Helicopter noise and TV coverage?

[Boeing]

This might have a simple answer.

But I am at a loss.

Why is it we have to listen to the announcers talk over the Chopper noise on TV coverage? It has been especially unbearable on both VS and universal this season.

It is not like they are in the Heli. We hear the motorcycles too but that isn't bad. But it is not like both give live action soundbites that bring value IMHO

Can't they separate the audio feed in the booth from the camera? It isn't like they lack technology

Maybe people like it.

It is not like I want to listen to Paul and Bob but Schlanger and Gogo aren't bad and Gogo sees things and describes them like a rider at least so I want to hear him.


maybe I am old but it is distracting

 

[L'arriviste]

This might have a simple answer.

But I am at a loss.

Why is it we have to listen to the announcers talk over the Chopper noise on TV coverage? It has been especially unbearable on both VS and universal this season.

It is not like they are in the Heli. We hear the motorcycles too but that isn't bad. But it is not like both give live action soundbites that bring value IMHO

Can't they separate the audio feed in the booth from the camera? It isn't like they lack technology

Maybe people like it.

It is not like I want to listen to Paul and Bob but Schlanger and Gogo aren't bad and Gogo sees things and describes them like a rider at least so I want to hear him.


maybe I am old but it is distracting

That's unfortunate. I watch RTBF, Sporza and GazettaTV but I've not heard anything like that.

RTBF on Paris-Nice was weird though because when the commentators weren't yapping, you could clearly hear the moto cameraman and pilot talking to each other. And when that massive-headed Di Gregorio fellow was up for the win, they were even shouting him on to ride faster!

 

[flicker]

I would prefer to listen to a couple of drunken Walloons on Sporza, and I do not understand a word of Flemish....

 

[Barrus]

This might have a simple answer.

But I am at a loss.

Why is it we have to listen to the announcers talk over the Chopper noise on TV coverage? It has been especially unbearable on both VS and universal this season.

It is not like they are in the Heli. We hear the motorcycles too but that isn't bad. But it is not like both give live action soundbites that bring value IMHO

Can't they separate the audio feed in the booth from the camera? It isn't like they lack technology

Maybe people like it.

It is not like I want to listen to Paul and Bob but Schlanger and Gogo aren't bad and Gogo sees things and describes them like a rider at least so I want to hear him.


maybe I am old but it is distracting

What I've heard is that in reality the chopper sound is not even real chopper sound but is a recording which is used

 

[spalco]

^^
Yeah, I've heard that too, I remember the Eurosport commentators talking about it during some TDF stage last year. Apparently it's something the French producers like to do to show off their variety or whatever.

 

[md2020]

I don't mind Schlanger and Gogo either but I think Universal spent all of there miniscule cycling budget on those guy's salaries and the raw video feed and have nothing left for production. If you watch any of the track or cycling coverage it's all just the raw video with nothing added. The only commentary is from the general PA system. Truthfully, I don't mind. I'm just thankful to have it on the TV.

 

[Granville57]

It is not like I want to listen to Paul and Bob but Schlanger and Gogo aren't bad and Gogo sees things and describes them like a rider at least so I want to hear him.

maybe I am old but it is distracting

As Christian Bale would say, "It's F'ing distracting!"
It drives me crazy listening to that unwanted noise and I've often wondered the same as the OP. If, as is being suggested by some, the sound is deliberately supplemented into the broadcast, then that would have to be the dumbest thing I could possibly could think of. It is totally pointless and adds nothing whatsoever of benefit to the viewer.

As for Schlanger and Gogo:
I've always been a fan of Gogo but I have to admit that Schlanger has grown on me, although it took a while. They offer valuable insight without personal agendas. I've followed them on coverage for Road, Cyclocross and track, and I always benefit from their commentary.

 

[flicker]

The helicopter n0ise really helps out when I am watching cycling on RAI. I would not know if the overhead racing shots were indeed from a copter or a large predatory bird trained to home in on the race leaders, with a mini-cam strapped to its feathery head.

 

[Andy99]

The helicopter n0ise really helps out when I am watching cycling on RAI. I would not know if the overhead racing shots were indeed from a copter or a large predatory bird trained to home in on the race leaders, with a mini-cam strapped to its feathery head.

HA. yeah, Rai actually dub the helicopter noise onto the coverage, just incase you weren't quite sure..

 

[flicker]

HA. yeah, Rai actually dub the helicopter noise onto the coverage, just incase you weren't quite sure..

The one thing about RAI which I like is how the copter noise dubbing seamlessly transitions from the commentary. It does contribute to the excitement of the race. I also wish that RAI continued the heart rate monitors on TV, I liked comparing heart rates among the climbers. I wonder which country does the best footage of races. I watched one of the MSRs on World Cycling dvd and the motorcycles were in the faces of riders, the riders were waving off the camara men and it seemed the Motorcycles were pacing the breakaway and some of the dropped riders.

 

[TERMINATOR]

What I've heard is that in reality the chopper sound is not even real chopper sound but is a recording which is used

This is absolutely not true.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I love how different air conditions, makes of helicopter and so on mean you get different sounds which then become associated with those races and times of year. The Volta a Portugal's helicopters have a particularly distinct sound that, when I hear, I know can only be the helicam coverage of the Volta.

 

[Martin318is]

Weird,
The only time I can recall hearing a helicopter on cycling coverage is when the cam is on a motorbike and the helicopter is passing close overhead. Certainly when watching overhead shots, the helicopter noise is cancelled out or just plain not included on the feed - either way I cant hear it.

 

[benpounder]

This might have a simple answer.

But I am at a loss.

Why is it we have to listen to the announcers talk over the Chopper noise on TV coverage?

All major races are filmed by whom ever earns the broadcast rights. In my experience and irrespective of which channel you watch (other than the local raw feed), sans commentary, the sounds are identical, and I suspect just what the organizers approve of. In other words, both the helicopter, and the motorbike sounds are hardwritten into the broadcast.

A number of years ago, the Giro had not quite worked out the timing, and the helicopter soundtrack leached into the shots from the motorbike, and visa versa. At first it was distracting - then it became comical.

(I also think they all use the same looped samples when sending out the feed. Otherwise, it is astounding how similar a helicopter flying above the windswept coast of western France sounds like a helicopter flying in the canyons of the Dolimites.)

 

[S2Sturges]

I've been to the Tour several times and from the ground, one does hear the helicopters approaching and does jump up the tension and excitement in the crowds. However, as a audio tool or explanation that indeed, one is watching the race from a helicopter, I think it's pretty pointless.
As for different rotor noise, there is some very distinct variations between say, a Eurocopter AS350, or A-Star, and Aerospatiale AS 355F, both I've seen at various races.
The most common background flight noise during a telecast or DVD is a A-Star...

 

[SpannerBender]

What I've heard is that in reality the chopper sound is not even real chopper sound but is a recording which is used

Sorry, not true. The comments were in response to a viewer question to which they said that it is actual live audio, not dubbing.

 

[BroDeal]

I don't mind Schlanger and Gogo either but I think Universal spent all of there miniscule cycling budget on those guy's salaries and the raw video feed and have nothing left for production. If you watch any of the track or cycling coverage it's all just the raw video with nothing added. The only commentary is from the general PA system. Truthfully, I don't mind. I'm just thankful to have it on the TV.

It could be worse. The broadcasts could be filled with crappy computer animation sequences used as transitions like what is used on Versus. Or it could be filled with crappy one minute long special features like--wait for it--Versus.

 

[ingsve]

If you haven't heard the helicopter noice on a race broadcast then you simply haven't listened for it. It's always there and the only times you don't hear it is if the helicopter happens to be far enough away when they're filming from a motorcycle but a lot of the time it's clearly audible from the motorcycle as well.

The thing is that if you watch a lot of cycling you don't notice it because our brain is very good at filtering out regular constant noices. It's like the noice from the fan etc on your computer. You normally don't register it until you switch your computer off and you're suddenly struck by how quite it got.

 

[Granville57]

The thing is that if you watch a lot of cycling you don't notice it because our brain is very good at filtering out regular constant noices. It's like the noice from the fan etc on your computer. You normally don't register it until you switch your computer off and you're suddenly struck by how quite it got.

I'd like a new brain then, please.

Those are exactly the types of sounds that slowly drive me insane. Subtle, constant noise, especially those made by fans, are mind-numbing to me. Some people like to (have to) sleep with a fan their room because of the sound of it. It blocks out other sounds and, for some, is quite soothing. Drives me nuts, but I digress...

The real annoyance, for me, when it comes to cycling broadcasts is, Why is it there? No other pertinent audio is being offered "from the helicopter;" the commentators are not up there flying around; I just don't see the reason for running ambient audio noise into the broadcast mix. And how are they doing that, exactly? Are they running a camera with a microphone attached? Did they go to the trouble of setting up a separate audio feed? Because I have never, ever heard anything else in the mix such as the voice of a pilot or anyone else on board.

 

[JA.Tri]

I recall a similar thread of some time ago (sorry not sure how long ago).

There was much debate as to the authenticity of the "helicopter soundtrack".

IIRC someone postulated that the "HS" was "added" to provide some realistic (wtf) background...rather than leaving no sound track at all.

Offered for what its worth (maybe 2 cents).

 

[Nicoper]

What is the purpose of microphone on helicopter camera anyway?

To hear, what, crowds if helicopter crashed down on them?

 

[Stingray34]

I would prefer to listen to a couple of drunken Walloons on Sporza, and I do not understand a word of Flemish....

By far the most intelligent post you've ever made!

Except 'drunken Walloons' is technically a tautology.

 

[Boeing]

So what is it? If they can dub in then why not dub out? If it is live then why have it at all?

I mean the VS guys are sitting in a trailer looking at a monitor from a local feed. so why can't they mix it out?

 

[barn yard]

last year phil and paul were talking about the helicopter audio, they said that it was trialled once having no sound from the chopper and they said it was just odd. so they put the sound back on.

most people would have noticed the looped crowd noise that they used in a lot of boring stages.

 

[usedtobefast]

'ambiance'...it fills the gap between dialogue. can't have "dead air". people tune out.
at least no cheesy background music.