Telestrator
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A telestrator is a device that allows its operator to draw a freehand sketch over a moving or still video image. Also known as a video marker, this device is often used in sports and weather broadcasts to diagram and analyze sports plays or incoming weather patterns. The user typically draws with a finger, stylus or pen on a touchscreen or graphics tablet. From the touchscreen or the tablet, the drawing signal is communicated to the telestrator, which overlays the video image with the drawing and outputs the combined signal for broadcast or display.[1]
Today, the telestrator is used in a wide variety of applications (from educational, boardroom, church and military presentations to
History
The telestrator was invented by physicist
The original Telestrator consisted of a
After he had been using it to help illustrate details to his young science audience, he approached Chicago's CBS affiliate WBBM-TV suggesting it be used in sports and weather. Chicago Bears football player-turned-sportscaster Johnny Morris, who worked for Channel 2, began using it as did the station's chief meteorologist. According to Reiffel, "After that, New York began to hear about it, and it went on from there."[4]
The user interface for early telestrators required the user to draw on a
The late
During his time as a color commentator for
Howie Meeker, NHL hockey color commentator and studio analyst, used the telestrator for many years on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada to analyze plays during intermissions. He was famous for shouting instructions to the "boys in the truck" – such as "Back it up! Back it up!" and "Stop it right there!" – in his trademark squeaky voice.
Wrestling announcer
Reiffel won the 2004
Today, telestrators are widely used in broadcasts of all major sports. They have also become a useful tool in televised
See also
References
- ^ Faye, Marcia. "Alumni News: Wide Margin of Victory". ITT Magazine, Winter 2011, p. 1
- ^ Pointmaker Press Releases Archived 2011-04-16 at the Wayback Machine, re: courtroom use, March 1, 1995, & videoconferencing use, April 15, 1998
- ^ US 3617630, Leonard Reiffel, "Superimposed Dynamic Television Display System"
- ^ 6 Questions for Telestrator Inventor Leonard Reiffel. Popular Mechanics, October 1, 2001.
- ^ Oaks, Chris. Wired, "John Madden on Grid Iron Tech", January 22, 1999
- ^ "O.J. Simpson Cold Opening - Saturday Night Live". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ "Telestrator Invention Wins Emmy Just In Time For Super Bowl". prweb.com. February 7, 2005. Retrieved 31 May 2012.