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Our Global sales manager Nadezhda Gretskaya will join the panel discussion about new remote production technologies and main challenges facing winter sports productions because of the pandemic.
Nadezhda will highlight the benefits of using Super Slow Motion cameras for replays at live events and for sport video-refereeing, and present affordable SSM solutions that open wide possibilities for broadcasters.
You are welcome to join SVG Europe Winter Sports Summit on February 11.
For information and registration visit: https://www.svgeurope.org/winter-sports-summit-2021/
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Slomo.tv has released the new mini-II cameras for video-refereeing systems with inter-camera synchronization technology. The camera appearance has also been changed – it includes new markings.
The process of development, production and refinement never ends. This applies not only to technical features, but also to all aspects of product manufacture, including appearance and usability.
At the end of 2020, the new mini-II compact cameras for video-refereeing systems were announced. While preserving the housing size, slomo.tv has seriously reworked and improved the cameras themselves and the internal software.
The main and most important change is that the mini-II cameras are now synchronous.
When used with a videoReferee® server, the cameras using CloudyGenLock® technology synchronize with each other by both phase and frequency. Camera setup can be done either through the server or by using an external remote controller with a joystick and a set of buttons connected via USB.
The scoreboard controller's data is now recorded in every video frame.
The analog audio input allows the use of external microphones to record sounds, including the referee's whistle. The audio level can be displayed on the video output for easy adjustment.
The final touch of the mini-II cameras is its new appearance. Now the main technical features of the camera are visible on its housing - support for Full HD progressive 50/59.98 modes, CloudyGenLock® synchronization, audio input, 3G SDI, Power over Ethernet. Sports, for which the camera is suitable, are also depicted on the camera housing - Hockey, Foosball, Basketball, Handball, Speed skating, Fencing, Wrestling, Canoe slalom, etc.
The mini-II series includes wide-angle panoramic cameras (mini-II-vR-Cam-zoom-Wide) and 10x zoom cameras (mini-II-vR-Cam-zoom).
Users of the first slomo.tv model mini cameras can upgrade to the mini-II at a big discount.
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Starting at €50.000, the new Fulcrum AT/12G has 12 bi-directional SDI I/O. For 3G/HD it provides 11Rec+2Play+FX+11Search and for 4K/12G - 4Rec+2Play+FX+4Search.
The server significantly boosted performance when working with 3G/HD video.
Its flexible architecture, large number of channels and affordable price make Fulcrum AT/12G very attractive in the current economic situation.
In its basic configuration the SSD-based system has four graphics ports, two 10GbE and 12G SAS ports, 4 toolless/trayless DMR™ Racks for 3.5" SATA drives and includes options for transferring clips and playlists between servers as well as the Telestrator.
Fulcrum AT/12G provides:
- Replay mode: 11Rec+2Play+11Search+FX.
- Recording for NLE: Up to 12 HD channels.
Support of 4K (10K Euro) can be installed remotely when needed. The license opens a 4 Rec + 2 Play + 4 Search + FX configuration in Replay mode and up to 6 recording channels for NLE.
The DMR™ technology of direct recording of NLE native video files is the strong point of all slomo.tv servers. In this mode, the Fulcrum AT/12G records the incoming video simultaneously on internal SSD storage in reliable proprietary format and in NLE native files with the selected codec on standard 3.5" SATA hard drives or to a NAS. This achievs the highest safety, maximum convenience and production speed. The server also supports Growing files technology.
A wide range of options (Support of SuperMo, HiMo cameras; working with ProRes, XDCAM50, AVID DNxHD, AVC Intra, XAVC, DVCPro codecs; 2nd workplace, VAR, etc.) allows the user expand the server capabilities for more complex tasks via Remote Upgrades.
The high performance of the system and its size and weight (4U - 56cm, 20kg) make Fulcrum AT/12G perfect for studio and OB environment.
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The new controller "Control-VR" for videoReferee® and VAR systems provides direct access to 32 cameras and Virtual Offside Line support.
One of the important components of the video-refereeing system is fast, comfortable and confident work of the operator, i.e. ability to closely follow all details of the game and the ability to quickly prepare for a video referee the controversial moments to be analyzed.
It is worth noting that for many sports the length of pauses is critical. It can influence the player’s internal team spirit, tempo of the game and even change the natural course of events.
Practically the main component effecting operator’s job is clarity, simplicity and ease of interface functions. All these qualities are equally dependent on both the video-refereeing server and the controls. That is why this specially created operator's console plays such an important role in the video-refereeing process.
The remote control should not only be comfortable and convenient, but should also allow the operator to perform most of the operations in analyzing controversial moments without involving other controls. The most frequently used operations should be performed in the simplest, most intuitive and easy to remember way. This will allow the operator to quickly and efficiently perform the tasks before him.
Based on the feedback from practicing operators and our extensive experience in video-refereeing, we created a new refereeing console "Control-VR", which took into account both new requirements arising from introduction of the video-refereeing into new sports, as well as changes in technical regulations and the particulars of operator’s work in various sports.
One of the reasons for creating the new console was necessity to have more direct access channels. The top slomo.tv servers now are capable to work with 32 3G channels. One VAR server for football could accommodate simultaneously up to 4 operators. Special requirements for connecting the referee buttons and working with the virtual offside line also required changes to the referee's console.
The need for the operator to save time by having quick access to all cameras and key system functions, without being distracted by complex multi-level commands when preparing and replaying controversial points, led to the development of a newly designed interface, based on a large number of illuminated RGB buttons.
The interface was partially tested in eSports competitions, where replay operators work with a large number of channels. This made it possible for the new "Control-VR" to have: instant access to any connected camera; quick formation and selection of presets; assigned keywords for each moment; quick search by keywords; positioning by timecode; creating and working with multi-screens; teamwork.
The new design uses large, highly reliable buttons with RGB indication, as well as a simple and operator-friendly interface with color and light prompts.
The color of the button indicates the function of the button at the moment, and its brightness indicates whether the button is currently active. "Control-VR" has a new reliable and responsive Jog/Shuttle produced by slomo.tv. The design of the Jog/Shuttle uses 4 sleeve bearings, which provide lightness, smoothness and high reliability of operation. The Jog wheel can rotate freely for up to 40 seconds. The Shuttle wheel was also changed. The 64 positions left and right allow you to control not only the search speed, but also the speed of slow playback with an accuracy of 2%.
Because lately the company has been paying greater attention to technology and systems for VAR in football, the console incorporates controls and functions that allow working with the Virtual Offside Line. On the right side of the controller there is a joystick for working with VOL, when this function is included in the software. The ability to connect a dedicated trackball to the console's expansion port can make working with VOL even more accurate and comfortable.
The same port is used for connecting Red, Green and Blue VAR buttons. All this makes it possible to simplify the installation connections of the server and control panels for RO and VAR / AVAR.
The "Control-VR" has several modes of operation: direct access to cameras; work with presets; quad or 2 camera views.
Using the prefix button with the numeric keypad allows displaying any of the previously prepared presets. Up to 16 keywords can be assigned for game moments. In a search mode the game moment can be found by the keyword or by the time-code.
Since "Control-VR" is designed for a parallel operation of several control panels with 1 video output, it is therefore equipped with an Active button, allowing the operator to intercept control.
The console also has a built-in operator assistance function.
The new "Control-VR" can be connected via USB, Ethernet, RS232/422 (using the standard slomo.tv technology) and also be powered by PoE.
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Slomo.tv videoReferee®-SR systems used at 20 competitions and will be used at the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games
The international governing body for the sport of amateur wrestling, United World Wrestling (UWW) has selected slomo.tv as its technology partner for video-refereeing in all its matches.
Based in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland, UWW includes representatives from 176 national federations and its duties include overseeing wrestling at the Olympics. It presides over international competitions for various forms of wrestling, including Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling for men and women, as well as others.
For the last two years, UWW has been cooperating with slomo.tv on implementation of video-refereeing at its international competitions. To date, the systems have been deployed at more than 20 world competitions and will be used for Olympic cycle through 2024.
After making the decision to implement video-refereeing, UWW tested systems from various manufacturers before selecting the videoReferee®-SR. The system's compact size and lightweight was a significant factor needed to transport between competitions in many different parts of the world.
Greco-Roman, freestyle and women's wrestling competitions have unique features, so the requirements for video judging differ from other sports, such as ice hockey, basketball and handball that use the technology. It is frequent for competitions to have simultaneous matches on nearby mats, so the video-refereeing system needs to cover two mats, each with four cameras. In response, slomo.tv modified the videoReferee®-SR system, designed to work with 8 HD cameras, adding the ability to cover two independent matches with four cameras each by one compact 1U server.
"While looking for solutions to increase the fairness of the refereeing during International Events, United World Wrestling found Slomo.tv to be the ideal solution. Increasing the numbers of cameras (angles) gave our referees a better tool to make the correct decision. Also, the stability of the system’s software allowed us to respond to 100% of the challenges (replays) requested by the coaches in the last two years," explained Sébastien Guenat, Director of IT department at UWW.
Since 2018, the International Federation has been actively using videoReferee®-SR systems at all international competitions, including the Senior and Junior World Championships 2018 and 2019, Senior European Championships 2019, Senior Asian Championships 2019 and World Cups 2018 and 2019 in Greco-Roman, Freestyle and Women's Wrestling.
Positive users experience and comfort with the equipment throughout this period a key driver for purchasing additional systems: now UWW has five such systems.
Wrestling is a dynamic, spectacular sport that attracts the attention of people around the world. As in other sports, the International Federation is interested in objective and fair refereeing. Sometimes in a match there are instances where it is difficult to make an objective decision. In this case, they come to the assistance of a special tool - a multi-camera video-refereeing system, which allows instant reviews of the incident from several angles, both with adjustable playback speed and frame-by-frame.
Sébastien Guenat expressed satisfaction with the slomo.tv solution. "It will be the main replay system used during the Tokyo Olympic Games and beyond" Guenat explained.
"We would like to express our gratitude to United World Wrestling. We are pleased to continue our cooperation in the implementation of video-refereeing systems in Wrestling," stated Michael Gilman, CEO of slomo.tv.
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Co-operation between FINA and slomo.tv results in implementation of video-refereeing in water polo using videoReferee®-SR system in international competitions.
Slomo.tv, a leading manufacturer of slow-motion instant replay servers and video refereeing solutions reports that the worldwide implementation of video-refereeing into various sports continues to gain momentum. Recently, the international swimming federation, FINA, has implemented video-refereeing technology in water polo in search of fair play and error-free refereeing in international tournaments.
After testing various solutions slomo.tv was selected as the preferred technology provider. The company markets complete video-refereeing solutions, including specialized servers and cameras, and has extensive experience in video-refereeing in a range of different sports. The result of long-term cooperation between FINA and Slomo.tv is the creation of a complete solution for water polo by adapting Slomo's videoReferee®-SR system and developing specialized mini vR-Cam cameras for use in water sports.
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The Slomo.tv’s "Arrow" server and 2x, 3x, 4x SuperMo Panasonic AK-UC4000 camera by far is the most affordable and flexible solution for Super Motion in broadcasting sports.
Modern sport of "high speeds" requires a careful and considered approach to selection of broadcast equipment. Companies applying for broadcasting must offer the necessary equipment (cameras and servers) which can provide super speed replays.
LiveSignal, a Russian company involved in broadcasts of sports events including eSports, was faced with a challenge in selecting a high-quality and affordable Super Motion solution.
To date, the number of server + camera solutions on the market is limited and, in most cases, significantly exceed the budgets of most companies.
After a series of tests and comparisons of existing solutions, LiveSignal chose the joint solution of Slomo.tv and Panasonic – the Arrow server and Panasonic AK-UC4000 Super Motion camera, which significantly reduces the equipment cost for replays with up to 4 times slower speed.
Panasonic AK-UC4000 camera supports several Super Motion speeds (2x, 3x, 4x), for both progressive (1080p) and interlaced (1080i) modes. All slomo.tv systems have been integrated with this camera, but the Arrow servers are the most affordable solution for working with Panasonic AK-UC4000.
"We have been cooperating with slomo.tv for a long time and are very satisfied with the quality and reliability of the equipment. Slomo.tv servers are the most effective solution for young and growing companies that want to be as productive as possible in the highly competitive broadcast market", said Egor Voronin, CEO of LiveSignal.
It should also be noted that Panasonic AK-UC4000 camera is a versatile camera that allows the user to work not only in Super Motion mode in HD and 3G, but also in 4K resolution. This was one of the key reasons in choosing the equipment, because LiveSignal also works with 4K content.
LiveSignal uses one Arrow server for different tasks and in different configurations. The server can work with one 4x or 3x camera or two 2x Panasonic AK-UC4000 cameras in 1080p video format. When using the interlaced 1080i, the user is able to work with one 4x camera, two 3x or three 2x cameras.
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We appreciate working with you and would like to thank you for your continued support and partnership. We at Slomo.tv hope that the holidays and the coming year will bring you happiness and success in all your endeavors and future projects.
Let's continue our cooperation in Recording, Replays and Video-refereeing in the years to come.
Happy Holidays from SLOMO.TV team!
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The high performance of slomo.tv's servers user interface and the huge number of recording channels open up new possibilities for eSports broadcasters. Vipr ApS used powerful "Dominator AT/3G" replay servers to broadcast the regular season of the BLAST Pro Series 2019 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament.
Thanks to the spectacular picture and high speed of events, eSports occupy an increasing share of the consumer's total screen time competing with classic sports. There is a discussion on conferring eSports the status of Olympic discipline. However specifics of eSports significantly differ from other sports, and technical requirements of the hardware complex often exceed the standard sports broadcast requirements. High speed of in-game moments, live broadcasts on arenas and over the world, a large number of parallel-played games and the use of only 3G signals significantly complicate the task and force the organizers to responsibly approach the choice of the equipment, including slow motion servers.
Vipr ApS (Denmark), responsible for the technical component of the BLAST Pro Series competition on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, also faced the issue of selecting a technology provider of replay systems. The specifics of the tournament included up to 3 parallel-played games. This required 3 broadcast channels and 3 independent workstations, each of which would allow the replay operator to work with 14 3G video signals. In addition to replaying interesting moments, Vipr ApS had to show a short summary after each map, as well as to form the highlights of the entire tournament for post-production.
After testing replay systems of different manufacturers, Vipr ApS chose slomo.tv’s 4U "Dominator AT/3G" servers which in 3G mode work with 14 recording channels, playback 2 channels and provide simultaneous search on all 14 channels.
Slomo.tv proved to be a supplier of reliable equipment not only for broadcasting of traditional sports, but also for eSports competitions in Dota2, League of Legends, CS:GO, World of Warcraft, Warface and others.
The first experience proved to be very successful. In May 2019, the systems were deployed at the Madrid Arena, where 6 of the world's best professional teams met for the BLAST Pro Series Madrid.
Three fully independent workplaces with 14 3G channels were installed at the arena. Each had two monitors: one for the replay operator working with the main interface, the other for the director working with the Multiviewer of all input channels. Slomo.tv’s equipment was used to record incoming video, prepare and demonstrate replays for Internet broadcasting and on video walls in Madrid Arena.
After each round replays of the best moments were shown, and at the end of the match was formed a brief summary for each map. After the end of the tournament, all highlights were exported for post-production.
Not only Vipr ApS, but also the organizers of the tournament were satisfied with the work of slomo.tv's servers. It was separately noted that a high-performance interface and a large number of channels made it possible to quickly prepare and demonstrate video material with synchronously accompanying audio.
The positive experience of "Dominator AT/3G" systems lead to productive and long-term cooperation. The equipment was used at the games of the regular BLAST Pro Series tournaments in Los Angeles and Moscow. Moreover the servers were booked for a tournament in Copenhagen and the BLAST Pro Global Final in Riffa (Bahrain).
"Having several successful projects together, we made sure that the slomo.tv team members are true professionals. Their servers are very powerful and able to handle our tasks. The specialists from slomo.tv work in a well-coordinated professional team. That's exactly why we expect to realize more projects together." - Lasse Kempf, Vipr ApS.
Vipr ApS and slomo.tv plan to continue their fruitful cooperation and use "Dominator AT/3G" servers for CS:GO competitions in 2020.
