Aerial camera tracking systems specialist Cablecam International in Los Angeles recently purchased Panasonic’s AK-HC1500G 1080i/720p switchable HD point-of-view camera for broadcast coverage of high-profile sporting events.
The camera made its debut Nov. 4 at HBO Sports’ live broadcast of the world welterweight championship and has since been used at several NFL games as well as at The Grey Cup, the championship game of the Canadian Football League.
Founded in 1985 by Jim Rodnunsky, Cablecam has delivered tracking technology for a large variety of sporting events, including three Olympics, two Super Bowls and more than 100 NFL games.
The fact that the Panasonic AK-HC1500G can be switched from 1080i to 720p means it can meet the signal requirements of all of Cablecam’s clients, Rodnunsky said. It also can be downconverted easily when SD is required.
At the welterweight championship match at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, the Cablecam system was predominantly used for moving beauty shots, flying over the heads of contenders Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Carlos Baldomir, as well as ringside celebrities.
Cablecam rigged its system from the 50ft by 50ft lighting grid so it could fly the camera in big circles over the 25ft by 25ft ring at the match. According to Rodnunsky, the HC1500 performed “very well” during the event.
For more information, visit www.cablecam.com and www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
