UEFA Championship gets HD treatment tonight

By Kevin Hilton
SVG Europe correspondent

The UEFA Champions League Final takes place in Athens on Wednesday May 23, with Liverpool of England facing Italy’s AC Milan in a re-run of the 2005 event. Coverage of the match at the Olympic Stadium will be originated in both high definition and 5.1 surround sound but with provision for down-converting to standard definition.

Host broadcast facilities for the Final are being organised by Greek state broadcaster ERT, which has sub-contracted Belgian OB company Outside Broadcast to provide the trucks and technical operations centre. The core of the coverage will come from Outside Broadcast’s Unit 9, which is equipped with Sony HDC950 cameras, Grass Valley SD and HD XtenDD switchers, up to six LSM Profile and a 72-channel Lawo mc 66 audio mixing console.

HD coverage will be in 50i and an aspect ratio of 16:9 – SD pictures will be 4:3 – with full 5.1 surround. Outside Broadcast has cabled the stadium and trucks from between 20 and 30 unilateral broadcasters will also be on site.

Liverpool and Milan fans have been arriving in Athens over the past few days and UEFA is warning those without tickets not to buy from touts, who are charging astronomical prices. Much is expected of this Final, with Liverpool looking to clinch an unprecedented sixth title in the competition.