F1 Goes 4K With Marshall

When Ferrari’s Mugello Circuit made its debut in last year’s Formula 1 championships, the Italian manufacturer was looking for a high-quality, cost effective solution that could capture all the exciting motor sports action in 4K.  Searching to find cameras capable of providing ultra-crisp and clear broadcast quality images for the safety, security and control teams at the circuit, Mugello turned to MarCam Europe, one of Marshall Electronics exclusive distribution partners in the region. MarCam specified over 40 Marshall CV630-IP and CV420-18X cameras, including weatherproof housings and PTZ controllers.

“Given how the past year has been affected by the global pandemic and the timescale we and our trusted Italian integrator were given, we knew the importance of meeting such a tight delivery schedule,” says Spencer Doran, MarCam Europe. “However, being the European master distributor for all Marshall cameras, lenses, and associated accessories, MarCam Europe along with our Italian integrator and of course support from Marshall HQ, rose to the occasion. Together, we successfully helped get the Mugello Circuit ready for the championships on Ferrari’s 1000th race on the F1 grid. A race that we can all agree and say unfolded as one of the best of the 2020 F1 season.”

The CV630-IP Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Camera captures crisp 4K (UHD) video combined with smooth PTZ camera positioning and 30X optical zoom for a versatile networked video solution. The CV630-IP packs a powerful Sony 8-megapixel 1/2.5″ sensor capturing up to Ultra-HD 3840x2160p video, with support for HD 1920x1080p and 1280x720p. The CV420-18X is a compact Zoom Block 18x 4K and UHD camera that offers durability and performance with HDR support. The CV420-18X features a wide range of crystal clear 4K, UHD and HD selections in 4096x2160p, 3840x2160p, 1920x1080p, 1280x720p and interlaced with 1920x1080i.

With over 40 cameras successfully installed around the track, weatherproof dome housings for the CV630-IP PTZ cameras were also installed alongside Marshall controllers for both sets of cameras. The installation, quality and economics of using Marshall cameras together with the advice and support supplied by MarCam Europe at Mugello hasn’t gone unnoticed, with other major sporting venues already looking at the Mugello circuit’s brand-new camera set-up as the new standard for their own venues.

“As a value-add partner for Marshall Cameras in the region, MarCam did an incredible job of getting the right cameras and equipment to the Mugello Circuit on time with local technical support,” says Tod Musgrave, Director, Marshall Camera Division. “Marshall has become a global source for broadcast pro AV cameras with HD, UHD, and 4K resolution capabilities, our cameras are designed to a higher standard of video quality at reasonable price points that in this case were instrumental in capturing these beautiful high speed, high performance race cars in action.”