Daktronics and Stats Perform to Generate Graphics Packages Digital Signage
Stats Perform, the SportsTech leader in data and AI and technology, and Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota, have announced a partnership to deliver the latest in data visualizations for digital signage both in and outside sporting venues.
The partnership combines Daktronics’ expertise in large-format LED video displays with Stats Perform’s industry-leading live premium scores and sports insights to create a more immersive fan engagement offering. In addition to offering the latest premium live, predictive and analytical match data over scoreboards and digital displays, the two companies will work together to generate new data visualizations on digital signage, helping teams and venue owners maximize their sponsorship activation.
“This partnership allows our two companies to work together to simplify the process for customers we have in common as well as expanding to new customers to deliver on their statistical needs,” said Will Ellerbruch, Daktronics national sales manager. “It’s extremely easy to integrate Stats Perform’s data into our technology. In return, it gives the vital, additional information that fans expect to see at a live sporting event.”
Daktronics and Stats Perform already work with major venues around the world providing live scores, insights and out-of-town scoreboard offerings. In formalizing a new partnership, the two companies will leverage their unique expertise to offer a more robust and analytical data offering that will transform the fan experience and generate new sponsorship revenue for stadium owners. In-venue and digital signage providers can now get their robust data visual offerings directly from Daktronics.
“If you look at any modern sports stadium, the use of digital signage is becoming more prevalent and has become a vital way to keep fans engaged, excited and informed throughout any event,” Stats Perform Senior Vice President of Global Partners and Channels Wayne Ford said. “Whether it’s on the main scoreboard, or digital signage elsewhere inside or outside the stadium, effective data visualizations have a way of attracting fan attention, while driving new sponsorship opportunities for the venue. Daktronics and Stats Perform have so much experience in the space and this partnership offers a seamless fit to help us transform large format data visualizations covering the game today.”
Daktronics is part of Stats Perform’s Sports Partners Intelligence Network (SPIN), which connects top technology and consulting partners with Stats Perform’s leading data and SportsTech solutions to develop new offerings for the sports market. Stats Perform brings innovative sports solutions to life for betting, media and team/player performance and is a leader in leveraging AI to challenge how the games and players are measured. SPIN partners range from broadcast infrastructure providers to high-tech AI companies to system integrators and beyond, creating a robust partner ecosystem to meet the industry’s needs.
Nā Leo TV Tackles Live Sports Productions with Hitachi HDTV Cameras
Nā Leo TV (NLTV) is the public access television station run by Nā Leo o Hawai’i (NLOH), the non-profit leader for media services on the “Big Island” of Hawai’i. When the Hilo-based Public, Education and Government (PEG) broadcaster expanded its coverage to include more sporting events, it chose SK-HD1800 cameras from Hitachi Kokusai Electric America, Ltd. (Hitachi Kokusai) to elevate the quality of its productions and meet the rigorous demands of live sports.
NLTV delivers relevant, diverse, and interesting PEG programming to citizens across the island through three cable channels, its website, and a mobile app. The station began looking at new cameras last year to achieve its goal of expanding its offerings. “We wanted to start producing more live events such as high school sports, but our existing prosumer-level HD camcorders weren’t up to the task,” said Matt Cordero, production manager at Nā Leo TV. “Our president wanted a higher quality standard, and we needed cameras that would respond well in low light and could zoom all the way down a football field.
“Our previous cameras also required tons of cabling – including separate video, communications, and power – that was cumbersome for field use,” he continued. “I wanted the simplicity of a single SMPTE fiber cable for each camera, the higher quality of 2/3-inch sensors, and the ability to use longer, B4-mount lenses.”
Oahu-based Da Crew Production and Engineering Group arranged a side-by-side comparison between three major camera brands. “I liked what I saw with the SK-HD1800,” Cordero recalled. “Watching on broadcast monitors and multi-viewers, some people couldn’t see the difference between it and more expensive competitors, and the rest of us pointed to the Hitachi camera as having the best quality.”
NLTV purchased four SK-HD1800s and started using them in their studio and field productions in late summer of 2019. The cameras travel around the island in the station’s 24-foot production trailer, which is stored next to the 18-foot high, 50x25 foot main studio. This lets them use the trailer as the control room when shooting in the studio. Three of the cameras are typically deployed on Cartoni or Sachtler tripods, with one operated handheld. NLTV purchased five Fujinon lenses – three 22x, one 14x super-wide, and one 99x box lens for sports productions.
In addition to being pleased with the SK-HD1800’s overall visual quality, Cordero has been impressed by the camera’s performance in poor lighting conditions. “The Hitachi cameras’ low-light handling has been awesome,” he said. “A lot of our high school stadiums aren’t very well lit, but we’re able to run the cameras at 6dB gain or less and get very good-looking results.”
The setup simplicity and ease of use of the SK-HD1800 has also proven beneficial for NLTV. “As a public access station, we utilize a lot of volunteers – including high school and college students – who may not understand all the technology,” explained Cordero. “I can get someone with little or no experience up to speed and comfortable with these cameras in just minutes. I also like how the structure and language of the menus are essentially common sense, rather than needing to dive into too many different buttons and submenus to get at the features I’m looking for.”
The move to Hitachi camera systems has also enabled NLTV to manage the cameras from their mobile control room while supporting the streamlined cabling infrastructure Cordero sought. “The ability to control everything remotely from the truck over SMPTE fiber is fantastic, as is using the Ross Dashboard software on a Surface Pro tablet to adjust video settings,” he said. “The cameras are also much lighter than others I have had experience with, which is great for field use.”
While social distancing cut short NLTV’s spring sports season and temporarily reduced the number of productions in its studio, station staff are enjoying the improvements the SK-HD1800 cameras have delivered. “They have enabled us to take on more types of production projects and have enhanced the quality of our programs,” Cordero concluded. “Everything looks much better with these cameras, and people have noticed the difference in our broadcasts.”
NewTekTV Expands in September to Highlight How You Can Lift Your Voice Through Video
NewTek is expanding its NewTekTV programming lineup in September. The brand new content focuses on relevant issues for today’s socially distant production environment and highlights new opportunities that open up by adding video to businesses of all types and sizes.
The expanded offerings are available live on on-demand, across Facebook, LinkedIn and, of course, on NewTek.tv. Features include case studies on how businesses have adapted over the course of 2020 thanks to the power of software-defined visual storytelling (#SDVS), tutorials and walkthroughs on innovative workflows, and a keynote from Dr. Andrew Cross, President of R&D for the Vizrt Group, discussing how you can lift your voice through video.
Live Q&A sessions will run throughout the programming, allowing for community interaction with hosts in real time. For those interested in ensuring they can take part in the live presentation, a signup form is now live at www.newtek.tv
“September is a time when we traditionally meet and discuss the biggest and most exciting changes taking place in the industry,” said Barbara Spicek, NewTek President and General Manager. “Just because we can’t meet in the traditional way at tradeshows doesn’t mean we can’t still showcase these exciting innovations. What we’ve seen from our customers and partners is that the signal doesn’t go dark just because there are challenges.
“Through NewTek.TV we will share the stories of businesses making changes to how they create content, the new tools that have been introduced over the past few months, and the vision we have for the future.”
VizrTV Doubles Productions in September to Focus on The Next Chapter of Your Story
Vizrt is increasing its content output on VizrTV for September. Brand new content will update the industry on cutting-edge changes to technologies and solutions that allow for distance-based production and dynamic deployment – all of which offer accessible ways to increase production efficiency and quality.
The additional programming is available live and on-demand, on Facebook, LinkedIn and, of course, VirzTV. Segments include profiles on broadcasters innovating and adapting their workflows in 2020, instructive videos on software-defined visual storytelling solutions, and live demonstrations, including a virtual production that allows remote presenters to exist – and interact – on a globe-spanning, single digital set. Dr. Andrew Cross, President of R&D for the Vizrt Group, will also deliver a keynote address looking at the next generation of Vizrt innovations – and how these can help shape the next chapter of your story.
Live Q&A sessions will run throughout the programming, allowing for real time interaction as the stories unfold live. Those interested in taking part in the live presentation can sign up for alerts now at www.vizr.tv.
“While it won’t be possible for us to gather with our partners, customers, and future-customers in September in person in Amsterdam, we still want to recognize the incredible work we’ve seen in 2020,” said Daniel Nergård, Vizrt President and General Manager. “The innovation that has come as a result of the challenges of this year is truly impressive. It is also incredibly important. The broadcast community is looking for ways to alter workflows while still offering a high-quality product – and we want to share with them the successes we’ve seen and created, from around the world.”
Allianz Stadium
Opened in 2011, Allianz Stadium is the home of Juventus Football Club - the most successful team in Italian football - who has just secured its ninth consecutive Serie A title. Built on the site of the club’s former home, Stadio delle Alpi, the venue has a total capacity of over 41,500 and is one of only four club-owned stadiums in Serie A. As well as all of Juventus’ home games, the Turin-based stadium hosted the 2014 UEFA Europa League Final and has been chosen as the venue for the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final in 2022. Recently, the club decided to upgrade the audio system at Allianz Stadium to improve vocal intelligibility, while adding an extra dimension to the light shows, music and special effects.
Read the full article below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mondostadia13/62
Images: Bose Professional
Clear-Com Performs for MG Stage on Live Events and Sports Productions
Any live event, especially sports where the action is spontaneous and rapid, presents unique communications challenges for technical crews. MG Stage is no stranger to overcoming the challenges of live event production, regularly assembling the solutions needed to make an event come together seamlessly. To address these communications challenges, they often look to Clear-Com intercom systems.
MG Stage, based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the country’s only company dedicated exclusively to intercom system rentals for the theatre, corporate events and live production markets. The team understands the need for reliable and quality communications, especially company owner Magali Acha, whose previous career experience as a set designer on live shows demonstrated to her how little emphasis producers placed on such an important aspect of an event.
“On every show I worked, I always noticed how the crews had difficulties simply talking to one another,” she recalled. When she started MG Stage, one of her goals was to avoid that challenge for her customers, which meant using Clear-Com from day one. MG Stage has been spearheading the use of professional intercom in Argentina, and it has been very well-received. “A lot of people are accustomed to two-way radios, but once they experience using Clear-Com, they immediately understand the importance of using a professional intercom system,” Magali said.
One recent event highlighted the effects of superior communications in live events. MG Stage supported the final match of one of the world’s largest football tournaments: the Conmebal (The South American Football Confederation) South American Cup held at the Estadio General Pablo Rojas in Asunción, Paraguay.
The tournament producers engaged MG Stage only days before the event started. “We had to organize quickly and without much information about the production’s technical requirements,” said Magali.
The show used two independent wireless systems for separate production teams. One team handled technical and artistic show coordination of the pre-game show, final show and cup and medal awards ceremonies. The other team managed general event coordination.
MG Stage deployed Clear-Com’s FreeSpeak II Digital Wireless Intercom for the general event coordination and a DX410 Digital Wireless Intercom along with Clear-Com’s Encore Analog Partyline stations and beltpacks for the shows and ceremonies. MG Stage also drew on its theatre experience to configure and personalize each user’s FreeSpeak II beltpack. They also combined and interconnected the wired Encore partyline with the DX410 wireless system.
The Clear-Com systems enhanced the event teams’ communications capabilities during the tournament, allowing them to communicate clearly and over greater distances, despite the roar of the crowd.
For the Conmebol South American Cup Final, MG Stage placed one FreeSpeak II transceiver along each sideline. The production team used 10 FreeSpeak II beltpack on the sidelines, behind the goal—the waiting area for the shows and ceremonies—and one member was in the tv booth. “The coverage was smooth in all areas, across the field and even in the booth high up in the stadium”, said Magali. “The stage managers stationed around the field were able to clearly give directions and talk to one another.”
Even the rain could not impede the communications. “In the middle of the match, it started to rain so hard that the field got flooded, and the match was suspended for about 15 minutes,” she said. “We had to relocate the equipment rack and reroute the cabling; we pretty much moved everything including the transceivers because the amount of water was incredible. It was a few stressful minutes since the comms had to remain operational despite the harsh conditions.”
Clear-Com technologies are widely embraced in theatrical and live production environments worldwide, as shows incorporate more elaborate production values and crews require greater communications capabilities.
“Professional customers, especially in Argentina, don’t ask for intercom systems,” Magali said. “They simply ask for ‘Clear-Com.’ It is like asking for Coca-Cola in a restaurant. Everyone knows what you mean.”
In addition to the Conmebal final, MG Stage regularly supports a diverse schedule of live events, ranging from the Youth Olympic Games to the G-20 World Economic Forum. As the company plans to expand into areas like Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia and Peru, Magali and MG Stage are confident that the relationship with Clear-Com and Lade Profesional—a Clear-Com partner in Argentina—will continue to grow and strengthen.
“The difference between using a Clear-Com system, or not, is substantial,” Magali said. “If communications fail, the show fails. Clear-Com systems are reliable, user-friendly, versatile and adaptable to cover the needs of every type of user and production.”
Vizrt Celebrates 15 years of Growth and Customer Success in the Middle East
Vizrt, the world’s leading provider of software-defined visual storytelling tools (#SDVS) for media content creators, is celebrating 15 years of fantastic growth, progress, and customer success in the Middle East as a key partner to many of the region’s top broadcasters.
Vizrt was one of the first major vendors to commit to the Middle East, establishing a permanent base in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 2005. Investing in customers and staff while sharing an office in the Dubai Knowledge Village, Vizrt grew into one of the largest vendors of broadcast software in the region eventually relocating to Al Shatha Tower in Dubai Media City.
“Our initial customers were Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya and Dubai Media Incorporated whose belief in us and tremendous support really helped establish Vizrt as a major player in the region’s broadcast industry,” said Ian Davies, regional manager for Vizrt’s Middle East operation. “From there, we expanded rapidly to include all major broadcasters across the Middle East including most state broadcasters of most countries.”
Working closely with regional customers is a core hallmark of Vizrt’s worldwide success, which can be seen in the contribution and support made to customers in the region, helping them grow to become some of the world’s most innovative and influential news organizations and visual storytellers. As customer success grew, so did Vizrt, now reaching across 13 countries in the region, from Egypt in the west, the entire Gulf area, up to and including Pakistan in the east.
“We are extremely proud of our relationships in this region and to be associated with some of the most technically advanced broadcasters in the world, helping them innovate wherever possible,” continued Ian. “Graphics was and is Vizrt’s foundation, but we have successfully expanded beyond this into media asset management, studio automation and online publishing.”
The Vizrt Middle East team now comprises of 10 people, with skills in Sales, Support and Professional Services across all the breadth of the Vizrt product line.
“We would like to thank our customers and partners for their support, trust and belief in us, and we look forward to extending our combined successes into the future,” said Ian.
NDI Launches NDI TV
NDI the free protocol enabling video over IP and a part of the Vizrt Group, is launching its own unique, digital-first communication platform under the banner of NDI TV. The new programming schedule on NDI.tv highlights relevant and tangible ways businesses and individuals are improving both their content and communications by harnessing the power of NDI and IP-based video.
The platform will follow similarly in format to sister brands VizrTV and NewTekTV but offer unique and compelling content focused on NDI and creators who move video and, in doing so, move the world. Topics will span broadcast, professional and personal use of NDI, with highlights including tutorials on new NDI tools, key updates for developers, and demonstrations on how to improve workplace connectivity with NDI integration into Microsoft Teams.
Live Q&A sessions during the broadcasts will allow viewers to ask questions of the NDI team and presenters. Those interested in taking part in the discussion live are encouraged to sign up now at www.ndi.tv
“The change in today’s world means that we’ve all had to engage with live video more. We’ve come to always expect quality and compelling video and we’ve all become more comfortable and professional in front of a camera” said Michael Namatinia NDI President and General Manager. “NDI is a core part of this new storytelling process the world is embracing. With NDI TV we’re going to showcase some new tricks NDI and NDI users have created to help all of us move video and move the world.”
Alon Werber & Yossi Tarablus: Pixellot
Alon Werber & Yossi Tarablus from Pixellot sit down with us to discuss where the partnership with FC Barcelona began, the installation process for various venues and how Pixellot can help sporting events in regards to the COVID–19 pandemic.
Read the full interview below:
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mondostadia13/26
SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium, located inside the brand-new Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California, is the newest large-scale, stand-out venue to be constructed in the US. The state-of-theart home of the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers will be the largest indoor-outdoor stadium in the NFL at 3.1 million sq ft, and will be the centrepiece of the world-class sports and entertainment destination being built by Los Angeles Rams Owner and Chairman, E. Stanley Kroenke. The stadium will sit alongside a hotel, and premium retail and hospitality spaces, as well as commercial office areas and outdoor parks that aim to take the game-day experience to new heights, offering fans a jam-packed day out featuring never-seen-before technology.
https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mondostadia13/44
Images: Skarpheddin Heddinsson, Mike Nowak / Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Samsung, SoFi Stadium & Hollywood Park