Telecast CopperHead used for multicamera HD news segment live from SeaWorld

Telecast Fiber Systems' CopperHead camera-mounted fibre optic transceiver has been instrumental in obtaining live remote coverage of ‘Shamu’ the whale at SeaWorld park in San Diego.
Freelance cinematographer John Sharaf used the CopperHead to transmit signals from two cameras at the tank to an uplink truck located outside the park, more than 300 feet away, for live broadcast to a prominent morning network news programme.
"Telecast's CopperHead was an absolute must in this application, where the layout of the facility required the cameras to be quite a long distance from the satellite uplink truck.
Conventional coax cable only carries HD signals for a few hundred feet before the signal is rendered unusable. Using this fibre optic system gave us the resilience required for long-distance transmission of HD material," said Sharaf. "Add to this the ability to carry so many signals on just one cable, and we had the mobility we needed for working with large, somewhat unpredictable animals."
The segment was filmed at 4 am local time in order to provide the live feed for the news programme as it aired live on the east coast. Sharaf brought in a Bebee light mounted on an 82-ft. pole in order to illuminate the tank and create the appearance of daytime as they taped. The CopperHead camera-mounted transceivers, fitted with Power Plus power adapters allowed Sharaf's crew to transmit all broadcast signals from the cameras - including video, audio, intercom, camera control, genlock, and power - through SMPTE hybrid fibre optic cables.
The ability to power the cameras directly through the fibre optic cable proved to be a great benefit for the project. "Not having to deal with charging camera batteries before the event or worrying about the batteries running out on-air is a huge factor in producing live segments. This is one way in which Telecast really sets its products apart from the pack," added Sharaf. "I knew that I could trust my CopperHeads to successfully capture and relay the shot."
(GB)