HotCam goes HD with The X Factor

05/08/10

Broadcast rental and crewing company HotCam has recently supplemented its equipment inventory with a major investment in high definition acquisition, principally based around 10 Sony PDW-F800 XDCam camcorders, as part of its project to take Talkback Thames' light entertainment extravaganza The X Factor fully HD this year.

HotCam facilitates the equipment and crewing for all the UK auditions, boot camps and judges worldwide location shoots, all of which were previously shot on DigiBeta. With ITV's requirement that the show transition to HD, and given that these auditions take place in some of the largest venues in the country, HotCam's MD, Trevor Hotz decided that a fibre-based system was the best route to take.

"As the shows are getting bigger, so are the venues and consequently cable lengths become more of a challenge with copper," comments Hotz. "However, cable runs with fibre can happily be up to at least two kilometres long, which means we can set up in these venues exactly the way the production wants us to."

The fly-pack fibre system that HotCam has developed involves kit from 10 different manufacturers, and includes additional Sony PMW-EX3 kits and fibre systems. This innovative configuration means that the camcorders can be used not only on PSC shoots but also in a multi-camera set up.

This new system that Hotz instigated for The X Factor is a significant financial investment for HotCam but as Hotz comments, "in turn it provides many advantages that are passed on to our client, including picture quality, much improved efficiency with rigging and de-rigging times, increased flexibility and communication, for example allowing key personnel such as Engineer, Luke Chantrell and Lighting Director, Mark Kenyon to sit next to one another whilst setting up and recording the show." Chantrell comments, "Normally I don't get excited about engineering but this new system excites me."

As ITV's decision to migrate to HD for The X Factor required immediate responsive action, Hotz says, "From getting the green light we had to guarantee the finance and purchase of all the equipment and peripherals within a couple of days before production commenced. We've dealt with Fineline for over ten years and their industry knowledge and experience meant they were able to respond just as quickly as we needed them to."

New Arrivals

05/08/10

Congratulations to Fineline Credit Manager Garry Pearce and his wife Claire on the arrival of their twins this afternoon. Daniel Mason Pearce was born at 1.17pm followed by his sister Bronte Ruby at 1.39, weighing 5lbs 15oz and 5lbs 8oz respectively.