Carolina Panthers Utilize Pro-Bel routing System

The NFL’s
Carolina Panthers football team has purchased and installed a range of Pro-Bel
routing and router control technology for its PantherVision in-ground TV
systems.

The Panthers, based in
Charlotte,
North Carolina, have completely
renovated the control room that was built in 1995, converting it from analog to
SD format with all systems fully upgradeable to HD. At the heart of the system
is a large-scale Pro-Bel Sirius Gold router currently configured 256 x 320 as
well as a Freeway RS422 and Aurora router control.

Berkley Dickens, broadcast engineer, PantherVision, explains, “We are now able
to utilize the latest technology in video production. Formerly we converted
from digital to analog for processing; now we are able to maintain all video
sources in a native digital SD format. We anticipate converting to a full HD
production in the near future and this project provides the infrastructure
required for that.”

PantherVision is now using two Mitsubishi Diamond Vision screens, 31.5’ x 77’
each, which support full high definition signals.

Dickens continues, “The Pro-Bel routing systems give us the ability to quickly
change the input to the Diamond Vision screens from live sports content to
graphics. The Pro-Bel router is the backbone of the entire technical operation
and allows us the flexibility required by live sports productions. We depend on
our router to send the proper signals throughout our facility and the Pro-Bel
has provided the ease of operation and programming we rely on.”
In addition to the screens, PantherVision also sends the signals throughout the
stadium via its in-house RF system. It utilizes salvos to accomplish this as
users change the various channel content from pre-game graphics to live video
during the game. “The ease of programming salvos is a welcome feature in the
Pro-Bel system,” concludes Dickens.

Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc. was the design consultant
working with owner’s representative NW Getz & Associates while Professional
Products Inc. was the systems integrator.

“It is always great to see are products used in different and exciting
surroundings like the Panthers’ stadium. Sirius Gold has already been widely
deployed for
OB work and this is a natural
extension,” says Adrian Scott, Chief Marketing Officer, Pro-Bel.