-1 (B/B-), 51 (B+) - 8', 4 1/2", 4", 1 5/8" - AZB post and update
119 - Mooneye - adv-1 (B/B-), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
117 - RobMan - adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5" - AZB post
113 - Eagleshot - adv-1 (B/B-), 48 (B) - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
112 - Okie - adv-1 (B/B-), 61 (A+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
112 - RobMan - adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5" - AZB post
108 - row21097 - int-3 (B-/C+), 57 (A) - 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
106 - StraightPoolIU - int-3 (B-/C+), 50 (B) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4" - AZB post
102 - Okie - int-3 (B-/C+), 52 (B+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
101 - 67tbird - int-3 (B-/C+), 46 (B) - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2" - AZB post
98 - Eagleshot - int-3 (B-/C+), 48 (B) - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
92 - 67tbird - int-2 (C+/C), 34 (D+) - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2" - AZB post
90 - EagleEye - int-2 (C+/C), ??? - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - 2013 BU Summer School Boot Camp
89 - mamics - int-2 (C+/C), 31 (D+) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
88 - DrGonzo - int-2 (C+/C), 47 (B) - 9', 4.5", 4", 1.5" - AZB post
87 - iusedtoberich - int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
78 - iusedtoberich - int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
77 - mamics - int-2 (C+/C), 31 (D+) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
77 - SeanChamp - int-2 (C+/C), 29 (D) - 8', 4 1/2", ???, 1" - AZB post
68 - pleforowicz - int-1 (C), ??? - 9', 11.7cm, 9.2cm, 3.8cm - AZB Post
62 - mamics - int-1 (C), 20 (D) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
55 - mamics - int-1 (C), 20 (D) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post

iusedtoberich said:

That's the major problem with the cameras. They are TOO good of a quality. They are made for editing, where you need every single frame in full quality. For posting to youtube, you need about 5% of that quality. And I mean good youtube videos today, not the stuff from 5 yrs ago.

See if you can change the compression setting of the camera to the lowest possible. It will still be really big, but might be better.

I finally found the best solution, after 6 months of fooling around with multiple cameras. I feed my camera to my computer using an HDMI cable, and an HDMI adapter. The HDMI bypasses the camera's compression entirely, and the computer instead does all the compression. The advantage of this is you have complete control. You can make the vertical and horizontal resolution any number you want. You can also adjust the compression to any bit rate you want. You can also start and stop recording from the computer, instead of climbing a ladder. The files are recorded directly on your computers hard drive, not on the cameras tape or flash card. The files are ready to go right to youtube as mpeg4 or whatever format you want, without further processing.

This is basically exactly what the streamers do. But since you are recording to your disk and not streaming live, you can use a slightly higher bit rate than they do.

You do need a newer computer to do this, as its very processor intensive (mine is 2 yrs old and just barely works). You also need the HDMI adapter, which costs $120. But any cheap camcorder will work, as long as it has HDMI out.

I want to make a new thread eventually detailing my setup to help others... Maybe next week.

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What software are you using? Is it something that came with your camera? If you create another thread with more details, please provide a link to the new thread here for people who are interested.

I personally use Pinnacle Studio (not free) to read (and assemble and trim edit) my camera video files and output them to reasonable-size MP4 files for uploading to Youtube. I think the free Microsoft Movie Maker software can do the same thing. If it is not already on your computer, it can be downloaded here: free Windows Movie Maker software.

Thank you for posting your info which might help others.

Regards,
Dave

Spimp13 said:

Thanks for the replies guys. I have one of those HD flip cameras that only has like 2 or 3 buttons on it so I am not sure if there are even any settings you can change on it but I will look to make sure. It works great, has a stand etc...

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If you get the files to your computer, you can use Windows Movie Maker (or Mac iMovie) to edit them and save them down to a more-reasonable size before uploading to Youtube.

Spimp13 said:

Worst case scenario I can still maybe take the test and post the non filmed result. Time permitting I'll try it this weekend, good luck to me.

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Sounds good.

Good luck,
Dave

Anybody plan to work on the BU playing-ability exams this weekend, either for the first time, or to improve your score?

Here's what we have so far:

AZB'ers who have taken the BU playing-ability exams:

BU score - User - BU Rating, 10-ball ghost rating - table size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf - Video/post links:

168 - Gerry Williams - semi pro (A++/AAA), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
164 - theUBC - semi pro (A++/AAA), ??? - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - Exam I, Exam II
161 - Gerry Williams - semi pro (A++/AAA), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
160 - scottjen26 - semi pro (A++/AAA), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
159 - Gerry Williams - adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
157 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
157 - scottjen26 - adv-3 (A+/A), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (AZB post)
156 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 62 (A+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
156 - Gerry Williams - adv-3 (A+/A), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
152 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
149 - scottjen26 - adv-3 (A+/A), 64 (A+) - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II
148 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
146 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 58 (A) - 7', 4 1/2", 4 1/2", 3/4" - AZB post
142 - dr_dave - adv-3 (A+/A), 58 (A) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
141 - 12squared - adv-3 (A+/A); 78 (Pro) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - AZB post
141 - Neil - adv-3 (A+/A); 60 (A) - 7', 4 1/8", 3 1/2", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
135 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
135 - dr_dave - adv-2 (A-/B+), 54 (B+) - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
133 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
132 - Gerry Williams - adv-2 (A-/B+), 73 (Pro) - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Table, Exam I, Exam II (part 1, part 2)
132 - BRussell - adv-2 (A-/B+), 51 (B+) - 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
127 - Okie -adv-2 (A-/B+), 61 (A+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
127 - Mooneye - adv-2 (A-/B+), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, AZB post
124 - StraightPoolIU - adv-1 (B/B-), 50 (B) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4" - AZB post
124 - JC - adv-1 (B/B-), 57 (A) - 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Table, Exam 1, Exam 2
121 - TheOneGnat - adv-1 (B/B-), 51 (B+) - 8', 4 1/2", 4", 1 5/8" - AZB post and update
119 - Mooneye - adv-1 (B/B-), 49 (B) - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
117 - RobMan - adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5" - AZB post
113 - Eagleshot - adv-1 (B/B-), 48 (B) - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
112 - Okie - adv-1 (B/B-), 61 (A+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
112 - RobMan - adv-1 (B/B-), 46 (B) - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5" - AZB post
108 - row21097 - int-3 (B-/C+), 57 (A) - 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” - Table, Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
106 - StraightPoolIU - int-3 (B-/C+), 50 (B) - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4" - AZB post
102 - Okie - int-3 (B-/C+), 52 (B+) - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
101 - 67tbird - int-3 (B-/C+), 46 (B) - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2" - AZB post
98 - Eagleshot - int-3 (B-/C+), 48 (B) - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
92 - 67tbird - int-2 (C+/C), 34 (D+) - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2" - AZB post
90 - EagleEye - int-2 (C+/C), ??? - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - 2013 BU Summer School Boot Camp
89 - mamics - int-2 (C+/C), 31 (D+) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
88 - DrGonzo - int-2 (C+/C), 47 (B) - 9', 4.5", 4", 1.5" - AZB post
87 - iusedtoberich - int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
78 - iusedtoberich - int-2 (C+/C), 38 (C) - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Table, Exam I, Exam II
77 - mamics - int-2 (C+/C), 31 (D+) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
77 - SeanChamp - int-2 (C+/C), 29 (D) - 8', 4 1/2", ???, 1" - AZB post
68 - pleforowicz - int-1 (C), ??? - 9', 11.7cm, 9.2cm, 3.8cm - AZB Post
62 - mamics - int-1 (C), 20 (D) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post
55 - mamics - int-1 (C), 20 (D) - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4" - AZB post

iusedtoberich said:

I use Wirecast (not free), unless you "find" it somewhere. They do have a free trial version that contains a watermark to try. Its not made for editing like what you use or iMovie, Final Cut, etc. Its made for live recording, streaming, archiving. It encodes the uncompressed live video from the camera via HDMI, into whatever format you desire, whatever resolution and compression you desire, (all within the limits of the software). I have mine set to record 1280x720, 24 fps, h.264, and 500 kilibits per second. It really gives me good quality, small files sizes, and fast uploads to youtube. I can also archive all my recordings on a small hard drive for future reference. I tried higher bit rates, and couldn't see any difference in final video quality to my naked eye. I could not record at 1920x1080 because my processor was not powerful enough.

There is another free program that does the same thing from Adobe, Flash Media Live Encoder. I just couldn't get it to work at a high enough frame rate on my computer (my processor is borderline), so I don't have first hand success with it. But I think that's what most streamers use since its free. I think it also only outputs in flash format, but that works on youtube, but not iOS. (I'm not certain of this last point though, again, I don't have good experience using it)

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Thanks for the info. I look forward to seeing all of the details. This info should be useful to some folks out there.

The alternative approach that some people might find easier is to transfer video files from their camera after recording and then use free software like MovieMaker (PC) or iMovie (Mac) to edit and upload the video to Youtube.

Catch you later,
Dave