College Sports Summit Technology Showcase Preview, Part 2

At SVG’s College Sports Summit, more than 25 sponsoring companies will be on hand to showcase their latest technologies geared toward the college market. Check out these companies, and many more, at the Hyatt Hotel in Atlanta on May 29 and 30.

Abekas
Abekas will feature its eight-channel Mira instant-replay server with the Mira control surface. Mira IR servers are being used at many universities — University of Georgia, Penn State, University of Tulsa, and Kansas University among them — because they are powerful yet easy for student operators to use. Mira IR servers are very flexible and can be configured to suit varying requirements: for example, six in/two out run by a single operator or four in/two out/two out run by two operators with two output channels each. In this configuration, which is unique to the Mira, both operators can create clips from the same four cameras, as well as having instant access to all clipped content with no need to “copy,” “push,” or “pull” media between the two user workstations. One user can concentrate on performing live instant replays and creating clips, while the other concentrates on creating player spotlights and game highlights.

Bexel
Broadcast-services provider Bexel will demonstrate its approach to building integrated systems and solutions suited for any college sports production. Located in Regency VII Ballroom, its booth will feature the Earth compact and portable flypack system from the Element Series. With Sony HXC100 HD triax cameras, Sony EX3 with RF Central’s RFX microLite, and Camera Corps’ Q-Ball, the Earth flypack also offers Abekas Mira for playback and AJA Ki Pro racks for recording. The flypack series is prewired for any application and offers complete and dependable operation for a variety of broadcast environments.

Bexel TSS (Technical Sales & Solutions) will display available gear for sale in Booth 221, including Panasonic HDX900 camera with Fuji HA22x HD lens, Sachtler V20 tripod, Anton/Bauer Hytron 140s, and Litepanels Sola ENG and 1×1 Bi-Color lights.

ChyronHego
ChyronHego will showcase AKI Paint, an advanced telestration system that offers ease of use and fast turnaround times in producing sports-analysis graphics. AKI Paint features a keyer that allows easy addition of virtual tied-to-surface graphics, a three-channel built-in clip recorder, camera-motion tracking, a rich set of easy-to-use tools customizable to look and feel, and a user-friendly interface easily accessible during production.

Also being highlighted is Virtual Placement, a powerful tool for adding virtual graphics to video in real time without the need for camera sensors. It allows the user to easily incorporate clips, animations, images, texts, and live video sources into a 3D space from up to three simultaneous live cameras. A built-in keyer enables positioning of objects behind or under objects in the actual video.

ChyronHego will also demonstrate the award-winning ChyronIP, a real-time character generator specifically designed for the NewTek TriCaster — an all-in-one, integrated live production system offering the power of a live network studio. The compact system provides up to two HD or SD full-motion channels of ChyronHego graphics that stream directly into the TriCaster over a network connection.

Cobalt Digital
Cobalt Digital’s new OBSIDIAN3G frame-based products offer enhanced performance and improved density with a sensible price structure for broadcasting facilities and production trucks. Developed to evolve as needs change, the OBSIDIAN3G downconverter series combines low power with a high-density design and features 3G/HD/SD-SDI input, frame sync, SDI reclocking, and SD-SDI and analog video/audio outputs.

The manufacturer will also show new fiber units from its Blue Box Group range of throw-down modular bricks that deliver high-quality, price-competitive signal conversion from a small footprint. The units, compatible with OG fiber cards, allow analog audio embedding/de-embedding and provide 3G (1080p59.94/50) support for HDMI models. The boxes are designed for ease of use and support SMPTE 425, 292M, and 259M as well as DVB, ASI, and MADI audio on two independent coax-to-fiber paths.

Cobalt responded to requests from production-truck customers for new MADI solutions with a series of embedder/de-embedder processing cards that open up possibilities in multichannel/multisource baseband audio routing (192×192 crosspoint switch). The 9374-EMDE Quad Stream SDI/AES/MADI range provides a full, unrestricted audio crosspoint that allows routing between any channels on up to four SDI steams, discrete AES-3id, and AES10 MADI interfaces. Standard 1694A cabling eliminates the need for fiber. Its MADI receiver performance allows up to 250-m MADI receive capability with no signal degradation.

All Cobalt products are backed by a five-year warranty.

Evertz
Evertz will showcase the award-winning Dreamcatcher slow-motion–replay system. Dreamcatcher has already been used in a number of large sports events, including football championships, golf, auto racing, and baseball.

The next generation in slow-motion–replay technology, Dreamcatcher provides a fresh new approach to live production and sports broadcasts. Its scalable and flexible architecture allows a technical production team to create stories faster and increase operational efficiency without compromising quality.

Dreamcatcher, based on Evertz’s VUE intuitive user interface, enhances story-telling capabilities by allowing the production team to capture the event from all angles while never missing a moment of the action. These captured events can be instantly replayed to reinforce the narrative or can be packaged afterward to retell and relive the moments of the event. Dreamcatcher provides the ability to “zoom” into the 4K Ultra HD raster to allow the audience to experience the event as never before.

Grass Valley
Grass Valley will be exhibiting some of its latest innovations in end-to-end live production workflows at the SVG College Sports Summit, including cameras, switchers, and replay systems. Visitors to the show will be able to see the LDX Series of software-upgradeable cameras, which take advantage of the GV-eLicense program to enable users to elevate the camera’s capabilities depending on requirements. This approach to a camera system delivers flexibility and future-proofing.

Grass Valley will also showcase its K2 Dyno replay system, featuring an intuitive user interface and simplified workflow for all levels of operators. The new ShareFlex feature allows sharing of content across multiple K2 Dyno systems using Grass Valley servers and storage, offering advanced collaborative delivery capabilities. Also highlighted at the event will be the Kayenne and Karrera video-production switchers with K-Frame, offering flexibility and power for advanced switching.

Hitachi Kokusai Electric America
Hitachi Kokusai Electric America will showcase its top-of-the-line SK-HD1200 1080p/3Gbps 16-bit multistandard, HDTV color portable ⅔-in. three-CCD color camera developed for sports, studio and OB production. The SK-HD1200 is a dockable two-piece chassis, which allows flexible configurations such as SMPTE optical fiber or digital triax adapters and base stations, which reproduce the pristine picture quality expected from Hitachi.

In addition to the SK-HD1200, Hitachi will showcase its popular Z-HD5000 high-performance, cost-effective HDTV studio and field production camera. The Z-HD5000 1080i/60i camera head features three ⅔-in. 1.1 million-pixel CCDs, fully integrated field-production features, such as two IFB channels for listen only, two aux feeds that can send video to operators, second intercom channel for floor manager or spotter, extra power for teleprompter, and single or SMPTE fiber availability from either optical-fiber base station.

Hughes Integration
Headquartered in Englewood, CO, with additional locations in the U.S. and Canada, Hughes Integration is a full-service engineering and implementation company comprising professionals who have in-depth backgrounds in complex project management, systems design, technical fabrication, and installation.

Hughes Integration offers college and university sports programmers and facility managers a strong portfolio of systems and technology expertise. The company’s solutions include HD production facilities in fixed locations within the various campus locations, mobile-production trucks, and remote-production flypacks.

Hughes also provides comprehensive solutions beyond just HD production technologies, such as Hughes MediaSignage, a complete digital-signage network (displays, networked players, and more). Recently deployed by BYU, the system is being used to deliver player and coach information as well as an interactive visitor experience in the new football lobby.

Hughes Integration is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corp., which owns and operates an advanced and comprehensive digital broadcast network, serving more than 17 million pay-TV subscribers daily as well as providing data communications and backhaul solutions for broadcast, commercial, government, and military customers.

NeuLion
NeuLion creates dynamic solutions for more than 175 colleges, universities, and conferences across the U.S. The NeuLion College solution provides a suite of digital tools that seamlessly integrate into one platform, creating a single point of interaction. This single database controls everything from video services and Web publishing to ticketing and donor-management services. As a result of using this unified, user-friendly platform, the athletic department establishes stronger relationships with every fan, achieves higher engagement, and increases revenue across all department activities. Recent customers include Pac-12 Enterprises, Ivy League Network, and University of Maryland.

NeuLion will be hosting the next installment of its hit live broadcast, Digital Dudes, from the SVG College Sports Summit show floor. Over the course of two days, multiple speakers from innovators in college athletics and the digital media businesses will discuss a variety of engaging topics from around the industry. The show will be viewable for all those in attendance as well as live and on-demand on PC, tablet, and mobile devices. Visit www.neulion.com/digitaldudes to register and see the full lineup of speakers. Show sponsors include NeuLion, Sony, NewTek, and LiveU.

On Call Communications
Expand your options for delivering the game with the QuickSPORT automated satellite uplink system.  Designed for easy operation by students, it deploys easily and travels with the team.  QuickSPORT requires no technical expertise to operate.  The IP based satellite service is ideal for Webstreaming, HD, or SD Video and Internet Access.

Panasonic
Among the products shown by Panasonic will be the AG-HPX600 P2 HD shoulder-mount camcorder. With 10-bit, 4:2:2 AVC-Intra recording, the camcorder combines high cost-performance, easy operation, expandability, and a future-proof design to meet needs in a wide range of uses, from image production to broadcasting and sports. A ⅔-type model, it accommodates a variety of interchangeable lenses. The camcorder’s compact body provides superb mobility with the industry’s lowest weight of approximately 6.2 lb., along with low power consumption of 18 W.

Panasonic will preview an ultra-wide–view camera, as yet unnamed, that will deliver “whole-area” shooting of long, horizontal objects, such as playing fields. This rig-type camera, comprising four AW-HE120 HD pan-tilt-zoom cameras, provides the real-time generation of a 64:9 panoramic picture with high-speed–stitching processing. PTZ camera-angle adjustments of all four cameras are automatic.

With a military-grade rugged design, daylight-viewable screen, and embedded wireless connectivity, the Panasonic Toughpad tablet is suited to sports-video production. Enterprise-class features include 4G LTE mobile broadband; long-life, user-replaceable batteries; and capacitive multitouch/digitizer input. Built to survive drops of up to 4 ft. and MIL-STD-810G-certified for resistance to rain, dust, vibration, and extreme temperatures, Toughpad tablets deliver reliable performance under circumstances that render typical tablets non-operational.

Spectra Logic
Preserving your institution’s history indefinitely is a high priority, and data tape offers the most optimal storage media to protect assets for long-term archive usage. Spectra T-Series digital-tape libraries help efficiently manage and protect digital archives with scalable, cost-effective, and reliable solutions that allow quick access to audio and video files. The Spectra Logic display at the 2013 College Sports Summit will feature a T-Series library on display and demonstrate the benefits of data-tape archives:
  Scalable: Easily scale millions of hours of content
  Easy to use: Works with media and asset management, HSM, and data-protection software
  Easy to maintain: Offers customer-replaceable parts; most components are hot-pluggable
  Reliable: Extensive component redundancy and self-monitoring ensure high reliability
  Flexible: Divide your archive into multiple partitions to match your organizational needs

As a core component of digital archive, Spectra understands the complexities and the pains associated with transitioning to digital workflow.

Telestream
Telestream will feature products for live-streaming production and fast-turnaround game highlights. New turnkey live-video-streaming systems are based on Wirecast for Windows live-streaming-production software and Matrox VS4 four-channel video-capture card running on robust, portable, certified hardware systems. Wirecast enables video/audio capture, live production, and encoding of live streams for broadcast of live sports to multiple servers and platforms. Wirecast and the turnkey systems bring affordable, high-quality, multicamera live video production and broadcasting capabilities to sports groups and broadcasters.

Telestream will also demonstrate dynamic scoreboard technology for live sports Webcasts featuring Wirecast Pro for Windows integration with XOS ThunderCloud LiveScore service. The combined technology allows sports teams and broadcasters to automatically display real-time, detailed scoreboard data, including game clock, countdown clock, distance, field position, fouls, and penalties. The technology is capable of supporting scoreboard vendors across nearly 20 sports.

Telestream Pipeline HD dual-network video-capture system combines with Vantage Transcode Pro transcoding and workflow-automation software to solve the challenge of how to quickly deliver high-quality game highlights in the correct formats to distribution servers. Pipeline allows editing to begin immediately during capture, and Vantage automatically converts video-highlight packages into formats needed for online distribution.

For Part 1, CLICK HERE.