Techtel Deploys 4K Media and Production Facility for AFL Superpower West Coast Eagles

Sydney, 24 January 2020 - Techtel has completed an extensive end-to-end systems integration and commissioning of a brand new 4K/Ultra HD media and production facility for the West Coast Eagles AFL Club. Located in the heart of the club’s brand new Training and Administration Centre, this media and production facility is a showcase of cutting edge technologies brought together to boost member engagement and provide a superior and differentiated offering for their sponsors. The new facilities consist of an integrated TV studio, radio studio, and media theatre.

The TV studio utilizes the latest in 4K production technology enabled by Newtek’s VMC1 Vision Mixer, which supports NDI - a widely adopted IP standard, and accommodates the most demanding workflows as well as virtualized production allowing the football club to easily expand its current capabilities. The Newtek NVG1 IP Graphics server complements this technology as a powerful, turnkey graphics system allowing seamless integration of industry-leading VizRT playout capabilities into the West Coast Eagles’ video production workflow. Furthermore, Techtel installed a “Green Screen” curtain for easy background footage manipulation and winched lighting bars which support an array of DMX controlled LED studio lights by Lumos for advanced lighting control.

The radio studio is designed to accommodate a host and up to 4 guests. All audio sources are mixed locally with all microphones also available as Dante IP sources. The option for video coverage is also provided through the 3 Panasonic PTZ NDI cameras while a Newtek Tricaster Mini allows the operators the ability to control and switch the cameras. Furthermore, an integrated Newtek Talkshow device provides Skype™ native integration in both the TV and radio studios.

Portable devices have also been provided to allow for additional cameras to be connected at various points throughout the facility. The result is a versatile, interconnected system that allows operators to output content to a variety of platforms including live streaming to the playing field scoreboard, the media theatre screen or the Internet. Alternately, content can be recorded to a Newtek media asset management system, allowing it to be edited and uploaded to the West Coast Eagles’ website, YouTube or published as podcasts.

The media theatre features lectern microphones which are available as press-splits at the rear of the theatre or as Dante sources. A Panasonic PTZ NDI camera with a birds-eye view also provides a video feed from the theatre. Site-wide communication is enabled by the ClearCom HelixNet Partyline System, which is available in the TV control room and studio, radio studio and various beltpack connection points throughout the facility.

 “Techtel has reasons to be proud of this project. We built the entire installation from the ground up with the unique technical features that now put West Coast Eagles on a par with international clubs”, says Mal Chandler, Techtel CEO. “We are confident that these new, state of the art media and production facilities will prove to be an excellent tool for West Coast Eagles’ member and sponsor engagement initiatives and we look forward to cheering West Coast on in season 2020”.

“Techtel’s flexible workflow design allows us to efficiently make the best use of the club’s resources, and deliver a more dynamic and engaging stream for our supporters. Thanks to Techtel, West Coast Eagles is now geared for 4K Ultra HD production, delivering multi-platform coverage of our news and events”, said Steven Bandy, Head of Production at West Coast Eagles AFL Club.