Testimonial: TV8 Mont-Blanc makes its way with iPhones and drones powered by DJI

TV8 Mont-Blanc and its digital transformation

TV8 Mont-Blanc is a local channel based on high knowledge From an early age (his first studios were located on the Place Mont-Blanc in Chamonix!), I responded to a real need for targeted information in the valley, with limited opportunities.

The problem with this low-budget media has always been to be able to equip yourself properly without spending a fortunealthough their mobility needs are sometimes greater than their national counterparts.

For example, TV8 Mont-Blanc regularly broadcasts mountain races (trail, mountain bike, UTMB…) and therefore should not burden their teams while offering decent image quality, good sound and sometimes high quality video streaming.

The DJI teams paid special attention to trail runningwhich has been on the rise in recent years. The growing popularity of the sport is partly due to social media, where enthusiasts often share their experiences and the beautiful scenery they pass. These images gave runners a space to freely share the physical and spiritual challenges they faced while traversing long stretches of mountainous terrain in nothing more than a pair of running shoes.

The equipment for this was provided by a Chinese manufacturer located there DJI Osmo Mobile, Osmo Pocket and Osmo Action throughout the course. The brand explains that these compact wearable cameras and stabilizers allow runners to capture perfect moments regardless of the weather or terrain without worrying about shaky footage. Greg Vollet, head of the outdoor gear manufacturer’s Trail Running division Suleimanexplain. The enthusiasm around the sport of trail running and the growth of our activity for our trail running shoes follows the curve of easy and stable image sharing on social networks thanks to tools like DJI Osmo Mobile. .

For TV8 Mont-Blanc cameraman and drone pilot Paul Jeambrun, the only way to compete with the big chains is to drive innovation In the mountains, this means using tools that are quick to apply, flexible to control, and produce professional-quality images. They demonstrated this quality and their know-how during the broadcast of trail races and alpine skiing competitions.

In order for our channel to stand out and connect with viewers, we need to be creative and select the best solutions that meet the public’s expectationsTV8 shares Mont-Blanc CEO Pierre Boucaud. The professional television industry is quite conservative, so we had to learn to become a constant innovation laboratory. This allows us to create better images and reduce our production costs while increasing our audience and revenue.

As Paul explains, Filming a live performance is like nothing else. Everything is going very fast and no time to edit, or if you miss it, no second chance for a better shot. This is difficult and usually requires a lot of resources.

For live streaming of a sporting event, Paul and his team are building a mobile platform with a very light configuration. For audio, they use DJI Mic on the host and guest. Paul emphasizes ease of use You take them out of the box and they are ready. Just clip them to your shirt and you’re good to go live.

For quick pictures on the run, TV 8 Mont-Blanc relies on its dedicated operators, all skilled runners.. With the Osmo Mobile in hand, they can Watch your competitors live 20 km away perfectly stable from the smartphone’s 5G connection.

Contacting race ground teams, Paul takes off and broadcasts aerial footage Starting with DJI FPV, with a set of drones that create dynamic imagery across a mountain range while flying at full speed. For wider shots, he uses Mavic drones that allow streaming with the DJI Smart Controller. An immediate benefit of using the DJI Smart Controller is its large, bright screen. Its HDMI output can be connected to a multi-SIM box, which allows us to send the cleanest video stream possible,” which is important in mountain environments with poor broadband and 5G coverage.

All images are sent to 8 Mont-Blanc studios in Annecy, allowing the director to choose which shots to release and when. Like an orchestra conductor, the director sets the rhythm of the shot and signals the musicians (in this case, cameramen and drones) to record the following parts of the score. After a few seconds, the image comes to the television audienceand even a live stream on their Facebook page for anyone to watch on their computer or smartphone.

Some footage requires two or more cameras to capture live and images to be edited on top of each other later. For feature films, the 8 Mont-Blanc team uses the DJI RS 3. With its flexibility and support for cinema cameras and larger lenses, the RS 3 provides excellent high-level stabilization when light, fast work is essential.