The ability of the course stewards to be able to analyse in detail any incident at any stage of a race is a fundamental requirement of today's racing, and RaceTech provides video coverage for post-race scrutiny by the stewards - and often by television viewers: the head-on film of a finish shown in a television transmission is the official head-on view recorded by RaceTech.

The camera patrol was introduced to England in 1960, having been a familiar part of the American racing scene for many years before that. 'Scout' cameras, which offer coverage around the track and the additional evidence of filming the field from the rear, first came into use in 1965.

Nowadays cameras are sited around the racecourse so that they can pick up every part of the race, and crucial stages - such as the finishing straight - from various angles: the ability to view an incident from different angles can often be crucial in the stewards' unravelling of exactly what happened.

The various cameras around the course are directed from a mobile control unit (sometimes referred to as the 'scanner') in which the director can see, on the bank of television monitors, exactly what each camera is filming. The upgrading of this part of the RaceTech operation, including the use of state-of-the-art new mobile control room technology, has been one of the company's major recent initiatives, and enabled the significant expansion of contracts with television companies.

In 2007, RaceTech started the massive task of installing and upgrading our digital recording system on both the scanners and back at HQ, to the latest Sony XD technology. This will result in automating ingestion of all horse races into the system using high definition images and long term will provide both a unique digital archive as well as an easily accessible data bank for stewards and officials to interrogate as required.

2007 also saw RaceTech awarded a five year contract by satellite broadcasting channel Racing UK, to provide pictures for all of their participating racecourses for Turf TV. This exciting development means that all betting shops signed up to Turf TV, as well as Racing UK subscribers, are receiving pictures from RaceTech – every day of the racing calendar.

Today RaceTech provides coverage to the BBC, Channel 4 and the two specialist horse racing channels, At The Races and Racing UK, and to racing fans around the world through the international racing and betting channels.

RaceTech also provides closed circuit television facilities on most British racecourses. This coverage typically integrates the race itself with paddock commentary, betting shows, interviews, results and so on: programmes can be tailored to meet the requirements of particular courses.

AND THERE'S MORE …OUTSIDE BROADCAST
RaceTech hires out Outside Broadcast units - customarily comprising five or six cameras plus scanner van and related technology - to other sports and events, for more information on this select AV services on the menu to the left.

COMMENTATORS
RaceTech provides racecourse commentators for each meeting. Those commentaries are heard not only on the racecourse but in every betting shop in the UK and in every overseas outlet taking pictures of British racing.

PUBLIC ADDRESS AND RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
RaceTech provides and maintains the technical infrastructure of the public address system on most of Britain's racecourses, together with up to sixty 'walkie-talkies' for raceday officials - including doctors and vets - to use.