Ikegami Cameras for Al Kass

Al Kass OB-10 built by Broadcast Solutions

Ikegami cameras have been chosen for the OB-10 live production vehicle recently completed for sports channel Al Kass in Qatar. The vehicle is believed to be the largest ever commissioned by a Middle East broadcaster. Dimensions including tractor unit are 16.5 meters length and 4 meters height. Width is 2.5 meters expanding to 4.1, fully self-supporting. Total weight is 37 tons. It is equipped with 31 cameras for operation by a 29-strong crew.

The new vehicle includes 28 Ikegami HDK-97A 16-bit full digital cameras plus 8 Hi-Motion II high-speed cameras.  Also supplied were 3 WA-97 wireless adapters, 7 Ikegami FA-97 3G HDTV fibre adaptors, 25 TA-97 triax adaptors, 27 CCU-970M camera control units, 28 OCP-300 operation control panels. The camera equipment was ordered in two phases and has all now been delivered.

Al Kass OB-10 Inside View

OB 10 was designed and constructed by Broadcast Solutions, one of Germany's leading broadcast system integrators. A key requirement specified by Al Kass was fast set-up time. OB-10 can be fully operational within 20 minutes of arrival at site.

The HDK-97A Camera

The HDK-97A employs three 2/3-inch AIT CCD imagers and an advanced digital video processing system provided high picture detail and accurate rendition of colour gradations.

Al Kass OB-10 Camera Shading Area

Delivering a choice of 1080/50p 4:2:2 or 1080/50i 4:4:4 colour sampling, it is designed for traditional-style multi-camera production applications. A docking-style camera, the HDK-97A also features a 3G fibre-transmission system from the camera head to its CCU. Transmission options include an HD-SDI QTV signal for prompter use and an HD-SDI trunk channel that allows connection of a second source such as a POV camera.

The Hi-Motion Camera System

An evolution of the EMMY Award winning Hi-Motion camera system, the Hi-Motion II is designed to deliver instant ultra-slow motion imagery of fast-action broadcast sports events.

It has been used at a very wide range of events including coverage of international athletics, motor racing, equestrian and aquatic sports as well as at major-league ball games. 

Features include a 1920 x 1080 pixel high-definition three-chip CMOS sensor block plus the ability to set the recording speed between normal and 10 times faster than real time.

The Hi-Motion II can be integrated easily with an EVS slow motion replay server and also provides continuous live video output. Flicker correction is included to reduce the effect of lighting flicker on ultra-high speed images.

Al Kass OB-10 Replay Area and HiMotion Control

The UHK-430 4K Portable Broadcast Camera

4K resolution and high dynamic range have become important issues throughout the broadcast media industry as content producers and delivery channels plan their investment strategy for the coming five to 10 years. The first in Ikegami's new-generation UNICAM XE range of cameras, the UHK-430 incorporates three newly-developed 4K-native 2/3 inch 8 megapixel CMOS sensors which provide full 3840 x 2160 ultra-high definition resolution plus the depth of field required for studio and outdoor production. The UHK-430 delivers four times more image detail than high definition and has a color depth of 10 bits per pixel instead of the current limit of 8 bits per pixel.

The UHK-430 delivers four times more image detail than high definition

The UHK-430 incorporates a B4 bayonet mount compatible with 2/3 inch HD lenses. An optional SE-U430 expander accommodates large studio or OB lenses. Two piece construction allows the sensor and lens head to be detached as a compact unit for easy deployment on a support devices such as long-reach manually-controlled camera poles. In this mode, the head can be operated up to 50 metres from the camera body.

Distance getween Camera and CCU: Up to 10km on single mode fiber or 4km on SMPTE hybrid fiber cable

At the heart of the UHK-430 is a new processor, the AXII, reducing power consumption and delivering a wide range of features including 16-axis color correction and new focus-assist for 4K and HD video modes. The AXII also provides the processing for Ikegami's newly developed i-Log transfer characteristic which delivers high contrast for a wider dynamic range.

This allows more image information to be retained for greater headroom and color grading. The ITU-R BT.2020 extended color space specification is supported in 4K mode. BT. 709 color space is supported in both 4K and HD modes.

Ikegami viewfinders available for the UHK-430 include the 7.4-inch OLED VFE741D, the 7-inch full HD resolution LCD VFL701D LCD and the 2-inch portable LCD VFL201D. All three include a serial digital interface for integrated camera and viewfinder menu control.

The companion Ikegami CCU-430 camera control unit enables easy migration from HD to 4K live production. Features include switchable 4x 3G-SDI 4K output as well as HD output. An optional plug-in board makes 4K video, HD video, and HD cutout from 4K available simultaneously. 12G-SDI and video-over-IP interfaces will be introduced in the coming months.

A built-in 40 gigabits per second optical transceiver delivers full bandwidth 4K RGB 4:4:4 component channels from camera to CCU, allowing very high quality chroma keying.

Dual HD outputs are provided for teleprompt and talent monitor plus return video lines from studio to viewfinder. The UHK-430 also has a Gigabit Ethernet data port to allow networked control.

Link: http://www.live-production.tv/case-studies/production-facilities/ikegami-cameras-al-kass.html

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