Camera Corps RF Helmet Cams turn heads at Winter Games

Vancouver - Camera Corps delivered some of the most dramatic video coverage ever obtained from a winter sports event with the successful use of live RF helmet cameras during the recent 2010 Vancouver Games.

“Using high-quality miniature cameras mounted directly on the contestants' helmets, we were able to deliver the actual visual experience of participating in snowboarding and ski-cross events,” explains Camera Corps' technical director Jim Daniels. “This is the first time any athlete has ever worn a camera live during either the Winter or Summer Games. The equipment required is now so light and compact that it can be worn with no adverse effect on sporting performance.”

Eight fully operational live camera systems were available during the two-day snowboard-cross and ski-cross events at Cypress Mountain, feeding live video via a wide-area diversity receive system. Up to four cameras could be used at any one time, each assigned with a distinct transmission frequency.

Multiple receive sites interconnected via optical fibre were installed by Broadcast RF, the receive antennas being positioned to ensure optimal coverage from each camera for the entire course length. Each camera measured just 7 cm long by 1.9 cm diameter with a total height of 7 cm including aerial. Camera and transmitter were powered by a 295 gramme rechargeable battery belt with a capacity of 90 minutes.

“Live video from the driver's viewpoint has long been extremely popular in motor-racing," adds Camera Corps' founder and managing director Laurie Frost. “We introduced bobsleigh cameras several years ago, three of which were in use during the 2010 Winter Games. The technology has now advanced to the point where we can, in principle, deliver live video from individual contestants at almost any sports event. It is a great tribute to the Winter Games contestants that so many were willing to share their experience in this way with the millions of people who watched the events on television."

In addition to the Helmet Cams, Camera Corps provided two 40 metre tracking systems, nine sports dollies, over 60 robotic heads, 118 HD cameras, pop-up cameras and a large inventory of lenses, controllers, interfaces and support equipment to cover events from Vancouver as well as the winter sports resorts of Whistler and Cypress Mountain. These were installed and supervised by a 44-strong Camera Corps team to provide point-of-view video for the duration of the Winter Games.