DD day on R-Day: 24 cameras, 100 experts, YouTube

DD’s coverage will be accessible in all SAARC and ASEAN countries, Mauritius and even Australia, and the content will be streamed live on YouTube, they added.

And for the first time, they said, the telecast will beam live images of the departure of President Pranab Mukherjee and Obama from Rashtrapati Bhavan for Rajpath, the parade venue.

“Twelve cameras will be deployed at Rajpath, and the two robotically controlled cameras will be used to capture close-ups of VVIPs near the presidential dais,” an official said, adding that the broadcaster had deployed 18 cameras last time.

“We have drawn more than 100 experts, including camerapersons, from our kendras across the country. Some of our finest personnel from engineering and programming are working to making the coverage a visual treat,” said Mahesh Joshi, Additional Director General, Doordarshan.

These professionals, including those from the technical, camera, programme, commentary and administrative fields, will be in action on January 23 for the full dress rehearsal as well. “That will help us plug any gaps that may come up,” an official said.

Six HD cameras will be positioned at India Gate and six more at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official said, adding that two cameras will be installed at the standard position atop India Gate.
“Three jimmy jib cameras will be used to provide overhead and moving shots of the parade. And short capsules on Mukherjee and Obama, and the Indo-US relationship, will be aired in the run-up to the live telecast,” the official said.

Doordarshan will also air “sign language commentary” on DD News and DD Bharati for the benefit of the hearing impaired.