The Pittsburgh Pirates have roared into the NL Central race as MLB hosted its All Star Game yesterday. But the Pirates have also added a lot of technology upgrades off the field to compliment their strong play on it.
The team now has a new Audio/Visual system installed by Sony Electronics and has also worked with system integrator Alpha Video Sports & Entertainment Group to design and install a new video control room. This control room will utilize Sony HD broadcast technology which provides the Pirates with additional enhancements to the game presentation.
Some of the features of the control room will include a Sony MVS switcher fed by four Sony HDC-2570 HD camera systems as well as two Sony PDW-850 XD CAM Camcorders.
The new cameras represent the latest generation of Sony HD professional broadcast technology. The portable digital triax camera systems provide incredible imaging using low-latency performance.
The PDW-850 XDCAM camcorders are also a new industry benchmark combining the benefits of XDCAM file-based technology with HD422 50 Mbps recording.
“The new control room brings an essential refresh to PNC Park,” said Chris Sullivan, National Sales Manager, public venues, for Sony Electronics. “Pirates fans, like all consumers, are now accustomed to a high quality experience, so it’s critical that the in-person experience is as immersive and memorable as possible.”
According to Jeffrey Volk, Vice President, Alpha Video Sports & Entertainment Group, the new enhancements to the facility makes the best even better.
“We are proud to have been selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Sony to partner with them on the installation of a new, state-of-the-art control room at PNC Park,” Volk said. “The facility will only help to improve the already incredible game day atmosphere at PNC Park, which is one of the best and most beautiful venues in all of Major League Baseball.”
The newly improved PNC Park experience with Sony HD broadcast technology should only further aid the great on-field performance so far by the Pittsburgh Pirates on the field. Sony Solutions Development and Integration has been the prime technology contractor for both of Pittsburgh’s major sports venues. In 2013, Sony Solutions integrated a new replay control room at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sony has played a key role — often as prime contractor — in comprehensive A/V projects at stadiums and arenas across the United States.
With so many ballparks around the United States and the world undergoing significant technological upgrades, it is now imperative that any stadium continue to implement and use technology to continue to give fans a connected and enhanced game day experience.