Multicamera Sports Event Equipment

[Vince Becquiot]

Hi Rory,

I think it mostly depends on how high end you want to get. While the switching gear will work, the cameras probably won’t.

And again, I’m thinking low end broadcast level, but at the bare minimum, you’ll want servo zoom and focus on the handles, high quality tripods to go with them, and finally a large viewfinder that will support peaking, since focus is critical.
Trying to shoot a sports game with handle zoom would be a nightmare for any camera op. If this is broadcast, you’ll probably want a studio config with remote shading.

I would say at the very minimum, look at this camera with a studio kit: https://tinyurl.com/jshsm9s

Vince Becquiot

Indigo Live | Kaptis Media

San Francisco Bay Area

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi Rory,

You may want to check out the Newtek TriCaster Mini. This will offer, in one small unit that fits into a backpack:

4-camera (HDMI) HD switching, with broadcast transitions (make your own even)
2 NDI inputs (for computer sources)
2 internal video players
2 graphics/title players
2 downstream keyers with position/scale
Live Web Streaming
Recording of up to 4 video sources in full HD quality
Multiple configurable outputs to feed monitors and projectors
Keying/Virtual Sets
4 M/E channels (for custom switching/compositing)
Internal sound mixer
Functions controllable by macros via keyboard shortcuts, iPad, Midi or USB controllers

Out of the box, the Mini can do instant replay from 1 camera source. If you add the Advanced Edition software upgrade, you can get replays from 4 cameras. AE adds over 100 new features, many to do with automation.

The question is, do you want a whole bunch of kit to set up, one one box to plug in and go to work with?

Similar in features is the vMix Pro software, which can be installed into your own Core i7 computer system along with appropriate capture card hardware as needed. Also provides multi-cam replay features and recording, titling, streaming, video and graphics playback. Has a 60-day free trial (fully functioning), check it out.

Either of these options is more flexible and powerful than the old-school methodology of buying separate switcher, recorder modules, a titler, streaming encoder, video player and so forth and interconnecting all of them. Probably a lot less money as well!

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Jim Brown]

You may want to rethink your camera selection. I would use SDI instead of HDMI as you can run it more reliably for greater distances and it will not come unplugged as you are moving around with one of the cameras. The camera you suggested will only do HDMI.

Jeff makes an excellent suggestion. Just get the SDI model.

Jim Brown
M&M Productions USA

[Rory Puddle]

Amazing – thanks for the feedback everyone. I had not even considered the idea of having a SDI over HDMI due to the reliability. I will definitely be looking into different cameras. It’s good to know that all the switching and replay gear should work together too.

It does lead me onto one more question; I’m worried the internet at the venue will not be able to deliver a reliable upstream with so many people probably using the wifi. Do you request a different internet connection, I’ve considered the use of dongles but I can imagine that would be even less reliable.

Thanks again for the feedback,

Rory

[Tom Matthies]

You might want to check out the new Black Magic Design ATEM Television Studio HD. It will run by itself or run off of a laptop interface. Pretty nice features for not a lot of $$$. Very portable and easy to set up as well.

Not my monkeys. Not my circus.

[Antony Warnes]

Would e interested to know if you worked out your internet streaming issues. Have the same problem with an upcoming shoot and probably event less budget. Had hoped to find a way to bond a couple of domestic pay as you go 4G wifi routers together.

[Rory Puddle]

Hi Antony, me and the client still haven’t actually got around to implementing this project yet – still waiting to iron out the details and set it up! You might find some luck with the other guys in the thread though. If you figure it out let us know!

[Kevin Copeland]

I love the Blackmagic products. You can someone operating the switcher, another loading graphics and keys, etc.
Do you have the budget for a big crew? Audio mixer, camera operators, character generator operator, production assistants to run errands, technical director, playback, DIT. Lot’s of pre-production needed. A couple of hours for set-up and testing. Rehearsals?

Teradek makes great products for streaming. You need redundancy, especially if the internet goes down. Bond several cell phones together for streaming.

SimpleSupers app uses PowerPoint to make an alpha channel and use key and fill into your switcher. Great for an on-demand character generator. No special hardware, just a computer with 3 displays hooked into your switcher at the right raster size and frame rate.

Run SDI cables. If you have HDMI sources, convert to SDI for long cable runs.

Good luck.