BBC Article

Pedanes Bol · October 28th, 2013, 07:20 PM

BBC News - 'Hexacopter' changes the way TV reporters work

Nigel Barker · October 30th, 2013, 05:23 AM

I just came to post that link. It's a fascinating article and a nice demo. I cannot make out what camera they are using. It's small but it's not as I expected an XF100 (which has EBU/BBC approved 50Mbps CODEC). Any guesses?

David Heath · October 30th, 2013, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Barker

I cannot make out what camera they are using. It's small but it's not as I expected an XF100 (which has EBU/BBC approved 50Mbps CODEC). Any guesses?

The article relates to News, and the BBC are using XDCAM EX (35Mbs) for that. (The EBU recommendations apply to mainstream HD programming - XDCAM EX is approved for what they refer to as "journalism" use.)

There was a story a while back about BBC News buying JVC HM650s for self-shoot journalist use, as amongst other reasons it shares the XDCAM EX codec with the bigger cameras. Could it be one of those?

Nigel Barker · October 30th, 2013, 06:17 AM

I have just double-checked with the BBC video at full screen & I can clearly see at 00:42 that it is a Panasonic Lumix G6 (I have one so can compare it with the screen. It also looks very like the lens is the Panasonic 14mm F/2.5 that I have on mine.

The G6 does have fantastic quality video but it's AVCHD or MPEG4 and not even 35Mbps.

Brian Drysdale · October 30th, 2013, 06:27 AM

This is probably being used as what could be termed a speciality camera, rather than the main camera. In news the BBC regularly use internet links, which are definitely not of a broadcast standard. What is acceptable for news may not be acceptable for mainstream HD programmes, although the latter also sometimes use lower standard material, which fit into the SD percentage that a HD production is allowed.

James Manford · October 30th, 2013, 07:01 AM

I knew these copters would eventually be used by news reporters. You just can't beat the quality of footage you can achieve with these things. Angles you simply can't get with anything else! I like the way they emphasized the fact the operator had been trained for 6 months and acquired a license! almost as if they were implying users at home not to go out and buy one and start flying it around their next door neighbors garden lol

Noa Put · October 30th, 2013, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Barker

I have just double-checked with the BBC video at full screen & I can clearly see at 00:42 that it is a Panasonic Lumix G6 (I have one so can compare it with the screen. It also looks very like the lens is the Panasonic 14mm F/2.5 that I have on mine.

The G6 does have fantastic quality video but it's AVCHD or MPEG4 and not even 35Mbps.

Does this mean now I have a "BBC approved" camera?? Must be because they use it for news gathering :) The g6 will surely provide sharp and stunning imagery which will blend in with no issues with their other real "bbc approved" camera's, the g6 with the 14mm pancake is capable to produce some very sharp images while keeping the total weight down as it weighs next to nothing, much better choice then using a gopro if you ask me.

Brian Drysdale · October 30th, 2013, 07:33 AM

You can find the list of BBC approved cameras on their and on the EBU web site,. There are tiers of cameras and what might be suitable as the main camera on a news programme mightn't be the case on a programme.

In selecting a camera for this type of work, how it handles vibration might another consideration.

A trained operator would be part of the BBC's health and safety considerations, apart from it being a CAA requirement.

Noa Put · October 30th, 2013, 07:40 AM

I don't care much about what a bbc approved camera is, I often see a lot of people get exited when they have a camera that is on that list but I guess they are supplying material to the BBC or are working in any form of newsgathering where their camera needs to be up to a certain standard. I only found it interesting to see they also use this cheap combo from Panasonic.

Brian Drysdale · October 30th, 2013, 08:22 AM

The BBC also use GoPro cameras, it's a case of the right camera for the job. There are other options, but you do get into heavier cameras using better codecs and higher costs, which mightn't be justified in the particular circumstances here.

The BBC has also mounted cameras on eagles. In the past they've used lipstick cameras that gave awful looking pictures. It's part of a tradition that goes back to the use of 16mm gun cameras, which did give rather good pictures.

David Heath · October 30th, 2013, 12:44 PM

As said many times before, the EBU guidelines are just that - recommendations, not "rules" or "laws". That said, they are based on some sound science, consequently there is a lot of sense in taking note of them even if your work isn't for broadcast.

And as also said many times before, the use of non-approved cameras is not a problem if something like "practical operational need" can be proven. In other words, if you're doing undercover work with a hidden camera, nobody is going to force the use of a 2/3" camera underneath your raincoat......:-)

That's no excuse for thinking you can therefore use a cheap camera just to save yourself money.

Noa Put · October 30th, 2013, 02:37 PM

Quote:

there is a lot of sense in taking note of them even if your work isn't for broadcast.

Why? Because the BBC decides that if it's not on the list, it's only good for undercover work with a hidden camera? :D Will it make my work better if I have got a camera that's on that list? If my client expects a certain format that was shot with a certain camera, then yes, but if that is not the case, would me buying a cheap Black magic cinema camera (they cost less then a handicam these days) to save some money but to deliver excellent imagery be a wrong choice? I never understood why people get so exited over a camera that's on that list, unless their employer expects it from them.

James Manford · October 30th, 2013, 02:55 PM

I couldn't give a flying tosh about BBC's list. My client's don't require a BBC approved camera.

I buy my cameras after seeing what it is capable of and how difficult it is to get such imagery. That's how I make my purchases.

Noa Put · October 30th, 2013, 02:57 PM

Yeah but you better be prepared to put on a raincoat. :) I wonder if there is any footage available shot with that hexacopter and g6 combo that is of higher quality? The link to that footage that Pedanes posted is heavily compressed.

October 28th, 2013, 07:20 PM	#1
Pedanes Bol Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boston MA Posts: 167	BBC Article - Hexacopter BBC News - 'Hexacopter' changes the way TV reporters work

October 30th, 2013, 05:23 AM	#2
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter I just came to post that link. It's a fascinating article and a nice demo. I cannot make out what camera they are using. It's small but it's not as I expected an XF100 (which has EBU/BBC approved 50Mbps CODEC). Any guesses?

October 30th, 2013, 06:17 AM	#4
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter I have just double-checked with the BBC video at full screen & I can clearly see at 00:42 that it is a Panasonic Lumix G6 (I have one so can compare it with the screen. It also looks very like the lens is the Panasonic 14mm F/2.5 that I have on mine. The G6 does have fantastic quality video but it's AVCHD or MPEG4 and not even 35Mbps.

October 30th, 2013, 06:27 AM	#5
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter This is probably being used as what could be termed a speciality camera, rather than the main camera. In news the BBC regularly use internet links, which are definitely not of a broadcast standard. What is acceptable for news may not be acceptable for mainstream HD programmes, although the latter also sometimes use lower standard material, which fit into the SD percentage that a HD production is allowed.

October 30th, 2013, 07:01 AM	#6
James Manford Trustee Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,393	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter I knew these copters would eventually be used by news reporters. You just can't beat the quality of footage you can achieve with these things. Angles you simply can't get with anything else! I like the way they emphasized the fact the operator had been trained for 6 months and acquired a license! almost as if they were implying users at home not to go out and buy one and start flying it around their next door neighbors garden lol

October 30th, 2013, 07:33 AM	#8
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter You can find the list of BBC approved cameras on their and on the EBU web site,. There are tiers of cameras and what might be suitable as the main camera on a news programme mightn't be the case on a programme. In selecting a camera for this type of work, how it handles vibration might another consideration. A trained operator would be part of the BBC's health and safety considerations, apart from it being a CAA requirement.

October 30th, 2013, 07:40 AM	#9
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter I don't care much about what a bbc approved camera is, I often see a lot of people get exited when they have a camera that is on that list but I guess they are supplying material to the BBC or are working in any form of newsgathering where their camera needs to be up to a certain standard. I only found it interesting to see they also use this cheap combo from Panasonic.

October 30th, 2013, 08:22 AM	#10
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter The BBC also use GoPro cameras, it's a case of the right camera for the job. There are other options, but you do get into heavier cameras using better codecs and higher costs, which mightn't be justified in the particular circumstances here. The BBC has also mounted cameras on eagles. In the past they've used lipstick cameras that gave awful looking pictures. It's part of a tradition that goes back to the use of 16mm gun cameras, which did give rather good pictures.

October 30th, 2013, 12:44 PM	#11
David Heath Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,699	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter As said many times before, the EBU guidelines are just that - recommendations, not "rules" or "laws". That said, they are based on some sound science, consequently there is a lot of sense in taking note of them even if your work isn't for broadcast. And as also said many times before, the use of non-approved cameras is not a problem if something like "practical operational need" can be proven. In other words, if you're doing undercover work with a hidden camera, nobody is going to force the use of a 2/3" camera underneath your raincoat......:-) That's no excuse for thinking you can therefore use a cheap camera just to save yourself money.

October 30th, 2013, 02:55 PM	#13
James Manford Trustee Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,393	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter I couldn't give a flying tosh about BBC's list. My client's don't require a BBC approved camera. I buy my cameras after seeing what it is capable of and how difficult it is to get such imagery. That's how I make my purchases.

October 30th, 2013, 02:57 PM	#14
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: BBC Article - Hexacopter Yeah but you better be prepared to put on a raincoat. :) I wonder if there is any footage available shot with that hexacopter and g6 combo that is of higher quality? The link to that footage that Pedanes posted is heavily compressed.