Sports coverage at high schools and colleges has come a long way. What used to be a single shaky camera is now becoming a multi-angle, broadcast-style experience. At the heart of this shift is PTZOptics and its library of professional-level yet accessible broadcasting solutions.
PTZOptics is helping schools tell better sports stories while training the next generation of content creators. Most recently, PTZOptics debuted its Action Bundle for all school productions looking to dip their toes into live broadcasts. This new bundle joins PTZOptics’ Producer Bundles, serving as a bridge between more complex productions and those just starting out.
For school productions looking to level up their broadcast productions or wanting to shop around and see what options are available, let’s discuss what these bundles have to offer. But first, we should take a closer look at how PTZOptics is helping schools move forward in sports broadcasting and why PTZ cameras are quickly becoming the future for school sports broadcasting.
Empowering camera operators with remote production capabilities
While AI-powered cameras are growing in popularity, they often fall short in live sports coverage. Automated tracking can feel clunky and robotic, and AI systems often miss key plays or cut in at the wrong time. Human operators still offer the best results, especially when it comes to framing shots, as well as following fast-paced action or adapting to unpredictable moments on the field. So, PTZOptics supports human operators with tools that make camera operation more efficient but keep them in full control.
Ultimately, the ideal setup in these environments is a one-to-one ratio of PTZ cameras to operators, each assigned to a specific angle. However, not every school can spare a full in-person crew. This is where school programs can (and are) turn to remote production. In fact, around 80 percent of school sports teams are exploring remote options, and systems like Hive Studio make it easy to build hybrid crews.
With PTZOptics Hive, camera operators can work from another room, campus or even city. The system keeps latency under 100 milliseconds, making it responsive enough for most school sports.
Camera placement reimagined
Camera placement is also important in sports coverage, but it can be tough for smaller school productions to manage. Getting multiple angles usually means using multiple cameras and having people to operate them. That’s not always possible for high schools or colleges working with limited crews.
PTZOptics PTZ cameras help solve this problem by automatically following the action and zooming in on key moments. That means you can cover more ground with fewer operators. A single camera can handle what used to take two or three, cutting down on both gear and staff. In addition, with PTZ cameras you can centralize your camera operators to work together in a single space, such as a press box or media table, allowing for faster collaboration and better communication.
To make things even easier, PTZOptics offers sport-specific camera placement guides for football, baseball, hockey, rugby and more. These free resources help teams figure out the best spots to set up cameras so that every angle, from wide shots to goal-line views, is covered.
Fostering educational opportunities for students
PTZOptics solutions are doing more than helping schools deliver higher-quality broadcasts; they’re also creating learning opportunities for students. With professional-grade tools, high schools and colleges can give students a taste of what it’s like to work in live video production. Students can get hands-on experience planning, coordinating and using industry-standard gear like PTZ cameras, live switching software and replay tools.
For example, at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware, students are at the center of a full-fledged production team. Their program uses six PTZOptics cameras, vMix for live streaming and NewBlueFX Captivate for instant replay. All this is coordinated by students. The system also includes PTZOptics Hive, which lets the crew manage camera operations remotely. Even more impressive, Salesianum plans to expand its coverage in 2025 to include baseball, soccer and swimming, all powered by the same student team.
This model is a great blueprint for other schools. Students can participate through media classes, AV clubs or even as an outlet for athletes sidelined by injury. By running real productions, they build skills in collaboration and tech operation.
Bringing school sports productions to the next level
One of the most accessible ways to start streaming sports is with the PTZOptics Action Bundle. Designed specifically for entry-level sports coverage, this bundle includes one 4K PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera for a full, controllable view of the field or court and two fixed 4K cameras for strategic placement, like end zones, net views or goalposts.
Ultimately, the new Action Bundle gives sports teams a solid base for a multi-angle broadcast without putting too much demand on broadcast operators. It’s a solution designed for smaller programs or schools looking to test the waters of live sports production.
For more advanced setups, there’s the Producer Bundle, which includes three PTZ cameras for even more dynamic coverage. This bundle is ideal for schools with larger teams or more ambitious broadcast goals. With multiple PTZ cameras, production teams can cut between sideline, wide and close-up shots for a broadcast that feels polished and professional.
Giving schools and students the tools to broadcast like the pros
PTZOptics is giving schools the tools to produce high-quality sports broadcasts without needing big budgets. Moreover, PTZOptics helps students build skills and gain experience, both on and off the field.
If your school is ready to take the next step in sports broadcasting, you can head to ptzoptics.com to create a more engaging experience for both students and fans.
