Sony: Tracking TV
Posted on Jul 2, 2025 by FEED Staff
FEED delves into how the EMAV team utilised Sony PTZ cameras to capture a popular reality TV show
EMAV, a Lisbon-based AV specialist, selected Sony robotic FR7 and AM7 remote PTZ cameras for round-the-clock coverage of a popular reality TV show, which features occupants of a house inside a Lisbon shopping mall.
The limited available space and natural lighting to capture the show demanded compact cameras with excellent low-light sensitivity. The kit used included two ILME-FR7 Cinema Line full-frame PTZ interchangeable lens cameras, four BRC-AM7 auto-framing PTZs and two HDC-3200 4K system cameras. Auto subject tracking helped to ensure accurately framed shots without manual operation, while high camera sensitivity allowed low-noise images without needing supplementary lighting.
“Standout features of the AM7 were its AI-based tracking and night vision capabilities – both of which quickly justified the camera’s integration into the project,” said EMAV OB van chief Helder Cardoso.
Produced by Portuguese-language channel TVI in partnership with EMAV, the reality show invited viewers to follow the occupants of a specially created pop-up house, situated within a busy shopping mall in the Lisbon area. Production spanned five days, which included set-up, rehearsals and 48 hours of continuous live broadcasting.
Under the gaze of curious mall visitors staring through the glass walls of the house, the participants’ daily routines were captured with remotely operated Sony PTZ cameras. Strategically positioned on discreet pillars around the space, the six remotely operated PTZs allowed the EMAV technicians to capture broadcast-quality video of the house’s occupants.
Two ILME-FR7 Cinema Line full-frame PTZ interchangeable lens cameras were complemented by four BRC-AM7 PTZ auto-framing cameras, all connected via SDI to EMAV’s production switcher. Camera movements were controlled remotely over IP by an operator in EMAV’s mobile production unit. Content captured by FR7 and AM7 cameras inside the ‘house’ was supplemented by further footage shot in the surrounding mall using two shoulder-mounted Sony HDC-3200 system cameras.
The EMAV team was attracted by the AI-based subject tracking and night vision capabilities of the AM7, making it an ideal choice for the project. It intelligently recognises and follows human subjects, smoothly tracking their movements for accurately-framed shots with a reduced operator workload. The high sensitivity of the AM7 and FR7 ensured pristine low-light performance. The camera’s low-light capabilities extended further, to footage of the sleeping contestants shot at night, where the AM7 allowed the team to capture crisp images in near-total darkness.
“Our experience with the BRC-AM7 has been highly positive,” said Nuno Mendonça, technical director of EMAV. “Integration of AI has had operational advantages for our image acquisition efficiency and simplifying camera operation in a dynamic broadcast environment.”
Find out more on pro.sony/am7
This article first featured in the Summer 2025 issue of FEED magazine.
