BBC OBs to debut 'crowd-cam' at six nations fixtures

BBC Sport is set to use innovative new crowd camera technology developed by BBC Outside Broadcasts for the first time at the RBS Six Nations on 15 February.
The small cable-free device, 'crowd-cam' will capture the atmosphere from a fan's perspective by providing unique 'never seen before' pictures from within the crowd.
For the first time, the 'crowd-cam' operator will be able to mingle in the crowd and provide broadcast-quality coverage of the rest of the fans and the Six Nations Rugby action from any point in the stadium. The aim is to deliver sports output that recreates the mood and view-point of the live experience for the viewer at home instead of just the angles from the fixed camera positions. It will also offer more flexibility for pitch-side and tunnel interviews, as the equipment has no cables.
The cable-free system, based on a conferencing camera, is the brain-child of Paul McNeil, Special Facilities Manager, BBC Outside Broadcasts. Compact enough to be fitted in to the back pack of a single camera operator, it enables the wearer to go through the turnstiles of the stadium and walk amongst the crowd with a minimum of health and safety problems associated with larger equipment.
The brick camera fitted with a COFFDM digital mobile link, is the only system that is robust enough to transmit images of a high-standard that can be matched with pictures from the other cameras in the stadium. The robustness of the digital link and the size of the camera gives flexibility to offer the crowd's point of view from any part of the ground, during the match.
Peter Salmon, Director BBC said: "We are constantly looking at ways to enhance the interactive side of sport coverage. 'Crowd-cam', which is designed to capture the atmosphere from the punters' point of view, is the next phase of that evolution. Rugby is a fast moving, dynamic game with lively audiences and the intimacy of the rugby stadiums is the perfect setting to use it. We can also use the equipment to capture interviews in tight spaces and where cables may be a problem."
Paul McNeil, BBC Outside Broadcasts adds: "Being in with the crowd provided me the inspiration for 'crowd-cam'. I realised that a fan's view and experience is never truly captured by cameras behind the fans or looking up at them from the ground. We are delighted to have produced a camera that can be used for the RBS Six Nations."
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(SP)