NBA TV doubles Skycam fun

NBA TV is tossing aside the traditional center court cameras for Tuesday night s HD telecast of a Seattle Sonics/San Antonio Spurs and will instead use two HD Skycam systems, the first time ever two Skycam units have been used in the same event.

The cameras will give viewers a close-up look at action, giving the perspective of sitting in the 10th row of the lower level. Rick Kamla will host this original NBA TV telecast from San Antonio s AT&T Center, which will be televised nationally in high-definition television.

NBA TV s goal has always been to bring fans as close as possible to the game, says Steve Herbst, Vice President and General Manager, NBA TV. On the heels of our recent telecast of the Silent Game between the Houston Rockets and the Orlando Magic, we plan to give viewers the best possible seat in the house through the latest video technology, which will convey the true speed and athleticism of the Sonics and Spurs as well as the passions and emotions displayed by these players in high-definition.

Emmy award winning director Andy Rosenberg will direct the telecast. In addition to the Skycams, NBA TV will enhance the production by utilizing high-definition robotic cameras above the backboards to capture all of the action around the cylinders as well as one at center court at the scorer s table to provide a court level perspective.

The audio for the HD broadcast will once again be in 5.1 Surround with enhanced features to capture the sounds of the game from the squeaking of sneakers to the shouting out of plays by coaches and players. NBA TV will deploy new technologies such as an adaptive array and advanced piezoelectric microphones in an effort to expand upon the February 26th Silent Game between the Rockets and Magic, providing a more realistic sound environment to what a fan in the seats would be accustomed to hearing.

From sitting courtside to integrating himself amongst the fans in the stands, Kamla will report on the game from different vantage points throughout the arena during the telecast. The host of NBA TV Fantasy Hoops, a 60-minute show dedicated to fantasy basketball enthusiasts or serious followers of the NBA, Kamla is also the play-by-play man for the Euroleague Game of the Week as well as the host for Basketball International.