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passing through the wire mixed with the
control messages and status for the camera.
Remote-controlled cameras with true three-
The control station on the ground is
dimensional movement add an exciting new aspect to
multiplexed and feeds to each component.
the coverage of events like Euro 2008, helping to
We can send commands through the Remote
showcase them as premier entertainment, and
Control Panel (RCP) to control the properties
of the iris, focus, the lens and internals like
increasing the interest of the audience, who are able to
the ND filter, and the camera sends status
see the action from entirely new perspectives, and in
messages back - all of which has to be
the highest picture quality.
transferred back to the operator over the
lines. safety reasons, the producers were required resistance to movement of the dolly by high
Pictures are also transmitted optically to keep the dolly away from the pitch in winds. We are also planning to use
and there is constant monitoring of the case lightning strikes damaged the cabling Panasonic’s new AK-HC1800 HD camera,
digital signal. Fibre gives us high while the dolly was above the players. and we will have some of the first of these
performance, eliminating delays and the The camera has proved completely cameras in Austria.
quality is excellent. At one stage of reliable even in these extreme weather Remote-controlled cameras with true
development we used a wireless connection conditions and in spite of all the rapid three-dimensional movement add an
but that was too open to electrical motion it is subjected to. We did anticipate exciting new aspect to the coverage of
disturbance and since we have been using that it might overheat inside the wet events like Euro 2008, helping to showcase
fibre it has been completely problem free. So weather housing we used for Euro 2008, them as premier entertainment, and
both the control messages and digital because it impeded the normal airflow, but increasing the interest of the audience, who
images are coming through fibre cables - in fact there were no problems with it at all. are able to see the action from entirely new
and both these cables are housed inside the We've never had any problems with these perspectives, and in the highest picture
cables that support the dolly. cameras and in fact they are the last thing quality.
The weight of the dolly in the air is about we expect to cause
25 kilogrammes and this includes the problems in such a
camera and lens, which weigh about 4.5 complex rig as a
kilogrammes. Clearly weight is an important SpiderCam. Perhaps
dScope Series III
factor, not only from its effect on the that's not surprising,
audio analyzer
efficiency of the rig, and on safety, so a but it is reassuring
compact form factor and light weight is for us that we don't
vital: every component is chosen with a need to worry about
careful eye on the total weight. The dolly is the camera: our
built in aluminium as far as possible to keep attitude to it now is
weight down so that the rig can support it, that we switch it on
but there's also a balance to strike because if and forget about it.
the dolly is too light, the weather conditions We had a problem
can affect it unduly. once with the RCP
The dolly motion is stabilised by gyros which Panasonic
and as well as moving the camera at up to 9 fixed within a couple
metres per second in 3D we can pan it at up of days, so we are
to 120 degrees per second. When the dolly really satisfied with
comes to a stop the motion is compensated the quality of its
so it can come smoothly to a stop from 9 equipment and
Plagued by Pops and Glitches?
metres a second inside half a metre, without service.
any wobble. Being able to move the camera So having
in this way makes for a really dynamic delivered ‘flying
Digital audio broadcast systems are more complex and prone to problems
coverage and production crews were able to camera’ coverage in than ever before. From drop-outs and glitches to unwanted noise and
follow the ball closely through even the HD for Euro 2008, distortion, Prism Sound’s dScope Series III is the world’s most
fastest passages of play. what’s next for
advanced audio analyzer to help isolate the cause – fast.
SpiderCam rigs were installed at four of SpiderCam? We are
the eight stadia used to stage Euro 2008 constantly working
dScope helps you deliver flawless audio.
matches: Zurich, Basel, Innsbruck and on developments and
Call now to arrange your demo.
Vienna. During the competition the only improvements, and
problems that arose were with the weather, we have some
when thunderstorms in Zurich and Vienna uprated motors and
Email: sales@prismsound.com
meant that the dolly had to be taken out of gyroscopic
+1-973-983-9577 +44 (0)1353 648888
action and parked away from the pitch. The stabilisation that will
www.prismsound.com
match continued in both cases, but for provide better
IBE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 41
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