James directs all Start cameras remotely from the OB Van in PMB · LTV MCR in France produces the final world feed

• ✓Camera count locked at 32 unique sources. Start: 4 cams + 1 drone. Route: 8 cams + 4 drones + 1 cam car. Finish: 5 cams + 1 JIB + 1 drone (the same drone from Start, relocated). Runner team: 8 GoPro packs allocated. Drone D1 counts once, deployed twice.
• ✓Camera type confirmation. Start & bike cams = Sony FX3 / FX30 on gimbals (excellent low-light for the 5:15 AM twilight start). GoPros used out on route as light improves. Drones = Mavic 3 / 4 Cine — not perfect in dark, but far better than GoPro low-light. Finish CCU operator adjusts as light drops.
• iCrew efficiency — double-up opportunity. Matt: looking at whether the 4 Start cameras can be repositioned to Finish. Logistically tight (cams stuck in Durban longer than the drone, rush to get back up the N3 ahead of leaders). Doubling up on crew here could reduce costs — under review.
• !Vehicles — Toyota lead car possible. If Toyota requires a sponsored lead camera vehicle, we can mount to the back of a Toyota instead of the Mini Cooper. Race radio / clock vehicle camera is technically possible BUT every additional camera = an additional LTV encoder cost. Need to confirm how that angle would actually be used before adding.
• ⚠Backup uplinks — SA workaround required. Matt flagged: LTV's 3 backup uplinks don't work automatically in South Africa. Workaround needed. Critical: once a unit operates in SA for 30 days it shuts off and will never work in SA again. Need to confirm LTV is aware and that units are only activated in-country close to event week.
• iNetstar heli — operator-in-heli option. Cannot just mount a camera to the Netstar heli (rig isn't compatible). Option: place a camera operator inside the heli. Caveat: unless the pilot is experienced flying for filming, the shot won't be usable. Treat as nice-to-have, not core plan.
• ✓Drone permissions — T+W production handles. We will manage all drone permission paperwork. Need a single contact person from the event side to get sign-offs on the relevant forms.
• iConnectivity at Finish — following up. Matt: yes, let's see what Finish Time say and possibly follow up directly with Scottsville for a dedicated fibre line as uplink backup.
• !Budget — updated costings end of week. Matt working on efficiency / cost reduction this week. Updated quote due end of week. Flights, accommodation and uplink booking fees to land on first invoice for PO.

• ✓No helicopter — by design. Traditional Cineflex/helicopter replaced by 12 satellite uplinks, 5 drones, and a silent electric camera car. The camera car (Mini Cooper with Ronin 2 + JR Film Air-Ride 300) silently tracks the elite pack. (Toyota substitution available if sponsorship requires.)
• ✓Start directed remotely from PMB. All 5 Durban cameras feed via bonded encoders + uplinks as SRT streams to the OB Van (87 km away). James never leaves PMB on race day — eliminating inter-city travel risk during the live broadcast.
• iLTV MCR in France produces the world feed. The PMB OB Van is the local aggregator; LTV in La Roche-sur-Foron does the actual switching, replay, 3D visualization (Unreal Engine), and on-air graphics. 6 crew remote in France + 2 crew on-site (James + multiskilled tech).
• ⚠Finish internet/fibre is EXCLUDED. OB Van's link to LTV France relies entirely on satellite uplink + backup bonded encoders. No hard fibre. If the uplink drops, world feed goes dark. Action: Matt to follow up with Finish Time / Scottsville for a dedicated fibre backup.
• !Encoder economics. Every camera added to the rig = an extra LTV encoder. Useful filter when evaluating "nice to have" angles (clock vehicle, race radio cam, second Toyota mount, Netstar heli).
• !No fixed cameras on route. All 21 route cameras are mobile. No locked-off shots at iconic points. The 4 route drones cover Cowie's, Bothas, Inchanga, Polly Shortts — weather-dependent. Recommendation: Consider 2–3 cheap fixed GoPro positions at signature hills as cutaway insurance.
• !V-Lock battery rotation = silent risk. Wireless cameras on route depend on V-Lock packs. Race-day swap logistics (who carries spares, who swaps, when) must be locked during 10–14 June test/setup days.
• !Key exclusions still to resolve: OB Van security, scaffolding/crew structures, studio platform + set build, finish-venue internet/fibre, specific drone location permissions (T+W to handle once event-side contact is supplied).