Overhead camera

[Ben Frain]

Why don't the big tournaments such as NPPL get a crane above centre court and mount a locked off camera with suitable wide angled lens to give a full view of the field from above? Using HD in a 16:9 format would give plenty good enough resolution to catch all the little details.

That way all the paint streams would be visible (no doubt all the hits and wipes too) and it would give an omniscient view of proceedings (something I always feel is missing from paintball footage).

I feel the cost implementation would be negligible compared to the quality of the footage it would afford.

Just think in the commentary it would be as simple as saying 'shooting left to right we have XSV and shooting right to left is Dynasty'

Or is it a poo idea?

 

[Rabies]

Any idea what it still costs to do HD?

Great idea otherwise (although it's been suggested before, I don't think anyone's ever actually run with the idea.)

 

[Ben Frain]

Yes, I have a very good idea what it costs to do HD as it happens. Even 24p is now suprisingly cheap and 24p post is cheaper than ever. I would certainly imagine it would be within the budgetary constraints of the NPPL, especially considering they would hiring the kit in the states.

 

[Chicago]

HD is still significantly more expensive than stanard definition. And you're missing the biggest problem:

If you need HD to film it, what's the point when all of your distribution is 4:3? If you want to shoot hi-def from the central cam, then you're going to have to shoot EVERYTHING in hi-def, and then only distribute through hi-def channels.

 

[Ben Frain]

Originally posted by Chicago
HD is still significantly more expensive than stanard definition. And you're missing the biggest problem:

If you need HD to film it, what's the point when all of your distribution is 4:3? If you want to shoot hi-def from the central cam, then you're going to have to shoot EVERYTHING in hi-def, and then only distribute through hi-def channels.

Well, I don't know about over there (US) but most of our distribution here is now 16:9.

And, you wouldn't have to shoot everything HD, you just down convert if you needed to.

The format is actually not that important, it was more to do with having a central overview shot of the game where angles and paint streams can be seen all over the pitch.

This way the tactics of a teams offensive or defensive plays will be more evident as you will get to see their overall impact (or not) on the game.

 

[Beaker]

I camera on high behind each team. Easier to see things think than on the side, Lines of paint on the break would be nuts.

Plus you could do that in 4:3

 

[SHOG1]

Why don't the big tournaments such as NPPL get a crane above centre court and mount a locked off camera with suitable wide angled lens to give a full view of the field from above? Using HD in a 16:9 format would give plenty good enough resolution to catch all the little details.

Can you imagine the insurance risks with that lot above you-hey c'mon-you all know what the yanks are like!-where there's a blame-there's a claim!!!!