LaLiga and Mediapro bring filmic experience to football broadcasts
LaLiga and Mediapro are introducing a new state-of-the-art pitchside camera into their broadcasts that is designed to bring a filmic audiovisual quality to the match experience.
The new cameras will provide an ultra-realistic experience that is said to make viewers feel like they are actually in the stands at the stadium, or just a few metres away from the players on the field.
The Sony A7S II camera (35mm sensor) with Sony optics (Zeiss) 55mm is normally used to record extra content such as the pre-match arrival of players and fans at the stadium, rather than as an official camera to broadcast live match action.
Thanks to this innovation, LaLiga becomes the first major football league to integrate a camera with these features into its live broadcasts using a wireless link.
The large-sensor, mirrorless camera captures an image with a very shallow depth of field thanks to its 35mm sensor, so achieving a different result from other, more established broadcast cameras. The resulting blurred background video effect is very similar to ‘portrait mode’ photographs that can be taken with certain mobile phones.
In addition, it integrates a stabiliser support similar to that of steadycam technology, providing a highly cinematic visual experience, comparable to the image quality of a video game.
The new initiative was tested for the first time during the Valencia CF vs CA Osasuna fixture on Matchday 19 and during FC Barcelona vs Athletic Club on Matchday 21. LaLiga fans around the world will have the opportunity to enjoy this realistic image quality in selected matchday fixtures during the rest of the season.
“At LaLiga, we are constantly researching cutting-edge innovations and technological solutions that allow us to offer the best audiovisual product. To this end, we will continue developing and fine-tuning this new system to enhance the visual experience for our fans,” said Melcior Soler, director of LaLiga’s audiovisual department.
Òscar Lago, responsible for LaLiga match production at Mediapro, added: “We are committed to providing solutions that enhance our broadcasting quality and develop a product that is more visually appealing for LaLiga fans.”
With fans still absent from stadiums due to the COVID-19 pandemic, LaLiga and Mediapro have continued to introduce technological innovations to improve the audiovisual broadcasting quality of the competition, among them new camera positions that achieve better angles and new shots that have never been seen before. LaLiga has 14 stadiums with aerial cameras that offer a unique vision of the game, as well as drones for other aerial shots, 360º replays at eight of its stadiums, among other cutting-edge audiovisual technologies that provide a unique television experience.
The technical specifications of the Sony camera include: shutter 50 aperture 2.8 Iso 100 / T. Colour 4800K / Gamma HLG / Colour 709 and Zhiyun Crane 3s Gimbal stabiliser.