Chris Calcinari oversees and manages operations for the thousands of live sports events produced by ESPN and ABC each year. SVG recently sat down with him to discuss the launch of Monday Night Football's new quartet of state-of-the-art production trucks, the increasingly crowded state of the cable sports market, and the future of 3D, 1080p, and 4K production in sports programming.
Chris Calcinari
How do you view the legacy of ESPN 3D from a production and technology standpoint? What can the ESPN Operations team take away from the advances of the 5D production model?
ESPN3D challenged us on many levels and was also a great learning experience. The project evolved over time from a side-by-side (two separate productions) production model into the 5D (single production) model that was revolutionary, much more efficient, and obviously more cost-effective. We actually produced some very big events in this manner, including the Winter X Games, which garnered two Emmy Awards for ESPN for Outstanding Remote Technical Team. It is quite different walking into a live mobile unit and seeing everyone wearing 3D glasses. That is how we produced our events. The 2D production was simply one eye of the 3D signal.
You need to approach a 3D production carefully. All of the truck resources are actually cut in half to support the two signals required for each video source. On the flip side, everything in the field is doubled, as each camera position is actually two cameras. We learned a lot about the different tools required for 3D, such as the mechanical 3D rigs, smaller-form-factor cameras and associated lensing (used for the handhelds), dual-link signal flow, monitoring (passive vs. active), frame-accurate encoding (required to send two signals back to MCR simultaneously), and so on. We also spent a lot of time with innovative companies such as the CAMERON PACE Group. They have a lot of smart, creative people who developed great products and think differently. I believe our experience working with them has made us better.
When do you see 4K sports telecasts becoming a reality? And what about 8K? And, in the meantime, how valuable do you believe 4K tools can be within HD productions (for example, stitching and zoomed-in HD replays)?
The value of higher-resolution delivery will likely be debated for quite some time. I don't have a crystal-ball-type prediction on the timeline for 4K or 8K. Clearly, ESPN and many others are testing the available tools and working with manufacturers on their development. The tools are indeed coming along. As an example, we had some people in Rio over the summer observing the first multicamera 4K remote production at the FIFA Confederations Cup. There were some major limitations, but, on a large monitor, the image quality is impressive. On the remote-production end, we have tested 4K cameras for resolution value, such as zoomed-in replays. You really need the perfect play (and angle) to take place, where you can zoom in on a player's foot or the ball crossing a line, in order to take full advantage of that type of resolution-based enhancement. Frankly, you may go a few games and not get one tally, which makes the investment a difficult proposition.
ESPN was an early innovator when it came to 1080p telecasts. With all the buzz about 4K, is this still an initiative for ESPN? Will we see 1080p telecasts in the near future?
On the remote-operations side, we have been working with our various vendors to ensure that new-equipment acquisitions or mobile-unit builds are 1080p-capable. There are still one or two pieces of gear that are not quite there yet, but we hope to do remote acquisition in the 1080p standard in the future so that we are delivering the highest-quality signal back to our facility for archiving. The reality is that a complete end-to-end 1080p workflow exists today. 4K is not quite there yet.
The new Monday Night Football fleet of mobile units will debut next week. Can you give us a preview of these units? How will these state-of-the-art trucks enhance the quality of MNF telecasts?
We are very excited about the new [NEP] EN-1 Monday Night Football fleet. The planning for this mobile-production facility started close to two years ago with the simple goal of building an environment that provides the best available resources today with the ability to support the tools and workflow requirements of tomorrow. NEP and their team of designers, engineers, and fabricators did a great job with this project. We believe that EN-1 will set a new standard for big-event trucks.
The overall system is four 53-ft. double-expando trailers that operate as one. The size and capability of the trucks is the first thing that catches your attention. Two examples: the total workspace is roughly 3,300 sq. ft., and the router is the single largest EQX router built by Evertz to date, with 576 inputs and 2,088 outputs. The trucks are built to efficiently support our cross-platform content initiatives at each game. Within the EN-1 production environment, there are facilities and workflows to support the game, on-site studio, ESPN Deportes, International, and social media. Having every one of these entities supported out of the same facility creates a collaborative environment of sharing and creativity.
Other major components include 24 Sony HDC cameras that can also be used as 2X SSMO sources when running in 720p. There are also 15 EVS XT3 servers and one XT3 SpotBox. The main switcher is a Grass Valley Kayenne Elite with multiple single-M/E sub panels and an aux bus supporting studio, subswitching, and ESPN Deportes. The main game audio desk is a Calrec Apollo digital console, which is supported by an Artemis Beam handling submix. The finishing touches in the truck were handled with great care by the NEP designers. Each workstation has individual lighting control; air-condition
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
IPC Expands Brazilian Presence with New Channel Partner CCATech
Industry veterans Carlos Abrah o and Bruno Lopes strengthen local support and expand IPCs prese...
20/08/2026
Zixi Enters Mauritius Market Through Strategic Deployment with MTC Jockey Club
Worlds Oldest Horse Racing Club in the Southern Hemisphere Selects Zixis Softwar...
20/08/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Scripps Research assistant professor Tiantian Liu has received a five-year NIAID DP2 award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Di...
20/08/2026
Audiences reveal appetite for multicultural Australia on-screen 20 August 2026
Dr Georgie McClean, Dr Rebecca Huntley (L-R)
By Dr Georgie McClean and Dr Rebec...
20/08/2026
How Mavis Studio Is Expanding Live Production Teaching at Sussex
Brie Clayton August 19, 2026
0 Comments
Hero image displays a student about to mix be...
20/08/2026
Vertical Unscripted Series Legal Queens Captured with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton August 19, 2026
0 Comments
Reality TV veteran Eric Gardner create...
19/08/2026
As the cost of IP nears price parity with traditional SDI, Reynolds argues that ...
19/08/2026
A private 5G bubble was chosen instead of traditional broadcast RF for the race ...
19/08/2026
(L-R) Rafael Manuel and Isabel Sicat attend the Filipi ana premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2026, in Park Cit...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
World Cup Games Generate 84 Billion Minutes Across FOX, Fox Sports 1 and NBCU...
19/08/2026
July brought typical peak-holiday drops in viewership, driven primarily by viewers stepping away from screens and a visible decline in reach across both traditi...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
Chris Calcinari oversees and manages operations for the thousands of live sports events produced by ESPN and ABC each year. SVG recently sat down with him to discuss the launch of Monday Night Football's new quartet of state-of-the-art production trucks, the increasingly crowded state of the cable sports market, and the future of 3D, 1080p, and 4K production in sports programming.
