Tech Notes:

SeeMoreHD has developed a system that allows us to operate robotic cameras, record HD video, edit, and publish HD video to the web within hours. The system includes three-chip HD cameras, solar power and methanol fuel cells, and digital radio links. The McNeil River system employs five radio "hops" that cover over 100 miles. We have repeaters on a cliff above the McNeil River falls, on Mt. Augustine volcano, and above the town of Homer. The entire camera system is digital, and the link provides both a standard definition video feed (for the National Geographic's live WildCam Grizzlies project) and an HD feed.

Each morning, our camera crew arrives in the studio before sunrise to begin work. We remotely turn on the repeaters, check voltage and adjust power levels for the transmitters, clean the lenses (using remotely controlled windshield wipers and squirters), and we begin observing the bears. We look for anything unusual-- like a bear fishing in a new place in the river or an interesting skyline-- and we begin recording the day's show. Usually we shoot for two to three hours, and then our editors take over. Most days we publish to the web within eight hours of shooting.

The camera system includes three-chip HD cameras that output HDSDI, compression technology includes gear from XVD, and editing equipment from Apple. We edit and compress using Final Cut Pro, and we even have a miniMac in the field to help control remote operations. The folks at Apple also provide web hosing for the HD video. Thank you Dennis Backus, Neil Appel, and Glenn Bulycz! Also thank you to Bob Spidell at XVD!

Our camera and editing crew includes Raúl Leckie, Scott Dickerson, and Daniel Zatz. Sheldon Pollichuk engineers the system and makes sure the system operates perfectly throughout the morning.

SeeMoreHD is working to refine our prototype HD system to create a very portable, remotely-controlled camera system for capturing the world's natural wonders in HD. We welcome your ideas-- if you have ideas for using our technology or ideas for great viewing locations, please let us know. In the meantime, enjoy the bears!

How does it all fit?  In 1999 SeeMore installed a bear-proof box at the McNeil River falls.  The original system was analog and standard definition.  Getting the new HD system to fit in the box required hours of trials.  Konrad Schaad and Sheldon Pollichuk are seen here listening to another improbable idea from Daniel Zatz.	The 2007 digital link work crew arrives at the McNeil River falls, happy and content.  From left to right:  Konrad Schaad, Matt West, and Sheldon Pollichuk.  A few hours later, a storm whipped through the area, and for the next six weeks, our crews scramble to get the new HD system online.  Photo by Daniel Zatz.
Sheldon Pollichuk talks with crews at McNeil River via Iridium satellite phone from the Mt. Augustine repeater.	Tough day at the office:  Mt. Augustine volcano burns a larger hole in the company's financial pocket.  Another helicopter trip to the volcano, and still no success for Daniel Zatz.  After five trips to the volcano, Zatz and crew made the 40 and 60 mile radio links work.
Sheldon Pollichuk cross another river.  Sheldon hiked over 30 miles and lost more the 20lb! during June as he worked to transport and install cameras and repeaters.

Back to Brown Bear Cam Page

Help all creatures large and small, human and non-human. SeeMoreHD.com.