WAYNE, NJ -- 11/05/09 --
Throughout its six-game long, 2009 World Series
broadcast, Fox Sports provided its viewers with an extraordinary look from
behind home plate and down the first base line thanks to the Vision
Research Phantom® v640 digital high-speed camera. At Yankee Stadium in
New York, the Phantom v640 was positioned at low-first, capturing the
powerful swings of right-handed batters as well as ensuing sprints to first
base in incredible ultra-slow motion. The camera's vantage point from
behind home plate at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia also supplied a
number of ultra-slow motion replays during games three, four and five of
the 2009 World Series.
One of approximately 20 cameras utilized by Fox Sports during its broadcast
of the 2009 World Series, the Phantom v640 was provided by Inertia
Unlimited, which incorporated the camera into its distinguished X-Mo
slow-motion replay system. A leader in the professional broadcast industry,
Inertia Unlimited's
X-Mo system has appeared at some of the most prestigious sporting events in
the world, helping capture ultra-slow motion footage of athletes performing
at the highest level. For the 2009 World Series, Inertia Unlimited utilized
the Phantom v640 at speeds of up to 540 frames-per-second (fps) and
recorded every play in 1280 x 720
high-definition. In addition to the 2009 World Series, the Phantom v640 was
also used by Fox Sports for ultra-slow motion replay at the American League
Championship Series, and by Turner Sports during the National League
Championship Series.
Recording in ultra-slow motion under normal stadium lighting conditions can
typically pose a challenge for camera operators, as higher frame rates
require a wider aperture and increased gain for proper exposure.
Unfortunately, both options lead to reduced image quality and noticeable
differences between the various video feeds used for the broadcast. To
avoid resorting to these measures, Inertia Unlimited's team of engineers
leveraged the impressive low-light performance of the Phantom v640's CMOS
sensor and applied a custom color matrix, fine-tuned to match the
high-definition footage from other cameras throughout the stadium. This
custom calibration allowed the X-Mo system to shoot at negative gain and
with a nominal aperture to provide Fox Sports with the cleanest,
lowest-noise image possible for seamless integration with all of its camera
feeds. This allowed X-Mo to be used for both live on-air shots as well as
for
ultra-slow motion replays in both the behind home plate and low-first
position.
The Phantom v640 is one of the most versatile, highest-performing digital
high-speed cameras on the market today. A four mega-pixel camera offering a
maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600, the Phantom v640 provides
high-resolution imagery for maximum detail. The Phantom v640 can record at
speeds greater than 1,400 fps at its full, four mega-pixel resolution, and
offers a maximum recording speed of 300,000 fps at a reduced resolution.
The Phantom v640's versatility continues as it can also be used as a
standard camera with the ability to record at more traditional frame rates.
In the full-HD resolution used during the 2009 World Series, the Phantom
v640 offers frame rates which range from 10 fps to over 2,700 fps. Such
flexibility made the camera a stand-out addition to Fox Sports' arsenal of
broadcast tools, helping to further enhance its 2009 World Series event
coverage.
Additional information and detailed specifications for the Vision Research
Phantom v640 can be found here, http://www.visionresearch.com.
About Vision Research
Vision Research designs and manufactures high-speed digital imaging systems
used in applications including defense, automotive, engineering, science,
medical research, industrial manufacturing and packaging, sports and
entertainment, and digital cinematography for television and movie
production.
The Wayne,
N.J.-based company prides itself on the sensitivity, high-resolution and
image quality produced by its systems, robust software interfaces, and
reliability and versatility of its camera family -- all which continue to
stand as benchmarks for the high-speed digital imaging industry.
Vision Research digital high-speed cameras add a new dimension to the sense
of sight, allowing the user to see details of an event when it's too fast
to see, and too important not to(TM). For additional information regarding
Vision Research, please visit www.visionresearch.com.
Vision Research is a business unit of the Materials Analysis Division of
AMETEK Inc., a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and
electromechanical devices.
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Contact:
Kyle Kappmeier
(908) 722-5757
R&J Public Relations
kkappmeier@randjpr.com
