While getting high-quality video from point A (event) to point B (Production facility) quickly and efficiently is one major challenge for broadcasters and broadcast rights-holders, managing video within a facility can pose an equally critical hurdle.
For example, Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino, in Linton, La., wanted to keep the buzz going by changing sports and information channels on 50 plasmas and video projectors spread around the adjacent casino. One approach, not a very good one, would have been to hire staff to scramble around the facility with infrared (IR) remotes, changing all the channels - an expensive proposition, and extremely inefficient. Another possible solution, running new control wiring to all the displays and using a conventional control system, also is very cost-prohibitive.
Instead, the workable and cost-effective solution, designed by consultant Shen Milson & Wilke, in Houston, and integrated by QCTV (also in Houston), combines Ethernet user tools, simple presets, and Contemporary Research technology into an "intelligent display" network. (A "preset" is a single command that combines control operations with the names of the displays. For example, creating and sending a "power on all" preset turns on all casino displays.)
Contemporary Research, based in Dallas, offers its Display Express technology that can, among other key features, control the displays and projectors over the existing CATV coaxial cable lines, sparing the cost of running dedicated control wiring.
Contemporary Research's Display Expressr software, part of the overall package, offers a ready-made solution for configuring the system, creating control commands, and setting a control schedule. By using Display Express, Delta Downs Casino saved the cost of extensive custom programming, and they also can create new presets and schedules by themselves, without added IT costs or consultants.
For security, the casino uses only wired PCs for control, but the pages are designed to work with wireless PDAs or Web tablets in the future.
"Delta Downs has a number of different types of displays, including plasma and LCDs, and standard televisions that are all connected to their internal distribution system," says Tom Palmer, QCTV Corporation vice president. "That situation allows them to broadcast some programming from satellite, some marketing systems, some off-track betting channels (simulcast) and the local broadcasts are located on that feed as well."
QCTV's Palmer says that this cost-effective solution that gave the casino operators complete control within their facility, with a relatively cost-effective but very robust user interface.
"They really are trend setters for other casinos," he says. "I believe other casinos will see that and say we want to be able to do that as well. It would work in a sports book application as well.
"The product performed exactly as advertised," Palmer adds.
Interested? Check out Display Express solutions, software, and components in this section.
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