Communications specialist, Livewire Digital Ltd has been delivering media from the Volvo Ocean Race yachts since 1997. The 2008-2009 incarnation of the race is the fourth consecutive event that Livewire Digital has been involved with and is according to Livewire’s managing director Tristan Wood, “the most technically challenging to date”.

The excitement, danger and sheer adrenaline rush of the race is being followed, for the first time, by audiences around the globe in HD. To accommodate this technology, Livewire Digital has created the second generation Media Desk, the “Media Desk HD”. This is being used to capture video from a new generation of on-board HD cameras and to relay transmissions via Fleet Broadband to the Race’s HQ.

Also for the first time, each yacht taking part in the race is carrying a Media Crew Member (MCM) who is responsible for the acquisition, editing and delivery of on-board HD footage. These two major advances are testament to the importance attached to securing media coverage for the event’s sponsors who include Ericsson, Telefonica and Puma. It is hoped that these advances will help to push global audience figures for the race over previous records of 1.8 billion viewers.

The move to HD represents a step-change in technology; this is reflected in all aspects of the system from the cameras and microphones through to the software and satellite services. The design brief for the system included the need to minimise the size, weight and power requirements of all kit, whilst making it capable of withstanding the harsh conditions experienced on board, including the corrosive effects of salt water and continuous vibration.

The system accommodates a variety of workflows; during in port racing a microwave link is used to transmit live SD footage to TV and the Internet. During the ocean legs, recorded HD video is edited and sent back to Race HQ via the Inmarsat Fleet broadband background class service. Live SIF interviews with Race HQ, sponsors and TV stations are carried out using the FBB streaming class.

Each yacht has five fixed and two handheld 1080i HD cameras. These are mounted on each of the lower spreaders, the base of the mast, the stern and at the navigation station. All can be controlled from the Media Desk HD console, from an onboard laptop or even remotely from Race HQ.

The stern camera looks forward, covering the helm, hatchway and foredeck. The unit is ‘roll compensated’ to maintain a level horizon when the yacht is heeled, is day-night capable and incorporates Livewire’s HD delay line technology. The HD delay line means that no event is missed as two minutes of historic footage are continuously cached in memory. When activated via one of the three “crash record” buttons located in the hatchway and at the helm, the video cache is recorded to a flash disk.

The mast camera is also a roll compensated waterproof custom unit and provides a clear view of the cockpit. The spreader cameras offer a bird’s eye view of all the action on deck. Furthermore their pan, tilt and zoom functions can be controlled by a joystick on the media desk console.

In addition to the cameras, two custom microphones are installed above decks, one at the base of the mast and one in the hatchway. These waterproof omni-directional microphones incorporate isolastic mounts and windjammers to ensure that atmospheric background sounds are captured.

The carbon fibre Media Desk HD integrates HD video editing, video compression, storage and transmission over the satellite. The task of managing complex equipment in hostile conditions is managed through simple workflows. By pressing a few buttons on the media desk console, the MCM can select cameras and microphones, set up a live interview via satellite to a studio and upload HD video files. Media Desk HD also manages the crucial weather downloads which are uploaded every 6 hours from Race HQ.

Media received at Race HQ is used in the production of weekly TV programming and as material for feeds on the Volvo Ocean Race website.

Thanks to Livewire Digital’s technical expertise in satellite communications and video technology, followers of the Volvo Ocean Race can enjoy the latest action and drama from the Race in outstanding high definition quality.