Roland-Garros 2013 Tennis Tournament in 4K Ultra High Definition Television : A world première

The main concept behind this experiment was to be able to duplicate the usual HD workflow in a similar 4K workflow. Consequently, it was necessary to adapt the cameras in order to interconnect them live. Intercom, tally (On Air), video flow and camera data were thus carried via 300m of fibre between the court and the production unit. The cameraman managed focus and zoom and the vision engineer in the control room managed diaphragm and colorimetry.

At the mixing desk, Stéphane Lutic mixed images from the 3 UHD cameras with images from the France Télévisions program upgraded to UHD. The experiment consisted of upgrading a few graphic effects to UHD, alongside the France Télévisions format. To make the best use of these effects and improve image fluidity, the choice was made to produce the UHD programme in 50P (progressive). With a ball sometimes travelling at over 200km/h, fluidity was important in order to see an actual ball rather than a yellow line.

This UHD broadcast could be viewed live on the France Télévisions stand at the RG Lab.

We also filmed the competition in Ultra High Definition from the quarter finals to the finals, including Joe-Wilfried Tsonga's momentous win against Roger Federer, the victory of Serena Williams and the triumph of Rafael Nadal.

AMP VISUAL TV would like to thank their technical partners:  SNELL, ASTRO, FOR A, CANON and EVS, for their contribution to the realization of this Highly Diverting project.

Our technical department will be pleased to provide further information.
François Valadoux, Technical Director: francois.valadoux@ampvisualtv.tv

Download the official press release from the FFT and France Télévisions