| NEW
'CROWD-CAM' FROM BBC OUTSIDE BROADCASTS DEBUTS AT BBC SPORT COVERAGE
OF SIX NATIONS RUGBY
5 February 2003: BBC Sport is set to use innovative new crowd camera
technology developed by BBC Outside Broadcasts for the first time
at the RBS Six Nations on 15 February. The small cable-free device,
'crowd-cam' will capture the atmosphere from a fan's perspective
by providing unique 'never seen before' pictures from within the
crowd.
For the first time, the 'crowd-cam' operator will be able to mingle
in the crowd and provide broadcast-quality coverage of the rest
of the fans and the Six Nations Rugby action from any point in the
stadium.The aim is to deliver sports output that recreates the mood
and view-point of the live experience for the viewer at home instead
of just the angles from the fixed camera positions. It will also
offer more flexibility for pitch-side and tunnel interviews, as
the equipment has no cables.
The cable-free system, based on a conferencing camera, is the brain-child
of Paul McNeil, Special Facilities Manager, BBC Outside Broadcasts.
Compact enough to be fitted in to the back pack of a single camera
operator, it enables the wearer to go through the turnstiles of
the stadium and walk amongst the crowd with a minimum of health
and safety problems associated with larger equipment.
The brick camera fitted with a COFFDM digital mobile link, is the
only system that is robust enough to transmit images of a high-standard
that can be matched with pictures from the other cameras in the
stadium. The robustness of the digital link and the size of the
camera gives flexibility to offer the crowd's point of view from
any part of the ground, during the match.
Peter Salmon, Director BBC Sport comments on the use of 'crowd-cam'
for the RBS Six Nations: "We are constantly looking at ways
to enhance the interactive side of sport coverage. 'Crowd-cam',
which is designed to capture the atmosphere from the punters' point
of view, is the next phase of that evolution".
"Rugby is a fast moving, dynamic game with lively audiences
and the intimacy of the rugby stadiums is the perfect setting to
use it. We can also use the equipment to capture interviews in tight
spaces and where cables may be a problem."
Paul McNeil, BBC Outside Broadcasts adds: "Being in with the
crowd provided me the inspiration for 'crowd-cam'. I realised that
a fan's view and experience is never truly captured by cameras behind
the fans or looking up at them from the ground. We are delighted
to have produced a camera that can be used for the RBS Six Nations."
-ENDS-
About BBC Resources
BBC Resources is one of the leading broadcast facilities operations
in the UK. The company was incorporated in 1998, and was the first
of the BBC's commercial business-to-business subsidiaries to be
established. It now forms one of the four businesses within the
BBC Ventures Group – alongside BBC Technology, BBC Broadcast
and Kingswood Warren Ventures. BBC Resources supplies a comprehensive
set of facilities and services including outside broadcasts, studios,
post production and costume and wigs, combining extensive experience
with a plethora of award-winning talent and expertise. Mike Southgate
is its Managing Director. Further information about BBC Resources
can be found at: www.bbcresources.com
About BBC Outside Broadcasts
BBC Outside Broadcasts, a division of BBC Resources, is the leading
outside broadcast facilities provider in Europe, offering a complete
range of solutions from scanners and VT units to design of bespoke
OB production units. Combining creativity and flair with technical
expertise, project management and customer service skills, BBC Outside
Broadcasts caters for both small and large scale events across all
genres. It also houses a unit dedicated to the development of innovative
technological 'firsts' from ground-breaking cricket stump cameras
to digital wireless products. Key clients include BBC Sport and
independents such as Chrysalis, Octagon CSI, TWI and MTV. Further
information can be found at: www.bbcresources.com/ob
For further information, please contact:
Georgie Hollett, PR & Comms Exec, BBC Resources
Tel: +44 (0)20 8576 2350 (Television Centre)
Mobile: +44 (0)7834 845612 (Mobile)
Email: georgie.hollett@bbc.co.uk
Or
Caroline Inman, BBC Sport
Tel: 020 8576 7789
Email: caroline.inman@bbc.co.uk
For information relating to jobs and trainee schemes at BBC Resources
and the BBC as a whole please visit our jobs pages
www.bbc.co.uk/workexperience
www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/
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