The media package for both the AC45 and AC72, is far more expansive and integrated than in any previous America’s Cup. The package consists of three major components: LiveLine tracking, race management and umpiring, and on-board TV cameras and audio. This media package enables the television and internet broadcast video to have a rich set of camera angles, audio, and graphical enhancements.
LiveLine tracking:
The LiveLine graphics are a technology breakthrough for this America’s Cup, providing real time graphics embedded in the live broadcast from a helicopter following the race. The race yachts carry a sophisticated tracking and telemetry system. The military grade GPS tracks the boats accurately to 2 cm, enabling the LiveLine computer graphics to be created on shore.
Race Management and Umpiring:
With the high quality position data available from the yachts the next step for the AC-Technology group, was to provide the tools for both electronic race management and umpiring. The crew on-board the yachts have seen the introduction of virtual race limits, and associated indicators, displays for communication from the umpires and the Principal Race Officer and a selection of additional indicators to quickly inform the racers of critical race information. The wireless communication system is critical in this new fast and furious race format.
On-Board TV and Audio:
The yachts can carry between four and seven cameras. The custom cameras are fully agile allowing pan tilt and zoom in extreme conditions, Transmitting this high definition quality feed form all the yachts, camera and mark boats is no small feat in itself. Microwave antennas on top of the masts beam the high definition video and audio signals to the shore. The cameras and transmitters are controlled via the LiveLine telemetry link. Each crew member has a dedicated wireless microphone providing the viewers with additional technical insight into the crew’s race as well as an indication of just how physical the boats are.
The two sections below provide information specific to the two class of racing yachts.
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- AC72 ONBOARD MEDIA EQUIPMENT
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