South African outside broadcast (OB) company Dimension Television Facilities recently
purchased the new generation RF Vislink wireless cameras and used them very
successfully for the Sunshine Golf Tour and other productions.
Says Dimension’s marketing manager Harry Nieuwoudt: “The unique manner in which
the Vislink (HD, SDI and analogue) controls camera data is exceptional. For the vision
operator there is no difference between the cable camera and the wireless Vislink RF
camera. Colour matching for these cameras is simple because the vision mixer uses the
normal remote control panels in the OB.
“The reception of video information is enhanced via broadband down converters, which
enables us to use various antenna configurations at several high sites and transfer the
information back to the decoders at much lower frequencies through normal 75ohm
cables or by using fibre camera cables. In addition to video, the Vislink system also
allows up to four audio channels (microphone or line level) and a choice of phantom
power. It is a very versatile system.’
Dimension recently covered the Cycling Tour of SA using Vislink RF cameras and the
company’s own microwave links. “We also did the Cape Argus Cycle Tour using three OB
vans and RF cameras, which allowed us to do tracking shots from two motocycles,’
notes Nieuwoudt. “For the past eight years we covered the Sunshine Golf Tour and have
also done numerous shows such as the You Spectacular, Woman of the Year Awards,
Skouspel Plus and Huisgenoot Skouspel.’
Other big events include the 2011 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Championships in
Pietermaritzburg and the Survival Final at Rand Airport. Another highlight was covering
the V8 Super Cars motor racing at Kayalami, which was done with six on board cameras
as well as a helicopter link to the OB van.
Dimension Television Facilities also supplies OB fly away units throughout Africa.
