Grass Valley enables Pacific Broadcast to catch the biggest waves at international surfing events

Pacific Broadcast, a global broadcast facilities company based in Australia and with offices in the USA, is currently providing live coverage of a major global surfing competition taking place off the Tahitian coast this summer using a mix of Grass Valley LDX 150 Series UHD/HDR cameras.

With French Polynesia offering a surfers’ paradise of world-class challenging waves, Pacific Broadcast aims to showcase the sport for a global audience using the highest quality images possible from every angle, including above and below the waves.

To ensure unobstructed views of surfers riding the waves, Pacific Broadcast built custom waterproof housings for the new Compact LDX C150 camera to enable the capture of exceptional quality images – even when submerged. Configurable as either NativeIP or SDI, LDX 150 standard and compact cameras offer 3x HD/UHD variable speed, and/or 6x HD with a perpetual or daily option. Uniquely, the LDX 150’s live UHD output was used while simultaneously capturing stunning 6x 1080p high-speed replay action shots.

Pacific Broadcast is also leveraging LDX 150 RF cameras, which enable wireless transmission of live image signals and full control of the cameras with low latency links thanks to a third-party wireless RF transmission module integrated by Pacific Broadcast’s design department into the camera housing.

“Live coverage of any premium value sporting event calls for the highest performing cameras on the market today, which aptly describes Grass Valley’s LDX 150 cameras,” said Matt Percy, CEO of Pacific Broadcast. “We chose these cameras for their no-compromise premium quality image capture, consistent from all camera positions. We’ve been working closely with Grass Valley to build RF links according to their new unique interface specifications.”

Since Pacific Broadcast needed to start their pre-production planning prior to the official unveiling of the LDX 150 RF cameras at the NAB Show in April 2024, Grass Valley proactively shared its camera prototypes, as well as electrical and physical interface specs, so that Pacific Broadcast would not be delayed. These resources helped the companu develop their plan for how the RF wireless capability could be implemented according to their precise requirements. The close cooperation between Grass Valley and Pacific Broadcast meant that all RF camera requirements were delivered in full to the competition prior to the event start.

The equipment package also includes a Grass Valley K-Frame XP live production switcher with a Kayenne control panel, chosen primarily for its automated, optimised HDR/SDR conversion capabilities.

“We’re extremely pleased to collaborate closely with our long-time, valued customer, Pacific Broadcast, as they prepared for live production of this global surfing competition,” said Adam Marshall, chief product officer at Grass Valley. “The collaboration showcases the cutting-edge capabilities of our LDX 150 Series cameras and reaffirms our commitment to pushing the boundaries of live production technology, with one of the first deployments of our latest fully integrated RF camera solutions.”