Fresno State University Goes Wireless With RF Central

By Andrew Lippe

Fresno State University has cut its operating and in-house production costs for football game scoreboard productions by using RF Central’s NLL-II portable digital microwave links to transmit signals from JVC cameras wirelessly to its scoreboard control room. “Our infrastructure had limited triax so I thought this would be more convenient,” says Todd Bowen, coordinator of video services for Fresno State Athletics.

The NLL-II includes an LCD video monitor for confidence monitoring and receivers are placed on the roof of the stadium, giving the production crew maximum coverage area. One NLL-II is coupled to a JVC GY-HD110U camera and the other to a JVC GY-HD200U. “I picked those cameras because of the way the body is configured,” says Bowen.

Previously Fresno State University used a 50-foot mobile truck for in-stadium productions. But this year the school built a new control room where a Panasonic production switcher brings together TV feeds with video captured using the JVC cameras. Marshall LCD and CRT monitors are also on board alongside Sony decks for instant replay and a DNF controller. Two Avid editing systems are also available.

Fresno State produces a half-hour pre-game show and halftime show for each game. The University’s television station, Bulldog Sports Network, produces a live TV feed that is sent out locally.

After football season is over Bowen says he will use the RF Central gear to cover basketball games.