In The News : Broadcast Sports Inc. helps ESPN create an unforgettable 5D Winter X Games broadcast
Broadcast Sports Inc. helps ESPN create an unforgettable 5D Winter X Games broadcast
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 | BSI Staff
Hanover, MD - Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - Broadcast Sports, Inc. (BSI) is upping the ante on the Winter X Games coverage January 26-29 by providing ESPN with wireless transmission and control capabilities for the largest 5D broadcast ever produced by the network. This unique type of show involves shooting 2D and 3D footage from the same cameras simultaneously. On top of the ordinary challenges of doing a 5D broadcast in any environment, the X Games is particularly difficult due to the topography of the mountain, the weather conditions and the logistics of capturing truly dynamic coverage.
BSI is outfitting three separate "hoop" systems with a 3D Toshiba FollowCam, monitor, and transmitter for use during the SlopeStyle, Pipe and Big Air events. The setup will allow three highly skilled, skiing camera operators to capture the action live and in 5D from the center of the pipe. For faster, downhill events like the Snowboarder X and Skier X, BSI is attaching a transmitter to a FlyCam that operates along the course more than 30 feet above the ground and can travel at speeds up to 75 miles per hour. This will give the production team full control of the pan, tilt and paint functions of the FlyCam.
BSI's distributed receive infrastructure guarantees seamless operation of all elements from any point on Buttermilk Mountain -from the top of the X Course to the grounds of the X Fest below. The company is also poised to handle the demands of a 5D broadcast with their dual stream Mini TX transmitter which will ensure a synchronous signal from the two cameras responsible for capturing the footage for the left and right eyes of the 3D broadcast.
"BSI has been working in partnership with ESPN for the last two years to incorporate the quality and flexibility of wireless 3D camera systems into the broadcast of the X Games," explains Clay Underwood, Technology Development Manager at Broadcast Sports, Inc. "We are confident that our Mini TX will deliver complete synchronicity between the left and right eye which is of paramount importance to a successful 3D broadcast."
In addition to the 5D capable cameras, BSI is also providing two 2D HD SteadiCam's, one Hand Held Camera, four Blue Steel Wireless Microphones and a variety of devices for wireless communication between production team members. The Winter X Games will be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPN 3D and ABC.
About Broadcast Sports, Inc.
For over 25 years, Broadcast Sports, Inc., an L-3 Communications
company, has been the leading provider of wireless technology and
communications systems for television broadcasting. Headquartered
in Hanover, MD, BSI provides HD on-board cameras and wireless audio
for a wide range of entertainment events around the world including
the Olympics, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, X Games, NASCAR, NFL,
PGA and LPGA Tours, Indy Racing League, Breeder's Cup, Kentucky
Derby, US Open, MTV Video Music Awards and the 2009 Presidential
Inauguration.
For more information on Broadcast Sports, Inc. visit www.broadcastsportsinc.com.
Contact:
Katharine Richardson
Richlyn Marketing
(615) 243-0619
