Getting started
For live scoring snooker, billiards or pool all that is required is a computer with an internet
connection. Simply visit the scoring web page to create a match and add
scores as they happen.
Creating a new match
Click on "New match" and complete the form details. Here you can
enter the date and start time beforehand so that it will appear in the
spectator's window and provide a viewing programme of forthcoming matches.
Adding match information
The first rule is keep it simple by only adding the bare
requirements. For example if the name of your event is too long it will ruin
the layout. Please explore the existing match information to get an idea of
how and where your input will be displayed. Some fields are already protected
with a limit of
the number of characters that will be accepted.
Only alpha numeric characters will be accepted however this does include
colons and some other characters used in punctuation. However the use of
inverted commas (") and (') is definitely taboo, so if you do enter a name
like O'Sullivan it will be filtered automatically and result in
OSullivan. This is not a design flaw but rather a precaution against
misadventure.
Uploading photos of the players
Images of the players can be displayed on the scoreboard but only
if both players have an image assigned. To assign an image to a match it first
needs to be uploaded and then you can select it from the database.
Only JPG and JPEG images can be uploaded however it doesn't matter what
size it is because it will be automatically resized to maintain uniformity.
Regardless of what the image composition is you can select only the part that
you want to use and crop it. Likewise you can upload a group shot and select
an area to capture the player on his own. During the upload process you also have the option of "sharpening" image
focus if it appears blurred. Note that sharpening cannot be reversed so if you
want to use the previous version you will have to go back to the crop stage
and start again.
Setting the start date and time
The match date and start time is most important to your viewers because
they need to know when it's on. Because different states and countries keep
different time, it's most recommended to list the date and time in your local
time. If you also list the venue or location where it's played then your
audience can work it out for themselves.
Managing the ballstring display
On both the popup and fullscreen scoreboards, images are displayed
showing the sequence of balls potted in a break which we call the
ballstring. The ballstring is displayed for all breaks commencing with the
cue ball until a ball is potted, and will remain on screen until either
players change at the table or teh scorer breaks the scoring routing by
deducting points in the case of an error.
|
Snooker |
    
|
= 58 break |
|
Billiards |
 |
|
|
Pool |
 |
|
If a comment is posted during a break the ballstring will not be visible until
the comment is cleared by adding a score for the next ball potted.
Spectator programme
Clicking the "Match programme" link will display a index of all matches and
their start times. The spectator can then select which match to view/resume
and swap between matches. A spectator can view the live
scores for more than one match in separate browser windows. The audience
does not have to be a member of BallStream to view live scores... no login is
required.
Monitors and screen resolution
Live scoreboards are available for snooker, billiards 8 ball and 9 ball
pool.
There are 2 different scoreboard designs available. The white background is
used in all small popup windows and for commonly used monitor sizes with or
without player images. The window with black background does not show player
photos but it is available for all monitor resolutions up to and including the
biggest plasma screens available today.
4096 x 2160
1920 x 1080
1680 x 1024 |
1440 x 900
1360 x 900
1280 x 864 |
1152 x 864
1024 x 768
800 x 600 |
240 x 400
320 x 320 |
Update or resume an existing match
Click on "Match index" and select the link for the match that you want to
score and the most recent frame will be loaded. Or you can select a previous
frame for editing by clicking on the frame number in the left hand menu. Click on
"Change player" until the appropriate player name is highlighted, then add
points scored as they happen or update when you can.
Scoring a frame
Live scoring is available for snooker, billiards 8 ball and 9 ball pool.
Points can be added as they play and can be adjusted at any time. Once the
scoring form is loaded you can add scores by simply typing a number and
hitting the ENTER key:
Successive points are recorded for break total and when players change
at the table the break is added to the database. The highest break of the
frame will be displayed for each player.
Scoring at the event
A scorer can submit points for more than one match at a time by using a
separate browser window for each match which means that you can have different
scorers submitting scores simultaneously for several matches at the same
time... using the same login.
Posting a comment on the screen
Comments will appear at the very bottom of the screen and are most
useful for posting commentary such as "F&M" or "Play will resume after a short
break". You can type in a comment with a score or on its own and it will
remain on the screen until the score is next updated.
Starting the next frame
To end a frame and start the next one, simply click on the "next frame"
button. As a safeguard the next frame cannot be commenced unless at least one
player has scored at least 22 points. |
|
