uk f1 tv coverage - sky, bbc and ch4

[Born Racer]

Can't believe Channel 4 haven't got the highlights programme up on 4OD yet! What a way to lose revenue and, most importantly of course, also shaft the viewers.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

I also felt use of the helicopter was restricted, especially given aircraft towing banners circling the area.

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Was it a safety thing, or that they helicopter shots would inadvertently give the banners more eyeballs than they deserved so they decided to not use them? Was the banners just commercial ads or political?

Richard

Looking back at FR24 during the build up to and through the race, it looked to be a relatively small, restricted zone, around the venue. In addition to the banner towing aircraft, there was also a Dade County police helicopter, pulling similar sized circles.

If I was to guess, I'd say the local ATC may have given the TV Helicopter a restricted "block of airspace" to work in, and so limited the types of shots.
For example, It would make it difficult for the type of shot we see regularly in F1 where the pilot takes a big sweep away from the circuit and then "runs in" picking up speed, to time a tracking shot down a straight, or through sweeping corners ... possible but perhaps not freely available to the director compared to other circuits, where the helicopter has a larger operating area around the venue.

I don't think the content of the banners was factor, as they were operating outside that zone, and to be read, it would have needed a cameraman to specifically zoom in on them.

[chavez]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I knew the name... man was he awful......

On a good day he could pull out a decent result.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

Looking back at FR24 during the build up to and through the race, it looked to be a relatively small, restricted zone, around the venue. In addition to the banner towing aircraft, there was also a Dade County police helicopter, pulling similar sized circles.

If I was to guess, I'd say the local ATC may have given the TV Helicopter a restricted "block of airspace" to work in, and so limited the types of shots.
For example, It would make it difficult for the type of shot we see regularly in F1 where the pilot takes a big sweep away from the circuit and then "runs in" picking up speed, to time a tracking shot down a straight, or through sweeping corners ... possible but perhaps not freely available to the director compared to other circuits, where the helicopter has a larger operating area around the venue.

I don't think the content of the banners was factor, as they were operating outside that zone, and to be read, it would have needed a cameraman to specifically zoom in on them.

Interesting. I did look at an online site that allows a replay of ADS-B data from aircraft and I can see 3x banner aircraft early in the day much closer to the track and then eventually two Miami Dade police aircraft (one helicopter and one plane) running orbits around about where the banner aircraft were earlier and then I can see the broadcast helicopter (looks like it was a contract helicopter for aerial media out of Georgia) running over the circuit, but inside the orbits of the police aircraft. The track for the broadcast helicopter was pretty tight over the circuit. So maybe they didn't have much room to use as you say.

Miami Dade Police Airplane


Miami Dade Police Helicopter


F1 Helicopter


Richard

[GregUK]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Can't believe Channel 4 haven't got the highlights programme up on 4OD yet! What a way to lose revenue and, most importantly of course, also shaft the viewers.

It's there now - but I emailed C4 yesterday to ask where it was!

[Mike Harte]

Why don't they use drones which are able to maintain a much lower altitude, therefore not interfering with any other craft, such as the police?

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Why don't they use drones which are able to maintain a much lower altitude, therefore not interfering with any other craft, such as the police?

There are lots of local laws surrounding drone use around events, even broadcast drones. Local ATC would still have to allocate a block of airspace.

Also memories are long of the drone crashing during the skiing event a few years back, that just missed the skier. Imagine a drone failing and crashing either into the crowd, or onto onto the track in front of a car doing 200+ mph

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by E.B

Exactly my thoughts at the time too.

Me too. I actually felt embarrassed for the guy.....

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by chavez

On a good day he could pull out a decent result.

No doubt, but not the point I was making.....

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by chavez

On a good day he could pull out a decent result.

In a good day - that were many in Transam - he blew everyone away. Did OK in UK FF1600 aswell

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Why don't they use drones which are able to maintain a much lower altitude, therefore not interfering with any other craft, such as the police?

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

There are lots of local laws surrounding drone use around events, even broadcast drones. Local ATC would still have to allocate a block of airspace.

Also memories are long of the drone crashing during the skiing event a few years back, that just missed the skier. Imagine a drone failing and crashing either into the crowd, or onto onto the track in front of a car doing 200+ mph

Really surprised to see that FOM were using a drone in the coverage in Spain this weekend.
Interesting that it’s camera appeared to be either fixed or limited movement, and so relied on the movement of the drone.
The result for me was several “sea sick/ vertigo” moments where the drone wobbled in a turn to follow cars as opposed to the camera rotating.

[Aysedasi]

Still, I was pleased to see them use it. The potential for some great shots is clearly there....

[bjohnsonsmith]

I liked the shots from the drone, especially when it banked as the cars were cornering. I hope they use it more often. It would be great at Silverstone, with all that open space.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I liked the shots from the drone, especially when it banked as the cars were cornering. I hope they use it more often. It would be great at Silverstone, with all that open space.

It'll be a very challenging thing to have a commercial-type drone filming at Silverstone, given the enormous number of helicopter movements that take place over the course of a GP weekend. They've definitely used one on the Hamilton Straight before, but kept it below the top of the grandstands for crowd tracking shots (in the main) and not when cars have been on track.

I've been wrong before though!

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Greem

It'll be a very challenging thing to have a commercial-type drone filming at Silverstone, given the enormous number of helicopter movements that take place over the course of a GP weekend. They've definitely used one on the Hamilton Straight before, but kept it below the top of the grandstands for crowd tracking shots (in the main) and not when cars have been on track.

I've been wrong before though!

IIRC, didn't some drivers say that the shadow on the track was distracting?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Greem

It'll be a very challenging thing to have a commercial-type drone filming at Silverstone, given the enormous number of helicopter movements that take place over the course of a GP weekend. They've definitely used one on the Hamilton Straight before, but kept it below the top of the grandstands for crowd tracking shots (in the main) and not when cars have been on track.

I've been wrong before though!

If not Silverstone, then Austria I think could be quite spectacular. Paul Ricard is flat, with lots of space but all those coloured lines might induce nausea.

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

IIRC, didn't some drivers say that the shadow on the track was distracting?

Oh please!….

[Born Racer]

There's potential in this drone. If it were smoother, it could track the cars through a sequence of corners and allow you to watch their relative lines and pace in a similar way to an onboard, but it needs to be more stable. It reminded me a bit of that sort of tracking shot you get at Silverstone, but with more utility.

On a different note, I'm very happy with Alex Jacques. Now he's bedded into the role, I find him very good - knowledge-wise, unobtrusiveness (contrary to what we sometimes said at the beginning) and just generally a good Ben Edwards-esque replacement. He might not be Ben Edwards for some people, but I find he does a fine job and reminds me of him.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

IIRC, didn't some drivers say that the shadow on the track was distracting?

I searched and can't find any reports on this. Where did you hear this? Given the altitude they were shown flying at, I think it would be hard to imagine they would even notice. I think the helicopter would be much more distracting... if distracting at all.

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

Really surprised to see that FOM were using a drone in the coverage in Spain this weekend.
Interesting that it’s camera appeared to be either fixed or limited movement, and so relied on the movement of the drone.
The result for me was several “sea sick/ vertigo” moments where the drone wobbled in a turn to follow cars as opposed to the camera rotating.

I am also surprised they are not using a gimbled camera. I would think a four axis gimble would remove most of the vertigo moments. Particularly the rolling banking maneuvers. I wonder if there is an issue with finding a combo that is...

1. Fast enough to generally keep up with the cars (outside of small racing drones, aren't they generally, really not that fast?)
2. Has the endurance to stay up long enough to be useful (do you want to be swapping out drones every 20 minutes or so or whatever their battery life is?)
3. Can mount a 3/4 axis gimbled camera system with associated broadcast equipment (heavy?)

Maybe all three together in one package might be a challenge?

Richard

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I searched and can't find any reports on this. Where did you hear this? Given the altitude they were shown flying at, I think it would be hard to imagine they would even notice. I think the helicopter would be much more distracting... if distracting at all.

I'm struggling to find where I read this - but I have found the following quote from Silverstone:

"We only ever allow pre-approved drone operators at the Circuit who adhere to a strict accreditation process. Not only is a drone a significant distraction to the drivers on the track, but the circuit has its own heliport and therefore airspace over the venue also has to be taken into consideration, particularly at the Grand Prix when the volume of air traffic is significant.

Silverstone is therefore currently considering its options with regard to drone defence at the British Grand Prix. Regarding the use of nets, I cannot confirm whether this is a method that a drone defender would use.”

I have also read some of the drone crews working with FE teams, and they have certain criteria such as being behind cars for tracking only. They have recognised that the shadow of a drone and the drone itself can cause distractions, so they have to factor all of this in when planning their broadcasts.

Searching for Shadow in relation to F1 comes up with different responses .

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I'm struggling to find where I read this - but I have found the following quote from Silverstone:

"We only ever allow pre-approved drone operators at the Circuit who adhere to a strict accreditation process. Not only is a drone a significant distraction to the drivers on the track, but the circuit has its own heliport and therefore airspace over the venue also has to be taken into consideration, particularly at the Grand Prix when the volume of air traffic is significant.

Silverstone is therefore currently considering its options with regard to drone defence at the British Grand Prix. Regarding the use of nets, I cannot confirm whether this is a method that a drone defender would use.”

I have also read some of the drone crews working with FE teams, and they have certain criteria such as being behind cars for tracking only. They have recognised that the shadow of a drone and the drone itself can cause distractions, so they have to factor all of this in when planning their broadcasts.

Searching for Shadow in relation to F1 comes up with different responses .

It sounds like some of the common reasoning as to why circuits don't allow usage of drones. And if you have them down close the the cars, they could be a problem. But I think if used in a similar way as the helicopters it could work.

And yeah... F1 Shadow might bring back unexpected (or expected!) results.

Richard

[ScotsBrutesFan]

I believe from the distant glimpse of the drone and dare I say it's shadow, it appeared to be a "simple quad rotor drone", in the style of the DJI Mavic 3 or similar.

To begin to reach the type of coverage that a helicopter mounted fully gimballed camera set up you'd need to be looking for some this DJI Matrice 600 but that is a larger drone to have a low level and would be more visible to drivers.

[GT6]

Not happy with Sky this morning, Tuned in to watch gthe highlights of quali this morning and half way through they have an advert for sky spot F1 which announces that max and fernado will be on the front row of the grid for the race. What sort of idiot made that mistake, i hope they are asked to see the stewards.

[S griffin]

I have heard Crofty really challenged Horner on his contradiction regarding the budget cap and porpoising. Anyone see the interview?

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I have heard Crofty really challenged Horner on his contradiction regarding the budget cap and porpoising. Anyone see the interview?

It was during one of the sessions (Q I think but don't hold me to that). Horner explained the difference quite clearly and made sense, Crofty tried to keep going with it but failed in the logic department.

Horner's point? Porpoising or bouncing is due to car designs that the teams have control over and can change. High inflationary rate is impacted on teams' budgets and is something that they can't influence or control.