Grass Valley announces that Pacific Broadcast Pty Ltd., a global broadcast facilities company based in Australia with offices in the USA, is providing live coverage of a major global surfing competition off the Tahitian coast.
The coverage utilizes a mix of Grass Valley LDX 150 Series UHD/HDR cameras.
Innovative Camera Usage
To capture high-quality images of the surfers, Pacific Broadcast built custom waterproof housings for the new Compact LDX C150 camera, allowing for exceptional quality images even when submerged. These cameras offer 3x HD/UHD variable speed, and/or 6x HD with perpetual or daily options. The LDX 150’s live UHD output was used alongside 6x 1080p high-speed replay action shots.
Wireless Transmission Capabilities
Pacific Broadcast is also using LDX 150 RF cameras, which enable wireless transmission of live image signals and full camera control with low latency. This was achieved through a third-party wireless RF transmission module integrated into the camera housing by Pacific Broadcast’s design department. The wireless RF capability allows the cameras to operate in locations difficult or impossible to reach with cables.
Pre-Production and Collaboration
Pacific Broadcast began their pre-production planning prior to the official unveiling of the LDX 150 RF cameras at the NAB Show in April 2024. Grass Valley shared camera prototypes and interface specifications to prevent delays. This cooperation allowed Pacific Broadcast to implement the RF wireless capability according to their requirements.
Equipment Package
The equipment package also includes a Grass Valley K-Frame XP live production switcher with a Kayenne control panel, chosen for its automated HDR/SDR conversion capabilities.
Statements from Company Representatives
Matt Percy, CEO of Pacific Broadcast Pty Ltd., stated that the Grass Valley LDX 150 cameras were chosen for their quality image capture. Adam Marshall, Chief Product Officer at Grass Valley, highlighted the advanced capabilities of the LDX 150 Series cameras and the integrated RF solutions.
The collaboration between Grass Valley and Pacific Broadcast for the Tahitian surfing competition demonstrates the effectiveness of Grass Valley’s latest live production technology.
About Grass Valley
Grass Valley is a company that manufactures television production and broadcasting equipment for the live media and entertainment industry. Founded in 1959, Grass Valley is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The company’s product line includes cameras, live production switchers, replay and highlights products, media storage, editing, asset management, modular infrastructure, routing, conversion equipment, control, monitoring, and automated playout solutions. These products are available as hardware, software, and software-as-a-service (SaaS).
News source: Grass Valley
