Videe opts for IP as it produces extensive coverage of the Maratona Dles Dolomites

A 138km course, a 4,230m difference in altitude, 8,000 cyclists and six hours of live TV broadcast on Italian TV channel RAI 2. That’s just some of the key figures from the Maratona Dles Dolomites, the mountain cycling marathon that took place on Sunday 2 July in Alta Badia, in the South Tyrolean Dolomites, Italy.

Behind the scenes of this spectacular marathon is Videe SpA. The Italian company has been the technical partner to the Maratona Organizing Committee for years, providing the breathtaking live broadcast of the race from 06:15 to midday.

The collaboration between Videe and the Organizing Committee resulted in a number of technical improvements and an even more involving and captivating broadcast this year.

A preliminary analysis of the territory and a careful survey onsite enabled Videe to find the best technical solutions to meet the Committee’s requirements and expectations. “Our experience, passion and flexibility stimulate us to always provide a top-end customised service. We’re very happy with the outcome and to contribute to the increasing success of the event,” said Bruno Mercuri, president & founder, Videe.

Videe was responsible for the live terrestrial, mobile and aerial broadcast from start to finish (including TV shooting positions on the Giau and Sella passes in the Dolomites) with RF equipment, helicopter and motorbikes, RAI live studio and commentary positions for journalists and guests, live connection with some athletes, interviews from the mixed zone and finish line, signal management and live graphics. In addition to following the exploits of the marathon participants, the live broadcast also told stories and unique emotions were conveyed.

Live filming was carried out with a remarkable camera provision: Videe provided cameras at the start, at Passo Giau and Passo Sella and at the finish line. It also supplied camcorders and micro-and-remote PTZ cameras in the studio, RF cameras for the interviews at the finish line, a Jimmy Jib and a Cineflex on the helicopter. It also managed the signals from the motorbikes.

To manage it all, the Videe team consisted of about 30 people onsite.

The company also provided its 4K HDR OB truck, OBX, which often proves to be the best choice for major sporting events, whatever the altitude and the temperature. Future-driven and engineered with advanced production facilities, triple-expanding and with a working space of 77sqm, OBX maximises the performance and the comfort of the operating and creative crew on board, which is particularly important when tackling a long live broadcast – as was the case here.

At the core of the system is the Imagine IP3 router, through which all AV signals, whatever the format, are clean switched. Thanks to advanced I/O processing capabilities, such as fibre modules avoiding fibre-to-HDSDI conversions, benefits in terms of time and quality are guaranteed.

Moreover, thanks to its flexible, responsive and cutting-edge configuration, OBX offers directors and creative crew a wide range of opportunities to catch any action and emotion – even unexpected – and to enrich live content, expanding the perspectives and the potential of a live TV broadcast.

Fausto Colavecchi, chief engineer in charge of the production, said: “The specific challenge we faced lies in that we didn’t use either relay aircraft or relay helicopter, which is different from how outdoor running and cycling races are commonly produced. It was the first time such a solution was implemented at the Maratona Dles Dolomites. Live IP video was preferred to RF links after a careful analysis onsite and after a detailed mapping on 4G/5G coverage was completed. This solution would have been effective also in case of bad weather and/or of a flight interdiction, since the 4G/5G network would have permitted the receiving of signals from the motorbikes. This choice eased and simplified the production, which meant cost savings and fewer people needed on site.”

“Videe’s full reliability was proven from every point of view; the company relies on a highly professional team who takes care of each and every detail and who has been able to manage at the best level the complicated Maratona Dles Dolomites production for years,” said Michil Costa, president of the Maratona Organizing Committee.