Coverage - who does what?

[paul-collins]

Here in Canada we get two versions of the coverage.There's one with Martin Brundle and others whose names I'd recognize but can't remember right now on TSN - I'm guessing ITV. The other we get from an American channel - usually Speedvision, but this week from ABC.

Speedvision use the same video feed as the TSN broadcast, but their own announcers (including a very dry David Hobbs), who are often better than the originals IMHO.

But the feed we got on ABC today, while the commentators were about the same quality, had much better cameras, more cameras, and much, much better direction. We saw lots of midfield action (Panis vs. MacNish early on as an example).

Who did this feed come from?

[Mania]

Usually in Canada we get James Allen and Martin Brundle on TSN - courtesy ITV - with Vic and Gerry Donaldson providing us with the preview and post race comments.

On Speed...the three guys you`re talking about are Steve Matchett (ex Benetton mechanic), Dave Hobbes and a play by play guy - Rick J.

Those 3 guys dont actually go to the races..rather they sit in a studio in the States and provide us with commetary from the video pictures which is why they usually dont know whats going on!

The broadcast on ABC today was through Bernie's digital feed with Ben Edwards and John Watson doing the commentary..unfortunately we only get to see that coverage 4-5 times a year when ABC covers a grand prix.

They`re easily the best...the dream broadcast would be to have the digital feed with Ben Edwards and Martin Brundle doing the commentary!

[JAG]

Is this the digital version. Considering F1s supposidly losing some casual viewers, isn't the sport shooting itself in the foot by not providing the best possible coverage.

IMO the lack of in-car views etc. are whats making the viewing experience less interesting.

It seems to me as though we are gradually getting less and less inteesting views/coverage to try to force people to buy digital. I like F1 and would be prepared to pay £25-£30 a season but £12 a race, you must be joking.

[paul-collins]

Mania, you forgot Louise Goodman.

John Watson. I thought I recognized the voice.

And digital explains why the same camera angles for the two coverages looked better on ABC.

As I said, the thing I was most impressed with was the direction. Not just Ferrari for lap after lap...

[Sato san]

Originally posted by paul-collins
But the feed we got on ABC today, while the commentators were about the same quality, had much better cameras, more cameras, and much, much better direction. We saw lots of midfield action (Panis vs. MacNish early on as an example).

Who did this feed come from?

this sounds like F1 DIGITAL FEED ( bernievision )...it has 8 separate F1 channels on there , but one of the channels called "super channel" sounds like the one you were watching .

[paul-collins]

Originally posted by Sato san
this sounds like F1 DIGITAL FEED ( bernievision )...it

Oh, that reminds me...

Traction control sounds like ****.

On the digital ABC feed, you could tell that, 'cause you could hear it. On the cheapo ITV broadcast, you can't.

[paul-collins]

Hard on the heels of this, ITV's coverage may get a significant upgrade.

The plan, if approved by F1's teams, would allow terrestrial channels, such as Britain's ITV, access to the blanket coverage, extra on-board footage and behind-the-scenes interviews that until now has been reserved exclusively for the sport's pay-per-view digital footage....

The proposed changes could lead to terrestrial stations being given access to the main digital feed. Viewers wanting to use interactive facilities, including timing screens, a choice of on-board cameras and an instant highlights channel, would have to use the pay-per-view service.

-autosport

So ITV's directors will have the high quality pictures and sound, and can choose their own storylines? No more follow the leader?

Yippee!

[Speedworx]

Woohoo!

Lets hope ITV does get better race coverage. They do a good job with what they get.