HEROCast Plus Embedded Timecode Gives NHL New Viewing Angles and Review Capabilities for Stanley Cup Playoffs
WORCESTER, U.K. -- May 14, 2015 -- Timecode Systems Ltd., a pioneer in wireless technologies for sharing timecode and metadata, today announced its role in a new integrated wireless goal post camera solution for the NHL. The NHL project is a powerful collaboration, with GoPro(R) (NASDAQ: GPRO) providing the camera systems and Vislink (AIM: VLK) providing the wireless video transport in a solution called HEROCast(TM). Timecode Systems is providing the wireless timecode solution, and the complete integration was delivered in time for this season's Stanley Cup playoffs.
"We're making a continual effort to broaden the range of applications for our long-range wireless sync and metadata exchange technology," said Paul Scurrell, managing director at Timecode Systems. "We were delighted that the NHL invited us to be part of this exciting project following the league's successful trial of the Timecode Buddy :mini trx/rx system. The demand for reliable long-range wireless sync, status, and control on live events is growing rapidly, and this high-profile project will give the industry a glimpse of the many benefits our products can bring to this sector. This is only the beginning."
HEROCast not only delivers unique camera angles for the viewer, but also provides valuable pre-timecoded camera feeds to the NHL's "situation room" in Toronto, where operators monitor up to 16 simultaneous feeds of NHL games. Whenever a goal is scored or a contentious scoring play occurs, the NHL situation room uses its in-house instant replay camera/server system to provide a quick analysis. That analysis is immediately available to each game's referees and goal judge via dedicated communication lines. Highly accurate "stadium" timecode and sync get embedded with the video feeds wirelessly at the source, which ensures that all wired and wireless cameras in each stadium are synchronized with each other. This function has tremendous technical benefits not only in eliminating timecode drift due to latency in the wireless video-transmission path, but also in key game-play decisions that require absolute accuracy when reviewing frame-by-frame footage.
"Bringing Timecode Systems' wireless sync technology into the recent GoPro/Vislink product partnership has enhanced the appeal of the new HEROCast system," said Adam Silver, director of strategic product opportunities at GoPro.
Ashley Jackson, vice president of engineering at Vislink, added, "We are delighted to be working with Timecode Systems and GoPro to enhance the NHL viewing experience. Vislink is well-established as a leading provider of low-latency, high-performance wireless camera transmission systems for the world's most prestigious sporting events. This project is a testament to our industry-leading wireless video technology and its proven operational ability in even the most challenging live broadcast environments."
For each of the equipped NHL arenas, HEROCast uses a Timecode Buddy :mini trx ultra compact timecode and genlock generator and transceiver in TX mode, locked to the stadium's "house" timecode. Integrated into each goal post is a stripped-down GoPro camera and a Timecode Buddy :mini rx unit in RX mode. In this way, each :mini rx unit's super accurate TCXO timecode and genlock generator is constantly soft-locked over the long-range 915-MHz data link. When in RF lock mode, the Timecode Systems products are accurate to within less than 5 microseconds of each other. This highly accurate timecode is then embedded into the video signal going to the Vislink wireless video transmitter, which in turn transmits the two video sources separately, each on its own RF path.
At the Vislink receiver in the arena ceiling, the signals are received and converted to HD-SDI with the timecode included in the outgoing HD-SDI stream as ANC timecode data. This workflow ensures that all cameras are synchronised, regardless of any local encode/decode or TX/RX latency. The signals are then distributed to the NHL situation room in Toronto, to the house video production area, and to OB vans covering the event.
Timecode Systems has delivered 40 :mini rx units and 20 :mini trx units for HEROCast systems that have been installed in the 20 arenas that host the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There are four cameras (two at each goal), four video links, and three Timecode Buddy systems per arena. After successful integration into those 20 arenas, HEROCast systems will be installed at the other 10 NHL venues, amounting to 30 more Timecode Buddy units.
More information about Timecode Systems and its offering of integrated solutions can be found at www.timecodebuddy.com.
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About GoPro Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRO)
GoPro Inc. is transforming the way people capture and share their lives. What began as an idea to help athletes self-document themselves engaged in their sport has become a widely adopted solution for people to capture themselves engaged in their interests, whatever they may be. From extreme to mainstream, professional to consumer, GoPro enables the world to capture and share its passion. And in turn, the world has helped GoPro become one of the most exciting and aspirational companies of our time.
GOPRO(R) and HEROCast(TM) are trademarks or registered trademarks of GoPro, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
About VISLINK plc (AIM: VLK)
Vislink plc is a leading global technology business specializing in the collection, delivery, and management of high-quality live video "from scene to screen." Approximately 70% of all low-latency wireless broadcast video is transmitted using Vislink equipment, across more than 200,000 systems worldwide.
For the broadcast markets, Vislink provides wireless communication solutions for the collection of live news, sports, and entertainment, as well as software solutions for channel playout automation, channel-in-a-box, and video content management. Vislink also provides secure video communications for surveillance and public safety applications such as law enforcement and homeland security.
About Timecode Systems
Timecode Systems Limited designs and manufactures timecode hardware and software products that meet the needs of today's shooting practices and recording formats. Whether you're using one camera in a studio, multi-camera, or a whole army of wearables or minicams on location, Timecode Systems' products offer television and film productions an easy and reliable way to generate, sync, and share accurate timecode and metadata wirelessly over RF and Wi-Fi. Since its launch in 2012, the system has become commonplace on reality shows, documentaries, and film sets across the U.K., EMEA, and U.S.
More information about Timecode Systems Ltd. can be found at www.timecodebuddy.com.
All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
Photo Link:www.wallstcom.com/TimecodeSystems/TimecodeSystems-CamerainGoalpost.jpg
