Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Formula One World Feed Broadcast Needs a Face Lift

Formula One, the pinnacle of motorsport, gets its reputation by being one of the most technologically advanced and expensive sports in the world.
It is a playground for innovation and often sets the pace for developments in the automobile industry worldwide.
There is no doubt that it isn't just the drivers who are racing, but everyone else involved in the sport too. Everyone else, except the powers at be behind the broadcasting.
Rarely is the F1 fan graced with more information beyond the typical lap time comparisons and the occasional team radio transmission; and even that information fails to capture what is happening in all areas of the race.
We have been teased with graphic displays like the g-force meter, or the speed/gear/KERS indicator, but they do not show up nearly enough.
I have counted two times this season, the use of the replay depicting two drivers' ghosts for line comparison. These are all features that should appear during every practice, qualifying session, and race regularly!
We should have access to more team radio transmissions as the ones that we get are obviously pre-screened and delayed in many cases. There should be longer onboard shots, more stats, as we all know there is no shortage of in F1.
If there is one thing that the powers at be for F1 broadcasting have gotten right, it is the minimalistic design for their stats displays, but the lack of their use forces local channels to make stats displays of their own.
These often go far beyond simplistic and cover up the screen, leaving any viewer absolutely livid.
The SPEED channel is great at blocking up the tele with oversized and overly busy displays for extended periods of time. I don't want to see an animated F1 car over a massive red banner covering up 30 percent of the track.
On various occasions, such displays mask the team radio graphic causing the announcers to unknowingly speak over the already scarce radio transmissions!
Formula 1 officials have the money, they have the tools, they are looking to spice up the entertainment value in F1...

No comments:

Post a Comment