College Venues Build Solid (Fiber) Foundation With Telecast Technology
Posted by Darren Fordham
In an increasing trend that has boosted our business across a variety of new markets, the Athletic departments at many of the nation’s largest schools are upgrading their video production facilities to handle high-definition signals for the enjoyment of fans in attendance at home games. Understanding that fans want a similar experience to what they get from broadcast television, the schools are improving the look of the video images on their large in-stadium scoreboards, adding more camera views and pre-taped content, and installing multilayered digital signage systems to keep people informed..JPG)
To make sense of it all, schools are building one really nice control room and then linking all of the various venues on campus and managing the sources through this one centralized location. From this one, state-of-the-art room, HD signals are easily received, mixed and distributed as required. These productions often rival any live sports network broadcast on TV. We’re also seeing school’s link up their performing arts centers and even doing remote teaching (we used to call that “distance learning”) from the same control room.
In all cases, what they've realized is that moving video signals over fiber-optic cable is the way to do it. You get more distance, the signal quality is pristine and the installation process is easier and less painful (to your back and your wallet). Speaking of distance, campuses like that at Georgia Tech have installed up to five miles of fiber all across the downtown area to show games in progress. You can’t do that with coaxial cable (even though our parent company, Belden, makes some fine, high-quality copper cable).
For the past two years Telecast has found success in helping these school’s build a better infrastructure that they can grow with into the future. We just closed a major deal with the University of Florida (Gainesville) for dozens of our Adders: Adder II (audio signal and Intercom multiplexing), Copperheads (camera-mounted transceiver), Python 3G (signal transmitters and receivers), SHEDs (SMPTE Hybrid Elimination Devices), HDX (power) units, and Telethon 3G units (optical and electrical multiplexer). All accommodate the highest quality 3 Gbps infrastructures.
It’s the same “single control room, multi-venue application” system that we've installed at University of Alabama, University of Kentucky, University of Oklahoma (“SoonerVision”), Mississippi State, Texas Tech, and the University of Texas. They all have one thing in common, a need to entertain and inform in the most cost-effective way.
In all cases, the need for Telecast Fiber Systems technology is clear. Our Python systems, for example (in 8x8 and 16x1 I/O configurations) are used to send signals where they need to go. Installing a Python 8x8 unit in their remote truck dock, the school then installs one in the control room. This way they can mix camera feeds from the truck with their own in-stadium sources to make the A/V presentation for fans that much more sophisticated. The Python also helps the guys in the truck pick and choose feeds coming from inside the control room. A truck is not going to be able to get every camera angle or video feed on its own.
These days nearly everyone is sharing resources and moving more and more HD content around a building and around a campus or other multi-venue environment. And they’re using Telecast gear to keep fans in the seats.
Give me darren.fordham@belden.com a call at (256) 830-5594 and let me show you how it’s done.