From TV Technology magazine, 11/21/11 By Stephen Regina

Azzurro Systems Integration Chooses Ikegami LCD Monitors for TeamCam HD Project

The Azzurro Group of Northvale NJ was recently asked to build-out an HD network of 46 remote-control camera systems for a major sports broadcasting network. Known as TeamCam HD System, it was designed and built by Azzurro Systems Integration, the Systems Integration arm of the Azzurro Group. Each system is contained inside a flight case and integrates a highly customized array of rack-mounted components. TeamCam HD is designed for live two-way interviews of players and coaches, as well as commentaries by analysts and other on-air personalities. TeamCam HD systems are deployed over a broad range of locations, including training facilities of more than 30 professional teams, homes of analysts and air personalities, and league and network headquarters on opposite coasts.

Video and control is transported via an Azzurro-designed-and-managed MPLS private IP network from the remote sites to the network's headquarters near Los Angeles. There, proprietary touch-screen-driven software enables the network to call-up any TeamCam HD system and remotely control the pan/tilt/zoom, focus, and CCU of the camera in addition to lighting, audio levels, IFB, intercom, and video routing. In this way the network can quickly and easily take to air any player, coach, or analyst at any location without the need for onsite production personnel. Adding video routing to the system has provided additional value by enabling the league to receive ENG-style footage from the teams' production facilities, as well as being able to send the teams archival footage for their own productions. Installation of the first 38 systems was completed just prior to the league finals of the 2010 season. The client was so pleased with the functionality that they added an additional eight in-home analyst systems just prior to the start of the 2011 season.

Among the components that were needed to be integrated into the TeamCam HD portable flight cases was a 16:9 HD video monitor, which had to be versatile and rugged enough to be transported. After reviewing various brands and models, Ikegami's HLM-1704WR 17-inch HD/SD multi-format flat-panel color LCD monitor was chosen. It displays superb video and has a number of excellent features. It is rugged, with a metal-cased glass front that lends itself well to use in a flight pack. Especially important are its multiple inputs.

Often the network needs to play back clips to analysts for them to see for commentary. In this case, the network takes an HD camera feed from the remote site and feeds back return HD video. The monitor allows switching between incoming and outgoing feeds for QC at the rack. In addition to the main feed and return feed, they are also using the monitor's DVI input to view PC output with the touch of a button. The monitor also includes features such as a built-in waveform monitor and audio metering, which are invaluable for quick QC and troubleshooting. The monitor also has a speaker built into it, which is helpful if the talent doesn't have an earpiece available.

Azzurro has always had very good success with Ikegami's products, which are a staple of the broadcast industry. We specify Ikegami monitors in almost every project we do. Ikegami monitors work out of the box and deliver the reliability integrators need.

Stephen Regina is Project Manager, Senior Project Engineer at Azzurro Systems Integration (www.azzurrohd.com) of Northvale NJ. He can be reached at sregina@azzurrohd.com. For more information on Ikegami products (including the HLM-1704WR monitor) go to www.Ikegami.com.

Photo caption for "IKEGAMI HLM-1704WR IN AZZURRO TEAMCAM.jpg": Ikegami HLM-1704WR 17-inch HD/SD multi-format flat-panel color LCD monitor (outlined in red in this image for emphasis) rack-mounted into Azzurro Systems Integration TeamCam HD System.

  » PDF version document