
ESPN is back in Aspen this week for the 20th edition of Winter X Games. Not surprisingly, the network has once again rolled out plenty of bleeding-edge tech and next-gen production workflows.
Although the debut of Intel's Curie sensors for the Men's Snowboard Big Air and Slopestyle is generating lots of buzz, ESPN has many more tech toys on tap, including 4K/HDR testing onsite, the Winter X debut of Sony HDC-4300 cameras, and the return of live GoPro/Vislink RF POV cameras, which debuted in Aspen last year. In addition, the Winter X operations team continues to cultivate REMI at-home production and EVS Portal/file-transfer techniques that it helped create and now deploys across several ESPN properties.
A lot of stuff starts here in terms of technology and innovation, says Paul DiPietro, coordinating director, event operations, ESPN. The beauty of owning and running our own event is that we basically have free rein to test new technology.
In all, ESPN will produce 24 hours of live coverage (16 on ESPN and ABC and eight on ESPN3) from Aspen; the X Games Extra Presented by Skype late-night show is being televised on ESPN2 for the time after previously only being streamed on XGames.com.
Sony HDC-4300, Live GoPro RF Cams Headline Camera Complement
ESPN has deployed more than 30 manned cameras at more than 100 locations, along with nine robos (provided by Fletcher) throughout Buttermilk mountain.
The SuperCrane on the SnoCross course extends 135 ft. in the air.
Two Sony HDC-4300 cameras - one each for Venue A and Venue B - are on hand, running at 4X and 6X slo-mo depending on whether it is a day or night event. In addition, ESPN is running several Sony HDC-2500s in 2X-slo-mo mode.
The debut of GoPro's live RF POV camera (using Vislink's transmitter) in Aspen last year drew plenty of attention from viewers, who were able to see athletes' POV live for the first time. Rebranded GoPro HeroCast, the system is back this week with 16 units on hand in tether (camera and transmitter on opposite sides of an athlete's helmet) or backpack (transmitter in backpack). HeroCast is also used for FollowCam-style selfie-stick shots and for course descriptions.
In addition to deploying 16 HeroCast live RF POV cameras for ESPN's coverage, GoPro trotted out Loki the WolfDog to capture GoPro footage for social media.
The RF GoPros added a wrinkle that elevated the product like no other over the past few years, says ESPN Senior Coordinating Producer Amy Rosenfeld. The fact that we can do that live really took it to the next level. We are deploying that even more into the coverage after learning how to utilize it last year. Our partnership with GoPro is so strong that we are working together to figure out what worked last year and how we can elevate it.
BSI (Broadcast Sports Inc.) has upgraded three FollowCam systems with new imagers based on the on-board/in-car cameras it provides for its auto-racing coverage. These systems have also been outfitted with a wider lens this year.
Also included in ESPN's camera arsenal are a SuperCrane (135 ft. in the air at the SnoCross course) and three RF handheld cameras (provided by BSI).
ESPN's Super Group: NEP's EN1 and EN2 Join Forces
ESPN also packs a powerful punch in the compound this week with two of NEP's elite mobile units - EN1 and EN2 - working together for the first time ever. ESPN has once again split the operation in two venues, with EN1 handling Venue A (Slopestyle, SuperPipe, Big Air, and Special Olympics) and EN2 handling Venue B (SnoCross and X Course).
Based on NEP EN1 and EN2, the sprawling ESPN X Games compound comprises six NEP trailers and a BSI truck.
With a total of six trailers on hand (EN1 A, B, D, and E and EN2 A and B) and state-of-the art infrastructure in place, ESPN moved several portions of the operation that would previously have been located in office trailers into the production units, including TOC operations, robotic-camera control, and the Visual Technology group.
We didn't have these types or size of trucks in the past, says ESPN Operations Producer Jon Winders. But now that we have these massive trucks with lots of firepower, it makes sense to use the infrastructure that's been provided to us. And the best thing is that everything is interconnected so easily via fiber and they work together perfectly. All the trucks parked, they got power, connected via fiber, and everything was immediately interconnected.
Bleeding-Edge Imaging Update: 4K and HDR In, Drones Out
Always the testing ground for up-and-coming technology, X Games is serving as test bed for ESPN's exploration of 4K and HDR production tools. ESPN has deployed a team onsite using multiple camera systems to capture 4K video at variable frame rates and HDR footage in order to conduct comparative-viewing tests later.
The ESPN operations team on hand in Aspen
X Games has always been an event where we can test and explore new and evolving technologies, and this year is no different, says ESPN EVP/CTO Aaron LaBerge. We're excited to continue testing next-generation video formats and cameras, such as 4K and UHD, as a part of that.
While 4K and HDR undergo testing in Aspen, one next-gen production element that debuted at the 2015 Winter X Games is absent this year: drones. ESPN's use of a drone to cover a handful of events last year marked the first legal deployment of a drone for live sports coverage in North America. However, the network declined to deploy a drone this year. According to Rosenfeld, the decision was made well before a drone crashed and nearly hit Austrian skier Marcel Hirscher during the Madonna di Campiglio in Italy in December and had more to do with a better allocation of resources than with concern over safety.
The thinking was that we really wanted to put as much weight
Most recent headlines
15/03/2025
Warner Bros. Discovery is reporting that the trailer for The Last of Us season two amassed 158 million global views across platforms in its first three days, ...
15/03/2025
LAS VEGAS & CINCINNATI The Las Vegas Aces and Scripps Sports have signed a multiyear agreement to make Scripps Vegas 34 station the official broadcast home of W...
15/03/2025
CHAMPAIGNE, Ill. Cobalt Digital will feature IPMX-compliant products, including its SAPPHIRE mini converters and PACIFIC encoders enhanced with IPMX support, du...
15/03/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. TiVo has announced that the latest release of Sharp Smart TVs Powered by TiVo are now available for purchase in the U.S....
15/03/2025
BOSTON Collaborative media workflow solution provider EditShare has announced that it will be showing a wide range of new innovations at the 2025 NAB Show that ...
15/03/2025
SES to introduce a suite of integrated services that enhance Lynk Global's s...
15/03/2025
Editing and Color Grading Promo Codes for Audiio and MotionVFX!
Kasia Jarco March 14, 2025
0 Comments
I wanted to share some promo codes for great too...
15/03/2025
Avid Makes Key Additions to Executive Leadership Team to Meet the Needs of the E...
15/03/2025
NAB 2025: Cobalt Announces Plans to Bring Plug and Play ST 2110 Experience to NA...
15/03/2025
Student Spotlight: Rachel McFarlane The Canadian composer talks about being drawn to the storytelling power of scoring for film and video games, working with ...
14/03/2025
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival...
14/03/2025
Time flies when you're having fun and we can confidently say that Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer and Spotify's Head of Talk Strategy, is having not...
14/03/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
14/03/2025
TV Technology: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2025 NAB Show?...
14/03/2025
The Dalet NAB 2025 showcase will feature its market-leading enterprise News, Media Management and Supply Chain solutions designed for faster deployment and acce...
14/03/2025
IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) will debut its latest advancements for premium live streaming at NAB 2025 (booth W1401), introducing new AI-driven technologies d...
14/03/2025
TAG Video Systems, the leader in software-based IP media probing, monitoring, visualization, and analytics, and Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT), the worldwide leader in...
14/03/2025
Unicanal and Trece TV, two of Paraguay s leading broadcasters, have successfully launched digital TV services in three main cities: Encarnaci n, Ciudad del Este...
14/03/2025
The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA), and the Video Services Forum (VSF) today announced that the IP Showcase ...
14/03/2025
Digital Alert Systems, the global leader in emergency communications solutions for media providers, today announced that Nebraska Public Media is deploying the ...
14/03/2025
Interra Systems, a leading provider of end-to-end quality assurance solutions for the digital media industry, today announced that Comcast Technology Solutions ...
14/03/2025
At the 2025 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show, Rightsline will showcase innovations designed to make rights and royalties management smarter, fast...
14/03/2025
PK Sound, the robotic line array company, has formally released the Tx Series of intelligent multi-purpose point source modules, beginning with the ultra-versat...
14/03/2025
Avid today announced the expansion of its executive leadership team (ELT) with the appointment of three experienced executives: Tom Sharma as Chief Technology ...
14/03/2025
DigitalGlue, a trusted systems integrator and provider of end-to-end media solutions, is redefining storage workflows with its innovative platform, creative.spa...
14/03/2025
CVP, one of Europe s leading resellers and providers of professional video and broadcast solutions, is partnering with renowned director and cinematographer Joe...
14/03/2025
Cobalt Digital, the leading designer and manufacturer of award-winning signal processing products, and a founding partner in the openGear initiative has announ...
14/03/2025
Keepit, a global provider of a comprehensive cloud backup and recovery platform, announced today its success at the Business Awards UK, 2025 Cybersecurity and R...
14/03/2025
Lightware, an industry-leading manufacturer of signal management solutions, has announced its commitment to fostering strong relationships with top technology c...
14/03/2025
Editing and Color Grading Promo Codes
Kasia Jarco March 14, 2025
0 Comments
I wanted to share some promo codes for great tools for your video editing ...
14/03/2025
Singaporean Singer-Songwriter JJ Lin on Craft, Courage, and Creativity The artist shared candid insights into his musical evolution, personal challenges, and ...
14/03/2025
Three strategic appointments aims to bolster the leadership team at Avid, reinforcing the companys commitment to remain at the forefront of innovation
By Matth...
14/03/2025
Coming at a pivotal time for the sector, the funding underscores Cinesites ambition and confidence in the media and entertainment industry
By Matthew Corrigan ...
14/03/2025
Karen Chupka, executive vice president and managing director, NAB Global Connections and Events, gives TVBEurope the lowdown on what visitors can expect at next...
14/03/2025
BURLINGTON, Mass. Avid has expanded its executive leadership team (ELT) with the appointment of three experienced executives: Tom Sharma as chief technology off...
14/03/2025
CUPERTINO, Calif. TVU Networks, a pioneer in live video production and a leader in cloud-based media solutions, is marking its 20th anniversary at the 2025 NAB ...
14/03/2025
Telos Alliance To Demonstrate New Next Generation Audio Features at 2025 NAB Sh...
14/03/2025
Live From THE PLAYERS: RED Cameras Help Cosm Capture Unique Looks for Cosm Venue...
14/03/2025
NWSL Kickoff 2025: League Operations Team Preps for NEP-Driven Remote Production...
14/03/2025
NWSL Kickoff 2025: Scripps Sports Introduces New On-Air Team for Second Year of ...
14/03/2025
SVG Sit-Down: Marie Margolius on the Thrill of Directing New Prime Video Docuser...
14/03/2025
Live From THE PLAYERS: NBC Sports Tees Up Drone Tracing, Taps Into NEP Compound ...
14/03/2025
Back to All News
Get a Glimpse of the Epic Battles in First Look at Record of ...
14/03/2025
Back to All News
Celebrating the Italian Historical Drama Il Gattopardo' Across the Globe
The series' creative team speaks at the Rome premiere.
Ent...
14/03/2025
Back to All News
The Electric State' Brings Cosmo and The Billbots to Life...
14/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales has reached a historic milestone by deliv...
14/03/2025
2FM's fresh weekend lineup goes live this Saturday as a host of new presente...
13/03/2025
(L-R) Stephanie Suganami, Tatanka Means, John Malkovich, Ayo Edebiri, and Juliette Lewis attend the premiere of Opus at Eccles Theatre in Park City. (Photo by...
13/03/2025
Spotify took center stage at the London Book Fair this week, reaffirming our commitment to the audiobook market and showcasing our impact on the publishing indu...
13/03/2025
At Spotify, we work every day to lift up new voices, giving creators the opportunity to live off their art. Through Spotify Audiobooks, our in-house publishing ...