WUPPERTAL, Germany — Jan. 15, 2026 — Riedel Communications, in cooperation with the German Basketball Federation (DBB) and the German Sport University Cologne (DSHS), deployed its RefCam for the first time in Germany’s 2. Basketball-Bundesliga. As part of a scientific research project, the head-mounted camera technology was implemented on Dec. 28, 2025, during the game between EPG Baskets Koblenz and Bozic Estriche Knights Kirchheim in Koblenz. This research initiative aims to develop a comprehensive training concept to improve decision-making skills among basketball referees.
Riedel’s RefCam is a compact, head-mounted camera that captures game situations from the referee’s point of view. Designed for both live broadcast applications and recording-only scenarios, three RefCam Record units were deployed in Koblenz for local recording only.
“Working with scientific partners is essential to advancing officiating standards,” said Carsten Straube, B and C Squad Referee Manager, DBB. “Innovative technology projects like RefCam can play a key role in quality assurance while also providing fresh insights for referee education and training.”
As part of a research initiative funded by the Federal Institute of Sport Science, the study focuses on evaluating a video-based training program for referee decision-making. Footage captured with RefCam adds new perspectives from real game situations to existing methods and is being incorporated into the ongoing development of training materials.
“Highly dynamic game situations are difficult to capture from the referee’s perspective using conventional cameras,” said Dr. Johannes Meyer, Research Associate, DSHS. “RefCam enables us to record and analyze precisely these sequences with a high degree of realism.”
Jacqueline Voss, Executive Director of Strategy and Innovation at Riedel Communications, added: “This exciting project demonstrates that our RefCam is not only suited for immersive perspectives in live environments but can also deliver valuable insights for analysis and research. We are delighted that our technology can support both sports science research and referee development in German basketball.”
Further information about Riedel and the company’s products is available at www.riedel.net.
About Riedel Communications
Riedel Communications is a leading provider of live production tools in the worlds of media, sports, and entertainment. The company’s hard- and software solutions span from distributed video and audio networks over intercom and replay solutions to WAN and MPLS applications. Thanks to Riedel’s holistic approach, its three business units — Product Division, Managed Technology Division, and Networks Division — can leverage powerful synergies to provide flexible infrastructures, tools, and services for both fixed and temporary installations around the globe, enabling Riedel customers to run even the most complex projects on-site, remotely, or in the cloud. Riedel is locally headquartered in Santa Clarita, California, with its global headquarters in Wuppertal, Germany. Riedel employs over 1,000 people in 30 locations throughout Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Americas.
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