For Your Viewing Pleasure

[TedN]

This looks way cool. From today's Toronto Star ...

Ted

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Don't skip a thing with the Kangaroo
Oct. 30, 2002. 01:00 AM
Anyone carrying wireless video device can pick own view of sporting events
by Rick Matsumoto
Sports Reporter
The Toronto Star


You're at the Molson Indy and your seats don't have a view of the giant screen. All you can see are the cars whizzing past you.

Or, you're at the Canadian Open golf tournament. You've decided to follow Tiger Woods and you're watching him line up a putt on the 14th green.

Suddenly you hear a roar from the gallery accompanying Mike Weir on the fifth green, but you have no idea what's happened.

Well, a Montreal firm is about to launch a video device, which for a rental fee of $25 to $35 per day or $75 for a weekend, will help sports fans take in all of the action no matter where they're sitting or standing at an event.

The Kangaroo, developed by WAVES (World Audio Visual Entertainment Systems, Inc.), is a wireless visual-audio device, which can hang around the neck much like a CD player.

It's equipped with a high-resolution 3.8-inch colour screen, a battery that lasts up to six hours and weighs little more than a pound.

"Whether from a seat in the stands or any other point on the site, the spectator can choose from a number of different views of the event," said WAVES' vice-president of business development, Mark Brennan.

At the Molson Indy, for example, a spectator would be able to watch the live broadcast, the same feed as those watching the race in their living rooms.

But while those at home only get to see shots from the in-car or pit cameras, replays and interviews at the discretion of the producer, anyone carrying a Kangaroo could choose his own camera views.

He or she would also be able to access the timing and scoring to check the speed of any driver and how many milliseconds he's behind or ahead of the pace.

WAVES tested the device at the recent CART race in Miami and Brennan was thrilled with the reaction.

"It was a big hit there," he said. "And the best thing is that it worked."

WAVES worked with a three-man crew, including two switchers, located in the broadcast centre in Miami and offered four channels — live broadcast; in-car camera; replays, pit interviews.

"We can increase the number of channels to eight at the request of the event organizer,'' Brennan said. "I think over eight would be too much."

Brennan is currently negotiating with CART, F1, ALMS and the IRL in auto racing and golf's PGA, LPGA and the European PGA to make the Kangaroo available at their events next season.

He also envisions it being used at football and hockey games where fans can access replays as well as interviews.

Coach's Corner might be just a push of a button away.

While present plans call for the Kangaroo to be a rental item, WAVES eventually will offer it for sale at approximately $350 to $400.

When not at an event, the Kangaroo can be used as a portable television and digital camera.

The next generation will be improved so that it can be used to play video games or access the Internet.

[macdaddy]

Tres cool. Would have loved something like that on Belle Isle.

[Crash Test]

CART have developed a radio plugin for Gameboys where you cane pick up live timing and scoring around the circuit