Image-Cam Supplies Eight Panasonic POV Cams to IMS for Indy 500 Coverage

Image-Cam Inc., a supplier of remote control and point-of-view (POV) cameras systems to the television and film industries, is providing eight Panasonic AK-HC1500G 1080i/720p switchable HD point-of-view cameras to Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Productions to support live HD coverage of the Indianapolis 500. The 94th running of the race is scheduled for Sunday, May 30 with coverage on ABC.

Image-Cam has worked with IMS Productions for two years, providing extensive production support not only to the marquee Memorial Day race but also to the Izod IndyCar series. IMS Productions provides live HD feeds of these events to broadcast and cable/satellite networks such as ABC, ESPN, and Versus. For its work with IMS Productions, Image-Cam has designed a proprietary remote-control system that allows the HC1500G to deliver pan/tilt views of race cars traveling in excess of 230 miles per hour. At this year’s Indianapolis 500, eight such systems will be installed in different locations around the track to provide continuous coverage of the action.

“I couldn’t be more excited about the performance and ability of the HC1500Gs,” says Robby Greene, SVP and GM of IMS Productions. “This is exactly the type of cutting-edge technology that helps keep our race the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing!’”
Image-Cam owns five HC1500Gs and rents additional models for large-scale events. In the four years that the company has owned the Panasonic cameras, it has utilized them in the coverage of several Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four games, as well as NBC college football and World Figure Skating competitions.

“We were very familiar with Panasonic multi-purpose cameras through our work throughout the television industry,” says Ron Prociw, President, Image-Cam. “We were eagerly awaiting the HC1500G for the 1080i/720p switchability it would afford our clients. Beyond its production versatility, the HC1500G is compact, with a 2/3” sensor and a B4 mount for standard ENG lenses. It’s by far the best box camera in its class. Design-wise, it matches up very well with more expensive, handheld cameras. Panasonic completely understands how remote-controlled cameras need to perform in the sports and entertainment arenas.”