MacCAM
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MacCAM (often written as MacCam, Mac-Cam or Mac Cam) is a system of slow-motion cameras developed by FastCAM Replay LLC and DEL Imaging Systems LLC used during Tennis matches to replay close or controversial line calls. The system named after "Johnny Mac" (John McEnroe), who was famous for contesting referee calls. CBS was the first network to use the MacCam widely, as John McEnroe was one of their tennis analysts.
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[edit] History
The MacCam was used in 2004 to demonstrate several poor calls by chair umpires in the US Open. In Serena Williams' controversial quarterfinal loss to Jennifer Capriati, several poor calls were contested by Williams. TV replays demonstrated that there were actually several crucial calls that were obviously erroneous. Though the calls themselves were not reversed, the chair umpire Mariana Alves was dismissed from the tournament.
[edit] Details
The system is only used for coverage purposes. It is not currently used in any official capacities, and cannot be used to reverse calls or force a do over. There has been discussions of implementing the MacCam on an official scale, and using the system for official instant replays. Unlike the Hawk-Eye or Cyclops systems, the system would not audibly alert officials on calls, but would be used to produce photographic evidence at the request of the player, much like the instant replay systems seen in sports like Football; the resulting photos or videos would still be visually examined by a human referee.
MacCAM systems are also used to certify automated line-calling systems such as the ones mentioned earlier.
[edit] Trivia
- Though trademarked by FastCAM Replay, the phrase "Mac Cam" is sometimes used generically to refer to any manual or automated line monitoring or replay system, including Hawk-Eye, Cyclops, Auto-Ref, and Point Tracker.
