How Doordarshan ensured viewers had a front seat at the R-Day parade

Did you hear the stentorian commands of the leaders of the marching contingents during the live telecast of the Republic Day parade? Or, the synchronised steps of the military boots as they marched along the majestic Rajpath. This was thanks to the highly sensitive microphones deployed by Doordarshan to ensure that even the minutest sounds were audible on the live telecast.

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Every January 26, the public broadcaster puts its best cameras forward to telecast the Republic Day parade and ensure viewers get the front-row seat to the spectacular display.

Tech quality

Over the years Doordarshan has scaled up to high-definition cameras, improved angles and technical quality to offer a spectacular view never mind which corner of the country you are.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, this year, too, DD amped up its telecast to provide a technically brilliant feed.

Officials said DD mounted a production for the parade on a scale never seen before with a focus on integrated coverage from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial.

A hydraulic frame was set up 80 feet high to give a bird’s eye view. Six Jimmy Jibs — triangular crane systems carrying cameras — were also deployed.

Robotic cameras

Live footage was captured through 48 cameras and enhanced lenses.

One mobile buggy camera, controlled wirelessly, was deployed to bring very close views of the marching contingents. Several robotic cameras provided a 360 degree view. The telecast was screened on 50 monitors controlled by a production room at the Rajpath.

Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati tweeted that the public broadcaster made the Republic Day Parade accessible to the hearing impaired with sign language commentary on DD News, on its youtube channel and a special audio commentary on All India Radio for the visually challenged.