Grading The Coverage: The Big Ten Network

by Kevin HD on Nov 18, 2008 1:45 PM EST in Fun Stuff Comment 71 comments

Now before we get going: The BTN is a good thing. I'm not upset about its existence. Quite the opposite actually. They cover games that otherwise would absolutely not be available to most of us and so maybe I shouldn't be complaining. But guess what: I am. Besides, complaining about TV coverage is fun.

The ability to follow the play.

If this was as "circus" as the announcers make it sound, it would have been fun to, you know, watch. I know that the play-fake has taken it's toll on many a camera man, but this is actually kind of funny. "Over there, no, over here! Wait, go back!". Also, I can't see anything.

The ability to see a play develop.

There are about eight too many zoom lenses on that camera. I'm not concerned with the physical act of Williams running, I'd like to know where he is going to end up. Running lanes, holes in the coverage...that kind of stuff.

I mean look at this shot below. There is simply no value in this other than as a some type of complementary photo for a dying local newspaper.

Basic video composition.

This isn't really relevant and I wouldn't have brought it up except that it looks like one of those in the cockpit NASCAR shots. I haven't taken a video course before but I suspect that one of the things they tell you to do is get both heads in the shot if two people are talking. But again, I could be wrong.

Communicating simple things like the score.

Okay, I'm just piling on at this point but comeon. This wasn't even after a score, where you could make some type of excuse like you typed it in wrong or hit the 'touchdown' button too many times. Also: two point conversion?

So in conclusion...I'm probably being too harsh and over-reacting. It's just a game, the Indiana game, and who cares if they messed up a couple of times. I guess I'm just amused. With the help of Fox and millions of dollars in investment from the schools, it shouldn't be that hard to get experienced people in there to cover the game. It’s not that these miscues happened often, it’s just that three days later one of the couple things I still remember about the game is the several rounds of jokes we all made while sitting at the bar watching the game, although maybe that says more about me than the BTN.

I suppose this whole thing could have been avoided if the game started at 3:30…the bar has a way of making you complacent by then.

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LOL!

I’m totally amused. This is a post that needed to happen. Do not fret about piling on. Maybe they’ll even learn something?

Still laughing….I thought a few of things while it was going on, but this is rich….

pax et amor

by jtothep on Nov 18, 2008 1:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And Worst of All. . .

The quality of the picture! I don’t know much about HD programming, but I can definitely tell that the BigTenHD is steps below ESPN and other HD broadcasts in my area. Football was not meant for 720p. . . FOR SHAME!

by The IC Lion on Nov 18, 2008 1:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I know, right?

The moisture on the grass was producing some lovely shades of fuzz, and then when they panned in on the ‘announcers,’ the same phenomenon occurred on the wrinkles on their faces. It really was amusing.

pax et amor

by jtothep on Nov 18, 2008 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

In defense of the Big Ten Network, the quality of their HD is controlled by the service provider (Comcast / Direct TV etc) The providers only have so much Broadband to broadcast ALL the HD channels, so the likes of ESPN, on big game days, get allotted more bandwidth (less compression) than other HD channels, (such as CNN) so CNN’s HD quality goes down (more compression), while ESPN’s goes up. My suspicion is that the BIG TEN channel gets the small end of the stick when it comes to bandwidth allotment. Just sayin. Or, they could just suck.

by MsYvone on Nov 18, 2008 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

True on Fiber Optic Networks and Dish too?

by The IC Lion on Nov 18, 2008 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, sports are better in 720p

That’s why all the Disney-owned networks (ABC, all the flavors of ESPN), as well as all the FOX owned networks, and the BTN broadcast in 720p. It’s because progressive is better than interlaced (1080i) for fast motion. So I’m more inclined to think that the quality has less to do with the resolution and more to do with the cameras they were using.

And no, it’s not necessarily the providers. While most providers DO compress their HD considerably (especially Comcrap), I have Verizon FiOS which doesn’t compress at all, and there is a noticeable quality difference between BTN and better 720p HD networks such as ESPN.

by PSUMark2008 on Nov 18, 2008 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow... thanks, Geeksquad...

lol… just kidding with ya, man. I actually copied this info down since I am in the market for a new set

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 19, 2008 2:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In that case go 1080p

And wait for black friday. No matter what you want to watch, 1080p is the best resolution TV to watch it on — and prices are coming down like crazy. Enjoy your new set

by PSUMark2008 on Nov 19, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, man...

should I wait til January after that big expo they have and all new technology comes out? I have been told to look then but I am in no rush..

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 20, 2008 2:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably not

I wouldn’t worry about waiting ‘til January. The biggest consumer electronics expo is actually CEDIA – and it’s in early September. If I were you, I would probably try to buy between Thanksgiving and Christmas as that’s when you’ll most likely find the best deal. It’s doubtful that there will be any groundbreaking new releases in the near future.

If you’re trying to go cutting edge, top of the line, no one makes a better TV than the Pioneer Kuro, but you’ll pay for the performance. If you want to go cheaper but still very good, then just look for 1080p sets by reputable brands (Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, etc.) and see what you like best. And if you want to do some more research on your own, AVS Forums probably has the best advice and largest collection of experts on consumer electronics anywhere on the internet.

by PSUMark2008 on Nov 20, 2008 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Many thanks, sir!

with luck I will be watching all the other BCS bowls on it and seeing you guys out here for the Rose! Thanks again!

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 20, 2008 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

HD

Hypothetically, then, wouldn’t a 1080p broadcast be ideal? Is that just too much bandwidth to use as a standard?

by Laaaaazzz on Nov 19, 2008 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

You’re right on both counts. A 1080p broadcast would be the best quality; however the bandwidth demands would be WAY too high for most providers.

Blu-Ray Disc is 1080p and DISH Network has 1080p Video On Demand. FiOS and DirecTV will most likely add 1080p VOD shortly, but most other providers could never handle it — that’s why all HD networks broadcast in 720p or 1080i.

by PSUMark2008 on Nov 19, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mistakes

There was indeed a bunch of mistakes in last Saturday’s game broadcast from the BTN. That said, I found it to be atypical for them. Generally, the BTN is as reliable as most any sports network and I’ve generally been pretty happy with the broadcasts of games carried on there.

by Laaaaazzz on Nov 18, 2008 2:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

They're obviously still learning

but yeah, this reminds me of watching high school football on the local channels.

Their football coverage would be improved 10fold if they just never zoomed in past the point that you can’t see at least 15 of the players at a time, plus downfield a bit during plays. The zoom is only good for after a play to focus in on the guy that made a big play.

by The JuggerNitt on Nov 18, 2008 2:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Two Changes

Fire Camera crews. Horrible coverage.

More important….do not let Glenn Mason in the booth. I don’t care if you have to lie to him and tell him there is no room, that man does not need to be anywhere near a microphone.

Also, bring back Kenny Jackson…interviewing JoePa during the first BTN game this year was funny. (plus its nice to see the national championship ring)

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Nov 18, 2008 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

C'mon now.

Tell me you’ve never seen that basic 65 yard 2-point conversion attempt before. It’s WAY to long to kick.

'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'

by Pete the Streak on Nov 18, 2008 2:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I have seen it quite a bit, just run the QB sneak.

I don't know, Mello Yello is pretty awful. What's the worst that could happen?

by psu on Nov 18, 2008 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

heh heh

I see this shot as further proof that the officials are conspiring against Penn State by shoddy spotting of the ball. The ball is supposed to be at what, the 3 yard line? The refs missed by half a field! They screwed us again…

Also, I’m glad to know I was drunk enough not to notice the last few touchdowns we scored. I thought the final score was 34-7 this whole time!

by jimbo2psu on Nov 18, 2008 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Philly Market

I’m in the Philly Market, home of Comcast and we don’t even get the 720 HD…we have fuzzy non HD coverage…makes no sense

Also, even though it got called back, what would have been Butler’s recording breaking catch wasn’t even on the screen because the camera man couldn’t find him…

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Nov 18, 2008 2:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I noticed that too

Highly annoying. The camera man followed Royster on the play action fake. He panned back to Clark just as he let it go. Then he zipped down to Butler just as he was falling out of bounds. Missed the entire play. Hope Deon didn’t rush home to watch the play on Sportscenter, because nobody got it on tape.

This would have been corrected if they PAN OUT A LITTLE BIT.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Nov 18, 2008 2:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No HD in New England either

At least not where I live

by Elihu on Nov 18, 2008 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Until this game

I felt the BTN network was doing pretty good this year, much better than last season. Let’s hope this is an abberation. The BTN coverage is usually better than the noon ESPN games when they have their K, L, or M announcing team.

by whiteoutonly on Nov 18, 2008 2:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Also

Can we stop with the live camera angle from behind the punter? It’s cool to see that angle on a replay, but not when it’s going live. I’m just waiting for the day they run a fake and the camera man is like, “Uh, what do I do? Where did he go?”

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Nov 18, 2008 2:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

On the brightside

at least we did not have to deal with Paul “Are you kidding me” McGuire…No wonder they always make him stand on the sidelines or the scoreboard during the broadcasts…

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Nov 18, 2008 2:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

With all this media criticism

do you think you guys might get snubbed from the blogging National Championship?

by The JuggerNitt on Nov 18, 2008 2:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nah, our computer ranking will keep up afloat.

Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries

by Kevin HD on Nov 18, 2008 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

worst comes to worst

we can fly the ‘NY Times Computer Poll Blogging National Champion’ banner as the header….

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 18, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Reminds me of ESPN...

circa 1984 -back in the days when all of the big games were on TV, but the less important games were still “radio-only” 1 PM starts. But then along comes the nacent ESPN and it was exactly the same things: inane announcing, horrible camera shots, coming back from commercial breaks halfway into the play…

by Dr.P on Nov 18, 2008 2:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

BCS Bowl Games

Now that ESPN owns all of the Bowl Games, who gets to call which game?

Obviously Herbie and Musburger get the call for the Title Game…but who gets the other 4?

They should form some ultimate dream team for the BCS Games…

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Nov 18, 2008 2:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My fear

is that the MNF crew will get the nod for 1 or 2 of them.

by Dr.P on Nov 18, 2008 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Please God no

No more Tony Kornheiser, I beg of them.

by ReadingRambler on Nov 18, 2008 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

God help us

if Kornheiser gets a chance to call anything. He should be booted from MNF but i guess they are trying to prove they didn’t make another mistake like Dennis Miller.

Ron Jaworski would be a nice additon. The guy watches so much film I wonder when he has time to be President of the Philadelphia Soul and you know sleep.

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Nov 18, 2008 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Jaws is a pro guy. It would be just as frustrating as listening to Terry Bradshaw trying to sound like he knows wtf he’s talking about.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Nov 18, 2008 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping

they bring Harry Caray back from the dead and team him up with John Madden. If I’m the only one I’ll shut up.

by jimbo2psu on Nov 18, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Herbie and Musburger could do a New Years Day game (Rose Bowl anyone?) and then do the BCS championship game the following week. They have the 3:30 ABC crew to do a game, and the Todd Blackledge crew to do another. And of course everyone’s favorite, Pam Ward.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Nov 18, 2008 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I propose

a booth of only sideline reporters…Erin Andrews, Pam Ward,

Please send resumes here…

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Nov 18, 2008 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can I buy...

tickets to that booth?

Onward to the Rose Bowl!!!!!
Traped in the SF Bay area.....nothing like kickoff at 9 am.

by bconway6 on Nov 18, 2008 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that booth

sounds hot

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 18, 2008 9:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't anyone want to

Mark May or Craig James see some "anal"yst action? Nobody? What’s wrong with everyone? Barry Switzer maybe?

"the secret to loving your job is having a hobby that you really despise"

by nitwit86 on Nov 18, 2008 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think any of them overlap

to the point where you couldn’t fly one team to every game. I don’t think they will do this but who knows.

Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries

by Kevin HD on Nov 18, 2008 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

so basically what Mike said.

Kevin @ Black Shoe Diaries

by Kevin HD on Nov 18, 2008 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

New Year's Day

The Rose Bowl in the afternoon, a rotating BCS game at night. They shouldn’t overlap, but without instantaneous transporter-like technology, there’s simply no way to get the same team to both games.

Stacey Dales is pleased.

by Aaron PSU on Nov 18, 2008 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is when I mourn the loss of Keith Jackson

Although, he’s not dead, is he? College football lost an amazing announcer when he retired.

by lmrlion on Nov 18, 2008 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was just wondering the same thing

If he (hopefully) is still alive, it would be awesome to hear him call a game.
Rose Bowl 2009, perhaps?

by NJ lion on Nov 18, 2008 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought

Doesn’t he still do the Rose Bowl?

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Nov 18, 2008 3:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He might

My husband seems to think he occasionally still does some Pac 10 games. If that’s the case, he definitely ought to call the Rose Bowl. I didn’t watch the USC blowout of Illinois last year, so I don’t know for sure.

by lmrlion on Nov 18, 2008 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He and Fouts

I think Jackson and Fouts still regularly broadcast the Pac-10 games. All in all, I really have few complaints about ESPN/ABC’s top four announcing teams. It’s when you hit tier 5 where the issues start. Halftime is also an issue. I’ll give Flutie a pass, but James and May are idiots, and I really have trouble defining Holtz with the written English language.

by cpm126 on Nov 18, 2008 3:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Musberger and Herbie

Do the Rose Bowl now sice it is currently the only BCS game ESPN/ABC has and they are considered the networks top college announcers. Jackson retired after the USC-Texas Rosebowl.

You still see him on gatorade commercials though

by whiteoutonly on Nov 18, 2008 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No, No , No and NO

Jackson’s last game was the ’06 USC-Texas National Championship Rose Bowl.

by whiteoutonly on Nov 18, 2008 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How about...

they hire Dan Dierdorf away from CBS? I know that I will catch a lot of heat for this one, but I really enjoy listening to him…even more than Madden.

by Dr.P on Nov 18, 2008 2:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

On second thought...

let’s think about Erin and Pam in the booth some more…

by Dr.P on Nov 18, 2008 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How about

a 25 announcer battle royale….Winner gets to do the announcing and pick their sidekicks….

“My old buddy Jack Arute” need not apply….unless he is willing to play this game first….

PSU Softball

by QBsneak12 on Nov 18, 2008 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I'll have to finish that read at home

Don’t know if it’s the oregano I got from Evans & Koroma or what, but I’ve got the giggles at the office today. That game is just too funny. +1 to you, sir!

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Nov 18, 2008 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Compare to JP/Lincoln/Raycom

BTN is light years better than the SEC broadcasts with the Daves. Even when broadcast by Thom Brennaman.

And as a Chicago Bears fan, I still have a soft spot for Larivee, even if he does the radio for the Packers now. I grew up with him on the radio for the Bears and I’ve always liked his football calls.

I have a complaint in general about broadcasts though, which is that they have a tendency to miss beginning of plays blathering about nothing or replaying something stupid or giving an update on some other game. And indeed, the EXTREME ZOOM on plays blows. It’s like FOX decided to take their EXTREME ZOOM on the fans in their baseball coverage and apply it to football on the BTN. Most of us want to see the play develop and where the upcoming tacklers are or if there’s daylight to the end zone.

by Yinka Double Dare on Nov 18, 2008 4:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Did someone mention Erin Andrews?

(insert gratuitous photo here!)

Oh, you didn’t mention her?

Sorry!

by Lovethosefreakinnittanylions on Nov 18, 2008 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

wow... I could NEVER get enough of her...

sports knowledge and interviewing technique…

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 18, 2008 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That lady is HOT!

Ouch!

'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'

by Pete the Streak on Nov 18, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

uh...

why was she ever at the BJC for a basketball game? I didn’t know PSU even played basketball.

by The JuggerNitt on Nov 19, 2008 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but...THE ARROW IS POINTING THE WRONG WAY!

c’mon!

by 1co on Nov 19, 2008 8:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think they do okay

one of the things the Big Ten got right was their decision to make sure EVERY SINGLE GAME IS TELEVISED, even if it meant putting some games on pay-per-view. The creation of the BTN made the ppv option irrelevant, b/c now you have your own network.

While the coverage isn’t incredible, I think just having all of your games on television is worth it. Yes, you may be getting the ‘H’ crew for commentary, but it is still worth it to watch your team on television.

I wish the Big 12 had such an option available.

I Am The 12th Man.com

by Beergut on Nov 19, 2008 12:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Now admit it...

You’re only here because you heard us talking about Erin.

The post is just an excuse for sticking around the thread.

Onward to the Rose Bowl!!!!!
Traped in the SF Bay area.....nothing like kickoff at 9 am.

by bconway6 on Nov 19, 2008 2:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No sir! I also resent you insinuating...

oh, screw it… you got me on this one

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 19, 2008 3:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Glad to Have It

For their first season, I think they’re doing a pretty good job.

Last season, I would have missed the Indiana game altogether. I have a wife and a baby, so I can’t go hang out in a bar all afternoon anymore.

The longer they do this, the better they’ll get at it.

by CDRS on Nov 19, 2008 9:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Your wife

sounds hot..

…for giving you a new baby and letting you watch our games every Saturday. Congrats to you guys!

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

by TheMightyErik on Nov 19, 2008 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but apparently not hot enough

to let him hang out in a bar all afternoon to watch games…who am I kidding, my gf bitches and moans if I even watch the games at home…doesn’t mean I don’t watch them, but man, what a price to pay…Penn State…still worth it

by The JuggerNitt on Nov 19, 2008 3:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Basketball games are the best

If you watch a game on the BTN.com feed it sounds like they picked a couple students out of the crowd to call the game. For the NJIT game on the BTN, they had a sideline reporter that was hilarious. She was asian and talked so fast you could barely understand her. She was also panting like she had run around the court before giving the update. She must be an intern or something.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Nov 19, 2008 11:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

can we seem some video captures?

by The JuggerNitt on Nov 19, 2008 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

You’ll have to ask Kevin for that. I’m technologically challenged. And I don’t think he gives a crap about basketball. I’m sure we’ll see her again though.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

by BSD on Nov 19, 2008 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't watched BTN this season

But from the one game I watched on it last year I remember not liking:
1) they didn’t keep the score of the game on the screen at all times
2) they didn’t have a ticker with scores of other games, not even the rest of the Big Ten and
3) they played the annoying Big Ten propaganda commercial (the one with all the different school flags) about five times during every break. Is there some sort of restriction about selling ad time on BTN? I would think car companies (well, maybe not now), Gatorade and the other usual suspects would be all over it.

But like others have said, WAY better than not getting to watch at all.

by SNOI7 on Nov 19, 2008 8:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs