Videosys Broadcast Brings Pan & Tilt To Coverage Of The 2024 Boat Race

As Cambridge celebrated its double win over Oxford in the 2024 Boat Race, behind the scenes celebrations were also taking place at Videosys Broadcast to mark the success of an innovative new Pan and Tilt camera system, which was deployed for the first time this year.

Designed by the company's custom engineering division for broadcast hire specialist Presteigne Broadcast, the new Pan and Tilt radio camera system offered more features than previous systems including full Pan and Tilt control with compressed air lens cleaning and control of camera features over an IP link. In addition, the system was more compact, lightweight, and secure on the boats.

"There were a number of constraints to deal with," said Videosys Broadcast's CEO Colin Tomlin. "Our custom engineering division designed the new system from the ground up so that it could be securely mounted on each boat without getting in the way of the rowers. They also ensured that the equipment chosen was totally compatible with the technical infrastructure already in use by the Boat Race’s broadcast team."

Over 250,000 spectators lining the banks of the river Thames to watch this year’s Boat Race, with millions more tuning in to watch it on TV. Technical facilities were provided by EMG UK, BBC Sport’s technical partner for the event, with live coverage produced by FilmNova.
Matthew Coliandris, Senior Director, FilmNova, says the Videosys Broadcast Pan and Tilt camera system delivered immediate and tangible benefits.

"The new on-board cameras provided a real uplift in both picture quality and manoeuvrability," he said. "Very often, cameras of this type can look out of place when put up against the rest of the technical specification of the OB, however this was plainly not the case at the Boat Race this year. The shots and technical operation were of a quality befitting of such a prestigious event, all the more commendable when you consider the logistical challenges required to deploy this particular kit."

All four boats in the event (two for the women’s teams and two for the men's) were fitted with the new system, which comprised two mini cameras on each boat – one mounted behind the coxswain and another at their feet. Feeds from each camera were sent to a Videosys Broadcast STX video transmitter, which was enclosed in a custom designed housing that also contained a video switcher, allowing the director to choose between the two camera feeds.

"Our transmitter sent the feeds from the boat cameras to an Outside Broadcast truck on shore so that they could be incorporated into the overall broadcast," Tomlin added. "Control of our system was via an IP radio data link that was already part of the broadcast workflow, so we had to ensure we were compatible with that."

www.videosys.tv