Videosys Broadcast Brings Efficiency and Ease of Use to Sports Stadia Broadcast Workflows

In a world where plentiful programme choice can lead to enormous competition for viewers, live sports broadcasters are always looking for new and exciting ways to capture and deliver engaging content to their audiences.

UK company Videosys Broadcast, a leading manufacturer and supplier of quality camera control systems, RF links and camera backs to outside broadcast providers, has noticed a significant increase in demand for its products from live sports stadia, particularly in the USA. Recent stadia customers, serviced by Videosys Broadcast’s US reseller Joseph Electronics, have been installing wireless camera systems that allow them to capture high quality images, even when the action is taking place a long way from the Master Control Room (MCR).

“Sporting events that take place over large areas require careful consideration in order to reduce signal loss,” say Colin Tomin, CEO of Videosys Broadcast. “Thanks to our thorough understanding of the sports workflow, Videosys Broadcast has developed a range of products that help broadcasters deliver the high-quality images that today’s audiences demand.”

Key to this offering is RF over Fibre, which replaces traditional copper cables that are liable to signal loss. RF over fibre cables allows the signal to cross much longer distances without degradation. Videosys offers two solutions – SMPTE and TACTICAL Fibre – that allow antennas to be placed up to 1700m away with power on a SMPTE cable or up to 20kms away if powered locally using TAC fibre.  With the SMPTE solution, one cable can be rigged for video reception, data transmission and power, thus making it much easier to rig locations such as stadiums and concert halls. Users can also manage all the menu settings and tackle any adjustments needed on the receiver or the data transmitter from the base unit, which is usually located in the MCR. Videosys’ TACICAL Fibre solution can be fitted with the customer’s choice of connector, be that ST-APC, FC-APC or S2000, for example.  12V power is provided for Videosys down converters.

Another innovation simplifying Radio Camera installations is the BMB101 fibre adapter used to complement the Epsilon 4K base station Camera Control Unit (CCU). This system adapts the Epsilon’s native SMPTE fibre connection interfacing to pre-installed single mode tactical fibre. With two options for the head end, a rack mounted version for permanent installation into a JBT or ‘throw-down’ portable version.

Primarily configured to operate with the Videosys range of transmitters, Epsilon offers up to four channel Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC) diversity. Thanks to its optional dual head operation, Epsilon also allows users to create a wide area operational zone with the camera roaming seamlessly between them without the need to change settings.

“To minimise signal loss, it is important to get the wireless receive antenna as close as possible to the action and then, utilising fibre, deliver the signal to the Receiver and Decoder in MCR,” Colin Tomlin adds. “For stadiums where multiple cameras and multizone productions are the norm, diversity receive with two heads can deliver huge benefits. Our experts understand where antennas need to be placed to get the best coverage, while our flexible designs ensure that we can customise each stadium installation to deliver optimum performance.”

Joseph Electronics, a company with a strong history in the systems integration sector, is now bringing Videosys Broadcast’s RF and camera control solutions to the attention of major broadcasters throughout the USA.

John Cleary, Managing Director of Joseph Electronics, says: “We see significant synergy between the products Videosys Broadcast offers and our existing range. The solutions we are now offering to live sports broadcast customers deliver real added value thanks to its easy integration with major camera manufacturers such as Sony, Panasonic, GVC, ARRI, Hitachi and Ikegami.”

As a company, we are constantly developing innovative solutions that address the requirements of our customers. Epsilon encapsulates this philosophy by making life easier for people working in studio and outside broadcast environments

VIDEOSYS BROADCAST

About Videosys Broadcast Ltd

Videosys Broadcast has been a supplier of quality camera control systems, RF links and camera backs to outside broadcast companies for 10 years.

Always at the forefront of innovation and technology, the company has successfully partnered with leading technology companies including Hitachi, Panasonic, Ikegami, Grass Valley and DTC.

These partnerships enable Videosys to deliver the latest technology requirements, regardless of camera supplier or format.