Live trials at three football matches during the FIFA Confederations Cup this June will be used by Sony and FIFA to inform the extent of 4K production and possible broadcast from Brazil at next years World Cup.
Among Sonys priorities will be the focus management of its F55 cameras, which were designed for digital cinema not live outside broadcast.
The finishing touches are being put to the HD/4K scanner being built by Sony for outside broadcast supplier Telegenic ahead of its transport to Belo Horizonte, one of the venues for the Confederations Cup, which starts June 16.
Signals will be routed around the truck in Quad Full HD, or four streams of HD-SDI at 60p.
A key part of the equipment needed to be adapted to these bonded HD signals is the vision mixer. In the truck, Sonys MVS 8000x switcher will be tested prior to a software update later this year that will free up more of the systems capabilities.
Right now we are able to perform certain functions, such as simple mixes and wipes, but we need new software which will enable the system to understand that it is receiving four HD quadrants and to manage those so that it outputs one bonded 4K image, explained Mark Grinyer, Sony's head of business development for 3D & 4K and programme manager World Cup 2014.
On board the truck will be six PMW-F55 cameras streaming raw 4K into BPU-4000 Base Band Processor Units, which in turn output four HD-SDI streams and a separate down-converted HD output.
A transmission camera adaptor attached to the F55 (a CA-4000) provides familiar CCU operation and talkback to the operator.
Recording is being made to SR-R1000 storage units that can handle two streams of 4K (totalling 8x HD) or one record and one replay.
Equipped with multi-codec support, the F55 includes Sony's new XAVC MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format, the SR codec (MPEG4 SStP) and the industry-standard high definition codec 4:2:2 XDCAM at 50 Mbps. The internal recording uses the SxS Pro+, Sony's new SxS support, which can be used to record XAVC HD content with a high frame rate and 4K at up to 60fps.
In terms of full replay, Sony is working with EVS to test the 4K capability of multiple EVS slo-motion systems ganged together, and also production workflows controlled by EVS IP Director for ingest, metadata management, on the fly editing and playout.
One of the key things under test are the lenses. These include a prototype lens convertor that permits standard 2/3-inch box lenses to be used with the F55s Super 35mm sensor; and new 4K Fujinon Cabrio lenses, including the Premier PL 14-28mm Cabrio wide angle.
Under examination is whether the F55s Super 35mm 4K single CMOS sensor is appropriate for live sport. These produce a shallow depth of field, not normally an issue with 3x 2/3-inch sensors associated with OB, but a defining characteristic of cameras like the F55 CineAlta that were designed for high end drama and commercials.
The question becomes - if it works well and people like the price point [£22,000] and the director likes the images it creates - then do we need specific 2/3-inch cameras? asks Grinyer. The cost of building a new 4K three-chip camera is a serious discussion point. The F55 offers advantages such as high speed shooting and the ability to shoot both 4K and HD simultaneously, so it will be interesting to receive feedback.
He added: With the higher pixel count of 4K for display on larger screens then focus becomes more critical. In some instances, the shot becomes quite narrow so its a matter of balance between lens and camera and focus and finding what works. Its also a matter for production. Does production like the look?
In Brazil, Sony will experiment with putting 4K cameras in traditional broadcast positions and work out how those cameras could be used to complement the 34-camera per match HD production planned for the World Cup 2014.
Just repeating HD match coverage in a higher resolution may not be what gets the consumer excited, he suggested. What might, though, is using 4K in a different style using the extra light (dynamic range), or higher frame rates, or new depth of field for certain shots.
Grinyer cites the lowdown diagonal shots in tennis coverage, something that Sony will be testing at Wimbledon this year.
Given the higher resolution and viewing on larger screens, could a director use fewer 4K cameras for a 4K production? Could we augment 4K with HD cameras and upscale those to 4K? Could we place two F55s side by side in the Camera One (high gantry) position and stitch their pictures together into 4K and produce HD feeds from that?
The tests will be used to inform the extent of 4K production and possible broadcast from Brazil at next years World Cup.
To large extent Sonys hands are tied between broadcasters willing to take 4K content and the development of core pieces of equipment necessary for it to be transmitted.
FIFA is assessing demand among its rights holders for both a 3D and a 4K feed from Brazil 2014. Parties most interested include broadcasters in South Korea, Japan and in the US where Univision (Spanish language cable network) and ESPN hold rights.
In the UK, 2014 World Cup rights are shared between ITV and the BBC. One wonders if they could be persuaded to work with Sky Sports to air a 4K World Cup Final?
Technically, however, the live 4K signal would need to be compressed for satellite delivery in the Higher Efficiency Video Coding scheme, something which is not yet possible. New silicon would have to be developed and then incorporated into new set top boxes for rendering the HEVC signal in the home. In addition a new HDMI interface capable of transferring uncompressed 4K between devices needs to be agreed. Expected for release at the end of 2012, the new HDMI 2.0 specification is still not ratified, though anticipated soon.
Sony does not rule out Ultra-HD transmi
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...
05/05/2026
SVG is proud to announce Warner Bros. Discovery's Techwood Studios in Atlant...
05/05/2026
With no operator required, AutoMic workflow automates talent identification on U...
05/05/2026
A crash in 2015 set the industry back, but this winter proved that drones are he...
05/05/2026
Another year, and more proof that Asia continues to shape some of the world's most exciting new sounds. This year's RADAR artists draw from deep local r...
05/05/2026
The Austin City Limits Music Fest 2026 lineup just dropped, and this year, Spoti...
05/05/2026
New drum machine book campaign incoming
Bjooks have announced that during Superbooth 2026, they will be launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund the product...
05/05/2026
Flagship all-in-one production bundle updated
The latest version of Native Instruments' flagship virtual instrument and plug-in bundle has just been ann...
05/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to host RF Testing Innovations Forum 2026, helping design engine...
05/05/2026
L3Harris provides communications, electronic warfare, sensors and mission systems that enable Virginia-class submarine crews to operate with confidence in conte...
05/05/2026
The company grew by 7.6% in net revenue and 16.3% in EBITDA, achieving a 33% inc...
05/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
Live trials at three football matches during the FIFA Confederations Cup this June will be used by Sony and FIFA to inform the extent of 4K production and possible broadcast from Brazil at next years World Cup.
