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Bosch IR keeps Spring wildlife on watch for the BBC

• Bosch’s AEGIS UFLED infrared the preferred choice for night-time filming

• IR enables film crews to capture broadcast quality footage in total darkness

Bosch’s AEGIS UFLED infrared illuminators are the preferred lighting choice for night-time broadcasting for one BBC camera specialist, following successful use on a number of high profile BBC natural history programmes.

As a Remote Camera Specialist for the BBC, Jo Charlesworth has built the lighting rigs for a number of BBC nature documentaries including The Big Cat Diaries and Great Rift. Most recently he used AEGIS UFLED infrared for night-time filming on the popular Springwatch series, an annual BBC television event, which follows the fortunes of a diverse selection of UK wildlife during the spring months.

Each episode is broadcast live from locations around the UK. A crew of 100 people and over 50 cameras are needed for the programme, making it the BBC's largest British outside broadcasting event.

In a programme where the animals are the real stars of the show, viewers are given unprecedented access to the lives of their favourite animals via web feeds 20 hours of the day and night, and a weekly TV programme broadcast on BBC 2.

Many of the cameras used are hidden and operated remotely to record natural behaviour, for example, of birds in their nests and badgers in their sett.

Springwatch began in 2005 and is broadcast every year, during the months of May and June. After the success of the first Springwatch series, the BBC commissioned a spin off – Autumnwatch – where AEGIS UFLEDs were also used.

Bosch’s AEGIS UFLED illuminators were selected because they are small and discreet, but flexible and powerful enough to enable broadcast quality night-time filming, as Jo explains: “While filming otters for Springwatch we mounted the lights on top of the camera as we needed to be as mobile as possible.

For some of the other shots of the otters on the island and the riverbank, we used a rig that held up to 10 AEGIS UFLEDs, and provided just the right amount of light without bleaching.

“Compared to the alternatives available, we found the AEGIS UFLED 10° and 30° lights to be more versatile,” he continues, “not only is there a low power consumption meaning not as many batteries are needed – essential when on an outdoor shoot where supplies and power are limited – but they weighed considerably less, and were robust and weatherproof.”

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 280,000 associates generated sales of 45.1 billion euros in fiscal 2008. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros, or eight percent of its sales revenue, for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com