Wireless cameras
Aug 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Anthony Sangiovanni
Today’s wireless cameras offer new creative and logistical options to content providers.
The use of wireless cameras, along with the above mentioned advanced features, have not only satisfied the demands of covering today's sporting events, but they have also propelled their use in other ways, including the use of so-called fans-cams. By having wireless cameras that can virtually cover anywhere inside and outside the stadium, fans now get to become part of the show. From participating in giveaway contests to just being shown on the jumbo screens during a time out, fan participation has become an integral part of today's live sporting event production.
In the production world, reality-based content is fast becoming king. Usually, reality-based TV production is minimally scripted and spontaneous. Being able to set up, shoot and quickly change locations is a major requirement. Keeping up with the action and getting into places wirelessly allows for an even more realistic, fly-on-the-wall perspective that adds voyeuristic appeal to the show.
Traditionally, one of the limitations wireless camera systems had was the inability to paint the camera. Early wireless camera systems using generic paint systems would support only rudimental painting functions. Because of those limitations, there was limited use of wireless cameras on the set. Especially with the increased resolution of HD cameras, access to scene adjustment features such as skin-tone detail, Cine-Gamma and other functions are required that are not normally available in current wireless remote paint systems.
Newly developed remote camera control systems not only allow the use of the manufacturer's own panel, but also they allow for any camera and/or menu feature that is supported by either the remote panel or the camera itself. This is accomplished by the use of a separate closed loop data transmission and reception of the camera control communication, via a separate data channel, working in parallel to the video and audio transmission of the wireless camera. Figure 1 on page 10 shows how this camera control system is set up and how the communication path is maintained.
All in all, today's wireless camera systems offer a great deal of new creative and logistical options to content providers, finally allowing TV production personnel both the freedom and options they have always wanted. Broadcasters are now capable of providing even more in-depth coverage, both on and off the field, in ways they never could have before.
There are many different types of wireless solutions on the market today that offer an array of features and prices. All you have to do is identify your requirements and try them out to find the system that best fits your needs.
Anthony Sangiovanni is vice president of the Sports & Entertainment Group at RF Extreme, a Vitec Group Company.
| Want to use this article? Click here for options! |  |
