August 13, 2001 - SCALA SCORES!!! Dynamic Display Software Keeps Fans Connected To The Action On The Field
Sydney, Australia (August 13, 2001)
-- When the fans cheer and shout at rugby and cricket games, Scala is
often the reason why. The National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Rugby
Union (ARU), Australian Football League (AFL) and Australian Cricket
Board ("ACB"), all in Australia, employ Scala's InfoChannel software to
broadcast match day content to the big screens at the stadiums. The
software allows stadium personnel to customize the content "on the fly"
employing an easy-to-use system that provides immediate information and
keep fans involved in the match.
TechMedia Multicast P/L ("TechMedia"), Scala's value-added reseller (VAR) in Australia, works with the NRL, ARU, AFL and ACB to make game day an exciting event for their fans. TechMedia builds player profiles in Scala's InfoChannel 200 (IC200) that include player photographs and statistics that can be sent to the arena's large viewing screen on demand. Three-dimensional animated stingers, or an animated object like a team mascot, are also queued in InfoChannel for playback when a team scores.
TechMedia also uses Scala software to develop other vision solutions for the clubs such as the "clock-n-score" system that overlays the match-time and team scores and the "roar-meters," customized for each club, that measures the loudness of the crowd. Even commercials that are provided by sponsors are encoded and queued in InfoChannel for playback.
"These solutions are provided to the clubs using Scala's InfoChannel and Globecaster, a television switching and broadcasting computer device, because of rapid development time, ability to customize content on the fly, and their low-cost operational overheads," said Norman Cantrell, co-CEO of TechMedia.
"We are thrilled with what we see on the big screens," says Kevin Noone, operations manager, ACT Rugby Union. "The big screen has become a major part of the game, not only for entertaining the crowd and providing game feedback, but also generating revenue through sponsorships and advertising."
While player profiles and 3-D animated stingers have made matches more exciting for the fans, a Video Referee System has made officiating matches even easier. TechMedia developed the Video Referee System utilizing Scala software. "We had such a short time to develop the system and Scala is so rapid for this type of multimedia development, that it was our only choice," said Cantrell.
"We are excited to see that Scala is used for innovative projects like TechMedia's Video Referee and stadium information," said Jeff Porter, CEO of Scala. "The flexibility of Scala's IC200 allows our VARs to design and implement the software for unique venues and installations."
Scala software, used with the Video Referee System, provides feedback to a video referee, a match official responsible for making decisions on questionable plays and calls via videotape playback. The official uses the Video Referee system to review the plays before sending the decision to be animated on air and to the arena's big screen.
Prior to the implementation of the Video Referee system, a number of people were involved in sending a final decision by the referee to the big screen. They would use radio communications between a broadcast vehicle, located outside of the arena, and the in-stadium television control booth to send replays and decision video between the broadcast truck, booth and screen. The Video Referee system eliminated the need for all of these steps.
Since the implementation of this system, the referee views the replays, makes the decision and sends the result to the big screen. "We wanted to implement a simple, robust and cost-effective solution that would allow the video referee, who may never have used a computer before, to make a decision and send it to the stadium screen so that the referee on the ground and the spectators could see the decision," said Steven Lipschitz, co-CEO of TechMedia. "Scala was the best software for the job."
In addition, Scala software is now being used in the Australian outback. The NRL is taking rugby to the highways with a 17,000km road trip that brings a unique taste of Australia's professional Rugby League to outlying cities.
The Telstra Premiership Rugby League Road Train is a 25m truck packed with state-of-the art interactive Rugby League experiences, priceless memorabilia and tributes to Rugby League legends. TechMedia created an interactive game, using the Video Referee software that visitors can play while touring the truck.
The game, shown on a large plasma screen, features rugby match footage and the player gets to make the call on the play with Video Referee. Thousands of fans are expected to visit the Rugby Road Train over the 47-day trek across the Australian states.
About Scala
Scala is a leading international developer of multimedia solutions for dynamic signage, television and web applications. Scala software is used by thousands of corporations, advertisers, cable television operators, educators and consumers to create and broadcast dynamic full-screen multimedia productions via corporate intranets or the Internet to television and computer-based displays. Working with its global distribution network, Scala offers a complete solution meeting its customers' growing needs to reach a diverse audience with engaging content. Scala is headquarted in Philadelphia, PA with US and European sales offices. http://www.scala.com
About TechMedia
TechMedia MultiCast makes it possible for companies to broadcast TV-like multimedia productions to target audiences such as customers, the general public and employees using state of the art Internet and satellite broadcast technologies. TechMedia MultiCast includes Scala solutions and live digital video productions as part of its services mix to provide clients with the best options for broadband communications. The company's primary focus is installing customized digital signage networks for retail and corporate communications - from hardware and software through installations, training, and content management the company delivers a total broadcast multimedia solution. TechMedia MultiCast operates Australia wide, its head office being in Sydney. http://www.techmedia.com.au
