Made for TV balls-IMO No longer needed!

K

Ky Boy

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I think the time has come to do away with made for tv ball sets.

Ball manufacturers saw a need for specially colored balls that made it easier for various balls to be distinguished from one another on tv and even internet streams for that matter. However, with the advancements made in camera/video technology the need for special ball colors is no longer needed.

Even cameras used by small time internet streamers or once in a while pool rooms streaming have cameras capable of producing a quality picture so that special ball sets are no t needed.

The viewer can make the distinction easy enough now without the special ball sets. I think the time has come to stop using them and use the traditional ball colors 100% of the time.


Any thoughts?


Gary
 
i agree, also i dont like the cyclops skittles balls, i pulled a RAJ HUNDAL at tap nationals last weekend and it cost me.
 
Ky Boy said:
I think the time has come to do away with made for tv ball sets ... Any thoughts? Gary
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Hi, Gary.
I say get rid of those made-for-tv balls as well!
Their marketing value is long gone.

Any ball scheme away from the traditional set is nothing more than an attempt at being cute.
No need for them anymore!
 
Thanks guys...

These ball sets were created out of a need (like everything else) but the need isn't there anymore.

It's just utter confusion for both players and commentators. I can't tell you how many videos I've seen that the commentators struggle to make the distinction between which ball is which. While it's comical at times it just needs to go back to standardized colors.

It's time for them to go!!!


Gary
 
wrickyb said:
It should be noted that Cyclops makes a set in the standard colors. The first release in the US was their version of TV Balls.

You can see the 2 sets at:

http://www.diamondbilliards.com/index.php/accessories/balls
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I have the standard color Cyclops balls. When I purchased my Diamond table they asked me which set I wanted and of course the standard set is what I chose.

Tourneys need to make the color switch and do away with the special colors.

Gary
 
Ky Boy said:
Thanks guys...

These ball sets were created out of a need (like everything else) but the need isn't there anymore.

It's just utter confusion for both players and commentators. I can't tell you how many videos I've seen that the commentators struggle to make the distinction between which ball is which. While it's comical at times it just needs to go back to standardized colors.
It's time for them to go!!!


Gary
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Using the traditonal color balls, I find that even with better cameras, etc. the commentators still have trouble distinquishing between the 2/4-10/12 and the 7/8, particularly when the table lighting is less than ideal for broadcasting. The problem is magnified in games like one-pocket and straight pool when you've often got a cluster in the original rack area.


The advantage of the TV-color set is that you can tell the difference even in poor lighting and a tight cluster.

Streamers can control the quality of the cameras. Streamers can't always control the quality of the lighting.
 
I vote for going back to Centennials. For over 30 years they were the gold standard ball for professional tournaments. So many beautiful matches I've watched over the years were played on GCs with Centennials.

Now that new GCVs retail for almost double the price of a Diamond, I can see where it is economical to use Diamonds for pro play, but the Aramith Tournament set is every bit as expensive as a set of Cents, and not as classy looking.

I know the Cyclop balls are way cheaper, but at least please use the standard set. I hate those skittles colors with a passion. They are just butt ugly IMO.
 
"skittle balls" are even more of a disgrace than the "magical rack".

That's a pretty good description of the "skittle balls". LoL

I played with them the first time and only shot the "7" instead of the "6" one time.....what an accomplishment!!!

I agree, these "skittle balls" are even more of a disgrace than the "magical rack".



poolhustler said:
Yup, I agree. The baby skittle puke, stupid ass balls suck donkey d**k.
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Ditto on TV balls/skittles colors, they are hideous looking. It is tough for me to follow a rotation game with those balls because I do not know what number balls the colors are.:confused:
 
bdorman said:
Using the traditonal color balls, I find that even with better cameras, etc. the commentators still have trouble distinquishing between the 2/4-10/12 and the 7/8, particularly when the table lighting is less than ideal for broadcasting. The problem is magnified in games like one-pocket and straight pool when you've often got a cluster in the original rack area.


The advantage of the TV-color set is that you can tell the difference even in poor lighting and a tight cluster.

Streamers can control the quality of the cameras. Streamers can't always control the quality of the lighting.
Click to expand...

No denying insufficient lighting is a problem but I'm not sure even specially colored balls can help in that scenario.

But in all reality, how many professional and amateur streams are done with lighting that poor? Again, I don't think skittle colored balls help in that situation.

I think anyone with 20/20 vision though would be able to look at a rack and ascertain what balls are what. But with some of the aging commentators that may be asking a lot!! ;)


Gary
 
tduncan said:
I like the Brunswick Centennial TV set the best!
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Although I prefer the standard Centennials, I also have a set of Centennial TV balls that I got because they were $50 less than a new standard set (and my other set is showing slight signs of wear). I've told most people who play at my place that if the colors bother then we can play with the regulation color set. No one has had a problem yet but they love the way the TV balls roll. You get used to them quickly. Bubblegum ball in the side pocket and as one of my playing buddies says "doo-doo brown ball in the corner".
But at the same price I would have bought the standard over the TV Tours.

Price is kind of the guideline here at home. But as for what is used in TV matches... I'll let you know in 6 or 8 months the next time that ESPN actually broadcast a current HD billiard match on the ol' LCD/LED box.
 
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