Sony, DBW and Infront capture Coppa Italia Final in 4K HDR
Sony cameras were used to capture the 2015 Coppa Italia Final in 4K HDR
The final of the 2015 Coppa Italia – which is Italy’s main football cup – was reportedly the first sport event to be filmed in 4K HDR (high dynamic range) mode. Taking place on 20 May, the match between Juventus and Lazio saw Juventus emerge victorious with a 2-1 win in extra time.
In precisely the manner that the human eye can capture a wide dynamic image, distinguishing elements of the image in high and low light, HDR mode television aims to gather all the information and deliver a greater range of luminosity than is possible with standard techniques.
The innovation is in the development of advanced optical/electrical sensors capable of capturing images even beyond the spectrum of the human eye.
It is also possible to process signals with a very high number of samples in order to reproduce every single level of brightness and colour information.
On May 20 this breakthrough technology was used in a production test at the final between Juventus and Lazio, which therefore became the first football match shot in full HDR mode.
The production was entrusted to Infront Sports & Media, with technical and technological support from DBW Communication.
For the filming the equipment included extensive amounts of technology from Sony, such as six Sony F55 cameras, an MVS-7000X 4K switcher, a PWS4K server, PWS-4400, and two PVM-X300 4K monitors.
Stefano Rebechi, CEO of DBW Communication, declares: “In agreement with Infront we decided to conduct this very challenging test, which opens up the new frontier of TV sports.”
Camera configuration
“The choice of Sony F55 cameras in ‘live production’ mode proved to be even more of a ‘futureproofed’ decision,” adds Rebechi. “In fact, Sony made available a new set-up called ‘S-log3’ to update the PMW-F55 already used for shooting 4K HDR.”
On the field DWB placed six F55 cameras configured with the QFHD 3840 × 2160 format, frame rate of 50fps and a large colour space, with S-Gamut3 / S-log3 profile. The content was then recorded on the multi-port server PWS-4400 in XAVC format, at 300Mbs/10Bit.
This configuration made it possible to capture exciting pictures, as seen from the extensive comparison test undertaken with SDR capture.
The result is that HDR is now regarded as further step forwards that offers the potential to help deliver highly exciting content.
Benito Manlio Mari Sony Professional Europe comments: “HDR is a new step in the evolution of TV production that enables broadcasters and content producers to raise the visual experience. In terms of production, the advantages of this mode give content producers access to a broader range of creative and much higher levels [of expression].”