HuskerVision, the video production unit for the University of Nebraska Athletics Department, recently upgraded its HD video production capabilities with new Panasonic HD studio cameras and P2 HD camcorders.
The equipment roster includes four Panasonic AK-HC931B HD studio cameras, two AK-HC1500G 2/3in multiformat 1080i/720p HD multipurpose cameras as well as five AJ-HPX2000, two AG-HPX300 and two AG-HPX170 P2 HD camcorders.
HuskerVision is responsible for all large-screen/stadium productions at the university’s Memorial Stadium, the Bob Devaney Sports Center and soccer and basketball venues. In addition to shooting up to 100 large-screen events per year and producing shows for men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics and wrestling teams, the video unit also produces numerous video presentations, a highlight reel for each of the 22 sport teams and nearly 80 TV shows devoted to Husker coaches throughout the year.
The HC931B HD studio cameras are used for stadium and arena large-screen productions and the production of the coaches’ shows. The HPX2000 P2 HD camcorders are paired with Telecast Fiber equipment to record footage and deliver video directly to the control room. The remaining P2 equipment is used to gather isolation footage at home and away games. The production team uses the HC1500G cameras as remote-control “slam cams” at basketball and volleyball productions.
Additional equipment includes AG-HPG200 P2 gear portable recorders, AJ-PCD20 five-slot card readers and AJ-HD1400 DVCPRO HD VTRs. The crew shoots in 720/60p and 720/30pN for field acquisition.
According to assistant athletic director Shot Kleen, the cameras offer flexible setup with scene files that are easy to recall, which saves time. The P2 format enables HuskerVision to ingest directly to Final Cut Pro running on laptops, he added. Files are transferred to storage servers.
“The overall ease of operation is great, and the ergonomics of the cameras makes handheld shooting for long periods easier,” Kleen said.
