The Practical Benefits of Remote Acquisition Technology

2024 was a huge year for live events. From sports to elections, these high-profile productions demonstrated a leap forward in dynamic broadcast workflows, and MRMC is proud to work with the fantastic teams that continue to push the boundaries and drive excellence in remote production technologies. We are particularly excited about the growing potential of using camera robotics for remote acquisition workflows, many of which will again be on display at NAB 2025.

Ahead of the NAB show, we want to revisit two specific highlights from the past year where remote acquisition technologies were used in two very different workflows for the Paris Summer Games and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. While both projects needed to capture exceptional quality content, each project had its own factors that made the production challenging. For Gravity Media, there was the need to capture high-speed motor sports from hard-to-reach locations on the trackside; meanwhile, Nine needed to solve fundamental space and staffing restrictions within their pop-up studio. While each of these projects relied on very different solutions, both centred around MRMC’s ability to deliver a versatile range of remote acquisition technologies.

This technology was put to the test during the Paris Olympic Games when NINE Network, Australia’s leading commercial broadcaster, collaborated with AE Live and MRMC to develop a cutting-edge hybrid production model. The result was the creation of an award-winning, highly immersive, and visually stunning broadcast that integrated real-time data and graphics with a high-tech camera robotic system. The Studiobot XL paired with a GV LDX-150 system camera proved to be the perfect choice for remote camera control. Taking up less floor space than a traditional jib, the robotic arm was lifted by crane into the Paris studio and programmed for remote control from Sydney. Across the other side of the world directors could use pre-programmed automated camera movements with repeated shots to deliver incredibly creative shots with exact precision and consistency. By placing robotics and virtual graphics at the core of the operation, NINE set a new benchmark for remote production, showcasing the potential of advanced remote acquisition workflows in major live events.

In comparison, Gravity Media needed a small, fast solution to deliver track-side coverage of the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, to be placed in challenging or hazardous locations while providing precise, real-time control over camera movement. Thanks to their small footprint, MRMC’s AFC-180+ robotic heads could be strategically positioned along the racecourse and rally stage, paired with Sony box cameras and Fujinon broadcast lenses while delivering the agility needed to capture the highspeed cars. Controlled from the safety of the production compound, a single operator could easily recall repeated shots and capture sequential footage from multiple cameras to create compelling output. The workflow resulted in breathtaking camera angles that delivered an unparalleled viewing experience.

From major sporting events like the Olympics to motorsport spectacles such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, remote acquisition workflows powered by MRMC’s robotic systems are setting new standards for efficiency and remote production quality. Furthermore, when integrated with virtual and augmented reality, these systems further amplify storytelling possibilities while empowering creative teams to push boundaries and redefine content capture.

Make sure to stop by Stand N2038 to see this kit in action or request a meeting using the form below to talk to us about how these technologies could be integrated into an upcoming project.