Broadcasters’ demands on cameras are increasing, from asking for IP readiness to standards flexibility and better control in multicamera environments. Vendors are answering the call. Pictured: Sony’s CNA-2 camera control network adapter.
For Fox’s 10th Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., this Sunday, the broadcaster will integrate modular “flypacks” built for the FIFA World Cup along with new augmented reality graphics. Above, State Farm Stadium and the Fox pregame set (Christian Petersen/Getty Images).
Canon U.S.A., a provider of digital imaging solutions, today announced the upcoming “Add-On Applications System” for PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) remote cameras that will provide access to add new paid video production features, beginning with auto tracking and auto loop applications for the company’s flagship 4K PTZ camera, the CR-N700. The auto tracking application will give the CR-N700 […]
Canon U.S.A., a provider of digital imaging solutions, today strengthened its cinema and broadcast offering with a suite of products. This includes the Cine-Servo 15-120mm T2.95-3.95 EF/PL (CN8x15 IAS S), Canon’s latest 8K Cine-Servo lens for a broad range of productions; the EU-V3, a modular expansion unit for the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark […]
IBC’s first in-person event since 2019 may have fewer days and attendees than at its high-water mark, but vendors are packing their schedules with meetings and say they’re excited to be doing business in person again.
Newsrooms’ Robotic Cameras Get An IQ Boost
Thanks to AI and other advances in software, robotic cameras in the newsroom are getting more and more capable, including carrying out actions that no longer need to be programmed by people. Above: The recently re-launched studios in Al Jazeera’s flagship facility in Doha combine ceiling-mounted cameras with free-roaming pedestals to provide dynamic moving shots from unique vantage points, and complete coverage of the on-air talent throughout the set. (Al Jazeera photo)
Exclusives
Broadcasters are insisting on more from their cameras, from the ability to capture more cinematic-style video with shallow depth of field to 4K, UHD and HDR capabilities, remote PTZ abilities and ever-smaller sizes. Above, a JVC camcorder being used on location for Idol Chat, which premiered on Retro TV and The Family Channel.
Teed up by riveting playoffs, NBC will rely on the same core technical setup it employs for its regular-season NFL games when it broadcasts Super Bowl 56 on Sunday. “The more you can stick with what got you to where you are, the better off you are,” says Drew Esocoff, the big game’s director. Above, the Infinity Screen by Samsung in SoFi Stadium (Photo: Will Navarro).
Two of the media tech industry’s biggest companies will no longer be exhibiting at IBC. A source at Grass Valley has confirmed the company has decided to withdraw from exhibiting at the show, citing the Dutch government’s restrictions as the reason behind the decision. Blackmagic Design has announced it will no longer be at the show, as have Telestream and Canon.
Canon U.S.A., a provider of consumer, business-to-business and industrial digital imaging solutions issued the following statement: “Due to the ongoing health and safety concerns presented by the COVID-19 delta variant, Canon has made a carefully considered decision to withdraw from this year’s NAB and InfoComm shows. The communities that NAB and InfoComm represent are something […]
Canon U.S.A., a provider of digital imaging solutions, has launched the XF605 4K UHD professional camcorder. The new XF-series professional camcorder comes equipped with a 1.0-inch CMOS sensor and the ability to record 4K/60p/4:2:2/10-bit/HDR video to dual on-board SD card slots. Equipped with Canon’s renowned Dual Pixel CMOS AF1, the XF605 achieves high-speed and high-accuracy […]
NBC Olympics has selected Canon U.S.A. is providing a wide variety of 4K UHD and HD Field, Portable and Studio lenses for NBC’s production of the Tokyo Olympics. A broad array of Canon broadcast lenses are being used, including the UHD-DIGISUPER 90 long-zoom field lens, which provides 4K UHD imagery. Canon’s 4K and HD lenses […]
Designed to provide both stunning HDR imagery as well as beautiful 4K, Canon U.S.A., a provider of digital imaging solutions, is introducing a new addition to its cost-effective UHDgc series of portable 4K broadcast zoom lenses — the CJ17ex6.2B. This lens supports 4K UHD quality optical performance and provides operators with a compact, lightweight and highly […]
Canon USA, a provider of digital imaging solutions, unveiled the company’s first line of 4K UHD PTZ cameras — the CR-N500 and CR-N300 for indoor live-streaming and the outdoor CR-X500. This new line of cameras capitalizes on Canon’s digital imaging and operational expertise from both professional camcorders and network cameras. This enables the cameras to […]
New camera angles and innovative AR graphics will mark Tampa’s Super Bowl LV with a sparser crowd allowing for novel camera positions and experimentation.
Canon U.S.A., a provider of digital imaging solutions, has launched a new addition to its UHDxs series of 4K UHD broadcast portable zoom lenses: the CJ20ex5B. Within this category of portable zoom lenses, Canon currently has two models that are very wide-angle (4.3mm at their wide end) and four models that are telephoto (and consequently constrained […]
Costs are inhibiting a flood of 4K sports production, but 1080p HDR offers numerous practical advantages, among them that the improvement in picture quality is more readily apparent to consumers than the gain from 4K resolution. Above, Sony tested an 8K camera at the Sony Open in Hawaii last year, but doesn’t expect 8K to be used for regular sports production for several years.
Fox will use more than 100 manned and robotic cameras to cover the game, including 24 “Super-Motion” cameras to support replays; 20 goal-line and end-line pylon cameras; wireless “Line to Gain” cameras that travel up and down the field in alignment with the first-down marker; and two different SkyCam systems which operate at different elevations. It will also use 72 field mics, as well as wireless player mics, to capture game audio. And that’s just scratching the surface.
While both HDR and 4K technologies have gotten much attention at past NAB Shows, this year’s gathering will see camera offerings that can handle dual SDR and HDR workflows, streaming capability, a smart studio and control solutions. At the same time, lenses continue to evolve to offer higher levels of zoom.
HDR To Be Focus Of Cameras At NAB Show
The interest in HDR units is due to their ability to improve quality and enable content creators to migrate toward 4K incrementally over time. “We foresee significant growth in HDR products within the next two years, driven by consumer demand for HDR TV sets,” says FujiFilm’s Thomas Fletcher. Above, a Ross ACID HDR camera. Click here to access TVNewsCheck’s NAB 2018 Resource Guide listing of camera vendors and products or here to download it as a PDF.
IP Tech Tackles Workflow, Wireless Costs
The bonded cellular technology at the heart of today’s IP newsgathering systems has achieved such a level of maturity that many vendors have begun addressing the finer points, such as how to more closely integrate the workflow of reporters in the field with the newsroom and maintaining network speeds even when working within the confines of a VPN. At the same time, frenemy and outright competitors have arisen and are looking to make headway with stations by offering systems they say will reduce or eliminate ever-rising wireless data bills. Photo: LiveU. Click here to access TVNewsCheck’s NAB 2017 Resource Guide listing of ENG/IP Newsgathering vendors and products or here to download it as a PDF.
Broadcast Cameras Set To Focus On 4K, HDR
Drip, drip, drip. The trickle of changes in television capture and delivery continues to flow. But as next-gen TV inches towards finalization as a standard and the prospects for FCC authorization grow those drips will turn into a torrent. Broadcasters and camera vendors alike are getting serious about how to prepare for these changes while maintaining and improving existing HD workflow and program delivery. Click here to access TVNewsCheck’s NAB 2017 Resource Guide listing of broadcast camera vendors and products or here to download it as a PDF.
DSLRs Go From Curiosities To Pro Tools
Digital single lens reflex cameras began as a way for wire service photogs to shoot video with the same camera they were using for still photos. Then TV stations began to use the small, lightweight and inexpensive units to produce on-air promos. Now, manufacturers including Canon, Blackmagic Design and Red are making DSLRs that are truly professional video cameras with bells and whistles that shooters love. KNSD’s Erik Naso (pictured) shoots with a Canon C100 and says he loves its depth of field: “It’s a film look to the extreme.”
Canon is making another run at selling camcorders to TV stations for ENG, introducing two new units at NAB. Rivals in the market: Panasonic’s AG-HPX and AJ-PX lines; JVC’s GY-HN650 with dual-codec live streaming; and Sony’s new PMW-450 and its PMW-200.
Canon, best known for its lenses in broadcast circles, might be making a run in the highly competitive ENG camera business with its introduction today of two new ENG professional cameras that offer wireless content transfer and remote operation.
Canon U.S.A. has selected Jose Alvarado, a professional in international broadcast equipment sales, as its new senior manager for Latin American sales. Alvarado’s experience includes more than 15 years of managing marketing and sales of Sony broadcast and professional A/V products in the Latin American market. Fluent in English and Spanish, he also is highly […]
Canon Focuses On Station Camcorder Market
With an “arsenal” of three camcorders with solid-state media, the company is ready to compete with Sony, Panasonic and JVC for stations upgrading to high-def news. Says Canon’s Larry Thorpe: “We have jumped in … because we certainly have seen over recent years a very definitive move of broadcasters looking for lower-cost equipment for newsgathering … and we play down there in that lower-cost end.”
