Sports Sets Stage for SprintCam Slow Motion Camera
Sometimes a piece of broadcast equipment needs to find a programming event to find its niche. That happened with the SprintCam Live V2 slow motion camera system at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where high-quality gear was the rule.
Created in partnership with Fujinon and Photron and distributed by I-Movix, the SprintCam Live V2 is the first broadcast integration for extreme slow-motion. The camera’s 250 to 8000 frames per second image replay, in both standard and high-definition resolution SDI outputs, is available in real-time.
During 16 days in August 2008, SprintCam Live V2 systems were used to record nine sporting events—moving from archery to trap shooting, through diving and swimming—at up to 10,000 frames per second. The camera delivered ultra slow-motion shots of high-quality and intensity. It was noticed not only by viewers, but the television industry as well.
The camera helped determine who was the winner of the 100 meter Butterfly—the legendary eight gold medal-winning swimmer, Michael Phelps. During Sportel, the International Sports Convention for Television & New Media, held in Monaco in October, NBC Olympics won the Golden Podium Award for the best isolated camera shot, slow-motion sequence, entitled: “Women’s Synchronized Platform Diving—Replay.” It was recorded with the SprintCam Live V2.
The camera, with a 12-bit CMOS with 20µm pixel, 1K Mono-CMOS sensor, replays recorded images at 25 fps. The camera control unit ( CCU ) and camera are interfaced with SMPTE standard fiber optic cables, while the maximum distance between the camera and the CCU is 1,000 meters.
Lens mounts include an interchangeable B4 mount, Pl Mount, or C Mount. Video output is SDI (NTSC/PAL)/HD-SDI 720p/50,60 fps 1080i/50,60 fps. Saved image formats include JPEG, AVI 2.0, TIFF (12bits), DPX 12Bits, and Lossless Quicktime.
The camera is 11.26-inches long, 6.14-inches wide and 7.52-inches high. It weights 13.9 pounds. Bexel is the exclusive U.S. distributor. (818) 841-5051, ext. 4202.
