Nextologies Expands Partnership with PSSI Global Services
Nextologies continues to expand its Partnership with PSSI Global Services to provide satellite and IP transport and encryption facilities for high profile international events.
The recent UFC Fight Night from Shenzhen, China presented the PSSI team with some unique challenges due to overlapping feeds in multiple locations across the city. Senior project manager, Keith Valeri, along with Tracy Michaels, PSSI’s director of project engineering, deployed Nextologies’ IP encoding and transport solutions to support the athletes weigh-in at the Futian Shangri-La hotel in Shenzhen. PSSI transmitted encrypted, redundant feeds of the weigh-in back to Nextologies headquarters in Toronto, as well as the PSSI International Teleport which, in turn, uplinked the signal to a domestic satellite for multiple distribution outlets and social media platforms.
“We are excited to continue creating custom solutions for PSSI, helping them stay at the forefront of live encrypted transmission services,” said Sasha Zivanovic, CEO of Nextologies.
Nextologies continues to play a key role in PSSI’s transmission plans for big events in the Middle East, including June’s Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah, and the upcoming WWE Live Riyadh event in November. PSSI/Strategic Television’s UFC team, fresh off the successful event in Shenzhen, also utilized Nextologies’ equipment to provide an IP transport pathway for last week’s UFC 242, the first UFC pay-per-view event to ever originate from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Nextologies has developed cutting-edge encryption technology that allows both satellite and IP to meet the increasingly complex content protection requirements of PSSI’s extensive customer base.
Their NXT-ASIIP-GW device provides an additional layer of AES 256 bits encryption on top of the pre-existing encryption in a completely transparent mode with out-of-band key management. This device enables point-to-multipoint transmission, utilising the multi-path approach – ASI over satellite and IP via public or private network. Nextologies’ proprietary system is comparable to a Tier 1 level of security but at an extremely affordable cost for both full time and occasional use projects.
Daktronics Installs New Audiovisual System at Andy Kerr Stadium
Daktronics has partnered with Colgate University to design, manufacture and install a new audiovisual system at Andy Kerr Stadium in Hamilton, New York. The LED video display and audio system were installed this summer ahead of the fall football season to entertain and inform Colgate Raiders fans.
“We want Colgate Athletics venues to be a place where fans can come and see high-level Division I Athletics on the field, and experience a unique sense of community in the stands,” Colgate Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Nicki Moore said. “Tools such as the new video board will help us tell the amazing stories of our student-athletes, as well as the stories of the sponsors and fans who support them.”
“We want every Colgate student-athlete to achieve their highest academic and athletic aspirations, and we are working aggressively, yet thoughtfully, to enhance their experiences and opportunities. Making improvements that will positively impact the fan experience is also an important step in attracting more Colgate students, faculty and staff as well as local and regional community members to our venues.”
The new end zone video display measures 32ft high by 54ft wide and features a 15HD pixel layout to bring excellent image clarity and contrast with wide-angle visibility to fans in every seat. The display features industry-leading environmental protection to ensure the display operates as expected in all forms of weather.
A Sportsound® 1500HD audio system was integrated into the video and scoring system at the stadium. This system provides full-range sound reproduction and delivers clear and intelligible speech for a powerful audio experience for fans.
“Daktronics is proud to build upon our long-term partnership with Colgate on this great new audio and video upgrade at Andy Kerr Stadium,” said Scott Willson, Daktronics sales representative. “We worked closely with the university to design an audio and video solution that will have a tremendous impact on the game-day atmosphere at the stadium and I look forward to seeing and hearing it in person this fall.”
In addition to the equipment installation, Colgate University also received a content package that was produced and delivered by Daktronics Creative Services as well as additional video production elements to enhance their game-day presentation.
Toronto Fans Receive Premium Audio Experience with Shure
The sounds of Toronto Raptors players hustling down the basketball court or Toronto Maple Leafs players checking the opponents into the boards have been amplified to a whole new level for fans of Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Before the NBA Finals, the arena was the first to install an innovative new technology into the massive scoreboard hanging over the playing surface to better capture the sounds of the game. Those sounds are pumped into the Scotia Club with the potential for distribution to suites throughout the arena to provide additional genuine game atmosphere for fans.
Led by Westbury National, one of Canada’s largest professional audio-visual integration and full-service event production companies, and SFM, a leading Canadian product distributor and provider of customised go-to-market AV solutions, the original plan was to install Shure shotgun microphones. While the shotgun microphones provided great sound, the challenge was that once they were installed, getting 42ft into the air to reach them on the scoreboard and adjust them to switch between basketball and hockey games was just not feasible.
One idea was to mount new microphone technology onto the scoreboard, Shure’s Microflex Advance MXA910 Ceiling Array Microphone, a microphone originally designed for office applications, and features directional beam arrays to capture sound from the right sources. The beauty of this type of microphone is that its recording patterns can be customised with software and remotely adjusted to fit the specific needs of the venue. Two Shure MXA 910s are now installed on the bottom of the giant scoreboard hanging over the playing surface.
“The MXA910s can be programmed to a variety of different configurations remotely with the touch of a button,” said Steve Svensson at Westbury National. “With the pre-sets, we can maximise the right sounds based on the game situation to provide fans with the best audio experience possible.”
Fans watching from suites aren’t as close to the playing surface, so they sometimes are unable to hear the gameplay sounds naturally. This solution provides genuine gameplay audio right into the speakers of the suites.
The microphone technology also helps reject non-essential sounds. For example, the sounds of a crowd clapping on a microphone may detract from the sounds on the court or ice, so the microphones are set up to only capture the key sounds from game action, like the puck hitting the post or the basketball players and coaches calling plays.
Shure has been providing quality audio solutions for 94 years, including involvement major sporting events like the Super Bowl, World Cup and Olympics. However, this is the first time the new MXA910 microphone array has been integrated into a professional sports arena.
"We’re proud to provide our fans with the best gameday experiences,” said Humza Teherany, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. “Making our suite guests feel closer to the action on the ice or court by providing the best sound possible is a major win for everyone.”
During the NBA Finals games at Scotiabank Arena, the audio from the Shure MXA910 was also being mixed in with the Raptors broadcast team to provide additional quality audio from the court to provide even more fans with a better game experience.
David Weatherhead Debuts APG Media Group
Tech entrepreneur, David Weatherhead has announced that he plans to expand APG Rentals into a full-service LED videowall and media technology powerhouse called APG Media Group that will be comprised of APG Rentals, APG Distribution, and APG Technical Services.
According to David, the company will grow both its U.S. and Canadian operations by opening a larger Canadian headquarters this winter in Toronto and expanding its current U.S. headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Both headquarters will include full line showrooms, training centres, test labs, and extensive warehousing.
The investment, he emphasised, represents a tremendous opportunity for APG Media Group to bring to market the new and exciting technologies that customers are demanding. It will enable APG Media Group to excel in the growing North American market as companies expect to be able to access the latest in LED videowall technologies and solutions backed by the industry’s most knowledgeable subject matter experts, training staff, and installation consultants. Every installation must be a success for the integrators, production companies, and broadcasters the company serves.
“The sale of Advanced provides me with the capital to invest in a huge and rapidly growing business opportunity to meet the needs of an increasingly video centric world,” David continued: “Our focus will be on the channel, and our goal is to create a new platform for the market to leverage APG’s deep skillsets in large-format and unique video display technologies.” And, while APG is already very well staffed, the company is now aggressively hiring for various positions in both rentals and distribution sales.
“The business opportunity goes beyond AV, IT or live events,” he emphasised. “APG Media Group is a technology company that enables the channel to be successful by serving as a true-value add rental partner, distribution resource, and media consultant for display technologies.” In addition to servicing venues, trade shows, broadcast studios, and more, APG Media Group also caters to other rental and staging companies that are looking for a turnkey videowall expert to handle display installation.
The introduction of APG Media Group comes at a time when APG Rentals has been enjoying tremendous market growth both in Canada and the United States, where business has been booming. “APG Rentals has grown 20% year-over-year for the past five years,” he revealed. “Our clients are looking to make the most compelling and most lasting impact – and videowalls and the new technology we will be introducing, are a great way to do that. APG Media Group is going to build and expand upon its current stronghold as a leader in the large and unique specialist display market.”
According to David, a huge market shift from projection to LED displays is taking place that is driving the demand for next-generation LED videowall technologies. “Customers are asking for the highest resolution displays out there, which is why it’s imperative that we’re stocked with cutting-edge and emerging technology, and crucial that our technical team is experienced in complex installations,” he said.
Looking to the immediate future, David said the company would soon be making a number of announcements involving some very large and prestigious projects. “Video is the dominant media of our age,” he asserted. “Regardless of where and when an event or experience is being held, indoors or outdoors, it is video that delivers the ‘wow’ factor that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.”
RCF to Power Up Reggaeton Stars in SAP Arena in Germany
They are the stars of the Latin American music scene. Their videos and songs generate millions of views on Youtube and streams across all platforms. The stars of the Reggaeton scene inspire millions of fans in America. And Reggaeton has long since arrived in the mainstream. This was again shown at the Los Favoritos Festival in Mannheim's (Germany) SAP Arena, which brought the stars of the scene to the stage. With headliners Bad Bunny, Arcangel or Lucenzo, some of the hottest members of the Reggaeton frenzy met on stage to perform in front of enthusiastic fans. The fans getting very close to their stars was one highlight, and also the sound left nothing to be desired - thanks to the audio technology of RCF.
As an overall technical service provider, concert organisers trusted in the skills of event company Colito - already a convinced RCF user for years. At the event, Colito was responsible for the complete audio, lighting and video equipment. For the concert in the SAP Arena, filled with over 5,000 visitors, Colito fully relied on active systems from RCF. Several components of the active 3-way line array HDL 50-A and 2-way line array HDL 30-A, as well as active subs from RCF, were used.
"As is so often the case, the schedule was extremely tight. We had only eight hours for rigging, installing, calibrating and tuning the PA system," said Colito Managing Director Michael Meister. Once again, the simple handling and control of the RCF systems with the RDNet software have proven their value. All components are really from the same mould and work together perfectly."
To provide the SAP Arena with sufficient sound, 2x 16 HDL 50-A modules were installed hanging as main PA during the event. In addition, there were 2x 12 HDL 30-A as out fill (hanging) and 2x 6 HDL 30-A as stage side fill (hanging, for monitoring). The low frequencies were provided by a series of 24x RCF Sub 9007-AS, which were placed in two stacks (cardioid) in front of the stage. The near fill comprised of 4x RCF TT 22-A modules put on the stage.
More information about the Los Favoritos event in the SAP Arena can be found on Youtube: https://youtu.be/bumLvI-Po7M
disguise Powers 4K Video Display for ECS Season 7
Esports Championship Series (ECS) Season 7, the latest iteration of the world’s most-watched CS:GO (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive) tournament, took place earlier this year, culminating in a four-day final in June at The SSE Arena, Wembley, London. The 16 groups that started the event were gradually reduced to four teams, which then battled through a knock-out competition to determine the season’s champions.
The tournament was run by FACEIT, the world’s leading competitive gaming platform for online multiplayer PvP gamers, which boasts more than eight million users and 12 million online gaming sessions each month.
disguise rental and studio partner, Bluman Associates, were commissioned by FACEIT to provide a 4K video display solution and management for the event. Bluman Associates have a disguise rental fleet including gx 1, gx 2 and solo servers - as well as the newest addition to their fleet, the gx 2c, which was used to power the ECS Season 7 tournament.
“We were keen to have the gx 2c servers on the project as it was the first opportunity we had to use them,” said Simon Hudson, Project Manager, Bluman Associates. “They performed very well, and we didn’t even get the chance to push them to their full capability on this occasion.”
The gx 2c servers feature two HDMI 2.0 VFC cards. Two 4K@60 feeds were required for the production, simplifying the video signal pipeline. The gaming aspect of the project relied heavily on HTML5, and disguise's Web module enabled the FACEIT Dev team to send five live2k HTML5 Rasta over a pre-rendered wireframe, programmed with data such as pod sizes and video screen layout. This allowed team logos, scores, statistics and maps of different scenes to be routed to the relevant pod, enabling the audience to keep up to date with competition information in real-time.
The project also included live camera feeds from broadcast, including player cams and IMAG relays which were sent over 3G HD-SDI. Live gameplay events were sent via OSC to disguise, triggering a MultiTransport event; for example, in-game bombs exploding on-screen, illuminating the audience in digitised flames.
“disguise has been a key tool in our event workflow for the last few years as we have been growing the ECS brand. The designer software and web modules have really enabled us to level up our visualisation of the stage and screens ahead of every event, whilst enabling us to produce bespoke animated versions of our custom live game state systems without the need for relying on a video based solution and reducing the limitations placed on us by using traditional video solutions,” said Andrew Lane, Director of Broadcast, FACEIT. “We are looking forward to exploring where we can take the new gx 2c series in the future to elevate our event experiences.”
Sensel Studio, the designer of pioneering workflows for live productions, provided Bluman Associates with pre-programming and operational services.
“When operating within the 3D environment, disguise media servers are superior in terms of functionality, workflow and creative capability. We are avid users of real-time generative content and do most of our creative design in Notch. disguise servers provide us with the power and support we need to produce these projects to the best of our ability,” added Simon.
Weber State Upgrades Athletic Facilities with 22 Daktronics LED Displays
When Wildcats fans return to Ogden, Utah, this fall, they’ll be welcomed by new LED video technology from Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota. Weber State University has partnered with the company to design, manufacture and install 22 LED displays for Stewart Stadium and Dee Events Centre in 2019.
“These new video boards, along with other enhancements, will make Stewart Stadium one of the most picturesque and premier venues for college football,” said Weber State Director of Athletics Tim Crompton. “These upgrades will allow us to provide a first-class fan experience for games and will also impact our recruiting, campus events and community engagement.”
Stewart Stadium will receive two new LED displays. The largest will sit in the end zone and measure 36 feet high by 54 feet wide. The second will sit in the corner of the opposite end zone and measure 17 feet high by 30 feet wide. Both displays will feature 10-millimeter line spacing to bring excellent image clarity and contrast with wide-angle visibility to fans in every seat.
“Daktronics has been a part of the Weber State University campus for decades and we are excited to continue our long-standing partnership,” said Rusty Lenners, Daktronics sales representative. “These displays will help transform both Stewart Stadium and Dee Events Centre, and it will be fantastic to see an abundance of purple content on these screens for years to come.”
Dee Events Centre will receive a total of 20 new LED displays including a 12-display centre-hung configuration and four courtside scorer’s tables. The four main video displays in the centre-hung will each measure 10 feet high by 16.5 feet wide.
Four lower ribbon displays will each measure 3 feet high by 16.5 feet wide These eight displays will feature 5.9-millimetre line spacing for crisp, clear imagery. The four corner wedges of the centre-hung will each measure 9.5 feet high by 2.5 feet wide and will feature 6-millimetre line spacing.
Wall-mounted along the sides of the arena, four additional courtside video displays will each measure 3 feet high by 13 feet wide and feature 5.9-millimetre line spacing to show supplemental information and sponsorship elements.
Four courtside scorer’s tables can be aligned in any configuration to show complementary content to the main displays as well as highlighting sponsors throughout events. Each will measure 2 feet high by 9 feet wide and feature 10-millimetre line spacing.
The main video displays at both venues are capable of variable content zoning. Each display can show one large image or the displays can be divided into multiple zones to show any combination of content including live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
Daktronics will also be including its powerful Show Control System at each facility. 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.
In addition to the equipment installation, Weber State will also receive a content package that will be produced and delivered by Daktronics Creative Services.
Audio-Technica Appointed MotoGP Microphone Services Solutions Provider
Audio-Technica has announced its recent appointment as official Microphone Services Solution Provider to MotoGP™, the Grand Prix motorcycle racing Championship with 19 Grands Prix held at race circuits around the world every year. The appointment is made by Dorna Sport S.L., the commercial rights holder of MotoGP™.
Dorna’s Media Content and Production team were looking to enhance the quality of its audio delivery, to match that of its best-in-class in-house visual programming (which is delivered to 89 Media Partners Worldwide) and began auditioning various Audio-Technica microphone solutions toward the end of the 2018 race season.
Successful tests resulted in Dorna’s decision to select some 265 Audio-Technica microphones, headsets and monitoring solutions including 53 track feed microphones, 76 interview and ENG camera microphones, and Audio-Technica System 10 2.4GHz wireless microphone solutions for 16 roving ENG cameras. Audio-Technica’s new 3000 Series handheld wireless systems and new Engineered Sound 925 goosenecks with Dante endpoints are used for the pre & post-race press conferences, while 30 BPHS1 headsets are deployed at various commentary positions. A selection of 72 M60x monitor headphones and E50 in-ear monitors also allow the MotoGP teams to keep an ear on their live audio feeds. The selected Audio-Technica solutions began to be rolled out from the first European race of the 2019 MotoGP season at Jerez, Spain in May.
Of particular note is the instant success of the ‘developed for sports broadcasting’ Audio-Technica BP28 and BP28L large-diaphragm shotgun microphones deployed at MotoGP. Daniel Laviña, Media Technical Director, Dorna Sports stated: “We immediately noticed a major step-change in track audio acquisition quality when the Audio-Technica shotguns were installed. With their exceptionally wide frequency response and high SPL threshold, they seem ideally suited to the sound of the race, and we can now have great quality audio continuity between one camera position and the next.”
Commenting on the appointment, head of global engineering at Audio-Technica Kazuhiro Onizuka said: “We are delighted that we have been selected as MotoGP’s Microphone Services Solution Provider and that Dorna have deployed such a large number of our broadcast microphones, however, I am particularly excited by the close R&D opportunities that we will be able to work on together. Working with Dorna at the actual live MotoGP races around the world is a great extension to our research laboratory, and further demonstrates Audio-Technica’s commitment to sports audio broadcasting.”
Audio-Technica will be showcasing their work with MotoGP at this year’s IBC International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 13-17 September.
Daktronics Set to Debut New Audiovisual System at Ted Runner Stadium
Daktronics has partnered with University of Redlands to design, manufacture and install a new audiovisual system for Ted Runner Stadium, including the largest video board in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). The installation took place this summer in Redlands, California.
“We are thrilled to be enhancing the fan experience at Ted Runner Stadium for football and track & field fans, and also see this as a major step forward in our commitment to the Campaign for Bulldog Athletics,” said Redlands University Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez. “It is an exciting time for us and our partnership with Daktronics is instrumental in providing an outstanding Bulldog student-athlete experience in all our programs.”
The new video display measures 19 feet high by 33.5 feet wide and features a 15HD pixel layout to bring excellent image clarity and contrast with wide-angle visibility to fans in every seat. It features industry-leading environmental protection to ensure it operates as expected during all forms of weather.
“We couldn’t be prouder to partner with the University of Redlands to provide this state-of-the-art video display and sound system at Ted Runner Stadium,” said Eric Cain, Daktronics sales representative. “As the university has continued to invest in their student-athlete experience, we have had the privilege to install new systems at Farquhar Fields for soccer and lacrosse, The Yard for baseball, Thompson Aquatic Center and now Ted Runner Stadium for football as well as track and field. We look forward to seeing this video display and sound system change the game at Ted Runner Stadium, and to serving the University of Redlands for years to come.”
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 replays, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.
A Sportsound 1500HD audio system will be integrated with the video and scoring systems at Ted Runner Stadium. It provides full-range sound reproduction and delivers clear and intelligible speech to elevate fans’ audio experience during every event.
A fixed-digit scoreboard and LED message center will also be included with the installation.
Old Dominion Introducing Improved Audiovisual Fan Experience with Daktronics Products
Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota, has partnered with Old Dominion University (ODU) to design, manufacture and install a new LED video display, three ribbon boards, a custom audio system and a custom control system at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia.
“Our fans deserve the highest quality in-game atmosphere in the new S.B. Ballard Stadium,” said ODU Athletic Director Dr Camden Wood Selig. “Essential to delivering a tremendous fan experience is state-of-the-art video board technology and Daktronics has helped us deliver that. The new TowneBank video board and ribbon boards will deliver high energy, outdoor living room feel to the stadium that will be among the finest entertainment experiences in the country.”
J. Morgan Davis, president and CEO, TowneBank, is an ODU alumnus who said he quickly said yes when he was asked to sponsor the scoreboard. “We are so pleased that we were able to help Old Dominion University with this tremendous upgrade to the new football stadium,” he said. “TowneBank has long been a supporter of ODU athletics and academics."
The new north-end video display will measure approximately 31 feet high by 51.5 feet wide and will feature 10-millimetre line spacing to bring crisp, clear imagery to fans throughout the stadium. It will also feature industry-leading environmental protection to ensure it operates during rain, wind or sunshine.
On each side of the field, new 300-foot long ribbon displays will be installed. Along the Game Day building, a 125-foot ribbon display will be installed. These three ribbons will all measure 3.5 feet high and feature 15HD pixel layouts. Each can show supplemental content to the main display while offering the opportunity to highlight sponsors throughout events.
“We are excited to be a part of this historic project for Old Dominion University and the Monarch fans,” said Charley Bocklet, Daktronics region manager. “As an alumnus and former student-athlete of ODU, this project has special meaning to me and I’m so proud to be part of it from start to finish. The fans are going to love the new video board, fascia ribbons and audio system; a great new game-day experience for all!”
The video display is capable of variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or multiple zones featuring any combination of live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics, animations and sponsorship messages.
A complete audio system will be integrated into the video and scoring system to provide the ultimate game-day experience for fans. The audio system will combine booming sound with clear, intelligible speech to communicate effectively and get fans energized in their seats.
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.
In addition to the equipment installation, ODU will also receive a content package that will be produced and delivered by Daktronics Creative Services.
Delay-of-game clocks, locker room clocks and backlit channel letters are included with the installation to ensure the football stadium is game-day ready.