SPORTS CAPTURE | SPECIAL
IMAGES The umpire’s launch used a Cineflex gyro-stabilised system with a Sony HDC-1500 camera
in those three decades, it has analysed an estimated 53,713,514 tennis data points that help determine scores. But, for the last two to three years, Watson has been using visual image recognition technology to capture both player and spectator reactions in order to instantly clip highlights for viewers watching at home. It can pick up anything from an agonised gasp to a celebratory cheer – prompting it to automatically clip that moment in the match. Each moment is then ranked based on crowd excitement and player gestures, enabling the team of 180 people in Wimbledon’s AI bunker to automatically generate the best bits for highlights in just two minutes. Paul Davies, head of broadcast and production at the All England Lawn
Cameras two and three are fashioned on to boats that motor alongside the rowing boats
overhead to look into the boat and show TV audiences what the crew is doing.” AI’S BEST BITS Back on dry land and in an event that has (in contrast with the regatta) received TV coverage for more than 80 years, artificial intelligence is being used to enhance the broadcast of Wimbledon. The technology, called IBMWatson, has been a spectator at the tennis championships for almost 30 years and,
That way, we were able to get the umpire’s perspective without it damaging the USP of this traditional boat,” he explains. Camera four is on a hoist on the far bank, sticking out over the river in an elevated position, with a long 86:1 lens for close-ups. Meanwhile, camera five is on a purpose-built platform in the middle of the river. Cameras six, seven and eight are all Sony 4300s cabled, with fibre put into the river a week before the event. Preece notes: “We’ve never had any problems with RF, but laying down fibre is just that one extra step more resilient.” Both cameras seven on the finish line and eight in the results box run in super slomo to catch the finer details before announcing the winner. Camera nine is a roving RF with multiple positions and acts as BT Sport’s roving reporter camera. Finally, camera ten is a Sony P1 with a 20:1 lens on a Freefly Alta 8 drone. Preece says: “The drone adds another dimension to the broadcast; it helps enhance the story. For example, if the commentators are discussing how the cox is steering, we can pilot that drone
SEPTEMBER 20 1 9 | DEF I N I T ION 89
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