Daktronics Installs New LED Video Displays at Aloha Stadium
When football fans arrive at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, they will be greeted by new LED displays designed, manufactured and installed by Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota. The company worked with Aloha Stadium, the University of Hawaii (UH) and Learfield IMG College, which manages multimedia rights for both, to bring this project to fruition this summer. The display will debut at a professional football preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 17, then for a University of Hawaii game on Aug. 24.
“We appreciate our advertising partner, Learfield IMG College in providing this new state-of-the-art video board for Aloha Stadium,” said Scott Chan, Stadium Manager. “It’s larger than our previous LED board and we know the improved resolution will provide a better experience for our guests.”
The new main display in the north end zone measures approximately 20.5 feet high by 75.5 feet wide and the new fascia display in the south end zone measures nearly 5 feet high by 27.5 feet wide. Both displays feature 15HD pixel layouts to bring excellent image clarity and contrast paired with wide-angle visibility to fans in every seat of the stadium.
The video display in the north end zone is capable of variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or multiple zones of content including live video, instant replays, statistics and game information, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages. Powered by Daktronics Show Control system, Aloha Stadium will easily be able to adjust content for any event whether collegiate, professional or high school all with the latest broadcast qualities.
“This new installation will bring an elevated experience to Aloha Stadium,” said Robin Hall, Daktronics regional manager. “This will be a great addition in Hawaii to the existing Daktronics video displays at Stan Sheriff Centre, Les Murakami Stadium and the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. We have built up a service network on the island to support our customers there and appreciate the opportunity to continue doing so.”
The display in the south end zone can show supplemental information to the main display as well as provide the opportunity to highlight sponsors throughout events.
Completing the installation, two delay-of-game clocks were installed at Aloha Stadium ensuring it is equipped for collegiate football games and other events.
China Touring Car Championship with Silvus
During the recent races of the CTCC, held in Shanghai, China, production company Top Cool Productions deployed technology for wireless mesh networks from Silvus, implemented and maintained by system integrator Broadcast Solutions. The German system integrator was on site with their Singapore entity and held responsible for the system’s design, implementation and service on-site to give the production company a broader and uninterrupted wireless camera coverage, specifically in the PIT area.
Three sets of Silvus 4200 radios with Haivision Makito X encoders/decoders using HEVC (high-efficiency video coding) and SRT (secure reliable transport) were deployed. The solution from both companies provided a combination of a wireless IP MESH-network and a highly efficient low latency encoding/decoding system. The team-play of Silvus and Haivision solutions are the perfect combinations to provide a low-latency wireless camera system for broadcast and live TV-production.
Because of the overall area conditions Top Cool Productions previously was unable to provide a wireless connection between Tx and Rx, due to their legacy wireless system, offering only point-to-point and line-of-site connection. Therefore they needed a system capable of securing a full coverage of the PIT area to interview drivers and team members and overcoming existing areal barriers. This is where Silvus and Broadcast Solutions came into play.
The PIT area stretching around 200m and the OB Van in charge had to struggle with several obstacles blocking a direct line-of-site connection. With only three Silvus radios forming a MESH-network Broadcast Solutions enabled a full coverage along the PIT area, including PIT rooms and holding areas without nearly any dead spots. With the fluid, self-healing, self-forming MESH-network topology coupled with Haivision’s HEVC and SRT, providing ultra-low latency (20msec) at 6Mbps stream of HD video, the result was a very robust wireless camera system operating on ad hoc coverage even in non-line-of-site situations.
Absen Supplies Perimeter LED to Trophée des Champions 2019
The Trophée des Champions returned to Shenzhen, China on 3rd August, for its 24th edition, which saw Paris Saint-Germain go head-to-head with Stade Rennais. This is the second year that the French Super Cup has been held at the Shenzhen Universiade Centre.
Absen was the exclusive and official LED display supplier of the event, providing 200 panels of perimeter LED and onsite support throughout the event.
The game, which was attended by over 31,000 spectators, saw the defending champions Paris Saint-Germain retain their title following a 2-1 win, making it their seventh Trophée des Champions title in a row, and their ninth overall.
The company in charge of onsite management, Kaisa Culture & Sports, selected Absen’s 9mm resolution LED perimeter display system for the event, which was installed around three sides of the pitch and used to play adverting and sponsorship content throughout the game.
In 21st Century arenas and sports stadiums, where sponsors and their advertisements are a major cog in the football machine, LED perimeter displays have become integral to the overall stadium infrastructure.
Featuring a high level of contrast ratio, refresh rate and greyscale, as well as outstanding viewing angle, Absen’s UEFA-standard sports display solution is able to maximise the value for the sponsor partners. The LED panels also boast IP65 waterproof design and player-protective details such as the soft module mask and mat.
“The event was a great success”, said a representative from Kaisa Culture & Sports. “The LED system performed very well and the Absen team were extremely professional, showing a deep understanding of our needs and ability to get the job done. We really appreciate the hard work put in by Absen and look forward to future cooperation.”
“In order to achieve the best results, the Absen team have been working very closely with the organisers, as always,” said Allen Lv, Absen sports engineer onsite. “We monitored the system closely and performed multiple tests before the game was played in the evening. I’m very proud that the Absen system performed well and sponsors’ content was delivered smoothly.”
Charleston Southern University Adds Daktronics Video Displays, Sound System to Buccaneer Field
Charleston Southern University (CSU) is adding new LED video displays and a new sound system to Buccaneer Field in North Charleston, South Carolina, from Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota. A new end zone display and the rear-facing display will be installed in 2019 to bring a new element to the game-day experience for fans and student-athletes.
The main video display will be constructed in the end zone featuring a 15HD pixel layout. It will measure 22 feet high by 52 feet wide to bring excellent image clarity and contrast with wide-angle visibility to fans in every seat.
“We talk a lot about the little things we are doing to improve our department, but this addition to both football and track doesn't fall under that category,” said CSU Athletic Director Jeff Barber. “This new video board will be a game-changer not only for the fan experience but also for sponsorships. With the addition of player introductions, fan cams, games and in-game graphic elements, the football game experience at Buccaneer Field will be outstanding. I hope that our fans will see this new addition as another commitment to CSU building a national-calibre football program.”
On the backside of the main display, a rear-facing message display will feature 19-millimetre line spacing and will measure 12 feet high by 24 feet wide. This display will help share messages of upcoming events and highlight university sponsors.
A Sportsound® 2000HD audio system will be integrated into the video and scoring system at Buccaneer Field. The system provides full-range sound reproduction and clear and intelligible speech for a powerful audio experience for fans.
“We’re honoured to have this opportunity to be working with Charleston Southern University on their new football scoreboard and sound system project,” said Corey Williams, Daktronics sales representative. “The addition of this new equipment will enhance the atmosphere and create more opportunities for fan engagement at Buccaneer Field. We’re looking forward to seeing everything up and running for their first home game of the season.”
On the backside of the main display, a rear-facing message display will feature 19-millimetre line spacing and will measure 12 feet high by 24 feet wide. This display will help share messages of upcoming events and highlight university sponsors.
The main display features variable content zoning allowing it to show one large image or multiple zones of content such as 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 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. For more information on Show Control, visit www.daktronics.com/show.
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.
Lawo Expands Executive Management Board
Lawo, the German-based pioneer of IP video, audio, control and monitoring solutions, announces the expansion of its Executive Management Board. Effective since July 15th 2019, Jamie Dunn serves as Lawo’s Chief Commercial Officer. Furthermore, Phil Myers is appointed Chief Technology Officer. Both are joining CFO and Director of the Executive Board Claudia Nowak, COO Ulrich Schnabl, CSCO Christian Lukic and CEO Philipp Lawo, who is still on medical leave.
“This development reflects the continuous execution of our growth strategy and is a natural step in the evolution of our company’s structure. Building strong partnerships based on staying close and accessible has been a core value of the company since its foundation. My new role recognizes the importance to maintain our customer focus as we continue to grow”, said Jamie Dunn. Dunn joined the Lawo Group of companies back in 2011, and until recently was serving as Global Head of Sales, a responsibility he still maintains.
Phil Myers, who joined Lawo in 2018, is appointed Chief Technical Officer following his roles as Senior Director IP Systems and Chair of the company’s Technical Advisory Board. “Lawo has continually developed pioneering solutions that create competitive advantages for our customers worldwide. I look forward to driving the company’s technology strategy at board level, and ensuring that our heritage of engineering and manufacturing excellence continues”, said Phil.
Lawo continues to deploy multiple IP-based video and audio infrastructure projects world-wide, with recent enterprise-scale installations at SIC in Portugal, NEP in the United States, CBC in Canada as well as further 4k expansions at NEP Australia’s Andrews Hub.
“We further focus on the execution of our successful business strategy as an independent, 100% privately owned company”, said Claudia Nowak, Lawo’s CFO and Director of the Executive Board. “Our half-year commercial performance has been exceptional and as of now it looks like we are going to exceed our ambitious 2019 revenue goals.”
KV2 Delivers for Opening and Closing Ceremonies of 2019 Pacific Games
Samoa is a small island in the middle of the Pacific. This year it plays host to the sixteenth edition of the Pacific Games which sees over 4000 athletes competing in 27 different sports. It is also home to DAWG Professional Audio whose success with their world-class KV2 Audio inventory was sufficient to win the audio tender for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2019 Pacific Games.
DAWG is owned by Corey Keil who also owns Samoa’s Radio Polynesia and TV3. Passionate about sound, Keil’s love affair with KV2 began when he heard a pair of KV2 SL412s running with four double 21” subs on the demo stage at ProLight & Sound. “I was literally blown away,” he recalled. “I just couldn’t believe what was coming out of two such small boxes! I walked straight onto the KV2 stand where I met sales director, Dave Croxton, and said, ‘I want the system you have outside!’”
Since then Keil’s inventory has continued to grow with the addition of a VHD system for larger events including several VHD 4.21 active subwoofers. “The Samoans love bass and nothing performs like these subs. Their sheer power, yet tightness and musicality is simply unmatched.”
Fast forward to the Pacific Games 2019: DAWG Professional Audio came up against strong competition from both Australian and New Zealand companies bidding on the event. After months of negotiation, the contract was awarded to DAWG in an effort to support local business but with a heavy mandate that the sound and coverage of the stadium must be world-class. Dave Croxton from KV2 flew in to assist along with New Zealand sound engineer, Mack Tane.
“Initially when Corey sent the stadium plans across to KV2 we looked at a time-aligned distributed system pointing out into the stands,” said Dave. “When I arrived, however, we realised that there was also a requirement to fill the field where the athletes would sit, and hundreds of school kids would perform. As we had limited inventory, it was decided we would set up a physically time-aligned system in a line on one side of the stadium shooting across the field to the main grandstands. Two single VHD2.0s were flown off 6m towers to throw across the field while two SL412 wide dispersion cabinets were placed on lower towers to cover the main field. Two single ground-stacked ES systems were placed at each end of the main system angled out at 45 degrees to cover each end of the field. These systems consisted of two ES2.26 double 15” subwoofers with a three-way ES1.0 mid-high.”
A sub-bass cannon consisting of three VHD4.21s was centrally located to provide even bass distribution across the whole stadium. The creative director wanted strong bass reinforcement of the native drumming in the ceremony’s soundtrack.
As the main system was around 130m from the main grandstand, four ESR212 three-way cabinets were positioned on top of VHD2.16 double 15” subs at 110m on delay to cover the main stadium. The end result was simply astounding.
“We measured 100db peaks with amazing full-range clarity at the top of the main grandstand and the whole stadium was covered perfectly,” recounted Corey. “The level dropped off a little out on the ends where the ES systems were shooting, but it was still perfectly clear and audible. The sound in the main stand was just fantastic - really clean and punchy for the performances. Even though we had the ESR 21Keil2s hooked in as delays, the VHD2.0 system is just amazing and the VHD4.21 sub cannon satisfied the Samoans love of bass without compromise.”
“The success of these events will open the doors for other opportunities throughout the Pacific Islands,” continued Corey. “The small amount of speakers required in relation to the coverage and output we can achieve means we can easily ship the system from island to island and quickly set up for world-class performances for audiences large or small.”
Claypaky Fixtures Shine at France’s Top 14 Rugby Finals
All eyes were on the pitch at the Stade de France even after the finals of the French National Rugby League’s Top 14 concluded on June 15. French hip-hop brother duo Bigflo & Oli closed the event playing to packed stands as a large complement of Claypaky fixtures illuminated their dynamic set.
The Top 14 competition has been played in France since 1892 and features 14 participating teams, hence its name. The choice of Bigflo & Oli to entertain fans at the finals must have seemed inspired since the rugby champions and the rappers both hail from the city of Toulouse.
Lighting Designer Damien Dufaitre deployed Claypaky Sharpy Plus, Sharpy and HY B-EYE K25 LED wash lights provided by Regietek for the brothers’ performance.
With its rotating front lens and the ability to control each single LED individually Claypaky’s new HY B-EYE K25 can create spectacular kaleidoscopic projections and dynamic effects. The versatile fixture acts as a high-performance LED wash light, a perfect beam light and a visual effects projector, all in one. It is twice as powerful and bright as earlier B-EYE models and offers greater interactivity.
He positioned 19 K25s at the ground around the edge of the field. “The power of the fixtures’ projector allowed me to alternately coat the lawn with solid colours or play their powerful beams tight in the bottom,” said Damien. “Even at 40 meters, they did the job.”
Sharpys, located at the same positions, were chosen for their “bright and precise” beams, according to Damien. “The images they made on the lawn were perfect. When used for motion effects they also came out very well in the background of the axis cam.”
Damien also placed 32 Sharpy Plus fixtures on the edge of the stage. Claypaky’s Sharpy Plus is a true hybrid unit whose two independent operating modes serve as a perfect beam light and perfect spotlight that’s suitable for every occasion. The lightweight fixture is slightly larger than the Sharpy to house the high-quality optical unit with a zoom range from 3 to 36 degrees, which covers the entire range linearly both in spot and beam modes. This feature makes the Sharpy Plus unique on the market.
Veritone's Mike Arthur to Speak at SVG Content Management Forum on July 24 in NYC
Company's Senior Vice President Will Join Other Esteemed Panelists to Discuss Advances in AI and Machine Learning for Sports Media Applications.
Veritone, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERI) today announced that Mike Arthur, senior vice president, licensing, will participate in a session titled "AI and Machine Learning for MAM: Let's Get Real" at the 13th annual Sports Video Group (SVG) Content Management Forum on July 24. The session is scheduled for 11:40 a.m.-12:25 p.m. at the Westin New York at Times Square.
"Automating metadata enrichment by leveraging artificial intelligence to identify faces, logos, and objects, and to convert speech to text for closed captioning, enhances the content-creation ecosystem significantly. As cognitive processing is becoming more prevalent, sports content creators are exploring new ways to capitalize on these advances," Mike said. "With our aiWARE™ operating system for artificial intelligence, Veritone is bringing these nearly inconceivable capabilities into the mainstream, so that nontechnical people can integrate them into their day-to-day work. I'm looking forward to joining other industry experts and early adopters as we discuss the financial drivers, workflow advantages, and obstacles that influence purchase decisions."
The SVG Content Management Forum will feature leaders in media asset management (MAM), with speakers from major broadcasters, leagues, teams, OTT outlets, and vendors offering firsthand perspectives and behind-the-curtain looks at their respective workflows. In addition to the AI and machine learning session, topics will include the current state of MAM and archiving, cloud and virtualization, and object storage and next-gen storage technologies.
Arthur leads Veritone's Content Licensing business, which manages and licenses content on behalf of rights holders to end-users creating powerful documentaries, award-winning films, and memorable advertisements around the world. He focuses on expanding the reach of Veritone's Content Licensing offerings through features such as AI-enhanced content creation workflows and end-to-end project management to further enhance rights holders' ability to enrich content and expand revenue opportunities. A veteran of the sports industry, Arthur has worked with numerous media, technology, and sports organizations, including NASCAR and MLB, NBA, and NHL teams.
Video Security and Access Control at VTB Arena Park
The best of different worlds: Bosch helps Moscow create a new urban living experience.
It is one of Moscow’s most ambitious building projects: the VTB Arena Park was built on the site of the old Dynamo Stadium and revitalizes the entire surrounding area with a multi-purpose concept. At an estimated cost of US$ 1.5 billion, the modern VTB Arena Park combines sports, entertainment, commercial and residential facilities. A first challenge arises from the sheer size of the project: The football stadium, known as Dynamo Central Stadium and home to FC Dynamo Moscow football club, hosts league matches with a capacity of over 26,000 spectators. The park’s indoor arena holds more than 12,000 guests during ice hockey matches, basketball games and rock concerts, while the 300,000 square-metre park area also offers retail facilities, a five-star hotel and 1,600-car parking garage.
Considering the wide range of very different purposes served by these various buildings, it was clear from the project’s inception that a multitude of vendors and providers would be needed to cover all security needs. From the security manager’s perspective, the main challenge was to ensure that these disparate systems would function together and allowed for central management of a wide array of functions such as access control for tens of thousands of football fans entering the stadium on match days, monitoring the vast perimeter with its park zones, and protecting residential areas against intrusion.
VTB Arena Park was looking for a partner able to tackle that key challenge – integration of all parts into one platform – and chose Bosch as its provider of end-to-end video security and access control. Aside from the project’s complex technical ramifications, there was a particular system design challenge: Residents of the Arena Park should feel at home enjoying the highest quality of living, while the area also needs to accommodate for the influx of thousands of visitors within short periods. As the Bosch experts learned, the multi-purpose character of VTB Park leads to an equally wide range of different security needs among its users.
Catering to the video security needs, Bosch installed a total of more than 2,000 video cameras, fixed as well as moving cameras, both indoors and outdoors, to safeguard the vast perimeter of the Arena Park premises and secure the homes and offices. One of the camera types installed for perimeter protection is the AUTODOME IP starlight 7000 HD. This high-definition camera offers excellent low-light performance thanks to starlight technology and also features built-in Intelligent Video Analytics. The video analytics function automatically detects deviations from standard moving patterns, like a person entering a restricted area, and triggers an alarm that is sent to the control rooms where security staff can then zoom into a scene for closer investigation. As required by VTB Arena, all 2,000 cameras and connected video storage on Bosch recording units are managed centrally via the Bosch Video Management System (BVMS).
Another particular challenge consisted of aligning the three different access control systems of the stadium running at the same time. The ticketing system is the first layer of access control, managing the turnstiles that permit entry of thousands of visitors during events with paper tickets. This access control system needed to integrate with the employee access control system that relies on proximity cards (the Access Engine provided by Bosch), as well as a third, offline access control system used at specific stadium facilities. As the Bosch experts in Moscow found out, such integration was without historical precedent. Because no standard solution existed, the team devised a highly customized set-up managed centrally on the Building Integration System (BIS) from Bosch.
“We were fully aware that the multifunctional character of the VTB Arena Park would lead to a complexity that could hardly be topped. We needed integration power, a partner who knew how to bind all loose ends into one solution that had never existed before. Creating this one integrated security system catering to all the various purposes has made Bosch our main security partner,” said Alexander Kravchenkov, Deputy Head of Security Systems Maintenance Group IT Department at VTB Arena.
