The latest happenings from around the world of sports
Apr 27, 2007 12:00 PM
Snell & Wilcox to supply standards converters for 2008 Olympics
Snell & Wilcox will supply its Alchemist Ph.C - HD motion-compensated frame rate standards converter to NBC Universal for conversion of HD and SD feeds as necessary for its coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Coverage of the 2008 Olympics will be originated in the 1080i/50 broadcast standard for HDTV and the 625/50 PAL standard for SDTV. Before NBC can transmit this content to viewers in the United States, it must first be converted to the 1080i/60 broadcast standard for HDTV and/or the 525/60 NTSC standard for SDTV. As a result, NBC will convert virtually every SD and HD feed from the 2008 Olympics through the Snell & Wilcox frame rate converters prior to delivery to viewers in the U.S.
High-quality frame rate standards conversion will play a vital role in the delivery of the Beijing Olympics to American viewers, according to David Mazza, senior VP of engineering for NBC Olympics. He said most of the 2008 Olympics would be transmitted in HDTV, so it's critical that the network is able to convert this material transparently to the U.S. broadcast standard to deliver the highest possible viewing experience.
Snell & Wilcox motion compensated frame rate standards converters have played a critical role in NBC's Olympic broadcasts since the 2000 games in Sydney. The company also supplied NBC with motion compensated converters at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
For more information, visit www.snellwilcox.com.
YES Network delivers in HD
The YES Network, home to the New York Yankees, said it would broadcast every game this season in HD.
The YES Network is building a new facility in New York City, complete with a Snell & Wilcox Kahuna production switcher and six Sony HDC-1500 cameras with Canon HD lenses.
Basically, every Yankee game and the related pre- and postgame shows will be in HD to help move the network toward eight hours of actual HD programming a day. The remainder of the time will comprise HD studio shows and HD coverage of "Mike and the Mad Dog," a radio program broadcast on WFAN-AM and simulcast on the YES Network.
The new facility operates a single HD master control room with programming downconverted for SD audiences.
SportVU tracks motion for live sports
SportVU, a company based in Raanana, Israel, which focuses on sophisticated technology to improve sports coverage and the viewer experience, now offers new software that integrates arena cameras with real-time motion-tracking technology to generate digital schematic descriptions of the game in real time. The company said the software provided more informative and interesting game analysis.
The system automatically produces statistical features such as speed profiles, accumulated distances, fatigue factors and coverage maps, all in real time. Broadcasters can customize the data parameters and results can be integrated with the station's graphics systems to produce insightful analytical views.
The data output to in-stadium screens and broadcast feeds provides viewers with engaging statistical-driven content, in turn providing more sponsorship opportunities. The software is easily adaptable to sports such as NFL football, NHL ice hockey, cricket and more.
For more information, visit www.sportvu.com.
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