Fujinon gets kicks at World Cup

Fujinon will provide more than 100 HD lenses to the mobile truck companies covering the 2006 FIFA World Cup that runs from June 9 to July 9 in Germany. Among the OB truck companies being deployed to the World Cup games are Studio Berlin Adlershof (SBS) Germany; WIGE TV Germany; Visual TV France; and Media Pro Spain. Between them, these truck companies expect to provide seven OB vans, six of which will enable broadcasting from the stadiums; with one designated as a spare.

More than 180 broadcasters worldwide have licensed the rights to broadcast the official video and audio pool feed being produced exclusively by HBS (Host Broadcast Services) for FIFA, or the Federation Internacionale de Football Association. While they cannot produce telecasts of the games themselves, broadcasters will be able to produce supplemental programming to tailor their coverage to the needs of their particular audiences. To do so, many will employ their own or third-party OB (Outside Broadcast) production services which will park alongside the World Cup stadium venues. Among the over 100 Fujinon HD lenses that these OB vans will provide are: 22 HA13x4.5BERD-S; 10 HA22x7.8BERDs; two HA18x7.6BERDs; four HA26X6.7BESMs; two HA42x9.7BERDs; and one HA26x6.7BESM with Precision Focus Assist technology. The complement of Fujinon lenses also includes: 51 XA87x9.3BESMs; nine XA101x8.9BESMs with Precision Focus Assist technology; four XA87x9.3BESMs; three XA72x9.3BESMs; and two XA87x13.2BESMs. For the 2006 FIFA World Cup, FIFA and HBS elected to produce the games in 1080/50i (16:9 widescreen) HD to ensure the highest quality viewing experience, especially for those with HDTV sets. The imagery produced using Fujinon HD lenses will complement and support that mission.