Live From Super Bowl LIV: AVS RF Cameras Play Key Role for Fox Sports, NFL Network, Van Wagner Efforts

A crew of 17 is supporting broadcast and in-venue productions

Aerial Video Systems (AVS) is on hand at Super Bowl LIV with a team of 17 providing RF-camera and aerial-video support to Fox Sports, the NFL Network, and Van Wagner, which is handling the in-venue production.

“We like this stadium because it’s small and compact,” says AVS President Randy Hermes. “For us, that is perfect.”

AVS’s Michael Ribas is overseeing the performance of 23 RF cameras at Super Bowl LIV.

According to Michael Ribas, senior RF technician, AVS, the team is overseeing 23 RF cameras, 13 PLs, two RF prompters, and four RF video returns. Aerial coverage has extended from South Beach, where Fox and NFL Network each had a major presence during the week leading up to the game.

The biggest change from previous Super Bowls is, of course, the HDR aspect of the production.

“That has added another layer,” says Ribas. “We’re monitoring SDR, although we do have HDR monitors and scopes, so we are able to make sure that we’re sending out the right stuff.”

From a learning-curve perspective, he adds, the only thing that has changed is understanding the various HDR formats.

The halftime show is also part of the AVS efforts (excluding the entertainment show, which is produced entirely separately).