F1 United States Grand Prix diary: Fanvision enhances race day experience

Fanvision continues to be my favorite piece of racing technology.

Their corporate slogan reads, "Welcome to the Inside," fitting considering the overwhelming amount of data the device gives you access to during a race weekend. Not to be confused for the now defunct SprintVision controller, FanVision offers a live continuous loop of track action with no commercials and more statistics than you could ever need.

I first used a Fanvision device at Daytona at the start of the season just as they began their partnership with NASCAR. The device and I quickly became inseparable as it offers live video, team communications, timing and replays of each of the above while at the racetrack.

It's invaluable at larger venues where you can't see the whole track. And it also eliminates the myth that sitting at home is better than going to the track. Fanvision is the best of both worlds displaying broadcast quality video and graphics as an enhancement to your ticket.

NASCAR is actually Fanvision's second foray into the motorsports market. They've serviced F1 for several years, previously under the name Kangaroo. The Fanvision crew understands what motorsport fans want and super-serve them content while they are at the track.

My favorite aspect of the controller is that it can also support the Formula 1 software which is even more dynamic than its NASCAR counterpart. Unlike NASCAR, F1 controls its own television content. The video is shot by Formula 1 and distributed to its broadcast partners all around the world. This allows Fanvision to show the same video that you would get at home.

The commentary options include both the BBC and Sky broadcasts and with the standard F1 video feed, it’s virtually the same as what you would get sitting at home.

As an added bonus to Formula 1, all 24 cars are equipped with on-board cameras and Fanvision provides each one to be viewed at any point a driver is on the track. And because picking from 24 cars might be difficult, Fanvision also offers a quad vision where you can select four cars to watch at the same time.

In other words, there’s no reason to sit at home.

NFL, College Football, NASCAR, Formula 1 – welcome to the inside, indeed.