Timecode Systems has played a role in a new integrated wireless goal post camera solution for the NHL. The NHL project sees GoPro providing the camera systems and Vislink providing the wireless video transport in a solution called HEROCast. Timecode Systems is providing the wireless timecode solution, and the complete integration was delivered in time for this season’s Stanley Cup playoffs.
HEROCast now not only delivers camera angles for the viewer, but also provides pre-timecoded camera feeds to the NHL’s ‘situation room’, where operators monitor up to 16 simultaneous feeds of NHL games. Whenever a goal is scored or a contentious scoring play occurs, the NHL situation room uses its in-house instant replay camera/server system to provide an analysis. That analysis is immediately available to each game’s referees and goal judge via dedicated communication lines. Accurate ‘stadium’ timecode and sync get embedded with the video feeds wirelessly at the source, which ensures all wired and wireless cameras in each stadium are synchronised with each other. This function is designed to eliminate timecode drift due to latency in the wireless video-transmission path, and benefit key game-play decisions that require absolute accuracy when reviewing frame-by-frame footage.
“We’re making a continual effort to broaden the range of applications for our long-range wireless sync and metadata exchange technology,” said Paul Scurrell, managing director at Timecode Systems. “We were delighted that the NHL invited us to be part of this exciting project following the league’s successful trial of the Timecode Buddy :mini trx/rx system. The demand for reliable long-range wireless sync, status, and control on live events is growing rapidly, and this high-profile project will give the industry a glimpse of the many benefits our products can bring to this sector. This is only the beginning.”
“Bringing Timecode Systems’ wireless sync technology into the recent GoPro/Vislink product partnership has enhanced the appeal of the new HEROCast system,” added Adam Silver, director of strategic product opportunities at GoPro.
