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Between May 28 and 31 the elite of European canoeing met in Germany for the Canoe Slalom European Championships. During the competition the International Canoe Federation ICF supported the local organisers in implementing video judging systems, using a videoReferee® system. At Canoe Park Markkleeberg (Saxony), one of the most modern white water systems in the world, slomo.tv’s videoReferee® system was used as an additional tool for monitoring the gates. This first use of videoReferee® was also a test for the Canoe Slalom World Championships to be held in London in September.
In order to assist the referees in questionable situations the International Canoe Federation ICF has implemented video judging systems in international competitions since 2007. However, the common technical tools in use often reached their limits because of poor perspectives and available camera signals.
The organisers of the 2015 Canoe Slalom European Championships went in a new direction. During the Championships in Markkleeberg (Germany) ICF supported the local host with the implementation of video judging systems using videoReferee®. With this system the referees had access to up to 11 camera signals in HD quality. In the competition, all signals could be viewed and marked simultaneously during continuous recording. videoReferee® offered the organisers and referees unprecedented opportunities to clarify controversial scenes, thus ensuring more fairness during competition.
Jean Michel Prono, Chairman Canoe Slalom, International Canoe Federation (ICF) said, videoReferee® answers our needs for a fast review of a situation while the race is still running. It really solves the problems we have with dubious situations."
videoReferee® is a multi-channel recording and playback system, already used as a multi-channel referee system in the Kontinental Hockey League KHL, the top Russian ice hockey league. videoReferee® is designed as a portable and cost-effective video judging system for sport events and is used by referees to assess contentious situations.
The marking of contentious scenes can be done automatically using algorithms or manually by the referee at the workstation. Using the controller, individual channels can be selected or special situations can be searched and marked – all in realtime. The operator can flag selective scenes during live recording or by accessing previously recorded material. The users can choose between the simultaneous view of all channels, single view or zoom view. With videoReferee® it is possible to export marked scenes to DVD or MP4 file for backup reasons as well as to record entire sport events.
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The deployment of its newly launched instant replay system, Simple R, during the Bulgaria/Denmark World Cup qualifier last month was undoubtedly a recent highpoint for multi-channel recording, slow motion, instant replay and sports refereeing solutions provider Slomo.tv. But viewed in context, it was merely the latest stage of progress for a company whose profile has grown steadily since it was established in 2007.
Sandro Glanzer, Slomo.tv European and ME product manager, readily allows that "Simple R is now on everyone’s lips", but insists that there is much more to the company’s current offer than this compact 3-in, 2-out instant replay server. "We provide customised solutions at affordable prices for practically all tapeless recording applications," he remarks. "Our major product lines with up to 16 channels of HD include DMR technology – a unique process of simultaneously recording to internal RAID storage and direct into NLE native files to external media. Our servers can be networked together, while we are also very proud to have the only Windows-based broadcasting systems licensed for Apple ProRes codecs."
And, all the time, the sports-oriented range continues to grow. By way of illustration, Glanzer alludes to videoReferee®, an 11 HD channel server for video adjudication, which captures official data from the scoreboard controller and creates a DVD of game highlights. "The system is already very successful in Russia and [has been] installed at almost all major sports arenas," he says.
2013, meanwhile, looks set to be a year of significant new product launches. A combination of mixer, multi-viewer and editing tool, MIXpace aims to "dramatically" reduce space requirements and weight in OB vans; multiple MIXpace devices will be able to access the same video sources simultaneously. Also on the way is the compact, ‘entry-level’ Brick, which provides four recording channels (HD/SD on SSD) and two-channel playback with transitions in a 2U, 9.5" wide form factor.
Riding high on a summer that saw Simple R receive the ‘What Caught My Eye’ treatment during IBC and the confirmation of a distribution agreement with Broadcast Solutions GmbH, Glanzer reveals that among Slomo.tv’s overriding European objective for next year is the development of an extensive dealer network. ‘Net pricing’ for all end-customers, he notes, will be fundamental to the company’s approach.
"We think this policy is the only way to deal with the problem of decreasing dealer margins and unfair competition. It is good for everyone: the dealer, who can concentrate on providing better service; and the customer, who can purchase a product [without being in doubt that they are] getting a fair dealer. We are looking for the most appropriate dealers and, in time, will be ready to offer exclusive territorial contracts. This process has only just started, [and the] requests of qualified resellers are still welcome."
As might be expected, a comprehensive exhibition presence will be part and parcel of this drive for growth. "We will be at the CABSAT, NAB, Broadcast Asia and IBC shows, and are in negotiations with several established companies regarding cross-selling and bundling," confirms Glanzer.
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slomo.tv’s Simple R made its first mark in international sports broadcasting when Bulgaria’s TV1 used the instant replay system in the World Cup qualifying match between Bulgaria and Denmark on 12 October. The machine produced instant slow motion replays from three cameras during the game as well as half-time and endgame highlights, all in HD. slowmo.tv’s presence in the international market started with the exclusive distribution agreement with Broadcast Solutions. The two companies had their first joint stand at IBC2012, where slomo.tv technology could be seen in multi-channel ingest servers, instant replay slow motion systems with graphical interfaces and complete sports video referee systems.www.slomo.tv
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Slomo.tv's newest product, Simple R, made its first mark in international sports broadcasting when Bulgaria's TV1 used the instant replay system in the World Cup qualifying match between Bulgaria and Denmark on 12.10.2012. advertisement
The small, light machine (1U @ 4.5 kg) produced instant slow motion replays from 3 cameras during the game as well as half-time and end-game highlights, all in HD broadcast quality. "The system is stable and strong. We are all very satisfied," said Rumen Kowachew, CEO of TV 1.
The debut of Simple R points a clear way out from under the shadows of bigger and expensive systems. advertisement
No other system currently on the market can offer comparable capabilities in such a small package and for such a low price.
