Replacing broadcast-quality cables that had been used for more than 20 years, installers and technicians recently got Michigan State University’s Spartan Stadium updated to the high-definition age, making it ready for next-generation audio and video football broadcasting over the airwaves of national networks.
“Everything’s changing over from standard definition to high definition, and we are one of the few university stadiums in the county to offer HD connectivity solutions,” says Rick Church, Michigan State’s director of sports broadcasting.
New audio/video cabling, including HDTV coax, and components from Gepco International (www.gepco.com), were key to the updgrade, and in addition, new Category 5 and fiber-optic cables were installed to relocate existing equipment to new locations. A new head end was established, and several new patch bay rooms were necessary to accommodate special needs interconnects.
The challenge for installers was to keep the stadium’s systems running during the various building events scheduled throughout the construction. Sound Engineering of Livonia, MI (www.soundeng.com), with assistance and direct supervision from Church, oversaw the multimedia cabling/ interconnect renovation.
“On a typical Saturday game day, we could have anybody from ABC to ESPN pull up and set up all of their equipment,” says Church. “Every broadcast uses our cables for the transmission of audio and video, so it was important that we select a brand that would perform at the highest level.”
For the broadcast cable and connectivity, Church chose several products from Gepco, including RG59 HDTV coax, RG11 plenum triax, three types of plenum multi-pair audio cable, two types of single-pair audio cable, and Gep-Flex 12-pair cable. In addition, Church selected Gepco’s G37 DT12 multi-pin connectors and custom panels, as well as Neutrik (www. neutrik.com) XLRs and ADC (www.adc.com) audio and video patch panels.
Church liked the way Gepco’s cables “provide consistent, high-quality transmission. Broadcasters have been pleasantly surprised that the HDTV coax cable is available, and are happy to use it because it provides broadcasts with superior images.”
The media facilities upgrade was part of general refurbishing of portions of Spartan Stadium that included 24 luxury suites, 862 club seats, a new press box and TV broadcast area, and office space.The TV broadcast area in Michigan State’s Spartan Stadium recently underwent an upgrade that saw installation of new Category 5 and fiber-optic cabling, plus several audio/video cables and components from Gepco International. All media replaced cabling that had been in use for the past 20 years.
Short runs…ST. LOUIS, MO-Federal antitrust regulators have approved Emerson’s (www.gotoemerson.com) $85 million purchase of optical component manufacturer Stratos International, to become part of the Emerson Network Power data center and telecom power, connectivity, and cooling division. “Stratos’ Semflex and Trompeter brands are an excellent complement to our portfolio and expand our product capabilities in the RF (radio frequency) connector space,” says David Farr, Emerson chairman, CEO and president. Stratos has also developed optical-fiber component and interconnect products used in telecom and video installations.
NEW LONDON, CT & NEW HOLLAND, PA-New web content and a brochure focus on the NetClear ESS (Electronic Safety and Security) structured cabling solutions developed by Ortronics/Legrand (www.ortronics.com) and Berk-Tek (www.berktek.com). NetClear ESS builds upon the companies’ copper and fiber enterprise structured cabling solutions by providing added value for the security and surveillance market. The brochure examines three scenarios that provide a path to IP technology and includes a city view poster of different vertical markets, video system requirements, and suggested cabling systems. The web site (www.netclear-channel.com) features a section dedicated to NetClear ESS that includes the brochure, lab reports, and articles and white papers as they become available.
EVERETT, WA-Fluke Networks’ web-based VoIP performance management solution center (www.flukenetworks.com/voip) is designed to help customers solve real-world network VoIP problems. The site leads users through basic concepts of VoIP management, and includes nine technical documents ranging from “VoIP Performance Management in the Converged Network” to “VoIP Basics for IT Technicians.” Content focuses on case studies, product information, technical documentation, virtual product demonstrations, upcoming events related to VoIP, and several customer-tested solutions.
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM-Vietnamese fishermen who had been granted government permission to take unused undersea copper cables for salvage also recently hauled in about 27 miles of fiber-optic cable-including a seven-mile section that was part of the line that transmits data from Vietnam to Thailand and Hong Kong. According to one Vietnamese newspaper: “Now, just one undersea cable connects Vietnam with the outside world.” Permission to salvage the pre-1975 undersea copper cable has been withdrawn, with the Ministry of Posts and Telematics asking for increased Coast Guard patrols as well a public relations effort to educate fishermen about fiber-optic cables.