By Farah Jifri
German company Wige Media has a background in providing broadcast services, particularly for coverage of sporting events such as the German Bundesliga and the national Touring Car Championship.
In a similar vein to BBC Resources, which develops specialist cameras, Wige developed its CUNIMA MCU[1] camera to provide viewers with an on-board view of the German Touring Car Championship. Since then the camera has been used as a goal-cam during football (soccer) games, and mounted on the jump-off platforms or used as a pole-cam during coverage of ski-jump championships.
The tiny plug-and-play native HD camera is just 33.5 mm x 38 mm x 111.5 mm, weighs 182g and fits into the palm of your hand. Capable of withstanding high G-force and the shock of impact, the camera features CMOS chip technology, and delivers both native high-definition and standard-definition (including 16:9) signals. Combined with the Wige-HD radio transmission system the camera requires no external control and supports RAW-output schemes for cine applications.
This year's IBC show saw the company enter the 3D fray. Joining forces with fellow German manufacturer MikroM and 3D rig specialist 3ality, Wige demonstrated a 3D wireless bundle which combines its CUNIMA MCU[1] camera, MikroM's Megacine field recorder and a 3ality camera rig.
The Megacine offers uncompressed HD/2K recording and comes with Flash Memory functionality and together with two CUNIMA MCU[1]cameras and a 3D HD stereoscopic camera rig from 3ality provide a simple all-in-one solution for 3D coverage.
According to Wige, the ideal application for the bundle would be 3D coverage of sports or live events broadcasts to a big screen where viewers would be charged a fee that also covers the rental of 3D glasses. If combined with Phillips' auto stereoscopic multipanel 3D display, for example, the need for glasses could be avoided altogether.
The set-up, which bears a startling resemblance to Walt Disney's Wall-E, also delivers a 2D stream and can be used for regular broadcast applications.
In the case of 2D coverage, the broadcaster would just choose a feed from one of the cameras.
