Entertainment
Broadcast Pix User Reports
Rochester Red Wings Team up with Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 to Produce a Winning Season Live on Television
Regular season games televised on Time Warner Cable
BURLINGTON, Massachusetts (October 24, 2007) The Rochester Red Wings, Triple A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League baseball team recently completed their 2007 season with a 77-64 record. Red Wings fans were treated this year to live telecasts of the team in action for the first time exclusively on Time Warner Cable. The telecasts were made possible with the addition of Broadcast Pix’s Slate 2100 switcher. The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 system integrates a production switcher, production control panel, Inscriber CG, clip store, and multi-view monitoring, among other functions, in a single workstation-based system.
Time Warner Cable and the Red Wings began a long-term agreement to televise a minimum of 20 live games per season on Time Warner Sports Net (TWSN) channel 26. Red Wings Director of Game Day Production, Jeff Coltoniak, says the team considered this a great opportunity. “What we were producing before was meeting the needs of the ballpark. Once we reached a television deal with Time Warner Cable, we knew we needed to upgrade to broadcast standards in a timely manner.”
The Red Wings Game Day production team previously employed an analog switcher and two-camera system which displayed field action on a video scoreboard. Advertisements from sponsors were played through a DVD player during inning breaks and transmitted through an in-house system to the scoreboard and ballpark suites.
“While the setup we had was fine, I’d always wanted to do more with our in-house productions,” said Coltoniak. “The temptation to go overboard with equipment was there, but we needed to be practical and make responsible choices. We were able to get the Slate 2100 integrated and up and running fairly quickly. What’s more, I have all the flexibility I need to produce a great show for the fans in the stadium and at home.”
The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 can be operated with a production switcher-style control panel or by using a keyboard and mouse interface. In addition to the Slate 2100 system’s integrated design, the Red Wings production team found the system’s compact footprint ideal for its situation. A large wall monitor displays Slate's Multi-View, showing monitors for cameras, program, preview, clips and graphics.
“The single operator feature of the Slate 2100 solved two challenges with one fell swoop,” said Coltoniak. “We have limited control room size and usually have to work with a single operator. The design of the switcher is very compact and one operator can easily switch cameras, run spots and post basic graphics. In those instances when we’re going live, we can then add extra hands to make the show more elaborate.”
The Broadcast Pix Slate 2100 enhances the fans experience at the stadium as well. The Red Wings management considers the addition of live television to be a bonus offering for their loyal fans. The team is drawing its highest attendance since 1999, according to Coltoniak.
“When we first talked about having our games on television, we were concerned that ticket sales might be affected,” said Coltoniak.
“But with the addition of this equipment, we’ve been able to increase the overall fan experience through the scoreboard and suite monitors as well. The fans benefited the most, because regardless of whether we’re broadcasting or not, we’re doing a show for the fans.”
Broadcast Pix Ships 600th System to Texas Rangers
The Broadcast Pix Slate brings us from 1990s technology to the present time, while setting us up well into the future by allowing us to upgrade to HD when we are ready.” “The Broadcast Pix switcher wears many hats, as do our operators. That versatility allows our operators to perform multiple functions as we have done in the past, in a less hectic manner. We are only limited by our imaginations.”
- Chuck Morgan
Vice President of Entertainment and Special Events
Texas Rangers
Application Note - Sports Stadium "Jumbotron"
This sports stadium uses the Broadcast Pix system for college football
games. It feeds a large 20 foot “Jumbotron” style monitor, which shows
game action to those in the stadium, as well as instant replays, player
shots, and commercials from sponsors during time outs.
The system has an integrated router expansion option to accommodate 14 live inputs for the many cameras in the stadium, including small “lip-stick cameras”. The system’s hard-panel is used by the principle show operator. Two channels of still store are used, one for each football team, and then individual players are called up by their numbers. An auxiliary camera output is sent to the slo-mo machine, and then the slow-motion is fed back into the system, where the hard-panel operator can switch it to the Jumbotron when desired. The slo-mo operator has a soft panel so that he or she can select the camera without disturbing the principle show operator. The slo-mo operator also uses the soft-panel to control the clip store.
Commercials are received on digital tape. Before the game they are recorder onto the system’s clip store, along with their embedded audio. They are then played out by the principle operator. The clip store is also used for playing “swish” sounds during some transitions, and other crowd motivating sounds.
Sports Stadium Configuration
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The cost savings were tremendous. Staffing costs were also reduced since only one dedicated operator was required to run the system.