uk f1 tv coverage - sky, bbc and ch4

[Peter Mallett]

I think the point is, we all know what the driver is doing; watching the wheel being worked is not as exciting as watching the car dancing through the corners, night races or not.

[Richard C]

I actually like the helmet/visor cam. But... I do agree for night races that there is a lot of glare. I "think" it can be done in real time, but I would love them to show a stabilized version. I think it is a much more compelling and easier to watch view. It really gives you the feeling of being behind the wheel. The regular view is pretty rough to watch at times.

Here is an example of what a stabilized view looks like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69RtS31TSrM

Richard

[Peter Mallett]

I take your point but for me it's a waste of time. If you don't know how a steering wheel works, you've got a bigger problem than blurred camera work.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I actually like the helmet/visor cam. But... I do agree for night races that there is a lot of glare. I "think" it can be done in real time, but I would love them to show a stabilized version. I think it is a much more compelling and easier to watch view. It really gives you the feeling of being behind the wheel. The regular view is pretty rough to watch at times.

Here is an example of what a stabilized view looks like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69RtS31TSrM

Richard

I like that but not too much, or it could become a bit gimmicky. However, during qualifying I think the occasional complete lap might be worth considering, or a complete lap with the pole sitter, as part of the recap, or even before the actual race, as part of the race preview could also be an idea.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I actually like the helmet/visor cam. But... I do agree for night races that there is a lot of glare. I "think" it can be done in real time, but I would love them to show a stabilized version. I think it is a much more compelling and easier to watch view. It really gives you the feeling of being behind the wheel. The regular view is pretty rough to watch at times.

Here is an example of what a stabilized view looks like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69RtS31TSrM

Richard

Better, but still too much glare. I guess after years of sim racing having that view unhindered from the cockpit, I expect more......

[seanyb505]

The stabilized video is interesting, but I think there's too many other objects in frame to truly allow it to be an enjoyable experience, like the helmet and halo support. Kinda ruins the sense of speed when my eyes are fighting for a different angle where stuff isn't in the way for me. I know in the cockpit the driver's focus is down track so they don't really see those things. Kinda like how you don't really process the visual signature of your own nose in normal life. It's there,and you can focus more on it if you tried,but your brain doesn't compute that image. Even first person perspectives in shows and movies never really have a nebulous, unfocused blob for a nose at the bottom of the screen. That's the halo, helmet, and glare as the viewer here.

I wonder if f1 could use ai image processing to remove those features and better put you in the seat. I read a thing that said they already use it to smooth out slow motion shots by filling in missing action from one frame to the next.

[VIVA GT]

I found the helmet cam 'interesting' when they first showed it in a kind of 'so that's what it looks like from the drivers point of view' sort of way, but I only needed to see it once for that. As others have said, there is too much glare, plus, as it's on the helmet (and not on the drivers eyeballs) there's too much bouncing around so I find it very difficult to focus on things without being distracted. The stabilised version gets rid of the bouncing but for me, I still prefer the traditional view from the top of the airbox. (Mind you, maybe 'traditional' is my problem? That's what I've come to accept as the norm, so I don't really like something that's new or different...)

[Peter Mallett]

The problem is, we don't actually see what the driver sees. The driver will be looking beyond the apex of the current corner in order to set the car up for the next one. So, the airbox cam is as good as any. I also think it is used instead of employing more cameras around the circuit, where you could see the car moving around.

[GregUK]

I think that the helmet cam is pretty much unwatchable. Blurred images are simply not what a driver's brain sees.

[Peter Mallett]

I thought it apt that Karun Chandhok has come oue in favour of lighter smaller cars with ICE (sustainable fuels) his point is twofold, one, smaller cars look faster (alive in my opinion) and two, batteries are heavy.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...s-fia-29445939

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by GregUK

I think that the helmet cam is pretty much unwatchable. Blurred images are simply not what a driver's brain sees.

Exactly so. The airbox cam is absolutely fine for me.

[Adam43]

He airbox camera has the advantage of having the car steady too! You can see that apex and beyond. The driver, while his head might be moving around, also gets to see this as you compensate for that in your vision.

The airbox view gives you a much better idea what is happening.

[seanyb505]

I would like to add, if there's a gimmick I'd like to see more of, it's the gyro cam. Both versions - the one that stays level through banked turns, and the one that tilts based on lateral Gs. Both are mounted in the nose.



Of the driver.

[Adam43]

It works best on Tony Kanaan.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Adam43

It works best on Tony Kanaan.

Lol....

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Adam43

It works best on Tony Kanaan.

Or Jason Plato

[Akrapovic]

So I'm using F1TV this year, rather than Sky. And frankly, it's a huge step down from Sky. Buxton has become a parody of his Netflix character, whilst his co-hosts are not only clueless, but unprofessional. One of them not only didn't know who Mike Krack was, but thought someone was making a joke, and giggled at the name. Seriously?

During the race, Palmer and DC were insufferable on a horse higher than anyone at Sky. DC kept talking about how Perez was "over confident" after his previous win. Really? David "This is my year" Coulthard thinks someone is over confident after winning a race?

Palmer kept talking about how incredible Perez was. I have to admit, I don't consider easy DRS passes in the best car to be incredible. It seemed like much slower progress than, for example, Max made last week.

And then to top it off, Palmer was berating the drivers during the restart saying "I don't know what happened!? It's like they all lost their minds". What exactly do you expect to happen when you tell them all it's a 2 lap shootout lottery, off you go? It was completely predictable, and yet they seem confused.

[sizzle]

I now get it automatically as part of my Foxtel. Glad I didn't try it out.

[bjohnsonsmith]

I'm normally at the mercy of BBC 5 Live for race commentary, as I don't have Sky. However, this time I was able to watch the race on Sky and really enjoyed Jenson Button's contribution as part of the commentary team. Not wanting to take anything away from Martin Brundle but I thought Jenson Button has better insight as well as quite pithy sense of humour, that reminded me of the late James Hunt.

[seanyb505]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

So I'm using F1TV this year, rather than Sky. And frankly, it's a huge step down from Sky. Buxton has become a parody of his Netflix character, whilst his co-hosts are not only clueless, but unprofessional. One of them not only didn't know who Mike Krack was, but thought someone was making a joke, and giggled at the name. Seriously?

During the race, Palmer and DC were insufferable on a horse higher than anyone at Sky. DC kept talking about how Perez was "over confident" after his previous win. Really? David "This is my year" Coulthard thinks someone is over confident after winning a race?

Palmer kept talking about how incredible Perez was. I have to admit, I don't consider easy DRS passes in the best car to be incredible. It seemed like much slower progress than, for example, Max made last week.

And then to top it off, Palmer was berating the drivers during the restart saying "I don't know what happened!? It's like they all lost their minds". What exactly do you expect to happen when you tell them all it's a 2 lap shootout lottery, off you go? It was completely predictable, and yet they seem confused.

Do you not have the commentary options on the right of the screen? Sky is the second one down, the world feed.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Do you not have the commentary options on the right of the screen? Sky is the second one down, the world feed.

You do - but everyone keeps telling me how terrible Crofty and Ted are, and how wonderful F1TVs comms are, so I gave them a go. It's like having children doing the commentary.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by sizzle

I now get it automatically as part of my Foxtel. Glad I didn't try it out.

Dont be fooled. I got an email from Foxtel telling me how I have access to F1TV "on them". ie No extra charge.

Friday I thought I would check what I get with this F1TV.... I was unable to synch my Foxtel and regular F1.com login. It came up with an error message. Rang Foxtel and they told me I needed to update my firmware. They did a factory reset and I was then able to open the App.

It was by then after P2 had finished but I explored all the wonderful docos I had on the F1TV menu, chose one and clicked on it. A padlock sign came up telling me I need to have a paid subscription to view that. Tried different docos. All the same.

Saturday, come P3 time I thought give it a go, thinking I would be able to play with different camera views etc. Clicked on the App via Foxtel and it sent me to F1.com to choose which subscription I wanted to buy.

Rang Foxtel and spoke to a technician, asking how to get access to my free F1TV package I had been emailed about. He explained to me that what I have been given by Foxtel is the ability to access vi my Foxtel remote and box the F1TV Subscription that I would have to purchase from F1.com.

All they have given us is the ability to access the separately purchased F1TV package using the F1 App via the Foxtel remote and IQ box. (FWIW I have the Platinum including Sport package)

So I ended up watching the GP exactly as I normally have done for years. On Foxtel on 506 or 594UHD. The free Foxtel F1TV is not what Foxtel imply.

[chillibowl]

aside from what felt like an awkward moment with Kylie Minogue on the grid, definitely thought Button did a good job with the SKY commentary.

[Adam43]

Kylie was on the grid? I have missed out.

[chillibowl]

Lol on the grid walk I meant…still unfortunate that you missed it.