Iconix Video’s HD-RH1 camera system was used to capture bullfighting footage for ESPN's new multithemed primetime newsmagazine show "E:60."
Veteran cameraman Bob Sloan employed the HD-RH1 to capture HD footage of a bull charging the camera for a segment entitled “Baby Bullfighters.” Slated to air Oct. 23, the segment follows a 14-year-old matador too young to fight in his native country of Spain who treks to Latin America to go up against bulls ten times his size.
The "E:60" production initially tapped Sloan to provide HD footage from a camera mounted to the support bar of a matador's cape. Because of its small size, the Iconix camera allowed them to take things a step further. Instead of just seeing the bull rush the camera and then having it pass over the bull’s head, Sloan was able to get a shot of the bull charging the camera and actually running right through it.
To cushion the camera head from the shock of being hit by the charging bull, Sloan constructed a special housing made from flexible plastic with varying densities of foam rubber, and suspended it over the side of the bullring with a boom assembly.
The HD-RH1 system can capture and output video in both NTSC and PAL formats in all HD resolutions, including 720p, 1080i and 1080p, while supporting frame rates of 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, 50fps and 60fps. Outputs include HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M) as two single-link 4:2:2, or dual-link 4:4:4 RGB/YCbCr; DVI-I; and analog outputs, with genlocking capability to tri-level sync. Remote control protocols are available over RS-232 or nine-pin DSUB connectors. Power requirements are 30W at 12VDC.
The HD-RH1 POV camera system, which includes a separate camera head and processing controller unit, is comprised of a 1.32in x 1.50in x 1.92in POV camera head weighing 2.5oz; a 3.5lb universal HDTV controller unit measuring 8.4in x 1.8in x 12in; a power supply; and 3m, 6m and 10m cables.
For more information, visit http://www.iconixvideo.com/.
View Iconix's HD camera Studio2K at NAB2008
