Kangaroo TV Coverage

[paulydee]

Also from http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/pages/animations_fr.html (translation courtesy of Google)

PORTABLE TELEVISION
Kangaroo TV is a television lightweight and portable, which broadcasts live the race of the Le Mans 24 Hours 2008.
Available for rent on the circuit, he received images and audio commentary multilingual in all areas spectators inside the Bugatti circuit, village, dressing rooms, forums, and all spaces of receipt.

For the user, Kangaroo TV is a privileged link with the race since it allows for permanent access, and in real time, all data telemetry (general classification and by category, timed time), plus images race and even board cameras.

Arrivals place on the Kangaroo TV booth located at the entrance to the paddock:
packages a day (Saturday or Sunday): 65 €
Event package (Wednesday, June 11 to Sunday June 15): 80 €.

I recall Bernie trying to push this for F1 races. A bit pricey IMO at ~£60 for the weekend, i  wonder if the signal reaches as far as HA, don't suppose so.

[Christopher]

Did anyone actually try these?

Any good?

Interested if the timing and running order was really up-to-date.

And what was the range like? Only the pit, stands and village complex as stated in the news release, or did it reach further?

[Barry]

I know that the Cutler family had one to try, I will ask next time I see them how well it worked.

[hgb]

I had one in the hand and it's absolutely brilliant. I will get one next year. 80,- Euros is pricey but the thing is really handy and delivers up to date info and you get spare batteries, too. And yes, the signal goes as far as HA.

[jpchenet]

Petra had one too and AFAIK it worked fine for her at the DfH pitch on MB.

[Bob U]

The one that Rick had only worked intermitantly in the Stella Bar but was OK infield of that

[Bas]

Yes we had one from Wednesday, it worked fine on HA-sud and even on Tertre Rouge.

It was very usefull to keep us up to date with the standings in the different classes.
When we usually listen to RLM Saturdaynight, all we needed now was just a quick glance on the Kangaroothingy to see how things were developing.

A very usefull gadget, we will get one again next year.

Oh just a tip, make sure you have a safe place to store it when sleeping, the caution is 320 euro.

[TigerSam]

These looked a really good option for keeping up to date,  especially when you was back at the campsite. Saw a guy on BSJ with one and they seemed to work very well

[Christopher]

I assume the €80 package covered the quali sessions.

How well did the batteries last? And what was the situation if they went flat, i.e. do you pay for the spares, or can you go and exchange them for fresh ones?

Can you guys with first hand experience perhaps submit something for inclusion in next years' guide.

And finally, would you hire them again?

[hgb]

That's a good idea. We will put that in next year's guide.

AFAIK you could exchange flat batteries for free but I need to verify this.

[Bas]

- Kangaroo TV had a booth near the entrance to the paddock and the south tunnel under the pit straight.
- They rent the things from Wednesday and it works with quali too.
- Renting them is quick and easy, but you need a credit card for the 320 euro caution.
- They are supplied with a spare battery and a charger if you asked for it.
- The two batteries lasted us through the weekend but it wasn't switched on all the time.
- You could change your battery when empty (for free).
- The reception was good at the village, the Bugatti track, HA-sud and Tertre Rouge.
- You could return the unit untill 6 pm Sunday, also quick and easy and you get to keep the earphones. 

Now what did the KangarooTV provide:

- Live feed like on Eurosport(2) but without the ad-breaks.
- Pit-cam (most of the time)
- 4 or 5 different in-car cams. (most of the time)
- Standings per class
- You could pick your favorite car and it would show it's position and laptime on the top of the screen.
- Choice of French or Radio Le Mans (english) commentary.

We thought it was good value, we only had one for our whole group and we mainly used it for updating on the standings and looking at the TV-screen when we heard something happened on RLM.

You could hook it up to a couple of i-Pod speakers and just put it on your table on the campsite, that way all can hear the commentary and when something worthwhile seeing happened all can see.

The only improvements I can think of right now are reception at areas like Mulsanne and Arnage and a possibility to connect it to a TV-screen.

Link http://www.kangaroo.tv/

[Christopher]

Thanks, Bas,

That answers everything I wanted to know.

[Robbo SPS]

sounds good.

i still like the idea of sky though, more channels....