Posted by Ryan on 25th Oct 2023
Sony's camera technology connects TV viewers to the intense Coppa Italia Frecciarossa final
The Sony HDC-F5500 Super 35mm system camera and HDC-3500 camera, featuring a cutting-edge optical variable ND filter, play a pivotal role in capturing the essence and enthusiasm of Italy's most significant footballing spectacle for Lega Serie A.
The Challenge
Lega Serie A sought a seasoned and forward-thinking technology collaborator to ensure the delivery of the electrifying moments and intense drama of Italy's premier live football event to global television viewers.
The Solution
- HDC-F5500 Super 35mm system camera
- HDC-3500 system camera with optical variable ND filter
- HDC-4800 Ultra Slow Motion camera
- ILME-FR7 full-frame PTZ interchangeable lens camera
- VENICE, FX6 and FX3 cameras
The Outcome
Delivering exceptionally high-quality images for live TV broadcasts, characterized by outstanding detail, contrast, and dynamic range, is crucial. It's equally vital to successfully convey the fast-paced gameplay and the raw emotion of this distinctive sports event to millions of television viewers.
In what is considered the pinnacle of Italian football each year, the 2022-2023 Coppa Italia Frecciarossa final took place on May 24th, featuring Lega Serie A teams Fiorentina and Inter Milan. This highly anticipated event, broadcast live from Rome's iconic Stadio Olimpico, reached millions of passionate sports enthusiasts across 50 countries worldwide. Notably, it served as a cutting-edge demonstration of Sony's advanced production technology.
Sony and Lega Serie A had already established a strong partnership during their collaboration on the previous year's Coppa Italia Frecciarossa final. For this year's edition, the alliance evolved into a substantial technological endeavor, with a total of 28 cameras strategically positioned around the stadium. These cameras worked harmoniously to capture and deliver the intensity, drama, and emotion of the final to TV audiences with an unprecedented level of clarity and detail.
Elevating the quality of on-pitch storytelling to unprecedented heights, Sony's HDC-F5500 system camera, paired with the Fujinon HZK25-1000mm PL mount box lens featuring a remarkable 40x zoom ratio, took the lead in the crucial 'Camera 1' position. This dynamic duo played a pivotal role in capturing key moments of the match for television viewers. The HDC-F5500, equipped with its Super 35mm sensor and the substantial lens, not only delivered sweeping panoramic views of the field but also excelled in capturing intricate details, from text on players' jerseys to the texture of the grass on the pitch.
By amalgamating a Super 35mm 4K CMOS sensor with global shutter technology, the HDC-F5500 demonstrated its prowess in capturing images filled with intricate details, boasting a high dynamic range, and minimal noise. This technology effectively brought the excitement of sports and other live events even closer to the hearts of the viewing audience.
Adding to the capabilities of the HDC-F5500, Sony's HDC-3500 system camera played a crucial role in capturing pristine images during the final at the Stadio Olimpico. One of the standout features of the HDC-3500 is its optical variable ND filter, which offers meticulous control over the amount of light reaching the camera's sensor. The camera's recently developed Virtual Iris function empowers vision engineers to maintain an optimal aperture setting, typically around F4, by adjusting the incoming light levels without altering the camera's iris value. This grants the engineer precise control over the camera's depth of field, adapting to changing on-pitch lighting conditions and fine-tuning brightness through the use of the optical variable ND filter, rather than adjusting the lens iris.
The adaptability of the HDC-3500's optical variable ND filter makes it a versatile asset in high-paced live production settings, such as sports coverage. For instance, a single operator can swiftly switch between two different depths of field with minimal effort, making the camera particularly well-suited for operation in confined spaces.
The HDC-F5500 was equipped with the HDVF-EL760 Full HD 7.4-inch OLED viewfinder, renowned for its exceptional brightness and contrast levels. This viewfinder empowers camera operators in fast-paced sports and live production environments by providing highly accurate focusing and exposure control.
Elsewhere in the stadium, Sony HDC-4800 system cameras were employed to capture on-field action for slow-motion replays. Simultaneously, VENICE, FX6, and FX3 Cinema Line portable cameras were utilized to chronicle the prelude to the final, encompassing the trophy's journey to the stadium and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.
Enhancing the on-pitch action, two remotely operated FR7 Cinema Line PTZ cameras were strategically positioned in the players' tunnel of the Stadio Olimpico. This area, typically not accessible to full-size cameras and their operators, was brought to life through the use of these cameras. Controlled from the OB van, these full-frame cameras delivered cinematic image quality with a shallow depth of field, making them perfect for capturing the close-up expressions and emotions of the players in the intimate setting of the Stadio Olimpico tunnel, all without the need for human intervention.
In pursuit of providing viewers with an unparalleled experience, Koji Andachi, Head of Media Solutions Marketing at Sony Europe, acknowledges the magnitude of the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa as one of Europe's premier football events. He expresses his excitement in participating and collaborating with Serie A and its partners to bring the action to football enthusiasts worldwide. Andachi emphasizes their commitment to pushing the limits of technology, ensuring that the audience enjoys the best possible experience that effectively captures the excitement, drama, and beauty of the beautiful game.
Credit: Sony
View Sony HDC-F5500 Super 35mm 4K CMOS Camera
