[kayfox]

> There can be two Skycams in major playoff games or the Super Bowl (high and low).

There can be more depending on how you block out the cables, I have seen 5. The two Skycam limit is based on two independent systems that do not do cable avoidance in software, you just block out the allowed altitudes on each system.

There also other cable suspended systems in use to move on a line strung between two points and sometimes a track suspended under the stadium roof.

Fun fact: The Skycam was invented by Steadicam inventor Garret Brown and uses some of the same principals for stabilization.

[mrandish]

Interesting, I've never seen more than two 4-wire Skycams used in an NFL broadcast (at least that I knew of). Given the need for flexible endzone to endzone coverage of NFL games, I'd imagine sectioned arrangements might be better suited for concerts, etc. The gratuitous two Skycams tracking each other shot is always fun. Just saw another one in recent weeks as they were discussing the retirement of a long-time Skycam operator.

I was going to mention the linear point-to-point 'Sidecams' but I haven't seen them used much the last season and was wondering if they've fallen out of favor. I'd guessed they might get in the sight lines of the primary cameras in many stadiums.

I actually got to briefly meet Garret at a long-ago NAB show. As not only the inventor but the operator on so many incredible film shots, the dude's a legend. IIRC correctly he did the Rocky on the steps and The Shining maze shots himself.