The Sound of Victory - How Modern AV is Transforming GIO Stadium Canberra

INTRODUCTION

Back in 1977 when Canberra Stadium was first built, life was quite a bit simpler. Back in the ’70s, 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.

Naming rights were also unheard of back then. Now, the ground is called GIO Stadium Canberra, and it’s 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.

GENERATIONAL UPGRADE

Unified AVIT’s Pre Kistensamy was appointed as consultant on the project: “Canberra 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’t 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.”

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.

“It’s a venue we know like the back of our hand,” confirms Sound Advice Director, Norman Korte. “We maintain the AV and support the stadium and the broadcaster on game days. Undoubtedly, this technology upgrade is generational, with LG displays throughout.”

140 DISPLAYS EVERYWHERE

‘Throughout’ 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.

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: “The LG catalogue is vast,” comments Pre Kistensamy. “And we needed a supplier that could happily support us with product in all areas of the stadium. LG has the range.”

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’t place undue demands on the network infrastructure.

“All of the cabling has been upgraded from the old Cat5e to Cat6a,” confirms Pre Kistensamy. “We’ve run fiber between grandstands, which further future proofs the install.”

Some 20 NETGEAR AV M4250 units take care of the network switching: “The support on these NETGEAR AV switches is amazing. Would heartily recommend,” endorses Norman Korte.

SIGNAGE & PROMOTIONS

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.

“There is a huge push for better technology in the stadiums,” comments Matthew Elkins, Executive Branch Manager, Canberra Venues. “What we were looking to do with the upgrade in our IPTV system was to make sure we could both bring what’s happening on field to all our function spaces, all our concourses, also to reach out to commercial opportunities.”

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.

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.

CONTROL

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 – operators can manage and monitor channels, volume, and display status across the entire stadium.

The master control GUI was a programming labor of love by Sound Advice, especially Director, Steve Nano: “To 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.”

NETWORK AUDIO

With all other aspects of the AV residing on the network, of course, the audio is too. Q-SYS directs the Dante network audio traffic.

“The lounges have integrated audio systems,” explains Norman Korte. “Such as ceiling speakers and surface-mounted units, managed through DSPs and local Crestron routing. Audio distribution relies on Q-SYS and Dante, 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.”

NOW SCREENING

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’s 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.

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