Parx Casino and Racing's New HD Control Room Crosses the Finish Line with JVC CONNECTED CAM
The new CONNECTED CAM broadcast camcorder from JVC Professional Video, a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, is being put through the paces in the newly built HD control room at Philadelphia’s Parx Casino and Racing. Now equipped with nine JVC CONNECTED CAMS, the casino’s thoroughbred horse racing division selected the cameras to help boost production for its live simulcasts, expanding its reach beyond the racetrack, to online audiences around the world.
Included among the studio’s new high-end gear are six JVC GY-HC900STU studio and three GY-HC900CHU broadcast cameras, which offer built-in streaming and connectivity options, and advanced low latency. Nearly all of Parx’s nine JVC CONNECTED CAMS are used in actual broadcast settings, with one camera reserved as a spare. Six of those locations are in-camera towers around the track and can be used to help officiate during a race. The cameras are positioned strategically around the track to capture all angles for review – in case there’s an objection or an inquiry against a horse. Parx also has cameras in the paddock, where the horses get saddled up and jockeys receive their instructions before they go out onto the track. The venue plans to use the spare camera as a mobile and/or streaming unit, when it’s ready to expand into more wireless streaming productions.”
Already familiar with JVC cameras, since Parx had been using them throughout its casino, Rich Romano, director of video operations at Parx Racing says he had a chance to demo some of the CONNECTED CAM models before making any final decisions. “The reason we went with JVC, first and foremost, the price point was right,” he said. “Secondly, the quality and versatility that we get for that price point is outstanding; we can broadcast in either 1080i or 1080p if we wanted. The streaming capabilities of the cameras will allow us to expand and do different types of productions in the future without having to buy new equipment, which is also huge for us.”
JVC’s GY-HC900STU and GY-HC900CHU models feature three 2/3-inch CMOS sensors and an industry-standard B4 lens mount; produce HDR images; and offer built-in WiFi, low-latency streaming/FTP performance up to 20Mbps. The cameras also offer SMPTE 2022 forward error correction and Zixi error correction with automatic repeat request. Other features include dual SDXC card slots, three XLR inputs, 50 Mbps 4:2:2 10-bit recording and MPEG-2 recording up to 35 Mbps.
FIFA Quality Program for EPTS Certifies ChyronHego's TRACAB Gen5 With Outstanding Results
The new Gen5 version of ChyronHego's Emmy Award-winning TRACAB optical tracking system has been certified by the new FIFA Quality Program for EPTS (Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems) for the global football industry. Of the four tracking systems to achieve this certification, TRACAB Gen5 is the only optical tracking system to be qualified and to demonstrate clear industry-leading results.
"ChyronHego has been a pioneer and industry leader in player- and ball-tracking technology for many years, and we are immensely proud that the exceptional performance of our TRACAB technology has been recognized and validated through the FIFA Quality Program for EPTS," said Ian Wray, sports director, EMEA and APAC, at ChyronHego. "Testing performed by FIFA independently demonstrates accuracy results for TRACAB Gen5 that surpass those of any other certified system. Because the assessed data was taken from live delivery, testing by FIFA also illustrates the huge improvements that TRACAB Gen5 offers in powering live data applications. We are excited about the benefits that TRACAB Gen5 brings to market with its incomparable level of performance, and we foresee the system powering a data revolution in football."
Spatial-temporal and derived-metrics data feeds from TRACAB Gen5 systems can be accessed through a series of APIs to service the wide variety and expanding number of use cases for football data. The data supports broadcast applications such as rendering live player graphics with tools such as Virtual Football for illustration purposes; performance analysis applications used in coaching, and even in-stadium entertainment on LED boards using Click Effects PRIME. Derived metrics are available for contextualized in-game and seasonal analysis of statistics. When ultra-low latency is of the utmost importance, as for innovative applications such as fan engagement using augmented reality, data from TRACAB Gen5 can be delivered within 150ms, the fastest delivery time for a data set of this richness in sport.
"Previous generations of TRACAB, deployed on well over 2,500 football matches every year, already perform at a very high level, but with Gen5 we've introduced a brand-new architecture that solves many of the challenges associated with optical tracking, especially around object occlusion," said Eric Hayman, chief scientist at ChyronHego. "This new architecture and significant redevelopment of our AI algorithms allow TRACAB Gen5 to perform in a class above its previous generations, especially in player identification and ball-tracking capabilities. This has certainly been evident in the FIFA testing results and certification, which we are honored to have received. Looking to the future, we are particularly excited about the further opportunities for innovation that this new tracking platform provides in a wide range of unexplored application areas."
Daktronics Delivers Flexible Control Hofstra University’s Concourse Signage
Daktronics partnered with Hofstra University to provide an integrated solution this fall for their concourse digital signage. A new control solution was installed for their concourse LCDs allowing them to show the same game-day experience as the main LED video displays in the seating bowl and to switch back to non-game day productions quickly and easily.
The versatile Daktronics control solutions – Show Control and Venus Control Suite – pair to provide specific productions for live events and non-game days. This solution fits into the current game-day operations and workflow without requiring additional operators or IT infrastructure.
Without having to repurpose the control or display system, the concourse LCDs can share live streams of the action while also showing data and statistics in a consistent manner as the LED display system. The in-game experience is extended to other areas of the arena.
“This hybrid control solution offers maximum flexibility for a very minimal cost,” said Seth Koch, Daktronics sales engineer. “Because this is a Daktronics system, each LCD can act as an independent signage system when not being used on game day and then switch quickly to a game-day look to show live content with minimum latency. It really is a game-changer for their facility.”
On non-game days, the system can schedule content including welcome messages, upcoming events and more using Venus Control Suite’s features. On game days, the Daktronics solution decodes the LED video information and seamlessly converts it to LCD readable information for accurate duplication on the screens.
It's All Danley Gear For Robert Morris University New UPMC Events Centre
Robert Morris University (RMU) raised private funds to construct the new UPMC Events Center, which includes the Peoples Court, a 4,000-seat arena for men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball, an auxiliary gym, and other event and conference spaces. Local AV integration firm Horizon Information Services worked with the architect to design and install a highly-efficient, and thus value-engineered, sound reinforcement system that uses Danley Sound Labs’ patented point-source loudspeaker and subwoofer technologies to deliver highly-intelligible sound even at extreme SPLs.
Horizon Information Services earned the job because RMU is happy with the work the company has performed throughout the campus, including other sports complexes, academic buildings, and classrooms. “We reached out to the architect, Ross Bianco, to offer our services,” said Jonathan Kaiser, system design and engineering specialist at Horizon. “At around the same time, RMU reached out to the architect and requested that they partner with us. As a result, we were able to get involved early and influence some of the decisions that would impact the sound reinforcement system.”
Jonathan said. “We went with Danley Sound Labs loudspeakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers/DSP because of their very favorable cost-to-performance ratio. Danley’s patented point-source technologies provide a lot of even coverage at high SPLs. To get similar coverage and SPLs with any other loudspeaker manufacturer would have required substantially more boxes and thus substantially more amplifier channels and DSP. Although the price of a single Danley box isn’t small, the fact that we needed so many fewer of them made the price of the Danley system a bargain.”
The sound reinforcement system in the Peoples Court is distributed and time-aligned to work with a center-hung Daktronics scoreboard. Four Danley SH95HO full-range loudspeakers hang from each corner of the scoreboard on a custom rigging frame to cover the court and a sizable section of the lower-bowl seating. All told, eight clusters, each comprised of a Danley TH118XL subwoofer mounted above a Danley SH96HO full-range loudspeaker, ring three sides of the Peoples Court and cover the upper bowl seating along with the remainder of the lower bowl seating. The east end will be used to stage events and currently has two Danley SH95HOs for down fill. For the time being, touring acts will need to bring their own PAs, but Horizon Information Services has plans to install two massive Danley J3-94 Jericho Horns – the same boxes used in 100,000-plus-seat football stadiums – to give the Peoples Court ample in-house concert capacity. Finally, the auxiliary gym, which will mainly be used for practices but which can also host games with standing room only, uses a single Danley TH118XL subwoofer and four Danley SM80 full-range loudspeakers.
The entire system is powered by eight 4-channel Danley 20k4 Pro amplifiers (32 channels total at 5000 Watts each) with built-in DSP and presets for every box that Danley makes. The amplifiers receive signal from a QSC Q-Sys DSP system via Dante, which in turn receives input via Dante from a DiGiCo console at FOH.
ArKaos Embraces Vitality
Digital media specialists ArKaos have supplied two media servers, one 4K Studio server and one Stage server, to the new multi-million-pound Parisian headquarters of eSports organisation, Team Vitality.
Called V.Hive, the space is a 10,700 square foot facility built on three floors, complete with a lively storefront that is open to the public and including a streaming booth, gaming rooms, a content production studio, a cinema, a WebTV studio plus numerous offices.
ArKaos’s Benjamin Bauwens project managed the installation of the servers that are running a series of digital banners, screens and LED lighting elements in the retail area of the V.Hive, which includes a shopping area and a coffee bar plus a training room for players.
The 4K ArKaos Studio server takes inputs from 4 x HD cameras plus graphic feeds and outputs to five screens including the main one measuring 1152 x 1080 pixels. There are four other banners – one at 3840 X 216, one at 2112 X 216, another at 2496 X 216 and the fourth at 2304 x 216 – plus full HD fed to a mobile Samsung LED screen and another full HD going to a second Samsung screen which is used for monitoring.
The ArKaos Stage server is running 9 x KlingForce LED devices running over Kling-Net and feeding a canvas of LED tape strips which are secured around the windows of the shop and also framing certain in-shop displays, in total measuring 3758 X 18 pixels.
Kling-Net is a revolutionary plug-and-play control protocol developed by ArKaos for the easy operation of current and future LED fixtures and lightsources.
ArKaos became involved in this exciting project via Best Audio & Lighting, an installation specialist and sister company of leading technical production / rental company Dushow, both owned by Le Groupe Novelty.
“The requirement was for powerful, straightforward and logical control of content over these various different LED surfaces in this dynamic multi-purpose environment,” said Benjamin, who worked closely with Sylvain Maillard from Team Vitality and Alain Lheriteau from Best Audio to design, install and commission a custom server system to work for all their video display and decorative LED needs.
Benjamin said, “We are very proud to be involved in this project. eSports and Team Vitality are right at the cutting edges of contemporary digital communication and technology, so it’s a great showcase for us!”
Western Carolina University Set to Upgrade Visuals with New Daktronics Centerhung LED Displays
Daktronics announced today a partnership with Western Carolina University to design, manufacture and install a new four-sided centerhung LED display system at the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, North Carolina, for the 2020 sports seasons.
“The new video board will allow us to provide a great fan experience for Catamount basketball and volleyball. It will also enhance the numerous university events hosted in the facility throughout the year,” said Todd Lawing, director of the Ramsey Center.
Each display will measure approximately 8 feet high by 11.5 feet wide and will feature 5.9-millimeter line spacing to bring crisp, clear imagery to all four sides of the arena. Hanging above the action, the new centerhung will be a focal point of the arena to share entertainment and information to fans in every seat.
“We’re excited to be working with our partners at Western Carolina University again,” said Corey Williams, Daktronics sales representative. “The new centerhung will be a nice addition to the Ramsey Center. Fans will be entertained by the addition of replays, stats and other great content which will add to an already great game-day atmosphere.”
Each display is capable of variable content zoning allowing each to show one large image or to be divided into multiple zones to share any combination of live video, instant replays, statistics and game information, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
In addition to the equipment installation, Western Carolina University will also receive a content package that will be produced and delivered by Daktronics Creative Services.
Daktronics has grown with the sports industry from the company’s beginnings in 1968. Today, the company has LED video display installations at hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States.
Daktronics and BBVA Stadium Partner for Houston Dynamo Design
Daktronics has partnered with BBVA Stadium and the Houston Dynamo to design, manufacture and install four new LED video boards in Texas. Installation is currently underway and will be ready for action early in 2020.
“We’re excited to team up with Daktronics to continue to improve the game-day experience for our fans through improved video boards,” said Houston Dynamo President John Walker. “We’re grateful to Gabriel Brener and our ownership group for their continued commitment to invest in all aspects of our club, both on and off the pitch. These video boards will help us continue to deliver a first-class experience for all fans at BBVA Stadium for years to come.”
One large main video board will measure approximately 34ft high by 73ft wide to bring larger-than-life images and video to Dynamo fans at every event. The display will feature a 15HD pixel layout to bring crisp, clear images to every seat. The display also features industry-leading environmental protection to ensure optimal performance during any form of weather.
The main display is capable of variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or multiple zones of live video, instant replay, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
“The new video technology at BBVA Stadium is going to be a significant upgrade in both size and resolution,” said Dan Fjeldheim, Daktronics sales representative. “The fan experience will be lifted to a whole new level and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide the new displays for the stadium.”
Two auxiliary displays and a new marquee display will also be installed at BBVA Stadium. The auxiliary displays will measure approximately 15ft high by 26ft wide to provide supplemental content to the main display. The exterior marquee will measure 25ft high by 37ft wide to promote current and upcoming events at the stadium. These three displays will feature the same 15HD pixel layout as the main video display.
Daktronics will also be including its powerful Show Control System with this installation. This industry-leading system provides a combination of display control software, world-class video processing, data integration and playback hardware that forms a user-friendly production solution.
McGuirk Stadium Receives New Daktronics System
Daktronics was selected by the University of Massachusetts to provide a new audiovisual system at Warren P. McGuirk Alumni Stadium and Garber Field on campus in Amherst.
The new system was installed at McGuirk Alumni Stadium ahead of the 2019 football season, while Garber Field will have its system in place and ready to entertain fans for the start of the 2020 lacrosse season.
“Both projects will have a long-term positive impact on our athletic department, fans who visit both venues and UMass students,” said University of Massachusetts Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford. “The South End Zone project has given us some terrific entertainment space and the new HD video board and sound system has enhanced the fan experience inside McGuirk. We are thrilled to implement the same technology for our men’s and women’s lacrosse programs at Garber this season.”
The new LED video display features a 13HD pixel layout and measures 20.4ft high by 48ft wide to bring high-definition imagery to fans throughout McGuirk Alumni Stadium. It features industry-leading environmental protection to ensure it is operational during wind, rain or sunshine.
“We’re very pleased that the University of Massachusetts - Amherst has chosen Daktronics once again to provide this leading visual and audio solutions for their athletic venues,” said Peter Dunkle, Daktronics sales representative. “These new systems will help the university staff produce an outstanding game production with broadcast quality.”
The display is capable of variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or to be divided into multiple zones to show any combination of live video, instant replay, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
A custom audio system was also installed at the stadium and integrated with the video and scoring system. It provides full-range sound reproduction and delivers a clear and intelligible speech to create a powerful audio experience for all people in attendance.
As part of the project, Garber Field also received a new audiovisual system for the 2020 season. The LED display measures 14.5ft high by 32.5ft wide and features the same 13HD pixel layout with the same capabilities as the display at McGuirk Stadium.
RCF USA President Roni Nevo Adopts The Role of EAW CEO
EAW has announced the appointment of Roni Nevo as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective December 2019.
Having been a key figure in the RCF Group for more than 10 years, Mr Nevo will remain President of RCF USA. However, in the new role, he will help the existing EAW team fine-tune operations and expand its customer base in the USA and around the world.
Roni stated: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to further expand the EAW brand. Together with TJ Smith and the rest of the team, we will continue to focus in the growth of the product line and the presence in the market, in cooperation with our global partners to expand EAW’s reliable and competitive product range in the production and integration sectors we serve.”
TJ Smith, President of EAW, added: “Roni brings a depth of experience and a proven track record to the team that will go a long way in accelerating our growth and bring greater efficiency to our operations. As EAW learns how to operate on its own again I can think of no better person to lead the board.”
RCF Group CEO, Arturo Vicari, agreed. “Roni Nevo has been a key figure in RCF’s success in North America for many years. He will now carry this experience forward in his new role at EAW.”
Virtual Football System Earns Official FIFA Certification
ChyronHego today announced that its Virtual Football System has been certified as a virtual offside line technology by FIFA, the world governing body for football. A powerful yet easy-to-use system for inserting virtual graphics onto the field, Virtual Football addresses the stringent performance requirements essential to the accurate placement of offside lines as part of the video assistant referee (VAR) workflow in football matches. Referees can rely on the technology to accurately place an offside line and help them make decisions more easily.
Broadcasters and stadium entertainment teams can use it to give fans a better understanding of how and why officials make crucial decisions throughout the game.
"ChyronHego has been at the forefront of this technology for over a decade and has made several exciting enhancements to Virtual Football specifically for offside line placement within the VAR workflow," said Niall Hendry, Product Manager, Sports, at ChyronHego. "We have optimised calibration speed and workflow, as well as field and lens parameters, and we've also enabled selection from multiple angles to improve accuracy and streamline the user workflow."
Virtual Football features an array of tools that enable users to enhance live football production with graphical elements including offside lines. Built on advanced image processing, Virtual Football allows users to insert virtual graphics without the need for camera sensors or special camera heads. The system's built-in keyer overcomes harsh environmental effects, such as shadows and bright sunlight.
FIFA included ChyronHego's Virtual Football System in a testing program designed to certify technologies on the market for displaying virtual offside lines for VAR usage. Following a number of testing events, where the rendered offside lines were measured for their accuracy in a variety of scenarios by an appointed testing institute, FIFA certified that Virtual Football was able to pass the performance criteria required for Virtual Offside Line (VOL) technology.
"It is critical that technologies used in professional football are of the highest quality and accuracy, and FIFA certification shows that Virtual Football has met this high standard," added Ian Wray, sports director for EMEA and APAC at ChyronHego. "In a game where the smallest margin of error can have a far-reaching impact for teams, you need the best of the best to assist referees in making more accurate and quicker turnaround decisions. This level of performance is important to FIFA's member organisations, which need to be able to trust the technology they use. We're proud that FIFA has determined that the world of football can put its trust in Virtual Football."