Problems with video stream from Californina State Championship

Comparing YouTube and Ustream

Out-of-focus video was a real problem in the stream from the California State Championship. Rynell Nunez explained that YouTube required this “live event” to use auto-focus. That meant that a player’s arm above the board often became the focusing point. The board lower down would then become blurry.

In addition, occassional problems with the feed caused it to freeze and/or skip.

Both of the these problems are now part of the permanent record. When you watch any of the video replays at YouTube, they are badly out of focus in places. You cannot read the dice in many of them.

Before switching to YouTube, Ustream was used for streaming. It had so many freezes that it was often completely unwatchable during a live event. Even though online viewers suffered, however, a perfect video (or at least one that did not freeze or go out of focus) was being recorded at the event. After the fact, you could watch a video replay that was of good quality.

I’m not sure what, if anything, can be done to improve the situation. Budgets are tight. Interestingly, however, Yoshi’s stream from Las Vegas, which also used YouTube, did not suffer from focus issues. Perhaps he will have some ideas.

Mike

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