University of Louisville Chooses Grass Valley Signal Transmission for ACC Network Launch

University of Louisville has selected the Viper XL Bidirectional Fiber Optic Transmission System from Grass Valley, a Belden Brand, as part of an upgrade to its production capability. The investment comes ahead of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Network’s linear and digital launch in August 2019. In line with the ACC Network’s requirements, the university can now support multiple live camera signals when producing content for the channel, with fast set-up between live games.

As ESPN aims to cover more live college sports, all of the ACC colleges are expected to meet its production requirements for the network’s launch, including, at minimum, four control rooms per site with at least two equipped for linear capabilities. The colleges must cover games at their own venues as well as produce additional content for the ACC Network. As a result, the University of Louisville Athletics Broadcast Center built two linear control rooms and three digital control rooms, investing in new workflows and infrastructure that includes Grass Valley’s Viper XL Bidirectional Fiber Optic Transmission System. The system will handle all bidirectional signal transmission – including data – between the 13 sporting venues from which the University of Louisville will produce live content and its main broadcast facility.

“The ACC Network will bring our fans unprecedented access to our live events, so it’s critical we have nothing short of the best technology in place to get them the action-filled coverage they’re so hungry for,” comments Jeremy Noe, executive director, ACC Network Operations, University of Louisville Athletics Broadcast Center. “Grass Valley’s Viper XL is not only versatile, but packs a lot into one box and seamlessly supports the full suite of our production needs – from score bug points and other data to the RTS interruptible foldback, our microphones, and video and audio transport – all off two strands. We also know Grass Valley is really good with tech support, giving us that added peace of mind that we’re in good hands.”

A plug-and-play portable transmission system that simplifies pre-show preparation with faster set-up times, the Viper XL delivers more sophisticated broadcast content. The University of Louisville has deployed six pairs, with each unit supporting up to eight cameras. This enables true multi-camera production, allowing the university’s production team to capture and deliver all the live action from more angles, as well as supporting microphone and data requirements all from a single system.

“With initiatives such as the ACC Network, we are increasingly seeing colleges become broadcasters in their own right, with audiences that have the same demands for viewing experiences as they do of any other content provider,” says Mark Hilton, vice president, Live Production, Grass Valley. “The Viper XL delivers the robustness and reliability that is our hallmark, which together with its plug-and-play design makes it the ideal solution for use across multiple sites. We are very proud that the University of Louisville has chosen Grass Valley as the vendor of choice for this important step in its production and broadcast evolution.”