New Advances in Live Streaming

June 16, 2016

The 2015-2016 paddle season saw Live Streaming evolve from a novelty into an integral part of the tournament game, both for players and fans. Players could go back and learn from their archived matches, and fans from all over the world could watch and listen to an ever improving broadcast from the comfort of their own homes or paddle clubs.

Not willing to settle for good enough, Gerri Viant and her Live Streaming crew are intent on bringing the paddle community a much improved viewing and listening experience this fall. On June 14, Gerri gathered Rich Glazebrook of Enet Live and commentator Mark Fischl to stream a practice session with the cameras that videographer Don Kirk introduced to enhance the look of the broadcast. Top ranked players George Wilkinson, Max LePivert, Jon Lubow, and Steve DeRose showcased their considerable skills before the cameras.

As the Live Streaming set up currently exists, the camera is suspended above and behind the court. The new cameras are tiny little cylinders lodged in the back screen, and on a swivel on the side screen by the door. Kirk calls the back camera the “invisible screen” camera, because the screen seems to disappear and the players and the court appear much closer and clearer to the viewer. The side camera offers another angle, and focuses on half of the court at a time. More of these small cameras can be inserted in the back and side of the court to give the director more options on the best angles to offer the viewers. Producer Glazebrook pointed out, “With the old camera, there was no point in trying to show instant replay because the angle was too wide.” Now, because the new cameras capture the action so close up, expect to see great points replayed and analyzed.

By combining the existing camera angle with the new angles, viewers will feel like they are right on the court with the players.