Hello to all the streamers. I've been purchasing streams and watching the free streams from most of you for the past 10 or so years. Below is a list of things I feel could be improved, for no cost, that would make the streams more enjoyable.
1. The score. The score should be displayed continuously on the screen. It is the most frustrating thing to tune into a broadcast, be watching for 10 minutes, and have no idea what the score is. The score is the most important thing in any competition. If a banger walks in the room, they will ask what the score is, without even knowing who the players are. That's the first thing anyone watching any sporting event will ask. Here, I'm a die hard pool fan, and I have no clue what's going on because the score is not on the screen. This is the #1 thing that needs to be addressed.
An exception to showing the score continuously could be for instant replays and commercials.
From a technical standpoint, the production can either overlay it on the screen and manually update it by typing, or they can focus one camera on the scoreboard that the player's update themselves, and overlay that onto a corner of the screen. It doesn't have to take up a lot of real-estate, the score that is shown continuously. Then, between racks, it can blow up in size to show more detail or show more stats.
I know sometimes the commentator will forget to update the score. Still, even an inaccurate score for a couple of minutes is better than no score at all.
2. The streaks of the score: The next thing that the fans care about with regard to the match is if they are witnessing a streak of some sort. In 9 ball, we care about packages run. In straight pool, we care about current run. The commentators NEED to know this information. It builds interest in the match. If there is a streak going on, we will want to watch to see how long it will continue. Now, here is the problem. The commentators almost NEVER know what is going on. They will be fumbling trying to remember when the run started, what rack he is on, etc.
The problem is not the commentators. The problem is the system. The producer must have a system in place for the commentator (or other person helping) to easily keep track of games. The producer must have a piece of paper printed out, and train the commentators how to use it. For 9 ball, all it has to have is a column of games, and each game will have a box to write the breaker, and if it was a break and run. This way, its very easy to keep track of (no need for tons of data like Accu-Stats TPA). All the person has to do is write who broke the rack, was it a break and run, and who won the rack. Then, they will instantly know what is going on if and when a streak does happen. Sure, it will be great to have full acca-stats TPA, but, I’ll be realistic. Just the number of break and runs would be huge.
A similar score sheet can be generated for straight pool. Every time a new inning starts, the commentator can write what the current score is. This way, he can update the fans on what the current run is.
3. Camera switching transitions:
Do NOT apply any transitions when switching cameras, such as fades, dissolves, or any other type. Do NOT place another image (such as a flag, or static picture) in the transition. ONLY do a simple instant camera switch.
Why?:
a. They probably works flawlessly on the local streamer's end, but when watching live on the internet, the transitions bog down noticeably. They causes missed frames and missed action. They can take 2 or 3 seconds on our viewing end, which is an eternity when the shooter is about to pull the trigger.
b. They are childish. Just because the software has it, does not mean they should be used. Its as if a new toy was found, and everyone wants to use is. This is live action sports. The camera switches need to be instant. This is not an art film. Sports broadcasts on TV do not use transitions, for a reason.
4. Camera switching: Switch cameras smartly. When a player is thinking about the shot, that is a good time to switch through several cameras so the fans can see the shot from multiply angles, and so the fans can get a better feel for the shot. However, once the player is about to shoot, STAY on that camera. It disorients the viewer when the camera is switched just as the player is pulling the trigger. One of the streamers used to switch the camera angle every single shot as the trigger was pulled, just because, on an open table layout. It was very difficult watching that stream.
5. The rack: Insist the players use a template rack. Watching a guy rack for even 2 minutes is crazy. Let alone some of the players take 6 minutes! You are in charge to a large extent, you insist on the template rack.
6. This one may only be possible with larger budgets, but if you have the capability, a 30 sec shot clock is the way to go, with one 30 sec extension per rack, and the first shot after the break being 60 sec. The World Cup of Pool just did this, and it was brilliant viewing.
Thank you for listening. Thank you for doing the streams. I only say the things above, because they have frustrated me tremendously. I hope they can be improved upon.
1. The score. The score should be displayed continuously on the screen. It is the most frustrating thing to tune into a broadcast, be watching for 10 minutes, and have no idea what the score is. The score is the most important thing in any competition. If a banger walks in the room, they will ask what the score is, without even knowing who the players are. That's the first thing anyone watching any sporting event will ask. Here, I'm a die hard pool fan, and I have no clue what's going on because the score is not on the screen. This is the #1 thing that needs to be addressed.
An exception to showing the score continuously could be for instant replays and commercials.
From a technical standpoint, the production can either overlay it on the screen and manually update it by typing, or they can focus one camera on the scoreboard that the player's update themselves, and overlay that onto a corner of the screen. It doesn't have to take up a lot of real-estate, the score that is shown continuously. Then, between racks, it can blow up in size to show more detail or show more stats.
I know sometimes the commentator will forget to update the score. Still, even an inaccurate score for a couple of minutes is better than no score at all.
2. The streaks of the score: The next thing that the fans care about with regard to the match is if they are witnessing a streak of some sort. In 9 ball, we care about packages run. In straight pool, we care about current run. The commentators NEED to know this information. It builds interest in the match. If there is a streak going on, we will want to watch to see how long it will continue. Now, here is the problem. The commentators almost NEVER know what is going on. They will be fumbling trying to remember when the run started, what rack he is on, etc.
The problem is not the commentators. The problem is the system. The producer must have a system in place for the commentator (or other person helping) to easily keep track of games. The producer must have a piece of paper printed out, and train the commentators how to use it. For 9 ball, all it has to have is a column of games, and each game will have a box to write the breaker, and if it was a break and run. This way, its very easy to keep track of (no need for tons of data like Accu-Stats TPA). All the person has to do is write who broke the rack, was it a break and run, and who won the rack. Then, they will instantly know what is going on if and when a streak does happen. Sure, it will be great to have full acca-stats TPA, but, I’ll be realistic. Just the number of break and runs would be huge.
A similar score sheet can be generated for straight pool. Every time a new inning starts, the commentator can write what the current score is. This way, he can update the fans on what the current run is.
3. Camera switching transitions:
Do NOT apply any transitions when switching cameras, such as fades, dissolves, or any other type. Do NOT place another image (such as a flag, or static picture) in the transition. ONLY do a simple instant camera switch.
Why?:
a. They probably works flawlessly on the local streamer's end, but when watching live on the internet, the transitions bog down noticeably. They causes missed frames and missed action. They can take 2 or 3 seconds on our viewing end, which is an eternity when the shooter is about to pull the trigger.
b. They are childish. Just because the software has it, does not mean they should be used. Its as if a new toy was found, and everyone wants to use is. This is live action sports. The camera switches need to be instant. This is not an art film. Sports broadcasts on TV do not use transitions, for a reason.
4. Camera switching: Switch cameras smartly. When a player is thinking about the shot, that is a good time to switch through several cameras so the fans can see the shot from multiply angles, and so the fans can get a better feel for the shot. However, once the player is about to shoot, STAY on that camera. It disorients the viewer when the camera is switched just as the player is pulling the trigger. One of the streamers used to switch the camera angle every single shot as the trigger was pulled, just because, on an open table layout. It was very difficult watching that stream.
5. The rack: Insist the players use a template rack. Watching a guy rack for even 2 minutes is crazy. Let alone some of the players take 6 minutes! You are in charge to a large extent, you insist on the template rack.
6. This one may only be possible with larger budgets, but if you have the capability, a 30 sec shot clock is the way to go, with one 30 sec extension per rack, and the first shot after the break being 60 sec. The World Cup of Pool just did this, and it was brilliant viewing.
Thank you for listening. Thank you for doing the streams. I only say the things above, because they have frustrated me tremendously. I hope they can be improved upon.
These "random" commercials have got to go. They seem to always pop up at the most inopportune times. I am aware I could pay and not have to deal with it but there must be other and better options. Commercials placed while they are racking would be excellent LOL. I hope that at least some of the streamers read and respond to this posting. Let's see if they are paying attention 
