Part B: Applications — Lighting for television (addendum)

7a

Lighting for television

7a.1 Definitions

51a

This addendum is based on the need to update the standard in line with current broadcast technology and production techniques. Account is taken of high definition (HD) television, super-slow-motion, 3-D television and the need to minimise the use of gain as a substitute for sufficient light. Other documents dealing with this subject are given in the references. When considering the lighting for broadcasting the ideal situation is for the lighting to achieve the best possible standard relative to the events that will be regularly televised. These may fall into 3 categories: major events, national events and ‘2nd league’ events. When the facility is being built from new it is possible for the needs of the lighting to influence the design in terms of location, aiming angles etc. However, if the facility already exists then available mounting heights, locations etc. may prevent the required standard being achieved. It is important therefore to realise that the lighting specification and building design work together. Cameras are defined as follows: • Main cameras: cameras at locations that are designated as being principal cameras that require full calculations. • Secondary cameras: cameras at other fixed locations and may not require full calculations for each one. • Hand-held or roving cameras: cameras whose position can be anywhere on the field of play (FOP) and require at least for the four vertical planes parallel to the field of play edges to be calculated.

7a.2 Specific requirements for colour television and film recording

The lighting requirements for broadcasting are usually the main consideration in most venues and will be the main driver for the lighting design. The levels of vertical illuminance depend mainly upon the speed of action, the shooting distance, the lens angle and the shutter speed of the camera. However, the needs of the athlete should not be forgotten. It is important to consider the lighting requirements at the earliest possible stage in the design of the venue, as incorrect allowance for the positioning of the lighting could severely affect the broadcast image. Modern cameras are making use of CCDs (charge coupled devices) and CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) technologies with reduced picture noise (degraded quality), increasing the dynamic range of the image device and allowing a broader range of contrast to be accommodated. In addition, video circuit improvements enable a film-like appearance and a greater range of scene contrast. Ultimately it is a balance between picture quality and cost.

7a.2.1 Vertical illuminance

The illuminance on a vertical plane perpendicular to the camera direction (Ecam) forms the basis of the lighting requirements for TV and film systems. To achieve this luminaires need to be placed sufficiently far away from the closest action, otherwise the angle will be too steep to achieve the required value. As a guide, angle y in Figure 7a.1 should be >40°. For luminaires aimed towards the opposite side of the playing area the angle x in Figure 7a.1 should be