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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VIDEO DESIGN SOFTWARE COMPLETES AUTOMATED CHANNELS
FOR TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS AND RAPTORS
TORONTO, Apr. 8, 2002-Video Design Software (VDS), a leading developer
of broadcast automation software, recently completed the development
and deployment of two new channels for Maple Leaf Sports and
Entertainment Toronto. The Leafs Channel and the Raptors Channel
provide continuous information to NHL and NBA fans through a graphic
intensive display filled with team news and statistics.
"Leafs TV and Raptors NBA TV are pleased to have chosen VDS and Chyron
to provide the multi-layer display format," comments Duncan Blair,
operations manager, Leafs TV and Raptors TV. "VDS and a single Chyron
Duet have created a look, that in the past would have required a
multi-level video switcher, DVE, character generator and still store.
VDS was able to customize software to meet our needs and turn our
vision into reality. The decision to use VDS and Chyron was also made
easier by the fact that they are both leaders in their fields."
Toronto Raptors fans love The Raptors Channel, which utilizes a data
video feed provided by NBA TV, a dedicated channel of NBA news and
statistics that originates in the U.S. Through the appropriate use of
graphics generated by a Chyron Duet located in Toronto, the Raptors
Channel overlays certain parts of the NBA TV broadcast feed with
Raptors-specific and other localized information.
Data for all the localized components of the channel are from a number
of sources including the NBA's internal databases of player and team
statistics, as well as via manual entry of news and promotional items,
using software utilities provided by VDS. The non-localized portions
of the channel carry the U.S.-feed of NBA TV, providing game
snapshots and broadcasts from the NBA facility in Secaucus, New
Jersey.
The Leafs Channel, which provides information for the Toronto Maple
Leafs, also uses a Chyron Duet system for all the channel
graphics. The system provided by VDS generates a complete screen of
information using data received from SportsTicker, the NHL's data and
scoring system, as well as manually entered data.
Leafs game scores, clock and period information are retrieved via the
VDS GameTrakTM client/server suite. GameTrak provides broadcasters
with the ability to generate live sports scores and information on
character generators from an external data source. The VDS GameTrak
Server parses the live SportsTicker data and stores all data in a
local database. The contents of all SportsTicker slugs and data
errors can be viewed directly on the server. The VDS GameTrak client
section manages all on-air graphics playout of scores, clocks, game
situations, schedules and statistics on the Chyron Duet.
The GameTrak Suite has the ability to load and purge data at
pre-assigned times. In addition, all game schedules are retrieved
automatically via the SportsTicker feed, so that user intervention is
kept to a minimum.
"The Leafs and Raptors Channels represent the first team channels that
VDS has developed," comments Larry Mincer, president of VDS. "With the
ability to re-purpose the league's tremendous data resources, these
teams can provide their fans with very sophisticated and
up-to-the-minute team and player information. And, since the leagues
have already done most of the heavy data lifting for their own
channels, the teams benefit by lowered costs for their channel
deployment."
About VDS
VDS is committed to providing automation and content design tools for the broadcast, cable
television, internet, and post production markets. VDS designs products for the automated
control of broadcast television systems, with an emphasis on graphics-related operations,
content distribution and automation, and internet-to-video and video-to-internet systems.
VDS content creation systems provide industry tools that deliver graphic design, universal
file translation and integration capabilities.
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