Live From CFP National Championship Game: ESPN Production Raises the Bar 125-camera complement includes improved pylon cams, 1st-and-10-marker cams, hat cams, and expanded super-slo-mo By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director
Monday, January 8, 2018 - 11:39 am
Print This Story
Story Highlights
Tonight's CFP National Championship Game on ESPN will feature the biggest production ever for a bowl game, thanks to the use of 125 cameras (between game, studio, and MegaCast coverage) and a game production coming out of nine Game Creek Video remote-production units. And viewers should expect some improvements in coverage, thanks to camera and audio developments that will bring the viewer closer to the action than ever.
The personal highlight is seeing it all come together, says John LaChance, director, remote production operations, ESPN, of a massive effort that caps off the 2017 college-football season. To see the new angles, perspectives, and gadgets we are introducing and watch those get integrated from paper to plan to [execution] gives a great sense of pride. And it's a partnership between those technicians, vendors, and production personnel.
RF cameras from 3G Wireless have been mounted into the 1st-and-10 markers for ESPN's coverage of tonight's big game.
A new element this year will be a small RF camera that 3G Wireless installed into each of the four 1st-and-10 markers on each side of the field. It was tested at the Celebration Bowl and the Sugar Bowl.
The cameras are on the top side of the 1st-and-10 markers and will offer viewers angles they have not seen in the past, LaChance explains. It's a perspective right from the sideline, and they can see whether a player made the first down.
Also new will be the use of two hat cams, cameras mounted in the caps of two of the folks who move the first-and-10 markers up and down the field. LaChance says the systems this year will not require bodypacks to be worn, making them lighter and less obtrusive for officials who are on the move.
The eight pylon cams are also getting a lift this year, with a microphone placed in each of the pylons at the corners of the end zones. The pylon cams will offer a total of 28 angles of video coverage.
We have a next-generation pylon cam with embedded audio for the first time, notes LaChance. It will be a great element for the fans watching at home. They will not only be able to see great shots from the pylon cam but also hear them.
The specialty cameras will complement the use of 51 other cameras for game coverage, primarily a mix of Sony HDC-4300, HDC-2500, and HDC-4800 cameras. Nine 4300 cameras will operate in super-slow-motion mode; five 4800's, in 4K mode (four on the goal line and one hard camera on the main-camera level). Five 2500 cameras will be dedicated to the MegaCast production. In addition, there will be two SkyCam units, one operating as a super-slo-mo and both available to viewers via dedicated channels on the MegaCast.
The second SkyCam gives analysts and folks at home an angle they have not seen often, especially when it is behind the defense and showing all 22 players on the field, says LaChance. It's still early in the process, but, when the directors and technicians get more reps, I think you will see [the use of dual SkyCam] evolve into more coverage options.
Prototype robotic mic mounts from DynaMount will give new flexibility to microphone positioning.
ESPN will also use four prototype robotic microphone systems from DynaMount that will allow the submixer in the Game Creek Maverick truck to remotely rotate a microphone. DynaMount's original system was designed for music-recording studios, but the company, in consultation with ESPN, built a water-proof housing and enabled a small camera to be mounted to the unit. That small camera gives the operator the ability to see where the mic is pointed and adjust its position manually. Presets are also available so that multiple mics at once can be quickly repositioned.
For tonight's game, the four units are located in the broadcast booth and face out toward the field. If all goes well, for future events, the systems could migrate out of the booth to other microphone positions around the stadium, allowing microphones to be repurposed for multiple uses more easily. For example, an operator located anywhere in the world but controlling the system via IP could rotate a microphone covering a band in the stands so that it covers the field.
The nine Game Creek mobile production units and support vehicles onsite comprise Peacock A and B at the core of the game production, Nitro A and B handling GameDay and SportsCenter needs, Maverick overseeing the MegaCast, Webby on hand for the SEC Network, and Edit 2 and 3 supporting the game and MegaCast. BSI is onsite for RF needs (13 cameras), and PSSI is providing satellite uplink facilities.
Peacock A and B and Nitro A and B probably give us the most robust combined fire power for an event like this, says LaChance. Part of our decision was to build resources that best match the needs of the game, MegaCast, and the studio shows. Nitro A and B have dual control rooms so both GameDay and SportsCenter can be on simultaneously and be more efficient as we don't need a separate truck for each.
He is proud of the work done by everyone involved in getting the production facilities up and running in five days. Planning required two plans for the truck compound to be crafted: until two weeks ago, there was the possibility of the Atlanta Falcons' hosting a playoff game the same weekend as the championship game. Tonight's production dodged that bullet and was able to follow the original plans put in place months ago.
This is one of the more challenging compounds that one could encounter, notes LaChance of a site that is located inside the st
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
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...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
28/01/2026
Top L-R: The Liars, Jazz Infernal, Living with a Visionary
Second Row L-R: Paper Trail, The Baddest Speechwriter of All, Crisis Actor
Third Row: The Boys and ...
28/01/2026
Music discovery should feel intuitive and personal. That's why we're continuing to give you more control, so you can ask for what you want, shape what y...
28/01/2026
Today, Charlie Hellman, Spotify's Head of Music, shared the following note on the Spotify for Artists blog that the company paid out more than $11 billion t...
28/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the Oudtshoorn Municipality, invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers to apply for the Sediba...
28/01/2026
As demand for more complex live sports coverage grows, Balkan broadcast specialist MVP has upgraded its flagship HD1 progressive OB truck with the installation ...
28/01/2026
Airlines, cruise and tour operators double down on ad spend as Australians' prioritise travel
Sydney January 28, 2026 - New Nielsen Ad Intel data shows a...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Marshall Electronics launches the CV420-27X, its next-generation ultra-high-definition (UHD) IP camera, at ISE 2026 (Stand 4N900). Engineered for modern IP-base...
28/01/2026
Grass Valley has announced that Television Mobiles Ltd. (TVM), one of Europe's leading independent outside broadcast providers, has carried out a major refu...
28/01/2026
AI, graphics and virtual software power new production capabilities
FOR-A is bringing remarkable new technologies to FOMEX, the Future of Media Exhibition (ex...
28/01/2026
Continuing a longstanding collaboration, Riedel Communications and Nordic media technology company Media Tailor have once again joined forces to deliver a state...
28/01/2026
Pebble has appointed Paul Nagle-Smith as vice president for customer fulfilment, strengthening its senior leadership focus on customer delivery and operational ...
28/01/2026
Cloud playout solutions provider, Veset has announced that leading Mexican broadcaster, TV Azteca is using Veset Nimbus on AWS as a disaster recovery (DR) playo...
28/01/2026
Ensuring it can keep pace with a rapidly evolving live sports market, Balkan broadcast facility provider MVP Most Valuable Production has upgraded its flags...
28/01/2026
Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cloud solutions provider that powers and protects life online, and Yospace, the leader in dynamic ad insertion tec...
28/01/2026
The renowned Reykjavik City Theatre (RCT) recently underwent a major intercom system upgrade using Clear-Com solutions. This milestone project utilizes Clear-C...
28/01/2026
Luxembourg, January 26, 2026 - SES S.A. ( SES or the Company ), a leading space solutions company, acknowledges the credit rating action announced by Fitch to...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
28 01 2026 - Media release Screen Australia refreshes Market & Audience approach...
28/01/2026
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Premieres a New Piano Concerto by Peter and Leonar...
28/01/2026
28 Jan 2026
VEON Notes Kyivstar Group Publication of Selected Full Year 2025 Fi...
28/01/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to host 2026 edition of its online event Demystifying EMC Rohde & Schwarz invites the global EMC community to join a crucial discussion on pre...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
The Wait Is Over: Teaser Trailer Drops for Jo Nesbo's Dete...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces a Fictional Miniseries Inspired by the Marta del Castillo Case
Entertainment
28 January 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to ...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces Santiago Mitres New Film Starring Ver nica L...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils the Teaser Trailer for Berlin and the Lady wit...
28/01/2026
Stadtwerke Wolfhagen Modernize Customer Management with AEP.energysuite from Arv...
27/01/2026
Click for Japanese version
Tokyo, Japan - January 27, 2026 - Akamai Technolo...
27/01/2026
L-R: Jonathan Cuchacovich, Sonia Kennebeck, Alan Fischer, Daeil Kim, Andrew Sta...
27/01/2026
Today, Spotify is proud to support our partner Backline, an industry-leading men...
27/01/2026
With nearly 29 million monthly listeners and clear momentum on Spotify, Net n Ve...
27/01/2026
January 14, 2026
We are proud to share that 25 Ontario, First Gulf's commercial project located just two minutes from our head office, has been recognized ...
27/01/2026
January 22, 2026
First Gulf is excited to share that a full-building lease has been secured at 625 Bronte Rd in Oakville, part of Bronte Station Business Park,...
27/01/2026
January 23, 2026
First Gulf continues to demonstrate its commitment to high-performance, sustainable real estate with 351 King Street East achieving BOMA BEST ...
27/01/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
27/01/2026
Nielsen will continue to drive growth and provide local audience measurement
in...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Amagi Media Labs Limited, the only cloud-native SaaS provider offering end-to-end solutions across live production, content preparation, distribution, and monet...
27/01/2026
Miri Technologies Inc. today unveiled its V410 live 4K video encoder/decoder for streaming, IP-based production workflows and AV-over-IP distribution. Designed ...
27/01/2026
The Paul E. Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell in Massachusetts has chosen Ikegami cameras for incorporation into its broadcast-quality television production facili...
Live From CFP National Championship Game: ESPN Production Raises the Bar 125-camera complement includes improved pylon cams, 1st-and-10-marker cams, hat cams, and expanded super-slo-mo By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director 
