Sky Italia has made a significant technological advancement in its coverage of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship by utilizing an anamorphic zoom lens to deliver enhanced clarity to viewers.
Developed by 4acrew, the Rockycam system, coupled with an anamorphic zoom lens featuring a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, marks a notable milestone in live sports broadcasting for Sky Italia. Directed by Roberto Montoli, this event showcases the first use of an anamorphic zoom lens in live television on the network. The lens, a lightweight 28-85 mm F.4 anamorphic zoom, provides a 33% wider horizontal field than standard aspherical lenses, capturing stadium action with exceptional clarity and cinematic breadth. It is mounted on a Sony FX30 camera, blending agility and high-performance optics.
Equipment and Operational Details
The Rockycam system supports the Sony FX30 equipped with the ultra-light anamorphic zoom lens, balanced on a Crane 4 Zhiyun gimbal. An alternative setup uses the DJI Ronin RS4 Pro. Control over this equipment is maintained via Tilta and Sony’s active handles (FS5-FS7), operated by director of photography Andy Galeazzi. Remote camera controls are managed via LTE by Cyanview RCP from the Cinevideo OB van. The HD RF signal is transmitted to the Cinevideo OB van using the Plus link from Smilink, another 4acrew product, ensuring real-time, high-definition video feeds without latency.
Power Management and Continuous Operation
Power Management and Continuous OperationPower management is efficiently handled by the Rocky system, utilizing Blueshape batteries equipped with a Quick Changer, a Blueshape innovation. This ensures continuous camera operation without shutdowns during battery changes, critical in live broadcasting where any interruption can disrupt the transmission.
Enhanced Commentary and Viewer Experience
The Rocky system also enhances live sideline commentary by award-winning former player Alessandro Del Piero, allowing for dynamic and intimate coverage. This enables viewers to experience the event with the same intensity and proximity as being pitch side.
The deployment of these advanced technologies at the UEFA European Championship not only enhances the viewer’s experience with immersive, cinematic visuals but also sets a new standard for integrating film-grade technology in live sports broadcasting.
