| Cricket videos have joined the online world. You can | | | | TV picture format is another complication. NTSC is |
| now find a vast range of video clips, live matches | | | | the standard North American TV picture format and |
| and cricket highlights online, to complement traditional | | | | differs from the European PAL system. So, if you're |
| VHS and DVD video. So, what's the advantage of all | | | | in the USA or Canada (DVD Region 1), make sure |
| this choice? It's so easy to drown in the sea of video | | | | that your TV can read the PAL signal before buying |
| products. So, if you want to enjoy more cricket or | | | | a European (Region 2) DVD. |
| inspire your junior cricketer, you'll need to be | | | | Video tapes have the same issue. There are 3 global |
| selective. | | | | recording formats for commercial videos, NTSC, PAL |
| VHS tape and DVD cricket video are still popular, and | | | | and SECAM. If you're ordering a VHS tape from a far |
| don't have internet related transmission issues. So, it's | | | | flung country, make sure that your TV can display it. |
| worth considering them for your collection, but | | | | The internet takes cricket videos onto another level. |
| consider the picture quality of archive TV footage | | | | Live international cricket and cricket highlights are |
| before you part with your money. | | | | now available online, and large volumes of archive |
| Remember that colour TV has only been around | | | | material are available as cricket clips. As a coach, I'm |
| since the late 1960's, and that earlier black and white | | | | particularly interested in the brilliant online coaching |
| footage has variable quality. However, it's still worth | | | | resources. |
| considering archive material, to see some of the all | | | | Free cricket clips and videos are abundant in the |
| time greats at work. For example, Sir Donald | | | | cricket sections of Google Video, You Tube and |
| Bradman's 1993 video on how to play cricket includes | | | | Metacafe. These range from beach cricket to events |
| footage of the master batsman at his best in 1934. | | | | from classic test matches. You can have a fun time |
| Picture quality improved through the VHS era in the | | | | browsing through these, but finding exactly what you |
| 1980's. Good quality cricket video tapes are still | | | | want in the maze of video offerings is less easy. |
| available from around 1990, but the best quality | | | | You need enough computing power to view online |
| pictures are on DVD. These formats are great for | | | | videos - broadband is essential, as is good PC |
| compilations of rare cricket occasions. For example, | | | | performance. Your machine needs sufficient |
| the 1960 tied test match between Australia and the | | | | processor speed, enough RAM and a suitable video |
| West Indies at Brisbane was one of the all time | | | | card to display videos quickly, smoothly and with |
| great matches, and you can re-live the tension on a | | | | good quality. You could test it on the BBC highlights |
| video from ABC TV sport. | | | | or one of the samples on Google Video or You Tube. |
| Want to know what VHS and DVD titles are | | | | You will also need a javascript enabled browser, and |
| available? The top specialist retailers are listed in | | | | a suitable media player. Windows Media player is |
| Google under "cricket video". But, with such global | | | | suitable for some online videos. Real Player and Flash |
| suppliers, beware of the "compatibility trap" for both | | | | are commonly used and are available as free |
| DVD and VHS. You'll need to make sure that the rare | | | | downloads. The BBC Sport player is based on Real |
| video product that you ordered from 10 time zones | | | | Player, and is available free from the BBC web site. |
| away, is actually playable on your own hardware. | | | | This rough guide to cricket videos highlights the main |
| The world is divided into eight "DVD Regions", | | | | choices of product, where to find them, and some of |
| numbered 1 to 8. So, for example, a Region 3 DVD is | | | | the key technical issues involved. Of course, there's |
| only compatible with DVD players sold in Region 3. | | | | far more detail than this, but I hope that it gives you |
| However, "Region Free" DVDs are the exception, and | | | | a start on finding a way through the video maze. |
| are compatible with players from any Region. | | | | |