Robotic cameras and control systems from Camera Corps have been chosen as key elements in coverage of the 2013 Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. Q-Ball remotely controlled pan/tilt/zoom/focus cameras, MiniShot remote pan/tilt heads with Hitachi DKH-100 cameras, long-range optical and electro-optical video/audio links, joystick control panels and RCP remote camera control panels are being installed for the duration of the event.
“Our involvement with the Lawn Tennis Championships has increased steadily year on year since we first provided MiniShot robotic pan/tilt heads and cameras in comcam roles 2003,” equipment manager Neil Ashworth said. “The cameras and supporting equipment have become much more compact over the past decade. Q-Ball heads will be used this year to televise the commentators. MiniShots will be installed in the players’ lounge to cover the action between games. Venue-wide images will be sourced from HotShot heads mounted on and above the canopy. The entire production is in digital high-definition, so we have installed a combination of single-mode optical and Simply SMPTE dual-mode electro-optical long-range links between the cameras and the control areas. Nick Bonner and Ben Elms from our Brooklands headquarters were at Wimbledon for initial rigging, Nick remaining there for the duration.”
The Wimbledon tennis tournament is the oldest of its kind. It takes place over two weeks in late June and early July, culminating with singles finals. Each year, five major events are contested, as well as four junior events and four invitational events.
Camera Corps specializes in providing high-volume support services for reality television programs as well as very large scale sports and stage events.