Gravity Media Invests in EVS Xeebra to Deliver Live Video Officiation for Australian Sports Broadcasters

Gravity Media has adopted an EVS Xeebra multi-camera review system as the core technology for the company’s new integrated video adjudication and communications solution.

Renowned worldwide for supplying high-quality broadcast equipment, production facilities, and services, Gravity Media supports the biggest names in broadcast and sports. Its new Gravity Review System (GRS) harnesses Xeebra to provide clients with precision live video judicial replay and integrated communications as a full-service OB package. The Australian market will be the first region to benefit from this new service.

An incredibly adaptable platform, Xeebra is easily integrated into any live production workflow or environment, making it ideal for a broad range of sports and events. Fully networked and scalable, it can be deployed on-board an OB unit or set-up onsite with fibre connection in a convenient compact flight-case configuration. Supporting Full HD 1080p and super slow-motion, the system allows Gravity Media to be highly responsive to clients’ production requirements.

“The job of referees and sports officials is a difficult one and their performance is often under as much scrutiny as the players on the field,” says Ben Madgwick – Director Media Services & Facilites, Gravity Media. “Using our GRS, there’s less scope for error and debate over crucial decisions which has a huge impact on the flow of a game and the quality of the production.”

Xeebra provides a simple interface with powerful “pinch and zoom” capabilities that enables users to review and share multiple synchronized camera feeds with each other. They can easily zoom in from many camera angles and dynamically search for incidents or rule infringements. The Xeebra system records the action continuously so nothing is missed. This means that even if multiple incidents occur simultaneously, they are recorded and cued, ready for review and speedy penalty decisions.

“With Xeebra at the heart of our GRS offering, we’re empowering officials to make the right call, keep sports safe, and ultimately deliver a premium audience experience for our broadcast clients,” says Madgwick. “As with all EVS solutions, it’s reliable, easy to deploy – just set and forget it – and vitally it’s operator-friendly. That’s why EVS continues to be our go-to technology partner for the fast-paced demands of live production.”

The Xeebra-based GRS made its debut earlier this year at a major motor racing fixture in New South Wales, giving officials real-time coverage of the race from all angles to resolve controversial incidents and ensure drivers adhered to strict driving behavior. The platform has continued to successfully earn its stripes in other fields of play, providing efficient TMO and Head Injury Assessment (HIA) for Australian Rugby Union’s Super Rugby, Trans Tasman, and international fixtures.

“We’re delighted to support Gravity Media as it extends its offering to the thriving Australian live sports market,” says Dylan Cameron, Operations Manager Australia at EVS.” The power of the Xeebra platform is its adaptability to deliver in any live sports production and this makes it an ideal fit for Gravity Media as it grows its client base in this region and beyond.”