Videosys Broadcast has introduced a camera control system designed specifically for the Sony FX6 camera. This innovative system allows broadcasters to seamlessly integrate the compact Sony FX6 and a lightweight MOVI Rig into their HDR production workflows.

In collaboration with Dutch company Broadcast Rental, Videosys Broadcast has developed a solution that addresses the growing demand for HDR workflows in broadcasting. Broadcast Rental, known for its use of full-frame cameras with MOVI rigs, recognized the need to update their equipment to accommodate advancements in camera technology and the increasing preference for HDR content. The Sony FX6, paired with a MOVI Rig, offers broadcasters the ability to capture cinematic shots with impressive depth of field, exceptional autofocus performance, and stunning cinematic expression, all while maintaining the control and flexibility of traditional broadcast camera systems.

Broadcast Rental, founded in 2009 by GP Slee, has a long history of technological innovation in the broadcast industry. Based in Hilversum, the company provides turnkey solutions, MCR, Fly Packs, RF HD/UHD transmissions, and state-of-the-art box hire equipment. Their solutions have been utilized in high-profile events such as Formula 1, the Winter and Summer Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Euro Tournament, Champions League Football, the Tour de France, the Dakar Rally, the MTV European Music Awards, and numerous rock, pop, and classical concerts.

Frank Steenbeek, Chief Operating Officer at Broadcast Rental, explained the motivation behind the project: “Cameras such as the FX6 are becoming much more sophisticated and now offer a range of features that are of great interest to broadcasters. However, operating them on the wireless systems used in HDR broadcast workflows is tricky because this is not what they are designed for. We were determined to create a solution that would give broadcasters the creative benefits of filmic cameras housed in a lightweight rig, but without sacrificing the wireless control they were used to.”

The development of the new camera control system began in 2012 when Broadcast Rental collaborated with specialist MOVI operator Ben de Graaf (AKA MOVI BEN) to create a MOVI rig system for live sports events. This system needed to offer a wireless connection for signal transmission and camera control. Twelve years later, the setup was refreshed with the involvement of Videosys, a trusted partner of Broadcast Rental.

GP Slee, founder of Broadcast Rental, praised the collaboration with Videosys: “I’ve known Colin Tomlin, Videosys Broadcast’s CEO and founder, for many years and regard him as something of a technical guru. We are heavy users and testers of the camera control, RF links, and camera backs that the company develops, all of which help us make improvements to our own systems.”

The project, which took three months to complete, involved modifying the Sony FX6 to be effectively used in a broadcast workflow. Colin Tomlin, CEO of Videosys Broadcast, explained: “As the Sony FX6 is not a broadcast camera like, say, an HCD3500, there is no real way to control it, even Sony doesn’t make a remote control panel for it. However, they do offer control over ethernet of some features and that was our starting point.”

Videosys Broadcast’s designer George Bairaktaris re-mapped the available features of the FX6 using Sony RCP1500 or Sony RCP3500 remote control panels. This included remapping features such as master black and gamma to a Color Box color corrector, allowing for acceptable control of the FX6 for broadcast use.

Frank Steenbeek highlighted the ingenuity of the solution: “By using what was already there, Videosys has succeeded in creating a very well thought out and innovative solution that not only works perfectly but also brings the FX6 into the Videosys wireless ecosystem that we are already using. This saves rigging time and makes the entire system much more secure because there are fewer points of failure – both important considerations when you are dealing with live events. What Videosys has given us is a very nice addition to our portfolio, which delivers real value to our customers.”

The new camera control system was inaugurated at the end of May during the final of the Holland Veterans football tournament. The success of this deployment has led Broadcast Rental to plan the use of the new MOVI Ben system across numerous football matches throughout Europe, including UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europe League, and UEFA Conference League games involving Dutch teams.

Steenbeek concluded: “We’ve had a lot of interest from broadcasters who want to use this system because it is so mobile and versatile. Having access to a fully controllable filmic camera mounted on a lightweight MOVI rig means that content can now be captured in any location. Whether it is filming the arrival of team buses, recording interviews outside the stadium, or even capturing the action at the back of the pitch, this system brings a whole new level of creativity to live sports coverage.”