BMX Races stream with TriCasterPRO

By Andrew Lippe

The American Bicycle Association (ABA) a promoter and facilitator of “action sports” or “X-activities” will use the NewTek TriCasterPRO to stream live video of National BMX race series on the ABABMX.TV site. Covering a 27 event race schedule, ABABMX.TV is a joint production with BMXTVDIRECT.COM a division of Lillethorup Productions, Inc., a Nebraska-based video production company that supports BMX events.

The TriCasterPRO is a 10-pound box designed with a toolset to help broadcast BMX races over the Internet. “Its portability, low cost, easy to use setup makes our job a lot less difficult,” says Tim Lillethorup, President, Lillethorup Productions. The TricasterPRO needs only one computer and switcher. “In the past we needed two computers, four video monitors and a mixing board to record and edit software.”

Other features include Archiving presentations for playback, built in special effects, and real time editing. Racers themselves have benefited as they can learn the tracks and fellow racers.

“For a BMX race we use approximately three Sony DSR-300 SD Cameras,” says Lillethorup. “We also use a Helmet Cam from time to time.” They often set up one camera and the starting gate, one on the side and one at the finish line. The main set up is in the announcing tower.

The 27 races cover a unique mixture of indoor track and outdoor tracks. “Due to BMX races are on dirt tracks we have to hide many of the cables,” adds Lillethorup. And HD cameras, as well as building an office trailer, are on the way.