With NBC Sports and NFL approval, a new VidOvation wireless technology has been provided by Fiber Group Inc. to enhance viewership at Bank of America Stadium, Home of the Carolina Panthers. Live video is now beamed wirelessly via a microwave transmitter from the stadium to a local NBC studio several blocks away to provide additional wide shots to the stadium displays as well as capture pre-game activities. The result is top-tier video production, which in turn improves the viewer experience for National Football League fans.
The VidOlink 60G-7 is an unlicensed wireless transmitter outputting 1.5 Gigabits per second of fully uncompressed HD-SDI high definition video. It’s like running a cable through thin air. The 60 GHz VidOlink product line thrives off of the allocation of a globally unlicensed spectrum. When using these devices, sports broadcasters are circumnavigating the costs and complications associated with FCC licensing. The VidOlink is able to provide a high quality, zero latency, zero interference solution that can rival alternative broadcast technologies. In extreme cases, this technology may be the only option to transmit signals.
VidOvation CEO & President, Jim Jachetta, stated “There is an ideal solution to every broadcasting problem, which is why we strive for expertise in each and every one of them.” Knowing the value of this technology, Jim expects that many other similarly situated NFL stadiums will follow suit. Implementation of this technology where applicable is not only in the interest of TV networks, but also of the sports leagues themselves to create competitively engaging content for their viewers.
While the 60 GHz technology is VidOvation’s bread and butter, it remains largely unfamiliar to the common sports broadcaster. Fortunately for sports fans, the technology has the potential to go viral amongst broadcasters, resulting in better live video production. If you noticed the spike in National Hockey League viewership last season, note that VidOvation provided 60 GHz goal-line camera’s affiliated to their success.
Feedback from the projects integrator, Fiber Group Inc., has been nothing less than enlightening. CEO Dennis Ford stated “All system are working great. Thanks for your help with getting on [the] air.” The next time you catch a Panthers NFL game, you may be watching the Panthers signature running plays from a whole new perspective.
