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Championship-Worthy Coverage: Live Sports Productions at Harvard Athletics with AIDA NDI® POV Cameras

June 24, 2024

Harvard Athletics is revolutionizing live sports broadcasting through the strategic integration of AIDA NDI POV cameras. Led by Assistant Director in Multimedia & Production Dillon Wall, Assistant Director in Multimedia & Production Dillon James Magone, and Associate Director of Athletics – Content & Strategic Communications Imry Halevi, this initiative aims to enhance the quality, flexibility, and efficiency of live sports productions, showcasing the capabilities of these innovative devices.

Harvard Athletics broadcast team - Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics

Hockey Rink Implementation

The journey began at the hockey rink, where the team sought to enhance broadcast graphics with new beauty and cut away shots. Facing a shortage of SDI inputs in the press box, they utilized Ethernet ports to connect the HD-NDI-IP67 via NDI, enriching their broadcasts by spring 2023. Inspired by this success, the team installed two additional AIDA NDI POV cameras in the penalty boxes to capture player emotions.

Press box setup - Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics
Penalty box POV camera setup - Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics
Penalty box screengrab – Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics
“We faced a similar issue in the penalty box area as well, we had no available SDI return feeds to our control room, but we did have a few ethernet ports. The addition of the Penalty Box AIDA Cameras for the playoff series that season convinced us to buy additional AIDA NDI POV cameras so that we could leave two permanently set up in the penalty boxes for hockey seasons moving forward.”
Penalty box screengrab – Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletic

Track and Field Implementation

The benefits extended to the indoor track and field facility, specifically the throwing cage. The NDI camera simplified this process with a single Ethernet drop, reducing setup time and complexity. The built-in NDI and power over Ethernet (POE) capabilities provided superior angles for athletes during shot put and discus throws, enhancing the viewer experience.

Throwing cage AIDA camera setup - Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics
Track & Field competition screengrab – Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletic

“In the past we would have to run cables about 100 feet from a POV camera attached to the cage, across the floor of the spectator area of the track, and up to our crow’s nest where we could then connect the cable to an SDI to NDI converter. This was simplified upon our implementation of an AIDA NDI POV camera at the cage.”

Swimming, Diving, and Water Polo Implementation

The compact and durable design of the HD-NDI-IP67 cameras, combined with NDI functionality, proved invaluable for swimming, diving, and water polo events. These environments, with high humidity and the need for waterproof equipment, benefited from the cameras’ versatility. The AIDA cameras captured dynamic water shots without extensive cabling, enhancing the viewer’s experience.

Harvard Athletics competition pool - Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics
HD-NDI-IP67 pool camera placement - Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics

Broadcasting Industry Impact

NDI technology represents a significant advancement in live sports production. It enables the transmission of high-quality video, audio, and metadata over standard IP networks, offering numerous advantages over traditional SDI infrastructure. For Harvard Athletics, the use of Ethernet for camera connections increased camera placement flexibility and simplified workflows. POE further enhanced setup efficiency, particularly in venues with limited infrastructure.

Harvard Athletics production control room - Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics

Key Benefits and Outcomes

The deployment of AIDA NDI cameras has provided several key benefits for Harvard Athletics:

1. Flexible Placement

“AIDA cameras allow us to add them in areas we may have struggled to add other cameras in the past or have significantly streamlined the set up and use of cameras in those areas.”

– This flexibility is crucial in sports venues with spatial constraints and complex layouts.

2. Streamlined Setup

“With NDI and POE built into the camera, it allows us to have a much simpler and quicker set up for our cameras.”

– This efficiency reduces setup times and minimizes technical challenges, enabling the Harvard Athletics team to focus more on content production and less on logistics.

3. Enhanced Fan Experience

“AIDA’s NDI POV cameras have helped provide us with multiple opportunities to bring Harvard and Ivy League fans closer to the action and our athletes than ever before.”

– High-quality, dynamic angles and close-ups offer viewers an immersive experience, fostering greater engagement and connection with the sports and athletes.

Harvard Athletics production control room - Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics

Conclusion

Harvard Athletics has transformed its live sports production approach with AIDA NDI POV cameras, overcoming technical challenges and elevating the viewing experience for its audience. This innovative use of AIDA cameras showcases their capability and versatility, marking a significant advancement in live production quality.

For broadcasting professionals, this case highlights the potential of NDI technology to transform live sports productions, offering valuable insights for similar implementations across various sports and venues. As the industry evolves, adopting such cutting-edge solutions will be crucial in delivering engaging content to audiences worldwide.

James Magone, Assistant Director - Multimedia & Production - Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics

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