The NHL Should Change the Way it Shows its Games

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I went on NHL.com to watch the highlights of yesterday's game, and when I clicked on video above the score, I got the LA Kings video feed, and was mesmerized by the camera angles with which the game was shown. Likewise, I've seen a few Ducks games this year with the same unique camera angles, and it was the best hockey I've ever seen.

Basically, none of the game is shown using that same primary center-ice camera that you usually see when you watch hockey. Instead, they use about 6 cameras, and the cameras basically follow play around almost as if you're on the ice with the players. It really puts you inside the game, and I think the league should show all its games this way from now on.

It's hard to describe, but I hope this link works as evidence. If not, just go to "Scores" in NHL.com, and click on the video link of last night's Wings game.

Video

[Rice 42]

Just my opinion, but I think those angles make the game unwatchable. I was watching a Ducks-Coyotes game earlier in the season on Center Ice and couldn't stand it.

[Z and D for the C 712]

It's horribly annoying, it nearly makes me feel sick and you can't see whats going on as well.

[Jamaica Jon 1]

I hate the behind the net camera angle. They use it on NBC a lot during powerplays and it is just terrible. It makes it difficult to tell what's going on.

The angle from center ice was pretty cool, but I wouldn't be able to watch an entire game like that.

[JPT 26]

I would be happy just with HD on the center ice package....$170 bucks and its like watching a game in 1980.

[Heaton 1]

NBC used different angles the entire playoffs, I couldn't wait until FSN started doing games again.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The angles they used do not allow you to see the plays develop very well. The problem is you've got all these players flashing in front of the play and the puck at times gets lost behind clutter. If you're on the ice playing the game its one thing because you're able to view whats going on and focus your vision to where a play is going, but when you're watching the game from home, you're at the mercy of the cameraman and their distance from the play.

I would be happy just with HD on the center ice package....$170 bucks and its like watching a game in 1980.

Yet another reason I switched to DirectTV. Every game in HD with both home and away feeds.

[edicius 3,269]

Ugh, those angles are horrible. Following the play is less jarring from a wider shot. The closer you get in, the faster the camera movements appear to be, leading to an almost Cloverfield-style shaky-cam.

[esteef 2,679]

Those angles suck unless the play is right in front of the camera. I couldn't even tell who was on the ice half the time.

[Guest mindfly]

Hate those angles.. its ugly.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Wow, I guess you guys have a different opinion than I do.

I just get tired of seeing the same old static camera, and I thought this was kind of cool and innovative. The play is hard to follow sometimes, but I'm not someone who just watches the puck the whole game like some inexperinced fan. It's good sometimes to see the game the way players do.

With a little better tracking, this system could get perfected even more.

[datsFan40 0]

those angles were absolutely horrible. Try watching an entire game like that. I am not from so detroit, so I buy the NHL center ice package so I can catch all of their games, and i didnt think i was gonna be able to make it the end without getting sick. You can't see anything on what their doing. I hope I never have to watch a game like that again.

[12Newf 0]

yeah i definitely HATE all those camera angles. i feel like im watching a replay or a video game trailer and half the time im screaming at the tv because the camera is in completely the wrong place. the behind the net cam is probably my most hated and lately during the shootouts ive seen some completely ridiculous angles that make me want to murder someone. theyre trying to be too innovative and it just doesnt work. i would have turned that game off after about 2 minutes of that nonsense.

Edited October 28, 2008 by 12Newf

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I thought those angles were terrible. I mean, they make for great secondary angles to cut to occasionally, especially on replays. But to watch a whole game that way drove me nuts. Especially the center ice camera. I've never felt so far away from the action while watching a game.

As others have said, you couldn't really see plays develop that well, because you weren't above the action but you weren't on the ice either. It was this low angle that obscured a lot of the plays developing.

To the original poster, I'd be curious to see if you felt the same after watching a whole game from those angles. Because honestly it is good to see highlights that way sometimes. But in terms of following the action for a full 60 minutes, it's awful.

Edited October 28, 2008 by haroldsnepsts

[Dano33 41]

I'd give it a try. I doubt they would be able to, but i think it would be cool if fans were given a choice, at least for one game. Show the normal one on FSN and the new one on FSN+ or something. Then they can have one of their in game polls on it.

[robat 13]

I would be happy just with HD on the center ice package....$170 bucks and its like watching a game in 1980.

Dish Network has HD

[Slave 31]

wow, i thought i wa salone in feeling these were horible angles, i had hockey last night so i only caught the 3rd period and ot, but i am glad, i would not have been able to watch an entire game like that.

Is it just the way the cameras are set up in staples center or is the coverage, i don't remember it being that bad last time i watched the wings in LA

[puckbags 863]

I was pretty excited last night when I found out that the game was going to be on HD, then to my suprise it was the Kings feed that was in HD. It was very hard to watch with those camera angles they were using. Im cool with them switching it up maybe for powerplays or something but to use those angles for the whole game was frustrating. Luckily for me the game was also on standard definition and it was the Wings feed so as much as I hate watching standard def it had to be done last night!!

[detroitdan 0]

those angles were BRUTAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was watching the game online and had to turn it off, it really bugged me that much. Absolutely terrible. Give me the normal view any day.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Wow, I guess you guys have a different opinion than I do.

I just get tired of seeing the same old static camera, and I thought this was kind of cool and innovative. The play is hard to follow sometimes, but I'm not someone who just watches the puck the whole game like some inexperinced fan. It's good sometimes to see the game the way players do.

With a little better tracking, this system could get perfected even more.

That's the thing though....you're not seeing the game the way the player is with this camera angle. The only way to truly see it through a players' eyes is to be in their body. Even a helmet cam doesn't always show what a player is looking at. As I said, you're at the mercy of the cameraman being behind the play.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

Wow, I guess you guys have a different opinion than I do.

I just get tired of seeing the same old static camera, and I thought this was kind of cool and innovative. The play is hard to follow sometimes, but I'm not someone who just watches the puck the whole game like some inexperinced fan. It's good sometimes to see the game the way players do.

With a little better tracking, this system could get perfected even more.

Don't feel bad.... (even though I know your not).

I like the on ice angles, especially for watching the goaltender's movements and reactions. I don't like it at center ice or near the blueline, as it doesn't allow as good of a view of player positioning (Ex: you don't even notice the amazing split hossa did of LA's defensemen, you just see the shot).

At the same time, I don't like feeling like I'm in the nosebleeds for the rest of the game, I wish the cameras were somewhat closer.

[edicius 3,269]

I thought those angles were terrible. I mean, they make for great secondary angles to cut to occasionally, especially on replays. But to watch a whole game that way drove me nuts. Especially the center ice camera. I've never felt so far away from the action while watching a game.

This.

For replays, they're fine because there is the potential for greater concentration on a given play. But for an entire game it just feels disjointed and, like someone else mentioned, a video game trailer.

[VikingMark 5]

I agree with the majority of the posters in this thread. I caught the game on center ice, and quickly began to hate the camera angles used. As it was previously stated, those additional angles are wonderful for replays, but horrible for attempting to watch the game as it progresses.

It seemed to me that the LA broadcast was a little too in-love with the new camera angles, and simply refused to ever show the traditional, center ice, nosebleed pov, camera. Also, while some of the angles actually were nice to see during play (corner scrums) the broadcasting crew did not move the camera fast enough to follow the play (or the puck) and did not cut away to a better angle quickly enough (thus leaving the feed on the now poorer angle far after the play had left that area.)

As the OP stated, maybe the technology will catch up, and allow a broadcasting team to someday actually use those new camera angles effectively to enhance the viewing of a game of hockey. For that to happen, however, will require better speed and control from the camera operators, and a director that will effectively cut back to the traditional camera for any portion of play that isn't actually improved by one of the new angles.

Just my opinion, (back to lurking in the shadows) ..

[VM1138 1,921]

Not only is it hard to follow, the shots also look less interesting when they're coming at you. Those crazy goals look a lot less amazing when they're coming at you and you can't see the stick.

[12Newf 0]

i may be wrong on this but i seem to remember that with centre ice online there are 4 options for camera at all times. there is the broadcast one, a goal line cam, and one that follows the action like they tried in LA the other night. i cant remember the fourth though.