The test showed potential for remote production teams to be located anywhere, regardless of where the game takes place with untethered cameras using 5G’s instant wireless connectivity.
Sony Imaging Products & Solutions, Sony Mobile Communications and Verizon joined forces with NBC Sports recently to test how 5G can change the way live sports broadcasts are captured and produced.
During the Houston Texans vs New England Patriots football game at NRG Stadium this month, a camera person from NBC Sports captured video of the game on the field using Sony’s PXW-Z450 shoulder camcorder. The video was streamed through Sony’s prototype transmitter box and Xperia 5G mmWave device, via Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network to a production room in the stadium.
The test showed the potential for remote production teams to be located anywhere, regardless of where the game’s taking place. Furthermore, 5G’s instant wireless connectivity means that cameras can be untethered, allowing for more camera positions and angles throughout the game and reducing set-up time and costs required for camera system integration.
Commenting on the demonstration, Mikio Kita, Senior General Manager of Media Solution Business Division, Professional Products & Solutions Group, Sony Imaging Products & Solutions, said: “We are extremely pleased to have completed a successful 5G collaboration with Verizon. Sony is uniquely positioned to offer an end-to-end solution for professional content creation and mobile communication technology, and our joint achievement on this proof of concept of live sports production will pave the way for wider 5G applications.”
Nicki Palmer, Chief Product Development Officer at Verizon, added: “Verizon’s 5G network is built to transform industries and we’re thrilled to demonstrate how it can change the way live sports broadcasts are captured and delivered. 5G’s high bandwidth and low latency can enable high-definition video to be streamed essentially in real time and captured with no wires on the field.”
David Mazza, CTO, NBC Sports Group remarked: “It was exciting to see Sony’s 5G product coming to life. The picture quality is excellent, and we look forward to the day when we can deploy a wireless camera this easily as part of the 5G rollouts around the country.”
