SIS LIVE has put together a working group to explore the technology and workflows required to deliver live, 4K, multi-camera event coverage from an outside broadcast unit, culminating in a field test at St James’ Park on 2 February. Working with major camera and equipment suppliers, SIS LIVE has conducted proof of concept tests at base using a range of cameras coupled with its latest 3G capable outside broadcast unit OB 14. All recent SIS LIVE trucks have been built to be 3G capable, designed to handle 4K and HD signals. This has involved testing of signal flows, the use of lenses suitable for live event coverage, as well as the integration of recording technology. Testing continued on 2 February with a Premiership football match featuring Chelsea and Newcastle captured in full 4K using the Sony F65 camera paired with a Fujinon 75mm-400mm lens, recording to the camera’s onboard 256gb flash memory cards. Additionally one of Psitech’s 4K Vortex systems and a specialist engineer were flown over from the US to take part in the testing. Through this SIS LIVE has gained experience in manipulating 4K pictures within an OB truck setting, and experimented with the capability of the Psitech device to understand its potential applications in the live sport genre. SIS LIVE’s camera operatives gained invaluable experience operating the F65 demonstrating how 4K acquisition requires a different approach to camera operation; in effect, shooting wider, which then enables VT operatives and production staff to create multiple shots from the same camera position. “Phil Aspden, commercial director, SIS LIVE said, “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.”www.sislive.tv
