Grass Valley cameras from Thomson chosen for Tour de France 2004

Thomson has announced that its Grass Valley standard-definition digital cameras are being used throughout France to cover the world’s most famous bicycle race – the Tour de France.
France Television (France 2 and France 3), the exclusive broadcaster, is on-site with two OB vans and more than 35 Grass Valley cameras from Thomson.
Additionally, six of Thomson’s Grass Valley LDK 23HS Super SloMo camera systems are stationed at pre-selected destinations along the racecourse, including the start and finish lines.
The Tour de France, which ends on July 27, is organised by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), which also runs various prestigious sporting events, such as the Marathon de Paris and L’Open de France de Golf.
Euromedia/SFP (Société Française de Production), which ordered more than 130 Grass Valley LDK500 cameras last year, is the largest OB production company in France. SFP is serving as the main contractor for the Tour de France 2004, using its own digital OB (outside broadcast) vans, as well as MPEG2 transmission systems supplied by Live Tools Switzerland.
Euromedia/SFP is providing complete ground-to-air transmission of live images with three helicopters – each equipped with Grass Valley TTV 1657D 12-bit digital cameras – and two planes. Also, six Grass Valley LDK 500 standard-definition (SD) cameras, the industry's first 14-bit camera system, are mounted on motorcycles to follow the riders as they make their way through the grueling course.
“Thomson has been closely associated with many of the world’s most famous sporting events. This year’s Tour de France is the latest example of Grass Valley brand product’s flexibility and popularity for bringing these events live to a worldwide audience,” said Marc Valentin, president of Thomson Broadcast & Media Solutions.
(GB)