Haivision has announced that the University of Oregon has deployed an extensive media system bringing together Haivision’s Makito™ HD H.264 encoder and CoolSign™ digital signage system to drive displays throughout its 12,000-seat Matthew Knight Arena, the new home of the Oregon Ducks™ NCAA Basketball® team. The Haivision system delivers real-time HD and rich media content to hundreds of CoolSign digital signage players throughout the arena, ensuring fans stay connected to the game no matter where they are in the venue.
“We needed to give fans a way to stay connected with the game when they leave the main arena to purchase snacks or to enjoy the new clubrooms,” said Megan Robertson, director of promotions at University of Oregon. “Because of Haivision’s IP video system, fans can continue to enjoy the game even when they leave their seats. As a bonus, they can also watch other live games in the VIP clubrooms before the Ducks game.
“This means we can entice fans to come to the arena earlier than usual, attracting an audience that would normally watch these games elsewhere.”
More than 140 CoolSign players power displays of various sizes, installed in common areas throughout the venue, delivering both signage content and low-latency IP video feeds. The players are controlled from a central location with the CoolSign digital signage system, an integrated, powerful, and efficient signage solution with easy-to-use management tools. The CoolSign system includes a CoolSign Server, DataWatcher, Network Manager, and a Content Creator tool.
To capture live gameplay directly from the court and from other outside games on over-the-air commercial channels, the university is using four HD Makito encoders, one for each HD video source. Makito is the world’s lowest latency, highest performance encoder, combining the efficiencies of H.264 video compressions and the image quality of full 1080p60. The encoded live streams are then configured within the CoolSign system and distributed throughout the arena displays via the CoolSign players for fans to view from anywhere. Other content—such as news, advertisements, and updated game scores—is distributed throughout the arena displays as well.
Every concession stand is equipped with a CoolSign digital signage player displaying dynamic menus, promotions, and advertising. Product pricing and menu details can be changed instantly at all or selected locations via the CoolSign system located in the central control room, delivering very targeted promotions that further drive consumers to make purchases during the game.
“CoolSign gives the University of Oregon an easy way for one person to maintain complete control over multiple sources of dynamic content and HD video for presentation within concession stands, clubrooms, and other locations within the arena,” said JoAnne Gaudreau, vice president of marketing at Haivision. “The deployment at the University of Oregon illustrates the convergence of IP video and signage—a great example of how sports venues can use Haivision technology as a completely integrated media distribution system.”
For more information about Haivision, visit www.haivision.com.
