BSI has developed RF links for NAC’s high-speed (400fps) video camera, allowing the system to be used for Steadicam and mobile shots in live rugby and soccer games for Sky Sports. It has also been used in the US for IndyCar and NASCAR racing. The system used two of BSI’s Dual Stream mini transmitters. Each has dual HD-SDI inputs multiplexed together using MPEG4 and DVB-T. It meant there were four video streams available: one for the link, one for replay and one to transmit the control page used by the EVS operator controlling the SloMo functions of the camera. “We wanted to use the camera
in live mode, as well as for SloMo, so it is essential to have both of these paths available,” explains Valentino. “It’s quite a heavy camera without anything on it, about 8kg, and draws about 8 amps, so a high power draw. If you’re trying to install three conventional links they would draw too much power and make it weigh too much.” The SloMo camera replaced a
normal wireless Steadicam camera, so had to offer live coverage as well as high-speed pictures. As SloMo is normally used from a fixed or moving rail camera position, with a longer lens, it meant Sky could offer replay shots viewers wouldn’t normally see. Boxx’s links weigh less than
traditional COFDM transmitters, and also use about one-third of the power. “Low latency HD systems can use a lot of power, but because Meridian is uncompressed it needs significantly less processing, and MPEG2 or H.264 require a lot of power,” says Walker. This means that batteries last a lot longer. On the two-hour X Factor, the Steadicam operator only needed to change the batteries once, during a commercial break. However, some applications
require even lighter links equipment, which is why Boxx has repackaged its Meridian and three-frame delay Zenith systems in less robust units that weigh less than half the weight. These are mainly being used on quadcopters and octocopters, where the change from 990g to 490g means the copter can have an extra battery, giving another 10 minutes of flying time.
It has sold six lightweight Meridian systems for this type of application, while its first lightweight Zenith system was recently used for a live broadcast
For The Voice on BBC, a moving Steadicam shot of a singer was held for two minutes and 20 seconds — impractical without very low delay wireless camera systems
of camel racing in Qatar – for these sort of wider angle shots, with no lipsync required, Walker says that a three-frame delay isn’t noticeable. www.boxx.tvwww.broadcastsportsinc.com
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