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IN THIS ARTICLE<\/strong><\/p>\n Back in 1977 when Canberra Stadium was first built, life was quite a bit simpler. Back in the \u201970s, heading to the ground was the only way of getting anything like an authentic game-day experience. Creature comforts were in short supply and not expected. So long as the meat pies were hot and the beer cold, patrons would be happy.<\/p>\n Naming rights were also unheard of back then. Now, the ground is called GIO Stadium Canberra, and it\u2019s recently enjoyed an ACT government cash injection to update the entire stock of displays, IPTV and related cabling. Some 140 LG Electronics displays of all sizes and varieties, backed by an upgraded Vitec IPTV and digital signage infrastructure, now ensure patrons enjoy an up-to-date game-day experience.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Unified AVIT\u2019s Pre Kistensamy<\/strong> was appointed as consultant on the project: \u201cCanberra Stadium was long due a technology upgrade. Many of the displays were 10-plus years old and the newer TVs were added piecemeal or donated. So there definitely wasn\u2019t anything like centralized control and monitoring. The Exterity IPTV system was installed 15 years ago and although it was still doing a job it was undoubtedly old technology.\u201d<\/p>\n After a public tender process Canberra-based Sound Advice won the installation and integration work. It was already familiar with the venue, having been the in-house AV services provider for many years.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a venue we know like the back of our hand,\u201d confirms Sound Advice Director<\/strong>, Norman Korte<\/strong>. \u201cWe maintain the AV and support the stadium and the broadcaster on game days. Undoubtedly, this technology upgrade is generational, with LG displays throughout.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \u2018Throughout\u2019 is the operative word. Every screen in and around the stadium is now from LG, except the two Daktronics signboards that were put in a few years back.<\/p>\n Everything from 32-inch computer displays, to the 55-inch high brightness screens in the grandstand, the 110-inch LCDs in a number of the VIP boxes, the double-wide LED panels at the two ticketing booths, and everything in between is all LG, which is one of the reasons for going with the Korean brand: \u201cThe LG catalogue is vast,\u201d comments Pre Kistensamy. \u201cAnd we needed a supplier that could happily support us with product in all areas of the stadium. LG has the range.\u201d<\/p>\n Behind the displays sits a Vitec media player. Vitec (nee Exterity) powered the legacy IPTV system but 15 years on had some clever new rabbits to pull from its hat. The latency in the old system was tedious for those near a screen and now latency is negligible. The new-gen Vitec hardware is 4K ready which is another must-have for Canberra Stadium when the broadcast cameras are 4K, as is most of the LG display inventory. Being a multicast platform, the Vitec solution doesn\u2019t place undue demands on the network infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of the cabling has been upgraded from the old Cat5e to Cat6a,\u201d confirms Pre Kistensamy. <\/strong>\u201cWe\u2019ve run fiber between grandstands, which further future proofs the install.\u201d<\/p>\n Some 20 NETGEAR AV M4250 units take care of the network switching: \u201cThe support on these NETGEAR AV switches is amazing. Would heartily recommend,\u201d endorses Norman Korte.<\/strong><\/p>\n The upgrade of the IPTV network now allows the stadium to use any or all of the LG displays as digital signage. Stadium signage can extend from wayfinding, as people find their seats or exit, through to promotion of future events, to individual F&B operators lassoing nearby signs as menu boards and more. The Vitec solution allows for that level of scheduling and granularity.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a huge push for better technology in the stadiums,\u201d comments Matthew Elkins,\u00a0Executive Branch Manager, Canberra Venues.<\/strong> \u201cWhat we were looking to do with the upgrade in our IPTV system was to make sure we could both bring what\u2019s happening on field to all our function spaces,\u00a0all our concourses, also to reach out to commercial opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n The stadium has been taken to the L-wrap signage template as a favorite format. The overlay allows the venue to use the screen for promotions without sacrificing on live game footage.<\/p>\n The Vitec upgrade not only gives a far more capable IPTV and digital signage platform, it provides opportunities to monetize the display content, creating new revenue streams for the stadium.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n About 70 Crestron touchscreens are linked to 20 distributed Crestron processors. Each corporate suite operates its own control program, while the lounges utilize DMPS processors for local inputs. All systems report back to a master processor, ensuring a centralized view \u2013 operators can manage and monitor channels, volume, and display status across the entire stadium.<\/p>\n The master control GUI was a programming labor of love by Sound Advice, especially Director, Steve Nano: \u201cTo bring all the information together from multiple processors back to the master and ensure we have real time feedback flowing between everything took a fair amount of programming and consideration. But having instant control and real-time monitoring of the entire network is invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n With all other aspects of the AV residing on the network, of course, the audio is too. Q-SYS <\/strong>directs the Dante<\/strong> network audio traffic.<\/p>\n \u201cThe lounges have integrated audio systems,\u201d explains Norman Korte<\/strong>. \u201cSuch as ceiling speakers and surface-mounted units, managed through DSPs and local Crestron<\/strong> routing. Audio distribution relies on Q-SYS<\/strong> and Dante<\/strong>, with input\/output plates for microphones, line-level inputs, and program audio. Shure wireless microphones are LAN-controlled for monitoring battery levels and status. Touch screens provide audio feedback, including signal presence and peak levels.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n This latest investment in AV technology ensures GIO Stadium Canberra is well placed to provide patrons with world-class game-day experience. More than that, it\u2019s now well equipped to boost its functions and corporate revenue. Thanks to the work of Unified AVIT and Sound Advice the new display and IPTV\/digital signage solutions are as happy being utilized as a single-space presentation system as they are as a giant cohesive network. No small feat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n INTRODUCTION<\/h2>\n
\n GENERATIONAL UPGRADE<\/h2>\n
\n 140 DISPLAYS EVERYWHERE<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n SIGNAGE & PROMOTIONS<\/h2>\n
\n CONTROL<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n NETWORK AUDIO<\/h2>\n
\n NOW SCREENING<\/h2>\n
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![\"NETGEAR](\"https:\/\/hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/cta\/default\/242128791\/interactive-243392354033.png\")
![\"CONTACT](\"https:\/\/hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/cta\/default\/242128791\/interactive-243744855768.png\")