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Case study: BBC WiScape  

BBC Vecta, a new company launched by BBC Ventures Group (the UK public service broadcaster's business-to-business commercial arm which also encompasses BBC Resources, BBC Technology and BBC Broadcast), has launched the first of its businesses, BBC WiScape, a specialist provider of wireless broadcast products for the media and entertainment arena. Its first investment is WiCam, a digital radio camera.

According to BBC Vecta, WiCam technology offers market-leading picture quality, enabling cable-free cameras to offer images that are compatible with those produced by traditional cameras. Camera operators have more freedom of movement, more flexibility and more safety, meaning they can take shots never before possible. For example, at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, BBC camera operators using WiCams or digital radio cameras (DRCs) were able to follow swimmers from showers to poolside in one continuous shot.

Malcolm Kemp, who was director of production for the Commonwealth Games, says: "Our preparation for the coverage of the games took over three and a half years and we wanted all sources to be digital. Our goal was to make the BBC's coverage the most innovative and exciting experience for the millions of viewers around the Commonwealth. The DRC [WiCam] enabled us to achieve this. The systems produced great quality and reliable pictures, and performed very well in all the different venues and conditions - which ranged from large stadia to small arenas. We were spared the break-up problems that we have had in the past with analogue cameras. The DRCs enabled us to get extremely close to the competitors, whether it was in the pool, on the track, ringside or at the Velodrome.
"Viewers shared the atmosphere enjoyed by the spectators in the arena and were almost invited to participate in the sport they chose to follow. For example, using two cameras on a buggy for long-distance track races, viewers were made to feel that they were competing with the athletes. These systems were then used to capture the immediate post-race reactions and interviews from the winners. Diversity reception at the aquatics arena allowed us to gain unrivalled access to the swimmers and divers. We achieved a seamless live shot of the competitors as they walked from behind the scenes, through the showers, alongside the pool, and then finally took their places on the starting blocks - a broadcasting first! In the stadium, it is always difficult to plan coverage when there are so many events taking place at the same time.
"The flexibility and mobility of the DRC allowed us to capture all the key action despite changes to the schedule. For example, a change in timing of a particular medal ceremony didn't present us with any problems - we simply directed one of our DRC operators to leave his current position by the track to run over to the podium to film the medal ceremony. The lack of trailing cables meant that the operator remained invisible and did not interfere with other events. The BBC DRC also required significantly less set-up time. We could then concentrate on more important production issues, rather than worrying about whether the technology will work or not!"

Mobility and flexibility

Paul Grice, director of technology, BBC Resources, says: "The mobility and flexibility of the product has enabled us to deploy it in stadia, arenas, golf course, city centres, hospitality and conference centres and in broadcast studios. There are applications for it for all our customer base. The lack of cables enables cameras to get where others can't and be almost invisible to the audience. An added spin-off is the elimination of some safety hazards that we have to manage - particularly in publicly accessible places. It is also a very efficient piece of kit eliminating the need for up to three additional staff on many locations. Our investment in these cameras will return very quickly.

The current deployment is only the tip of the iceberg - the OB of the future will use wireless technology more than wired in many cases to the benefit of both our customers and their audiences."
According to Robin Shephard, general manager of BBC WiScape and on the board of BBC Vecta, take up of WiCam technology has been excellent with 10 partners across Europe (including NRK in Norway) and others in the Asia-Pacific and the US. "We are selling to broadcasters, facilities companies and rental outfits and have achieved significant sales. The technology rationale can be expanded into other markets such as news gathering and who knows, it might eventually lead to viewers at home pondering the need for wires on their television sets."

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Page from ArkSports' Sport and Technology (www.sportandtechnology.com) on 2009-01- 6 : Case Study: BBC WiScape - September 2003 : http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0079.html