NEP Specialty Capture Improves Pylon Camera, Offers 4K Pan-and-Scan and Super-Slo-Mo

NEP Specialty Capture Improves Pylon Camera, Offers 4K Pan-and-Scan and Super-Slo-Mo Cameras' server technology allows user to select the feed for live output By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director

Thursday, October 3, 2024 - 11:53 am

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NEP's Specialty Capture division has taken its pylon-camera system to a new level for the current NFL and college-football season, adding capability not only for 4K pan-and-scan but also for super-slo-mo to both wireless (the line-to-gain pylons) and wired pylon cameras.

NEP Specialty Capture's new pylon cam takes capabilities to a new level with both super-slo-mo capture and pan-and-scan within a 4K image.

We modified the camera so that it can do the live pan-and-scan, which is the main upgrade, but also with high speed, which is a combination others can't do from one unit, says Dan Grainge, president, Specialty Capture, NEP. That allows us to pan and scan to get tight for those close plays as well as to do slo-mo for an even closer look at the play.

The wired pylon system comprises two near-side and two far-side end-zone pylons, each containing an Antelope Nucleus Pico high-resolution slo-mo camera with a 3840 2160 imager, 4K wide-angle lens, and the ability to shoot at 240 fps for the down-the-goal-line view. The pylon also has two Dream Chip Atom One mini air cameras with wide-angle lenses capturing images at 1080i/1080p 59.94 fps, and those cameras shoot straight down the sideline and end-zone line.

The system has been used this year by ESPN (on its two Prime College shows on ABC and ESPN) and by CBS (for the first time, during last year's Super Bowl and for the NFL A game). For Grainge, the biggest compliment is that shows are calling and asking about getting it into their shows.

It does work, he says, and it is better than what's out there. You have the real-time aspect, and, once the camera is triggered, it's ready to go in real time without processing. It's faster, and the quality is really good because the transmission pieces on both ends is leaps ahead of where we were a couple of years ago.

A new proprietary video server makes the new pylon-camera system much more responsive and efficient.

A key component of the wired system is a proprietary breakaway fiber that provides the bandwidth needed for transmission of high-speed 4K signals.

The pylon cameras also have their own server technology, he notes. The user picks the feed for live output rather than having all the pylon cameras being recorded all the time. That saves a ton of money and workflows.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/10/03/nep-speciality-cameras-improve-...
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