As much as I've enjoyed watching Phoenix Suns games on KUTP over the years (although not nearly as much ever since Al McCoy became radio-only, and they changed the theme song used during the intro and going into timeouts), I am amazed at how there always seems to be some sort of technical issue with the telecasts.
Particularly in recent years, it seems that they've never really been able to get the score overlay to consistently work as it should. Quite often, the graphic disappears because the score won't update, or either the game clock and/or shot clock aren't displayed properly. For instance, in tonight's game (Suns @ Golden State Warriors), the shot clock was not visible for the entire second half of the game. I realize that the entire concept of a shot clock seems silly with this particular matchup (both teams like to shoot quickly and have no concept of defense), but there were at least two plays down the stretch in which it actually did become a factor, and it sure would have been nice to have that information on the screen.
The "virtual" main game clock on the overlay was also not functioning, but they at least superimposed what appeared to be a shot of the actual game clock (perhaps a camera pointed at one of the clocks above one of the backboards?) They've used this backup technique several times over the years...I really wish they could have done the same with the shot clock.
Also, the audio was slightly out of sync with the video, at least for part of the first half. (And as a side note...strangely enough, the TV coverage seemed at least 10 seconds AHEAD of the radio coverage...it's usually the other way around.)
I guess I'm just a bit surprised and disappointed that a Fox-owned station in DMA #12, covering one of the NBA's more elite and respected franchises, continues to have these sorts of problems year after year. Does anyone with insider info know what exactly makes fixing these issues so difficult?
Particularly in recent years, it seems that they've never really been able to get the score overlay to consistently work as it should. Quite often, the graphic disappears because the score won't update, or either the game clock and/or shot clock aren't displayed properly. For instance, in tonight's game (Suns @ Golden State Warriors), the shot clock was not visible for the entire second half of the game. I realize that the entire concept of a shot clock seems silly with this particular matchup (both teams like to shoot quickly and have no concept of defense), but there were at least two plays down the stretch in which it actually did become a factor, and it sure would have been nice to have that information on the screen.
The "virtual" main game clock on the overlay was also not functioning, but they at least superimposed what appeared to be a shot of the actual game clock (perhaps a camera pointed at one of the clocks above one of the backboards?) They've used this backup technique several times over the years...I really wish they could have done the same with the shot clock.
Also, the audio was slightly out of sync with the video, at least for part of the first half. (And as a side note...strangely enough, the TV coverage seemed at least 10 seconds AHEAD of the radio coverage...it's usually the other way around.)
I guess I'm just a bit surprised and disappointed that a Fox-owned station in DMA #12, covering one of the NBA's more elite and respected franchises, continues to have these sorts of problems year after year. Does anyone with insider info know what exactly makes fixing these issues so difficult?
