Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: CWC 2015: Contains graphic horror

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  • Ethan Tucker,

    We are generally very lucky in NZ (and probably Australia too) with the quality of our sports camerawork - they really know their jobs and make it so much easier to enjoy matches, whatever the sport. As you point out, knowing the grounds well must be a factor.

    There will be no Danny Morrison.

    Swings & roundabouts, then.

    Wellington • Since Apr 2008 • 119 posts Report Reply

  • Tim Croft,

    No "maxiums"? How will we cope?

    Tuscaloosa • Since May 2008 • 23 posts Report Reply

  • David Ritchie,

    Are they trying to appeal to lowest common denominator with graphics and layout designed for low-end 4:3 tvs?

    Since Nov 2006 • 166 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to David Ritchie,

    Are they trying to appeal to lowest common denominator with graphics and layout designed for low-end 4:3 tvs?

    It looks that way, doesn't it? At the same time they're bragging about providing 4K coverage.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Grant McDougall,

    That just looks appalling. My immediate reaction - other than how inept and garish it is - is that having the batting and bowling figures prominently displayed is a clunky attempt to match the excellent ball-by-ball stats / commentary on cricinfo - and failing miserably.

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report Reply

  • izogi,

    It is believed the ICC’s document on safety for broadcast crew is three pages long; its document concerning the protection of image and ICC branding rights is 60 pages long.

    Without trying to judge whether this whole thing is good or not, or comment on the appropriateness of the contents of these documents, “number of pages” seems a very poor metric to compare them. Safety briefings have different goals than legal mumbo-jumbo about intellectual property. Could you imagine trying to reliably digest a safety document that’s spread over 60 pages if it only needs 3?

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    When I saw it yesterday I just thought
    “oh this is one of those warm ups where the broadcaster plays with a whole bunch of stupid ideas to see what they look like”
    I was half expecting to hear the batsmen and bowlers wired up with mics for their “on-field impressions”

    But now you’re telling me this is what the next month will be like? Honestly I can cope with the advertising, I get that this is a business. But the stupid bobble heads aren’t about advertising, that’s just something some marketing wonk dreamed up at the end of a four hour “lunch meeting”.

    And it pretty clearly has been designed for a weird aspect ratio, maybe designed for phones?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    I've never wanted adblock on my tv so much. They've managed an odd balance of making the graphics incredibly intrusive, and also very difficult to read. After ten minutes of trying to read that big fat font they've got the score in, on a red and blue background, I had to give up before it triggered a migraine.

    What I had been worried about previously was the way the Aussie commentators, all through the tri series, spent half their time flogging stuff that wasn't even vaguely related to cricket. That seems rather charming now.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rose,

    The commentary was pretty crap as well. Listening to them bang on about having to use a different type of headset was painful. Warne and whatshisface were so preoccupied in their own bullshit they didn't even realise the power play had been taken early. I bet India wish they hadn't though!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Emma Hart,

    They’ve managed an odd balance of making the graphics incredibly intrusive, and also very difficult to read.

    It took me ages to figure out even where to look for the score, I originally thought it was some weird advertising logo.

    I suspect having Cricbuzz open on the iPad is going to be required.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Roger Lacey,

    Thanks for the review Russell. I was thinking of tying myself up to a year-long Sky subscription to get live coverage but now I think the pictures will be better on the radio.

    Whatakataka Bay Surf Club… • Since Apr 2008 • 148 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    Good to see that Andrew Little has picked up some of this story

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • WaterDragon,

    Sounds/looks incredibly underwhelming. Will we be shot of this meglomaniac and his totty ideas sometime soon? Or is this truly the way of the future (no don't answer that, can't bear to hear)

    Behind you • Since Jul 2011 • 79 posts Report Reply

  • Josh Petyt,

    I've never watched Indian TV but 'bobble heads' (thanks, I wasn't really aware of the term) are really common here in Japan. Perhaps this is par for the course in India and as such the main audience(s) are conditioned to them. They're usually connected to little animated bodies on Japanese TV (and rarely stop moving) so at least we can be thankful for small mercies eh?

    I haven't watched a Cricket World Cup for a few years. What's the deal with Danny Morrison?

    Japan • Since Apr 2014 • 45 posts Report Reply

  • Dylan Reeve, in reply to David Ritchie,

    Are they trying to appeal to lowest common denominator with graphics and layout designed for low-end 4:3 tvs?

    For better or worse it's still pretty common internationally to protect for 4:3 - basically in many countries analogue broadcast always means 4:3 (unlike NZ where 16:9 analogue was common for a while) - also many set-top boxes are configured for 4:3 center-cut on older TVs (or, invariably even, incorrectly, on just about every hotel TV I've ever seen).

    Auckland • Since Aug 2008 • 311 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell,

    The NZ cricket broadcasting teams are bloody good, and clearly have been sidelined. 'Star' bringing in most of the crew (and gear) leaves NZ freelancers in the lurch. There was a time when NZ (and Nzers) wouldn't have allowed it. I'm wondering if the 'Hobbit Laws' have any bearing on this?

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Blair Rogers, in reply to Roger Lacey,

    I also was thinking about signing up for Sky to be able to watch the CWC - but I now think I will skip that idea. After viewing that clip the placement of graphics is extremely distracting to pleasurable viewing. I'll follow on CricInfo and what ever is put on free to air.

    No subtly in colour choice at all.

    Sigh.

    Philly • Since Jul 2013 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Grant McDougall, in reply to Josh Petyt,

    What’s the deal with Danny Morrison?

    How many days do you have ?

    But seriously, he's usually a commentator on Sky coverage - unfortunately he is also utterly tedious in doing so. Which is a pity, as he was a superb bowler and always came across as an ok bloke in interviews.

    Dunedin • Since Dec 2006 • 760 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Sjorn,

    I have Sky being hooked up specifically for this tomorrow. What sold me in a weak moment was general super excitement for this tournament and cricket in general plus only a six month contract. I think that is what I signed anyhow. Previous experiences have left me with a bad, empty taste in my mouth. In letting this company into my home I had a sinking feeling - like signing up with a ham fisted leech salesman. I also dread having a bad day in the quarter finals - the let down public will rise up and castigate with impunity. One day cricket is great and our team looks strong all over but bad days can happen. Does not suddenly make this team useless.Test cricket is still a more reliable guide to who is best. Just please lord give us a little luck this one time. I will allow gaudy graphics and stupid histrionics as long as we win.

    New Zealand • Since Sep 2013 • 39 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Dylan Reeve,

    For better or worse it's still pretty common internationally to protect for 4:3

    And there's no way of delivering separate feeds? Like I said, it seems weird when they're bragging about how they're going to do 4K coverage.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Michael Cosgrove,

    I agree the garish graphics require the use of sunglasses, but if we don't have to listen the usual lineup of ultra partisan commentators and poor old Danny, I can live with that.

    Mangere Bridge • Since Feb 2015 • 3 posts Report Reply

  • Trevor Nicholls,

    If the viewers are fortunate, the warm-up games will allow the directors to test and weed out poor options from the broadcast service as well as performing a similar function for the coaches and selectors of the teams in the competition.

    It won't fix the disservice being done to the discarded local broadcasting expertise though :-(

    Wellington, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 325 posts Report Reply

  • hamishm, in reply to Rob Stowell,

    "The Hobbit laws" Rob? Why they only work for the betterment of all mankind and couldn't be linked to something as crass as commercialised sport.

    Since Nov 2006 • 357 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell, in reply to hamishm,

    they only work for the betterment of all mankind

    And all for the minimum wage without any footware allowance :(

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Obscured by clods…
    What on earth is Murdoch thinking of?
    There is clearly room for a constantly updating ’news ticker strip’ for stock updates and news at the bottom of that screen layout – which could then be bookended by stroboscopically changing ad lugs…
    …what an amateur!

    I also wonder if the advertisers who have their anamorphic ads on the pitch have been compensated for their loss of impact and presence due to their being largely obscured by Star Sports’ ‘screen info furniture’…

    …and why couldn’t on-screen players be replaced by CG animations on the fly – imagine the NZ team all replaced by Hobbit-related avatars – fun times….

    </be-careful-what-you-wish-for>

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

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