Sky News Adopts Holdan Solution For High Court Filming

With the recent decision to open the British High Court to video broadcast, Sky News has adopted a new wireless, cable-free approach to capture the proceedings in HD without running lengths of cabling, manning camera positions and requiring power sockets.
George Davies, head of cameras at Sky News, used IntraTec Bridge Duo Remote PTZ kits for use in the High Court in order to deal with the cabling and space restrictions.
These remote units, packaged in a tough hand-carried case, include connectors that power the camera, WiFi sender and video transmitter.
Richard Payne of distributor Holdan remarked: "Listed buildings don't take kindly to mounts being fixed to walls or cables being secured to ancient oak panelling. Going wireless with IntraTec and Teradek was a great solution for Sky News, delivering all-day HD filming with no compromise."
The solution uses a combination of their new IntraTec Bridge Duo and Bridge units for wireless control, a Teradek Bolt for wireless video, and a Panasonic HE120 Camera.
The remote camera concept allowed a PTZ camera to be truly wireless for control, power and picture transmission.
The system allows broadcasters to locate PTZ cameras in any position for extended shoots.
The new IntraTec Bridge Duo 2 units and miniaturised IntraTec Bridge 2 units are designed for maximum WiFi range (in excess of 250 metres) in a compact lightweight form factor. IntraTec Bridge 2 and Bridge Duo 2 are a powerful way to connect any video equipment that features network connections over very large distances using WiFi.
The Bridge Duo 2 WiFi units were used to remotely control PTZ Cameras. The signal received remotely by a miniature Bridge 2 system was connected to the pan, tilt and zoom controller, giving the operator real-time control over the Panasonic HE120 head.
Video signals from the PTZ were transmitted uncompressed and with zero latency by Teradek's Bolt, a wireless SDI device. The signals were received by a Bolt receiver which passes the video into the live production desk.
www.holdan.co.uk
(IT/JP)