In The News : Quicksilver ProFrance 2011
Broadcast Sports, Inc. delivers new view to the Quicksilver Pro France 2011 Surfing Championship
Monday, October 24, 2011 | BSI Staff
Recognized As a World Leader in Wireless Enhanced Audio and HD Video Technology, BSI Develops Unique Camera For Use In Surfing
Hanover, Maryland, USAandLA GRAVIERE, Hossegor/France. . . Broadcast Sports, Inc. (BSI), together with NEP Cymru, unveiled a new camera setup specifically designed for the Quicksilver Pro France 2011 Surfing Competition, the exciting event on the elite men's Association of Surfing Professionals World Surfing Tour.
A world leader in RF camera and audio systems for over 25 years, BSI has developed what it describes as the first camera to deliver live pictures from the barrel of a wave at this year's Quicksilver Pro France competition held October 4-13 on the Southwest Coast of France, Event No. 8 of 11 on the 2011 ASP World Title season.
A surfing cameraman used a stripped down mini HD camera in multiple configurations including a waterproof tube to capture 720p images that were radio linked to the production's media village and upscaled to 1080i. Logistics for an event of this size, length, and broadcasting scope meant meeting a set of complex requirements including the unique surf cam for never-before-seen angles from in the water with three-to-four foot (1 - 1.5 meter) waves. A Land Rover was used as a relay vehicle sending back 5 feeds to the main OB area. BSI also supplied a radio camera for the beach coverage.
The Cardiff-UK based NEP Cymru said the new technology reduced the time it takes to de-rig an OB and move to a new location to 1.5 hours, so it could shoot at up to three locations a day as the surfing competition moved across a six mile stretch of the Landes coast north of Biarritz, France.
NEP Cymru managing director Tony Cahalane toldBroadcast Now: "As live world sports events go this is major league so it's very exciting for us to be chosen as host broadcaster, alongside the excellent production team, fellow Welsh company Boomerang."
"We are proud of the production we were able to jointly create with our colleagues at NEP Cymru," said BSI UK's Engineering Director Tony Valentino. "Our collaboration provided surfing fans with a unique, on the wave experience."
BSI has recently expanded to the United Kingdom to meet the fast-growing demand for state-of-the-art RF broadcast technology and services around the world and is excited about its partnership with NEP Cymru.
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, USA with European offices in Watford, Hertfordshire, UK, BSI provides HD on-board cameras and wireless audio for a wide range of entertainment events around the world including NASCAR, NFL, the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, the Indy Racing League, the Breeder's Cup, the X-Games, the Kentucky Derby, the US Open, the MTV Video Music Awards, the US Presidential Debates, and the 2009 US Presidential Inauguration as well as other newsworthy events. BSI's cameras are also used by NASA in the astronaut's helmets.
For more information on Broadcast Sports, Inc. visit www.broadcastsportsinc.com or www.bsi.uk.com
