Chelsea v Newcastle match was shot in 4K – Wimbledon next?
Feb 18, 2013 No Comments
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Satellite broadcast company SIS Live confirms it conducted a 4K multi-camera live field test at St James' Park for a Premiership match
The game was captured in full 4K using Sony F65 cameras (pictured above) paired with a Fujinon lens recording to 256gb flash memory cards.
A PsiTech Vortex high data rate camera capture system was also used to manipulate the imagery in an OB truck and an engineer from the company took part in the trial.
The goal was to test signal flows, the use of lenses suitable for live event coverage, as well as the integration of recording technology.
A different use for 4K resolution
Regular 4K (also known as Ultra-HD) broadcasting may be a couple of years away but SIS Live concluded that the extra resolution (four times that of HD) can offer OB truck operators the ability to create multiple HD shots from one wide framed shot suggesting the technology could have a use in sports broadcasting before affordable 4K TV sets hit the market.
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Phil Aspden, Commercial Director, SIS LIVE says: “4K technology is still at an early stage and there is a huge difference in the requirements of single camera capture compared to that needed to transmit live shows. Live sport, for example, requires very reliable equipment with very low failure rates. If a shot is missed due to failed equipment there is rarely an opportunity to restage the event. This becomes even more challenging when the technology has to be compact enough to be mobile and able to operate from a range of locations. Outside broadcast vehicles provide finite space which limits the amount of equipment that can be installed. OB environments are often challenging which puts extra demands on the equipment so any 4K equipment needs to be as compact, portable and reliable as possible to be able to capture the range of shots we currently achieve in OB scenarios.”
The scenario sounds very similar to what Fox Sports are doing in America who are not using the extra resolution to enhance picture quality, but rather to add flexibility to the production.
Using a single Sony F65 camera, also linked to a Vortex from PsiTech, Jerry Steinberg, senior vice president, technical operations, of Fox Sports said: ”We can move it around, zoom in where we want, and extract the particular piece of that 4K that we want. Because the resolution from the Sony F65 is nine times that of the telecast’s 720p frame, the operator can zoom in to 1/9th of the frame during replay and still supply crisp, in-focus video. If the original shot showed a full player, head to foot, you could probably get to his feet and read what’s written on his shoes."
SIS LIVE supported the BBC and NHK in their Super Hi-Vision (8K) transmissions of the Opening and Closing ceremonies and other sports events at the London 2012 Olympics.
With the company’s close links to the BBC, moving image website reported today that the BBC is looking quite seriously at capturing this year’s Wimbledon tennis championships in 4K.
Last year, Head of Broadcast at Wimbledon, Mervyn Hall told 3D Focus that Wimbledon would welcome higher resolution capture: "Super Hi-Vision: I'm really impresed by. I think it is mighty good stuff and we will certainly be actively encouraging the BBC to look at it in more detail. We would welcome it here."
He also suggest that aerial cameras could be trialled for the first time this year (The 2013 Wimbledon Tennis Chamionships will also be broadcast in 3D).
David Meynell, Managing Director, SIS LIVE says: “It is inarguable that 4K technology is going to be part of our future. If the popularity of 4K consumer technology continues to rise we will reach a point where broadcasters want to transmit live events in 4K, and this means that SIS LIVE needs to be ready to deliver. As with all new technologies we are monitoring its development and potential demand closely, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of technological development.”
In October 2012, BSkyB conducted a ultra-high definition test, using Sony and Canon cameras to film Arsenal’s Champions League tie with Olympiakos in 4K resolution.
Assessing the trial, Sky Director of Operations Darren Long said: “The key to us is to ensure quality and when showing footballers running, it was clear that there was too much camera blur; we feel 120 frames a second is the right speed. We’re liaising with standards bodies and working with manufacturers to understand the camera’s capabilities and to improve the technology.”
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