[LM24] Kangaroo TV at Le Mans

[Bentley03]

After showcasing the technology to a select few at Le Mans last year, Kangaroo tv will be available to the masses in 2008. I know Paul Collins had the opportunity to test the system last year (so hopefully he'll be able to give us some insight), but has anyone else had experience of the system?

I'm interested, but at 80euros (that's over £60 at the current exchange rate) for the 5 days (Wednesday to Sunday) I need to have a serious think about it before deciding upon whether or not to part with my money.

And what about the coverage? The places I can imagine using it most are at the furthest reaches of the circuit; Tertre Rouge, Arnage and Mulsanne. Will these gizmos still receive a signal in these areas?

[gucom]

If it's got good quality reception it's pretty much a no-brainer I think... especially if it's got a good number of onboard cameras to choose from besides the regular big screen footage... Does any1 know how many cars have onboard cameras? Because generally you don't see all that much onboard footage except from Audi and Peugeot, or sometimes AM or Corvette...

[The Real DMN]

What about battery life? I imagine they are quite a drain.

[SebringMG]

I would seriously consider it !! But only if it could reach Arnage, Mulsanne and the like, which i cannot imagine it would reach in the first year or two while they gauge usage!

[Aysedasi]

Be good to get Paul's view on this then as the tester - Paul?

[The Tour]

I saw them at Daytona last year (or similar) and they are pretty impressive so I am defo up for one but as you say Le Mans could be a different kettle of fish. The old place dont like new technology and its a case whether it reaches the camp sites, arnage, etc. There is no reason why it shouldn't have this capability though.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by gucom

Does any1 know how many cars have onboard cameras? Because generally you don't see all that much onboard footage except from Audi and Peugeot, or sometimes AM or Corvette...

I heard rumour that they'll get some new onboard camera system for this year's race. Which is welcomed. At least last year the onboard cameras were pure crap. First of all, the signal kept breaking up in certain corners and audio was totally off (not synchronized). I just wonder how in the world it was possible to have technically better onboard camera system already in 1999, with better sound quality and without a breaking signal!

[Piglet]

Sounds fab - I think you can get a timing screen as well on the system - let's hope it reaches as far as our gazebo on MB

[paul-collins]

The coverage last year was not great - but that is largely due to it being a test platform. They only had 4 in car cameras, IIRC.

Audio choices were the French loudspeaker audio or RLM. Both digitally 'cast, so breakup was digital instead of the analogue fadeout you get with your FM radio.

Video was pretty good quality; I assume they'll have access to more cameras, instead of the director's cut, pit lane, and the in car cameras.

Data was what you really wanted it for. The LTS screens were excellent, and allowed us to watch the unfolding of the GT1 race over the last few hours - and we knew Ron Fellows was catching DB for about 10 laps before it actually happened (and we were told later that DB himself didn't know, as the team weren't telling him!).

As far as range is concerned, unless they put up repeaters, you won't be able to use these at Mulsanne or Arnage - but in theory they should work from Tertre Rouge to Porsche Curves. This came from the rep, who said they were using a similar antenna setup to what they use at an F1 event, where they cover the full circuit. Unfortunately I can't confirm whether it worked at TR, as I was a wee bit dopey when we rolled in there first thing in the morning, and left it in the car!

That said, from Expo Parking until we got on the grounds, I was not picking up a signal. (Perhaps blocked by the stands?) Compare that to RLM, which I was able to listen to in my B+B in the town of Arnage...

The unit came with two sets of batteries and a charger - but I had only used one full charge and about half the other charge by the time the race was over.

[Bentley03]

Thanks Paul!

I think I'll send them an email direct to ask about circuit coverage. I remember you telling me last year that it was limited.

[PascaLM]

I think I will still listen to radio 24H (96 MHz) or RLM. I'm afraid that this device makes me miss the essential : the cars, the atmosphere...
I'd rather stay home with MotorsTV and T&S...(which is perfect if we can't get on place).
What do you think of this impact ? Is it worth to use it ?

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by PascaLM

I think I will still listen to radio 24H (96 MHz) or RLM. I'm afraid that this device makes me miss the essential : the cars, the atmosphere...
I'd rather stay home with MotorsTV and T&S...(which is perfect if we can't get on place).
What do you think of this impact ? Is it worth to use it ?

I have no interest in using it for the TV pictures, nor do I need the RLM feed, but the opportunity to access live timing on demand makes the system very tempting indeed. If the guys at Kangaroo can guarantee reception at Arnage and Mulsanne, I'll probably go for it.

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

I but the opportunity to access live timing on demand makes the system very tempting indeed.

Yep it's the timing screen for me as well.

[Sportscarguy08]

I wish they had this for the Spa 24 Hours. Oddly enough when I went in 2006, the cameras shut off at a certain point in the night (due to no lights apparently). With this device, people could watch the onboards and follow it.

[Piglet]

Originally Posted by Sportscarguy08

I wish they had this for the Spa 24 Hours. Oddly enough when I went in 2006, the cameras shut off at a certain point in the night (due to no lights apparently). With this device, people could watch the onboards and follow it.

I'm not sure how much you'd see from onboards at Spa in the dark - some I guess but not very much!

But again, the timing screen would be useful, without media access or someone to translate the commentary it's virtually impossible to know what is going on.

[paul-collins]

The ALMS uses a data only system, called the iCard (www.icardus.com). They were supposed to come out with an all new handheld system this year, as the original gameboy-compatible cards are not compatible with the newest gameboys, and it turned out to be a headache just what was do-able via that hardware. I have not yet seen any info of the new ones though.

I agree, the TV screens are likely to be a distraction / substitute for the experience, rather than an enhancement. Maybe the pit cameras would be useful, but that's about it IMO.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Thanks Paul!

I think I'll send them an email direct to ask about circuit coverage. I remember you telling me last year that it was limited.

The 'Project Coordinator' has very kindly emailed me a comprehensive response to my questions:

"We thank you and your colleagues for your interest in our product. The track being 13.6 kilometres long, testing was conducted last season to consider the most effective approach to take to ensure maximum customer satisfaction for the 2008 season. In the best interest of the majority of the attendees, coverage will be maximized within predetermined parameters to ensure optimal signal strength and stability.

The sections of the circuit that will receive optimal signal strength include and are not limited to the grandstands, lounges, garage area, media center, and the Le Mans Village. Coverage will extend beyond these core parameters slightly. So areas such as the Indianapolis & Arnage corners, and the Mulsanne corner will unfortunately not benefit from coverage. As for the Tertre Rouge, this would be the most outlying region of our signal and we cannot, at this point, guarantee optimal coverage. Concerning the Tertre Rouge, if you’d like to email me back, we will know for sure when we conduct our testing onsite on June 10th."

[brielga]

Interesting, I think a LOT of the value add has to do with coverage at Mulsanne, Arnage, etc. Hopefully this will be there in 2009.

[paul-collins]

It would likely take dedicated antennae for each of those two zones, and I believe they're currently only using 3 for the entire village... I think it needs to be impressed upon them that, although the population at the Village area is the largest portion of the crowd at any given time, the majority of potential users would migrate to the other zones over the course of the 24h race for significant periods - and that the machine's usefulness would be considered to be magnified at these outposts, as compared to within the village...

[GT6]

Originally Posted by paul-collins

It would likely take dedicated antennae for each of those two zones, and I believe they're currently only using 3 for the entire village... I think it needs to be impressed upon them that, although the population at the Village area is the largest portion of the crowd at any given time, the majority of potential users would migrate to the other zones over the course of the 24h race for significant periods - and that the machine's usefulness would be considered to be magnified at these outposts, as compared to within the village...

These toys are of more use away from the main straight and the village, where you have large screens, why will people pay money for a smaller version of the large screens if all they have to do is position themselves somewhere they can see both the track and one of the large screens.
If you can use these devices as you travel to and from Arnage/Mulsanne then that will be even better.

[Bentley03]

I've now got a map showing the anticipated boundaries of the signal, but can't work out how to load it on here. I'll persevere, but may need some assistance............

[Adam43]

So where do I sign up?

[Bentley03]

Finally.........

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

So where do I sign up?

Here!

I gather some of our French friends have encountered problems when completing and submitting the form (apparently there was a fault with the system and they weren't getting through to the bods at KangarooTV). If you choose that option and hear nothing back within a few days, it's probably failed. But, both the telephone number provided and the email address have proven successful.

[GiacomoSgarbossa]

Fia GT in 2008 with the support of Gigawave offer the same strument for allow at the public the possibility for see the race.

I'm very happy for this, becouse is a big problem for the affluence at the events