- Details
Over 3 years slomo.tv is producing 1920x1080 50p /60p vR-Cam cameras. Unlike standard Full HD cameras they provide twice the number of vertical lines. This allows the video judges to see the image with the full number of lines (1080) for each phase of the movement, making the work more comfortable in making decisions when puck moves the at high speeds. Quite often the television companies want to have the signal from our cameras for use in broadcasts.
Most TV companies in the world use interlaced frame recording format - 1080i. In order to be able to use the signal from videoReferee® cameras it is necessary to install expensive converters 1080p /1080i.
That is why our company has made a new version of the base station (CCU) for vR-Cam 60p cameras, which simultaneously with the 50p/60p signal used in video judging, produces interlaced 1080i signal for use in television.
It is worth noting that vR-Cam cameras have the ability to color correct video, which allows adjusting these cameras to correspond the picture of cameras used by the broadcaster.
To operate the camera in multi-standard environment, including opportunities to work with the old equipment, the new CCU has SD SDI video output.
To send HD video over long distances the optical fiber is commonly used. The old CCU had a separate option installed for transmitting signals over fiber. Our task in developing the new CCU was to provide the ability to use optical fiber as standard. This problem is successfully solved and now the CCU has two optical outputs, one of which is used for the transmission of 50p/60p signal, and the second for transmission of SD or HD SDI.
For GoalNetCam cameras, installed inside the net, we also modified the receiver module to provide the same functions.
For upgrading the previously produced camera control units contact technical support.
- Details
At 2017 NAB Show Slomo.tv (booth C11125) will debut the multichannel 3G/HD/SD video recording server Dominator AT/3G. The system supports up to 10 3G/HD/SD recording channels, four playback channels and powerful search capabilities on up to 10 channels without disrupting the core recording and playback functions. In 'record for editing mode' this server system can record up to 12 channels of HD/SD video.
Building on the success of previous models, the new AT/3G line offers enhanced replay capabilities and two operators can work simultaneously on the same unit. Since the system has four independent graphic outputs each operator can work on the main GUI and a separate multi-viewer monitor simultaneously. In replay mode, the operator can display up to six recording channels and two video playback channels, as well as having access to five channels for clip marking and playlist editing.
Importantly, when operating in SuperMo mode, the new Dominator AT/3G can simultaneously support three Sony, Hitachi or GVG 3X Super Motion and one ISO cameras, or alternatively two Panasonic 4X Super Motion AK-H5000 plus two regular ISO cameras.
For the past three years, Slomo.tv has used SSD based storage subsystems, but now the Dominator AT/3G uniquely stores 266 hours, 100 Mbit of HD video - more than any other similar product. Also, Dominator AT/3G provides recording directly in the "native" file formats of various NLE systems, using proprietary DMR™ technology which mitigates time-consuming file export operations. Alongside full HD recording, Dominator AT/3G enables the operator to create low resolution Proxy copies for draft editing without any additional equipment required.
Simultaneously, video data can be recorded on external file storage systems, as well as on internal RAID storage to secure the recorded files. Dominator AT/3G can be connected via two 10GbE and two 1GbE channels to a network attached storage (NAS) or directly to storage area network (SAN) using its optional 16G fibre channel interface. Also, the system can be connected to SAS-compatible storage. It can be connected to SAN or NAS practically unlimited storage, providing data transfer rates up to 720-1400 megabytes per second. A high speed SAN removes practical limits of recorded video, which is important when recording from multiple 3G/HD cameras, and particularly when simultaneously supporting several of Super Motion cameras.
Dominator AT/3G can be networked in various ways with other Slomo.tv systems by using the company’s networking option.
"Our mission at Slomo.tv is to develop server-based production solutions that are appropriate and affordable to the widest range of TV companies, both large and small, saving them time, money and stress," commented Igor Vitiorets, CTO at Slomo.tv. "In developing the new Dominator AT/3G, we have achieved the next stage in the evolution of our main workhorse server series. Customer reaction has been very positive and we look forward to a busy show."
- Details
During most competitions where video assisted judging is used the videoReferee® system is usually connected to the arena scoreboard controller for receiving the pertinent data (time, period, score, etc.)
Quite often there is a situation when for some reason such direct connection cannot be accomplished but for synchronizing video and scoreboard timing is critical. A typical example is establishing the validity of a throw in basketball at the end of attack time. If the throw was made before the end of this time, the basket is counted.
It is to deal with such situations that we have developed a new feature – displaying a selected portion of the scoreboard as PIP during search and playback. This image can be selected from any recording channel containing the scoreboard or from a separate channel dedicated to scoreboard recording.
The operator will select the scoreboard area to be displayed at system setup. During playback / search of any channel this part of the scoreboard will be displayed in the corner of the screen.
For systems with a limited number of channels (videoReferee®-B, -Jr. or -SR) there is a special Scoreboard Camera Option, providing additional external input channel via the USB interface. Any camera with SDI or HDMI™ output or even consumer camcorder can be used to capture the scoreboard.
- Details
For more than three years slomo.tv’s video judging equipment is used at various basketball national and international championships.
Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) since 2015 is using the videoReferee®-B for all its matches. The budget systems have been specially developed for video judging in basketball, and LKL became the launch customer for the model. The servers were supplied by TVC, the slomo.tv dealer in the Baltic States. The videoReferee® systems proved themselves from the best side and were selected for video judging at 2017 games.
As part of the 2017 EuroCup the following matches were played at "Cido" Arena (Panevezys, Lithuania):
- 01/25/2017 Lietkabelis (Lithuania) - Bavaria (Germany);
- 01/02/2017 Lietkabelis (Lithuania) - Khimki (Russia).
Video judging was provided by a new, based on Simple R II system - videoReferee®-SR.
Because the arena scoreboard controller could not be directly connected to the videoReferee® system, the Simple R was used in five-channel configuration: 4 channels in normal mode for recording the game action and 1 channel for recording the scoreboard view.
Video refereeing was provided by Lithuanian broadcaster Zoom.TV which has many years of experience using slomo.tv replay servers. For broadcasts of these matches the standard Simple R 331 replay server was used.
- Details
The 25th World Men’s Handball Championship is taking place in France from 11 to 29 of January 2017.
The difference between the current championship and previous ones is the use of video judging systems for resolving certain disputed situations. (Read more about this here).
Testing of this on-the-fly video reviewing technology was successfully conducted at IHF Super Globe 2016 games by Qatar Handball Federation in Doha, and became the basis for a decision to use it at the current championship.
slomo.tv videoReferee® systems ranging from 8-channel videoReferee®-SR to 16-channels videoReferee®-4 provide the video proof at the venues of the World Handball Championship.
Technical support and equipment installation is provided by Broadcast Solutions GmbH.
The experience of using Video Proof Systems for handball most likely will lead to changes in regulations for conducting international and national championships.
- Details
Two ARROW 662 systems with a wide range of options were supplied for ERR.
The systems provided:
- 7-channel replay mode
- Exchange/Transfer clips between systems
- External SAS RAID connection.
Preference to these servers was given because of their wide functionality, a large number of options and attractive price.
The choice was made after extensive testing by ERR specialists at the National Track and Field Championship in Tallinn (Simple R 662) and at the 2018 World Cup Qualifying Tournament (Simple R II 662 and Arrow 662).
The equipment was provided by TVC company, a slomo.tv dealer in the Baltic States.
Estonian Public Broadcasting is a member of European Broadcasting Union and operates three TV channels and 5 radio stations. It also provides internet news sites in Estonian, English and Russian languages.
- Details
Video judging plays increasing role in the process of making critical decisions in all sports.
Ice hockey by its nature with a lot of game stops became the most progressive sport in the sense of video-judging. Technical regulations for 2016/2017 KHL season (1.24d) state: "Starting with 2017/2018 season all arenas used for home matches of KHL clubs must be equipped with additional cameras on the blue lines." That means that video judges also will have to resolve disputed "Offside" situations.
Installation of 2 or 4 extra cameras require additional video-referee server channels. Even back in 2011, developing videoReferee®-IIM2, our experts have determined that for controlling situations over entire playing field, the server needs to record 11 channels.
Until recently, this number of channels, in terms of KHL regulation, has been excessive. Some clubs recorded additional cameras for more confident decision making.
Foresight of hockey clubs who selected 11-channel videoReferee®-IIM2 was rewarded with the above-described change in KHL regulations. These clubs did not have to change or upgrade their servers – for them it was enough to remotely upgrade the server software and its settings. Naturally, they had to install two additional cameras.
The hockey club CSKA Moscow was not just among the owners of the server, its specialists, Maxim Pensky and Oleg Barmotin, have proposed to monitor the blue lines with only two cameras. This solution allows users of videoReferee®-IIM2 to fully comply with the new regulations. See Camera Locations per KHL Regulations article on our site.
It is worth mentioning that, recognizing the importance of video judging, club "CSKA" uses two videoReferee®-IIM2 servers in a hot swap configuration.
Our special thanks to the club "CSKA" and the staff of the Ice Palace.
- Details
Our video refereeing experience in soccer led to a set of requirements necessary for accurate, fast and comfortable work of video assisted refereeing during matches.
Here are some of them:
- A large number of cameras - 12...24.
- Separate workplace for referee/operator Assistant, including monitor and special controls.
- A quick and easy system for designating keys / flags for events and search using these keys.
- Fast configuration of multi-screen views for simultaneous analysis of controversial moments from different camera angles.
- Direct access to any camera view.
Based on these requirements, we have developed a new interface device for the videoReferee® - the «vR- Keypad».
vR-Keypad implements all the above described functions. The compact keypad contains 30 keys with multi-color controlled backlight. The device is connected via USB / RS-422 / RS-232.
vR-Keypad also allows positioning on video by the time-code, it controls the monitor display modes and can function as transport controller.
- Details
In addition to modernized Jr.2 / Jr.4 models on IBC we are showing the new all-in-one Jr.8 system with touch-screen monitor. It records 8 HD/SD SDI signals and has SSD storage of 132 hours 100 Mb video. The Jr.8 supports the new vR-keypad - special external keyboard for naming marked events, searching on key words and controlling display mode of the monitor.
By expanding the number of recording channels to 8, the Jr. now can be used for video judging in almost all sports.
