WNBA to debut "ref cam" 6-8-13

[JasonWilliams55]

Yes, yes I know, WNBA, who cares. Thats besides the point, point is, ref cam for the first time on the b-ball court. No doubt this will make its way over to the NBA in due time (predict no more than 2 years from now max).

NEW YORK, June 6, 2013 – Bringing fans even closer to the game, the WNBA announced today that “Ref Cam” will be used for the first time during the broadcast of a U.S. professional basketball game on Saturday, June 8, when the Phoenix Mercury meet the defending champion Indiana Fever in a nationally televised game on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.

http://www.wnba.com/news/ref_cam_060...s=iref:nbahpts

This HoopIdea comes from the world of Rugby.

Recently Fox Sports debuted "Ref Cam," which is pretty much just what it sounds like. Official Chris Potter strapped a HD GoPro camera to his head and wore a low profile vest under his uniform that transmitted the video, and sound, to the broadcast.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...pidea-ref-cams


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Whatcha say OS?

[Majingir]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

I've never seen ref cam used in sports, but don't see how it'd be good idea.

The only time I saw "ref cam" in general, it looked horrible(not the view itself, but the actual quality compared to the main camera), and it looks stupid when you show a non ref cam view of the game and you see the ref wearing like a hat on his head.



If NBA wants to have some interactive type cam, have one on the backboard(or at the broadcast table). CBC used to(don't know if they still do) have a 360 camera at the top of the glass where fans could go online and see the camera live and move all 360 directions during the action.

[JasonWilliams55]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

Who cares how it looks.

What about the possibilities, training refs, big calls (able to see what he saw when call was made), another POV of the game (no different than all the cams we have now).

[VDusen04]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

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Tough for me to imagine how it'd look on a basketball court but I thought the rugby implementation was pretty cool. I mean, I really liked it. It'd certainly serve more of a purpose than some of the other breakthroughs, like ESPN's ill-fated Floor Cam. Also, regarding the look, did I hear correctly that the rugby official was using a chest cam? So maybe it won't be a ridiculous hat, yes?

Semi-related, you know a random camera I liked that it seemed most people did not? NBC's original wire cam. I like angles and perspectives that can cross that line between the feeling of watching a game on TV and feeling like you're actually there taking it all in. The ref cam kind of gave me the same feeling, but obviously on a more intimate level.

An example of NBC's wire cam is at 6:53 of the video below:

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I thought it looked particularly cool when in motion from one end of the court to another.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

I think it could be pretty cool.

[return.specialist]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

Some of us do care about the WNBA. But I do like the idea of the 'ref cam'--technology is advanced to the point that the picture quality ought to be solid.

[DukeC]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

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NSFW:

Spoiler

On a serious note I'd hate to imagine a man 6'8 coming at me like that. I'd be scared ****less if he just popped up and I couldn't see him out my peripheral (the urge to qoute Katt Williams is strong ).

[Majingir]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

lol, can picture it now...

"What's her skill level?"

"It's over 9000!"

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

lol, can picture it now...

"What's her skill level?"

"It's over 9000!"

Is that Google Glass?

[epark]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

Cool topic.

I'm actually interested to see if people would play in WNBA Fantasy Basketball leagues. If you'd like to take my 5-minute survey I'd greatly appreciate it!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TWLYTRH

Also, what do you guys think? Would it work?

[turty11]

Re: WNBA to debut &quot;ref cam&quot; 6-8-13

lol, can picture it now...

"What's her skill level?"

"It's over 9000!"

o my god i think i love you