In Broadcast - August 2015 - 56


56

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 5 - Issue 8 | August 2015

InFocus

CROSSCAST Intros Micro HD
High-Speed Camera
XCAM 1050
O

ne of the biggest issues in live
production is the manpower,
time and budget dilemma, especially
if special camera systems like High
Speed cameras get used in live
broadcast productions. CROSSCAST,
a German based high-speed camera
manufacturer and production service
provider reveals a new FullHD highspeed micro camera system to solve
XCAM 1050 - The microHD High
Speed Camera System features:
*	 Global shutter CMOS
sensor technology;
*	 FullHD 1920x1080 scanning;
*	 1080i50/60; 1080p50/60;
1080p23;24;29;30;
*	 Replay up to 1050fps output
(350fps shot natively);
*	 High-speed and live
output simultaneously;
*	 Camera head weights only 128g;
*	 Outer dimensions measure
53x42x44 (L x W x H).

this issue - the XCAM 1050.
Due to its full broadcast compatible
image processing and signal outputs
via HDSDI for simultaneous live
and replay, it easily integrates into
challenging multi camera broadcasting
and filming environments. In its
internal memory, the Slomo-Clips can
be temporarily stored and replayed
from the camera. There is no need
for an external video server or replay
system. Via its RS485 connection
between the cameras CCU and the
outside broadcast van, the system can
be controlled from up to 1km distance.
Also wireless remote control is easily
possible which makes the system very
flexible in use and saves manpower for
the setup.
A focus and iris control system
can be attached to the XCAM and
controls the position of the focus and
iris rings on the lens, with the ability
to recognise and re-position precise
locations. It can be controlled via the

CROSSCAST
OCP solution
and is compatible
with the Chrosziel and
CMotion lens control
systems for feature film production or
commercials.
The newly developed multi-camera
fibre adaptor extends the camera up
to large distances from the production
environment. Functions include using
full video output on two channels (live
and high speed playout) and full serial
connection for shading and high speed
operation.
The system fits perfectly onto
lightweight camera cranes and is often
used for live sporting events to create
fantastic and unique new camera
angles.
"There is also a huge demand on
consulting and training to create
new visual languages and to explore
the new possibilities of such a
lightweight high-speed crane system,

CROSSCAST's new XCAM 1050

especially if we talk about non majorleague sports productions, where
high-speed was always a problem
on the given budget. This problem is
solved now," says Jens Wolf, Managing
Director of CROSSCAST, who connects
the consultants and experts on site for
high speed camera training.
This "high-speed on a budget" claim
cannot be taken for granted, because
the camera system can be used cost
effectively. No bigger camera cranes
are needed any more, no external
replay systems are necessary to run
the system and last but not least, the
MSRP of the system is far from other
high speed systems.
XCAM 1050 units are available for
demos, purchases and rentals.

Telestream Extreme Wirecast
T

elestream's Wirecast live video
streaming software is being used
to connect sailing fans worldwide
with the global sporting phenomenon
known as the Extreme Sailing Series.
Now in its ninth season in 2015, the
award-winning and adrenaline-fueled
global Series has given the sport of
sailing a healthy dusting-off. Bringing
the action to the public with Stadium
Sailing, putting guests at the heart of
the battle and dramatically increasing
the pace on the water, the creators

Extreme Sailing
Series features
high-speed
yacht racing

of the Extreme Sailing Series have
set new standards, both in terms of
high level competition and sporting
entertainment.
The Extreme Sailing Series has
something for everyone as the world's
top teams including Olympic heroes,
world champions and record breakers
go head to head on 40 foot, high
performance catamarans, racing just
metres from the spectators on shore.
The free-to-enter public Race Village
puts fans right at the heart of the
action - racing their
catamarans at full
throttle just off the
waterfront, the sailors
can hear the roar of the
crowd, and fans around
the world can follow
online through live HD
video streaming and
dynamic SAP sailing
analytics.
"When we evaluated
the
various
video

streaming platforms Wirecast was the
stand-out choice for us," explained
Liam Lavers, IT Support Specialist at
OC Sport. "The key for us is the ability
to stream more than one HD channel
to more than one location. In some of
the countries that we visit, securing
sufficient bandwidth is difficult and
in this situation Wirecast actively
monitors the output. It continually
shows us our bandwidth usage and
flags when we need to lower the bitrate to improve the performance of
our streams and prevent them from
dropping out. Overall this leads to a
much better viewer experience."
"Wirecast live streaming helps
us massively since it allows us to
showcase our event to a global
audience using stunning quality live
HD pictures, which can be accessed
anywhere via the Internet," said
Lavers.
This year, with events being staged
in Singapore, Muscat, Qingdao, Cardiff,
Hamburg, St Petersburg, Istanbul and

Sydney, the live video streaming is an
essential requirement for fans that
want to keep up with all of the action
on the water.
Using Telestream Wirecast, the
event's organisers stream live HD
content from each race over their
dedicated YouTube channel. To further
enhance the stunning visual content,
3D sailing analytics provided by SAP
are embedded within the live stream.
At each event, the production team
has a multi-camera setup on shore and
on the water with cameras capturing
every moment of the racing. These
feed into a central control room where
the TV production takes place.
A dedicated streaming operator
receives two feeds from the video
production crew: one of SAP 3D
Graphics and another of the live TV
production of the race. They use
capture cards to bring the feeds into
a computer running Wirecast and then
stream the event with the graphics to
a Wowza cloud server and YouTube.
http://www.inbroadcast.com http://www.crosscast.de/xcam.php http://www.telestream.net/wirecast/overview.htm
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