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The Holophone H2-PRO was
used by FOX Sports and ATK/ Westwood One to capture
the crowd sound and game ambience at Superbowl XXXIX
in Jacksonville, FLA. The first H2-PRO was set up at
the 50 Yard line to capture crowd sounds. A second wireless
H2-PRO was used to capture both the Half-time performance
by Sir Paul McCartney as well as the U.S National Anthem
and Jet fly-overs before the game. The Holophone derived
tracks gave the three dimensional presence, or the feeling
of "being there" to the viewer. A very powerful
and realistic Surround Sound Broadcast with beautiful
Hi-Definition images to match!
Two Holophone H2-PRO's
were used by FOX Sports and ATK/Westwood One to capture
the three-dimensional audio perspective of the musical
entertainment, crowd noise and game ambience at Superbowl
XXXIX in Jacksonville, FL for the Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround Sound audio that accompanied the HDTV broadcast.
The first H2-PRO was set
up at the 50 Yard line to capture crowd sounds. It was
set up on a pole, rising about 30 feet off the field
and about 20 feet above the retaining wall behind the
sidelines. A second wireless H2-PRO was used to capture
both the half-time performance by Sir Paul McCartney
as well as for the U.S National Anthem and Jet fly-overs
before the game. Fred Aldous, the main surround mixer
in the Fox HD Broadcast truck accurately re-created
the event by using ample Holophone-derived, three dimensional
surround sound tracks as a foundation upon which to
construct his main game ambience mix. By keeping the
mix uncluttered in this way, he allowed the Holophone
the space in the main surround mix to do it's job correctly
and gave enough room in the mix for the liberal use
of additional ambience mics recording the action. The
resulting surround sound was very realistic as a three-dimensional
soundscape to listeners with 5.1 home theater systems.
This was notable throughout the broadcast, especially
when returning to the game from the commercials: The
ambience of the game in a livingroom with 5.1 play back
was like a wall of reality when the game returned to
the screen and the sound added a "feeling of being
there" as part of the audience in the stadium.
It was the first Superbowl broadcast where the game
sounded better than the advertisements!
Andrew Waterman, Senior
Engineer at ATK AudioTek of Burbank, California, recorded
the National Anthem sung by the Combined U.S Military
Choir by placing the Holophone in the center of a circle
surrounded by the singers who projected their voices
towards the H2-PRO surround sound microphone. This led
to a very unique audience perspective. Upon broadcast,
the listener was fully immersed inside the choir. It
is our understanding that only the Holophone was used
to capture this National Anthem performance. Feedback
from the viewing audience on this segment reflected
the power and emotion of this performance, as if they
were present on-site. Additionally, ATK sent out the
H2-PRO in a wireless rig designed by James Stoffo at
PWS in Orlando, FL. This Holophone was visible on the
field on a short pole with an operator, along with the
two US Presidents and the choir for the national anthem!
In addition, this portable
rig was sent out during the Half time performance by
Paul McCartney. This wireless Holophone was on the field
inside the crowd hugging the center stage for the entire
performance. Individual applause and voices could be
clearly heard as could the localization in a three-dimensional
space when listening to the broadcasts coming from all
around and behind the listening perspective. It was
among the most realistic sonic experiences for a live
TV broadcast ever. When the Crowd went into the chorus
of "Na, Na, Na,'s during McCartney's performance
of "Hey Jude," the feeling of being at the
venue with thousands of people AROUND and with you was
complete. It was a truly sensational moment for a live
Surround Sound broadcast.
The Holophone derived
tracks gave the three dimensional presence, or the feeling
of "being there" to the viewer. A very powerful
and realistic Surround Sound Broadcast with beautiful
Hi-Definition images to match. As surround sound audio
grows along with HDTV broadcast, this new tool –
the Holophone H2-PRO Surround Sound Microphone –
enables producers, engineers, and mixers to create a
very realistic audio experience for viewers at home
with 5.1 home theater systems. The full potential of
HDTV in 5.1 Surround Sound can now be realized. |