In Broadcast - April 2021 - 22

22

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 11 - Issue 4 | April 2021

InFocus

The Sky is The Limit
PTZ technology has come on leaps and
bounds since they were first introduced
over 10 years ago, reports Contributing
Editor Adrian Pennington...

P

TZ cameras have offered
broadcasters the versatility to
capture broadcast quality pictures
under remote control, which has
opened up fresh production workflows.
Robotic cameras have been able to
simplify the creation of high-quality
content with smaller crews and reduced
production hardware requirements.
As the world adjusts and adopts a
more virtual approach to production,
PTZ cameras enable activities which
would normally take place in person
to proceed virtually such as education,
fitness, live events and concerts.
By incorporating advanced imaging
technologies, they can now also deliver
pictures to the high spec that the
broadcast industry demands whilst
also providing connectivity video over
IP connectivity for future workflows.
Another plus is that they can be
mounted on walls, ceilings, poles and
many other crazy places. Since cabling
can extend up to 100 metres quite
easily, the sky is the limit.
Sony's range of PTZ and remote
cameras are designed for unattended
operation, according to Head of Live
Production Solutions, Norbert Paquet.
" Compact but powerful, our robotic
cameras are an ideal complement to
other broadcast cameras for capturing
images in hard-to-reach or unobtrusive
positions, " he says.
As one example, Sony created a
solution for German broadcaster SWR
that allows them to reach a wider

audience by producing more content
off-peak during studio downtime. The
remote operation of Sony PTZs and
vision switchers via touch interface has
enabled SWR to re-use its equipment
to produce great-looking programmes
around the clock, while having fewer
staff on site.
Additionally, Swedish broadcaster,
Aftonbladet's main studio in Stockholm
now features eight Sony BRC-H800
remote cameras used to support daily
news production. The cameras are
networked via IP, allowing an operator
in the control room to adjust exposure,
picture settings and other parameters.
The remote operation abilities of these
cameras mean that Aftonbladet can
minimise crewing requirements in both
studios - a bonus for socially distanced
production.
" As part of our ongoing efforts to
help productions work in remote
and safe ways, ensuring that our PTZ
cameras have in-built features that
help to streamline studio operations
is a priority, " Paquet says. " As such,
we've focused on upgrading our range
of PTZ cameras with enhancements
that allow producers and operators
to simplify their VR/AR production
workflows.
" These new features have been
critical in allowing customers such as
Spanish broadcaster, Castilla y León
Televisión (CyLTV) to safely optimize
production workflows. CyLTV uses
13 BRC-H900 robotic integrated PTZ

Aftonbladet's main studio in Stockholm features eight Sony BRC-H800 PTZ remote
cameras to support daily news programme production

The Marshall CV630

cameras, which allows a single team
member to operate up to three remote
cameras at one time. "
Content creators can also enhance
the creativity and flexibility of live
productions using PTZ cameras with
the industry standard Free-D camera
tracking protocol. Sony BRC-X1000
and BRC-H800 PTZ remote cameras
support this to output real-time
tracking data including PTZ, focus and
iris over IP.
" They're
ideal
partners
for
integration with other vendors' VR/
AR production solutions, simplifying
system configuration and reducing
costs with no need for an additional
tracking system. "
One of the challenges camera
operators might face when adjusting to
a PTZ camera setup is to the fact they
are controlling them from a distance.
If an operator is less experienced, for
example in sectors such as education
or corporate, the challenge of keeping
track of their actions may be amplified.
" In both cases the technologies to
support tracking the subject, whether
that is for pan/ tilt or focus, will ensure
that the intended action is always
captured in the best quality, " says
Matthew Koshy, European Product
Marketing Specialist, Canon Europe.
" This makes PTZ cameras an even
more practical tool for a multitude of
productions and users. "
Canon has just released a new
line-up of 4K PTZ cameras - the CRN500, CR-N300 and CR-X500 - the
result of over 80 years developing
imaging and network technologies.
They feature 4K UHD image quality
across the board, detailed image
setting capabilities, built in ND
Filters, advanced focusing systems
such as Dual Pixel CMOS AF and
strong image stabilised optical

zoom. " They are the perfect fit for any
type of content creator, " says Koshy.
The CR-N500 and CR-N300 include
multiple IP protocols for both control
and streaming such as NDI|HX, RTMP/
RTMPS and Standard Communication
Protocol, enabling integration with
new and existing systems. Canon has
also developed its own XC protocol to
allow other compatible Canon video
products to work within the production
system including the highly acclaimed
Cinema EOS range cameras.
The CR-X500 is a dedicated outdoor
PTZ camera which has excellent
image quality producing 4K UHD
resolution at up to 60p because of its
highly capable 12G-SDI port. Rated
IP55 waterproof and dustproof, the
camera can be utilised outdoors in
the harshest of conditions whilst still
maintaining excellent image quality.
" All Canon PTZ cameras deliver
exceptional image quality as well as
precise control which can even be
fine-tuned and optimised in various
settings to ensure that the cameras
will always provide the best outcome
for any production or application, "
Koshy says.

Canon's CR-N500
http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.marshall-usa.com/cameras/CV630-IP/ https://pro.sony/en_GB/products/ptz-network-cameras/brc-h800 https://www.canon.co.uk/ptz-cameras/cr-n500/
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