Stream Viewer Poll (1)
- Thread starter Bigtruck
- Start date
I'd personally like to see the view zoomed out so i can see the players stroke and expressions, who doesn't like to see a player drop a few f-bombs when they get outa line right lol.
I like to see a lot of the player as well as table. If your looking to learn there is a lot to be picked up on streams from good players, from shot selection, to stroke, or even demeanor control in certain situations. Interesting to watch how each individual handles pressure if you understand body language any.
It's a huge asset to anyone always looking to improve either way.
It's a huge asset to anyone always looking to improve either way.
To me players are like dancers,their balance,their movement into a shot,their pace,their athleticism.Even though things have improved with streams the conveyance of what actually happens up to the moment of delivery of the shot is lost.
I am a basketball fan.Who wants to watch a good jump shooter shoot a 3-point shot and all they can see is their release and whether they made it or not.Out of curiosity I'd watch for a few shots and then I would get bored.Even if he makes ten shots in a row like this,ho-hum.Show his whole body and how he plants his feet and generates power and his timing along with the point of his release and now you begin to feel HIM feeling it,pop-pop-pop.Now those ten shots become jaw dropping.
My ideal view of my screen would be like picture in a picture.A 15-20% sized screen in the upper left hand corner of the player moving around the table and setting up to address the ball and the main screen of the table and the player delivering the shot and seeing the results.Both screens synchronized in real time.
I am a basketball fan.Who wants to watch a good jump shooter shoot a 3-point shot and all they can see is their release and whether they made it or not.Out of curiosity I'd watch for a few shots and then I would get bored.Even if he makes ten shots in a row like this,ho-hum.Show his whole body and how he plants his feet and generates power and his timing along with the point of his release and now you begin to feel HIM feeling it,pop-pop-pop.Now those ten shots become jaw dropping.
My ideal view of my screen would be like picture in a picture.A 15-20% sized screen in the upper left hand corner of the player moving around the table and setting up to address the ball and the main screen of the table and the player delivering the shot and seeing the results.Both screens synchronized in real time.
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Not only do I like the zoomed out view so you can see more ... but I wish you could position the table a little bit higher in the frame. I don't mind seeing the ads, but I hate having to constantly close them to see the bottom rail or the score or whatever. I would think that advertisers would rather the ad window stays open longer, so this would benefit both the viewer and the advertiser.
Back to your original question ... I always like seeing the set up, the decision making process, the step up to the table, etc ... just having a table view takes a lot of that away.
Back to your original question ... I always like seeing the set up, the decision making process, the step up to the table, etc ... just having a table view takes a lot of that away.
My vote was for table and player.
IMO, watching a view of only the table seems akin to what non-pool players get out of watching what little pool makes it onto ESPN on a Sunday afternoon. I think watching just the table would get boring real quick.
IMO, watching a view of only the table seems akin to what non-pool players get out of watching what little pool makes it onto ESPN on a Sunday afternoon. I think watching just the table would get boring real quick.
I like seeing the table,and players as well ,its half the entertainment imo..
It needs to be a combination of both, but if only left to one camera...close up of the table. Don't try and reinvent the wheel. Look at how other sporting events do it and you will have your answer. Ultimately, you are telling a story. It is about the players and their personalities as well as the event, the stage, the history, the fans. Show the fans every once in a while especially the hot girl with the low cut top! 
Let me also add...it is important to know who is shooting (i.e. we need to see the player).
Let me also add...it is important to know who is shooting (i.e. we need to see the player).
It depends on if women are involved
I agree with daryl, it is nice to see some of the player but not if it makes the table layout too difficult to view. Especially in one pocket more so than 9 or 10 ball, it is critical to see the relationships of the balls in the pack early in a one pocket game.
Positive rep to Ray for always trying to improve the production.
Thanks Ray
-don
Not necessarily camera-view-related, but helpful suggestions nonetheless
Ray:
The overwhelming consensus (at least at the time of this writing) seems to be the player + the table, and I agree with this.
Methinks in the spirit of this poll, you're obviously looking for ways to ever improve the quality of your productions -- a very noble endeavor. In that vein, I'd like to offer some suggestions that're not necessarily related to the camera view, but is stream-/production-related nonetheless.
Commentary during a live stream is a Great Thing[TM]. I consider you one of the best live-stream commentators out there. (And I say that, in comparison to other well-known live-stream commentators [e.g. World Alvin] who seem to want to chat about everything but the match in progress itself.) I understand that there's a need, as a/the commentator, to address questions posed by folks on the live chat. This is also admirable.
However, I offer two suggestions related to responding to live chat, specific to the scenario when that live stream is being recorded:
The net-net of this is that you won't want your clickety-clickety-clickety sounds committed forever into the sound track of your live streams. It really is quite annoying!
Take it from someone that does professional presentations and tech support both in-person as well as through remote mediums such as WebEx. I have to both speak and type at the same time, and I've had to deal with minimizing the sound of the keyboard through the microphone so that my listenership doesn't get distracted/annoyed. I carry a silent keyboard outfitted just as I recommended with sound-dampening foam on the bottom.
EDIT: after posting this, I realized I didn't expand on the differences between "quiet" and "silent" keyboards. There's a distinct difference between the two: "quiet" keyboards are compared to the clunky tactile keyboards of old (e.g. old IBM and Compaq desktop keyboards). All keyboards made today are of the "quiet" variety, so don't be fooled. "Silent" keyboards, on the other hand, are specifically engineered to lower the decibel output of each keypress -- to strive for 0db. They still give the operator tactile feedback, but not in the form of sound. These are the keyboards you want for live-stream moderation/commentating, professional presentations, remote tech support, WebEx sessions, etc. Make sure to look for the "silent" key operative word when shopping around for these types of keyboards.
Just some constructive criticism in the spirit of this poll -- helping to improve the already-great quality of BigTruck's productions!
Hope this is helpful,
-Sean
Ray:
The overwhelming consensus (at least at the time of this writing) seems to be the player + the table, and I agree with this.
Methinks in the spirit of this poll, you're obviously looking for ways to ever improve the quality of your productions -- a very noble endeavor. In that vein, I'd like to offer some suggestions that're not necessarily related to the camera view, but is stream-/production-related nonetheless.
Commentary during a live stream is a Great Thing[TM]. I consider you one of the best live-stream commentators out there. (And I say that, in comparison to other well-known live-stream commentators [e.g. World Alvin] who seem to want to chat about everything but the match in progress itself.) I understand that there's a need, as a/the commentator, to address questions posed by folks on the live chat. This is also admirable.
However, I offer two suggestions related to responding to live chat, specific to the scenario when that live stream is being recorded:
- If the chat question is specific to the match at hand, and answering the chat question would offer added value to the quality of the video production, I would recommend that you first re-enumerate the chatter's question, followed by your answer. For example: "Live chat member 'akaTrigger' asks about the weight of Mike Dechaine's break cue. I believe that weight is xx ounces." Or something along those lines -- the important thing is that since this match is being recorded, the live chat ISN'T, so it's helpful to enumerate the chatter's question, followed by the answer.
- I notice you, Ray, probably are answering live chat questions silently, via keyboard only, into the live chat -- the answers of which are independent of the live stream recording. (That is, any questions / answers in the live chat are essentially lost.) As a moderator, you're also probably performing duties related to the maintenance of the live chat itself -- e.g. keeping the members in line with warnings, booting out-of-line members, etc. However, what I don't think you realize, is how LOUD your keyboard is. During several of the live stream matches I've watched, your keyboard can be heard quite prominently throughout. I'm not sure what brand/make/model your keyboard is, but it's for sure a "tactile" model keyboard -- i.e. a keyboard that gives the operator feedback in the form of an audible click during keypress. It's probably one of those low-profile "chiclet"-type keyboards as well -- the keys are little flat "chiclets" of plastic and each keypress has that "chiclet-ey" sound. Now that I think about it, it might even be a laptop keyboard, because I recognize that "chiclet-ey" sound. I recommend that you look into the investment of a silent keyboard, such as the following:
http://above-hosting.com/2010/08/13/best-silent-keyboard/
Silent keyboards can be found in all types/shapes/sizes, and can link to your laptop with Bluetooth. The upshot of these keyboards is a much quieter typing experience, to the benefit of those watching the live stream (and by way of extension, those watching the recording of the live stream as well). Additionally, you'll want to place the keyboard on some type of foam (like memory foam, or a piece of gym exercise mat) to prevent your typing from resonating into the table that the keyboard is resting on (the table acts like a sound magnifier, and this will be picked up in the microphone -- even if you're wearing that microphone as part of headset). Just place that mat underneath the keyboard and type away. You might even invest in some double-stick tape to permanently affix the mat onto the underside of the keyboard, so it'll be one less thing to worry about / forget.
The net-net of this is that you won't want your clickety-clickety-clickety sounds committed forever into the sound track of your live streams. It really is quite annoying!
Take it from someone that does professional presentations and tech support both in-person as well as through remote mediums such as WebEx. I have to both speak and type at the same time, and I've had to deal with minimizing the sound of the keyboard through the microphone so that my listenership doesn't get distracted/annoyed. I carry a silent keyboard outfitted just as I recommended with sound-dampening foam on the bottom.
EDIT: after posting this, I realized I didn't expand on the differences between "quiet" and "silent" keyboards. There's a distinct difference between the two: "quiet" keyboards are compared to the clunky tactile keyboards of old (e.g. old IBM and Compaq desktop keyboards). All keyboards made today are of the "quiet" variety, so don't be fooled. "Silent" keyboards, on the other hand, are specifically engineered to lower the decibel output of each keypress -- to strive for 0db. They still give the operator tactile feedback, but not in the form of sound. These are the keyboards you want for live-stream moderation/commentating, professional presentations, remote tech support, WebEx sessions, etc. Make sure to look for the "silent" key operative word when shopping around for these types of keyboards.
Just some constructive criticism in the spirit of this poll -- helping to improve the already-great quality of BigTruck's productions!
Hope this is helpful,
-Sean
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Sean,
Thanks Sooooo much for taking the time to write a VERY well thought out suggestion. You rock!!
Answering the chat in complete sentences is something I have done for some time. If it's a question that's not relative to the match or situation, I type it in.
I'm aware of the keyboard noise. I have been looking for the "right keyboard" for some time. Thanks for the links.
Continuous improvement is something that I have always been committed to in everything I do. I believe it how "we" as humans are wired to operate at our best.
Thanks to all that have voted. I will leave the poll open.
Ray
I realize that money is a factor in being able to present a quality video event and wish to extend my gratitude to you and others that have invested time and money in this experimental area of pool for the masses.
In an ideal world I would like to see the presentation done with an experienced cameraman/woman behind the lens at all times. The ability to see exactly where the player is striking the cueball, zooming out to see the results, tight shots of the players face during critical moments, etc. etc. would be the "nuts" in a streamed event. I know this would require enormous cash outlay in equipment and a dedicated staff to pull off, but hopefully the growing support for streamed events can someday make this sort of production a reality.......Again......Thank you for giving me and others the opportunity to view pool, that without folks like you, we would never see.......Dan
In an ideal world I would like to see the presentation done with an experienced cameraman/woman behind the lens at all times. The ability to see exactly where the player is striking the cueball, zooming out to see the results, tight shots of the players face during critical moments, etc. etc. would be the "nuts" in a streamed event. I know this would require enormous cash outlay in equipment and a dedicated staff to pull off, but hopefully the growing support for streamed events can someday make this sort of production a reality.......Again......Thank you for giving me and others the opportunity to view pool, that without folks like you, we would never see.......Dan
Don't know if it was profitable for them or not, but the camera work by Runoutmedia at the TAR stream was excellent.
It takes at least 5 people live and a few more behind the scenes to produce a show like that.
As long as we have people like Justin, Nathan, Mark, Pat & Jim and a few others that are really committed to improving, we have some really good things on the horizon.
Ray
Players chair
Always good to see players sitting and steaming. If they are in the dark, for whatever reason, don't need to see them. Love streaming, but not sure I would pay for it.
Always good to see players sitting and steaming. If they are in the dark, for whatever reason, don't need to see them. Love streaming, but not sure I would pay for it.