ISC has been a provider of high-quality products and services for the racing and sports industries since 1960. As one of ISC’s key service offerings, the company designs, installs and operates complete broadcast control rooms and production workflows tailored to the unique needs of race tracks. ISC has deployed hundreds of Hitachi cameras in varying configurations across nearly 50 tracks, and continues to expand their use of Hitachi as their clients make the transition from standard definition (SD) to HD video production.

The exceptional picture fidelity, performance and reliability of the Z-HD5000 cameras under demanding operational conditions were at the forefront during production for two of this year’s most prestigious racing events, the Preakness Stakes and the William Hill Haskell Invitational.

Featuring high-performance 2/3” CCD imagers, Hitachi’s advanced digital signal processing and powerful picture controls, the Z-HD5000 cameras consistently produce outstanding image quality and exceptional dynamic range even under rapidly changing and uncontrollable lighting conditions. “The lighting can change multiple times over the course of a four or five hour live show, from cloud cover to facing directly into sunlight,” said Gordon. “The Hitachi cameras react very well, always delivering pristine video.”

Hitachi's highly-acclaimed durability and reliability also withstand the significant challenges of the tracks’ outdoor environments, from dirt to dramatically varying weather. “There is a lot of dirt and sand in the air, especially for cameras close to the track,” explains Gordon. “And the horses run in all sorts of weather conditions, rainy or dry, from 10 degree cold to 100 degree heat. The cameras take a lot of abuse, and hold up to it well.”

The benefits of the Z-HD5000 cameras were showcased during marquee events at the sites of two of ISC’s most recent HD installations. Pimlico Race Course hosted the Preakness Stakes – the second leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown – while Monmouth Park Racetrack hosted the William Hill Haskell Invitational, which featured American Pharoah in his premier race after becoming the first Triple Crown winning horse in over 35 years.

The Pimlico and Monmouth Park installations each include seven Hitachi HD cameras. The majority are deployed in fixed positions while others are used handheld, highlighting the camera’s operational flexibility. The cameras are connected by SMPTE fiber to Hitachi CU-HD500 camera control units with RU-1000VR remote control units.