Melville, NY, US – November 4, 2008: 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 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 our 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.
About Pro-Bel:
The Pro-Bel name is synonymous with innovative automation, media management and master control solutions as well as outstanding routing, control and signal distribution systems - all designed to be flexible and scalable, protecting the investment of the customer. With three decades of service to the international broadcast, post-production, cable & satellite communities, Pro-Bel has a unique understanding of broadcast workflow, and is an established leader in the provision of cost-effective solutions that compromise neither performance nor quality.
Company contact:
Katharine Guy
Pro-Bel Ltd
Tel: +44 1189 214 294
katharine.guy@pro-bel.com
Press contact:
Jennie Evans
Manor Marketing
Tel: +44 1635 44991
jennie@manormarketing.tv
Images available at:
www.pro-bel.com/news_and_events/c/Press Information/