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Since its inception in 1997, VDS has been involved with providing leagues, teams and television broadcasters with systems that provide a wealth of information for their fans and viewers. VDS provides all the products and services that would be needed in any television channel deployment including:
1. Consultation
- Evaluate operational considerations and workflow and provide recommendations.
- Review graphics requirements and provide recommendations based on current technology for creation, management and playout control solutions.
- Provide technical assessment of all aspects of channel operation.
- Develop system functional specification & system architecture with required software and hardware components.
2. Software
- GameTrak Software for data feed parsing and data management
- Database systems for storage of news, scores and statistical information
- Authoring stations for manual entry of news and promos
- Graphics Engine Software for control of the graphics hardware
- GameBug applications for automated game bugs
- SportsBoard applications for display of automated, full-screen boards
- Automation System Interface software to provide link to the broadcast automation system
3. Hardware
- Broadcast graphics generators
- Video clip players
- Video squeeze-back devices
- Servers for data collection and management
- Workstation PCs for authoring and administration
- Graphics ingestion workstations
- Audio mixing and playback
4. Graphics Servers
- Graphics preparation and creation of the complete look package
- Implementation of graphics for television graphics systems
5. Other Services
- Project management
- Systems integration and training
- System maintenance
Following is a brief synopsis of some of the sports related applications that VDS has completed.
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ESPN GamePlan |
VDS provided ESPN with a complete system for generating the ESPN GamePlan, which is included as part of the ESPN GamePlan broadcast package. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, GamePlan is a distributed system, consisting of a "master" graphics generation system, and "slave" graphics systems located at multiple head-ends for localization purposes.
ESPN GamePlan features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks, via SportsTicker feed.
- Live display of game situation information, including possession for each game in progress.
- Display of continuous news crawl, with live operator input.
- Display of promos, consisting of both graphics and text.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Display of box-score information as games go final.
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NBA TV |
VDS provided the NBA with a complete system for generating the NBA TV Channel, which is included as part of the NBA's League Pass broadcast package. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, the NBA TV channel offers viewers real-time game and statistical information for NBA and WNBA games.
NBA TV features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks in real-time, via hardware connection back to the scoreboard in each NBA arena across the country.
- Support for various program video squeeze-back modes, including "L" and lower-third graphics only configurations.
- Built-in scheduling module for specifying screen layouts and data to be displayed based on game situation and time of day.
- Live retrieval of statistical information from the NBA's official in-house databases.
- Display of league season leader and team leader statistics.
- Display of continuous news stories and stats in the lower-third area, with live operator input.
- Display of promos, consisting of both graphics and text.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Display of live, in-game box-score information.
- Support for carrier-specific channel numbers to simplify viewer navigation to games of interest.
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NFL Sunday Snap |
VDS provided the NFL with a complete system for generating the NFL Snap Channel, which is included as part of the NFL Sunday Ticket broadcast package. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, the Snap Channel is a distributed system, consisting of a "master" graphics generation system, and "slave" graphics systems located at multiple head-ends for localization purposes.
NFL Sunday Snap features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks in real-time, via hardware connection back to the scoreboard in each NFL stadium across the country.
- Live display of game situation information, including possession and red-zone indicators for each game in progress.
- Display of league season leader (with headshots) and game day leader statistics.
- Display of continuous news crawl, with live operator input.
- Display of promos, consisting of both graphics and text.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Display of box-score information as games go final.
- Support for localized channel numbers at head-end locations, using inexpensive dial-up or Internet connection to main system hub for data retrieval.
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NFL Network |
VDS provided the NFL with a complete system for generating full-screen and lower-third graphics used to support the recently launched NFL Network. The system provides unprecedented display of real-time, in-game stats and game information on game days, and also provides a stand-alone ticker that is used throughout the remainder of the week.
The NFL Network features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks in real-time, via hardware connection back to the scoreboard in each NFL stadium across the country.
- Live display of game situation information, including possession and red-zone indicators for each game in progress.
- Display of team records.
- Display of live, in-game stats on a matchup-by-matchup basis, with team logos.
- Built-in scheduling module for specifying screen layouts and data to be displayed based on game situation and time of day.
- Display of network/channel logos to indicate where game is being broadcast.
- Display of continuous news crawl, with live operator input, automated scores, automated in-game stats, team logos and sponsor logos.
- Display of promos, consisting of both graphics and text.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Display of box-score information as games go final.
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NHL Center Ice |
VDS provided the NHL with a complete system for generating the NHL Center Ice Channel, which is included as part of the NHL Center Ice broadcast package. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, the NHL Center Ice Channel is a distributed system, consisting of a central data collection and storage hub located at VDS's facilities, and dedicated graphics systems located at multiple head-ends for localization purposes, and connected back to the main hub via Internet VPN connection.
NHL Center Ice features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks.
- Display of game situation information, including overtime indicators for each game in progress.
- Display of league standings with team logos.
- Display of team stats/records.
- Display of game previews and summaries.
- Display of game scoring summaries.
- Display of game "notables."
- Display of news and promo information in a lower-third format, with live operator input.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Support for localized channel numbers at head-end locations, using Internet VPN connection to main system hub at VDS for data retrieval.
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Fox Sports Net |
VDS provided Fox Sports with a flexible graphics engine that Fox uses to support a wide range of individual and team sports. Designed to replace legacy systems previously in use with the Fox Sports Network, the VDS supplied graphics engine is rich in motion and animation in order to capture and maintain the viewer's attention.
The FSN deployment features the following:
- Support for user-definable templates and layouts defined in XML format. Includes built-in template editor.
- Display of team names, rankings, scores, game period and clock.
- Display of league/sport logos, with animated transitions between sports.
- Support for display of optional "crawling" game notes tied to each game displayed.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Intelligent controller for automatic animations and transitions based on games being displayed.
- Integrated audio effects.
- Internal database for storage of graphics information, logo information, information about audio files, etc.
- Standardized control interface to simplify integration with Fox developed applications for data retrieval, data entry and control.
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Leafs TV |
VDS provided the Maple Leafs Entertainment and Sports in Toronto with a complete system for generating the Leafs TV Channel, the first team-specific channel in the NHL. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, the system provides scores and news from around the NHL, and provides generic branding (logos, etc.) for the channel under automation control.
Leafs TV features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks, via connection to Sportsticker data feed.
- Support for various program video squeeze-back modes, including "L" and lower-third graphics only configurations.
- Display of league-wide season leader statistics.
- Display of league standings.
- Display of continuous news stories and stats in the lower-third area, with live operator input.
- Display of promos, consisting of both graphics and text.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Interface to Harris automation system for automated transition between layouts and display formats (e.g. squeeze-back, lower-third only, watermark logo only, etc.).
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Raptors TV |
VDS provided the Maple Leafs Entertainment and Sports in Toronto with a complete system for generating the Raptors TV Channel, the first team-specific channel in the NBA. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, the system provides scores and news from around the NBA, and provides generic branding (logos, etc.) for the channel under automation control.
Raptors TV features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks in real-time, via hardware connection back to the scoreboard in each NBA arena across the country. Connection is facilitated via login into VDS Gametrak Server at the NBA over Internet VPN.
- Support for various program video squeeze-back modes, including "L" and lower-third graphics only configurations.
- Display of league season leader and team leader statistics.
- Display of league standings.
- Display of continuous news stories and stats in the lower-third area, with live operator input.
- Display of promos.
- Display of time-of-day clock.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Interface to Harris automation system for automated transition between layouts and display formats (e.g. squeeze-back, lower-third only, watermark logo only, etc.).
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NHL Channel at CTV |
VDS provided CTV in Toronto with a complete system for generating the NHL Network TV channel. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, the system provides scores and news from around the NHL, and provides generic branding (logos, etc.) for the channel under automation control.
The NHL Channel at CTV features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks, via connection to Sportsticker data feed.
- Support for various program video squeeze-back modes, including "L" and lower-third graphics only configurations.
- Display of league standings.
- Display of league-wide season leader statistics.
- Display of continuous news stories and stats in the lower-third area, with live operator input.
- Display of promos.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Interface to Harris automation system for automated transition between layouts and display formats (e.g. squeeze-back, lower-third only, watermark logo only, etc.).
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NBA Stats Channel (In Demand/Echostar): |
VDS provided the NBA with complete systems for generating the NBA League Pass Stats Central Channels, which are included as part of the NBA's League Pass broadcast package on the In Demand and Echostar systems. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, the NBA League Pass Stats Central channels offer viewers real-time game and statistical information for NBA and WNBA games.
The NBA Stats Channel features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks in real-time, via hardware connection back to the scoreboard in each NBA arena across the country. Connection is facilitated via login into VDS Gametrak Server at the NBA over Internet VPN.
- Built-in scheduling module for specifying screen layouts and data to be displayed based on game situation and time of day.
- Live retrieval of statistical information from the NBA's official in-house databases.
- Display of league season leader and team leader statistics.
- Display of continuous news stories and stats in the lower-third area, with live operator input.
- Display of promos, consisting of both graphics and text.
- Display of sponsor logos.
- Display of live, in-game box-score information.
- Support for carrier-specific channel numbers to simplify viewer navigation to games of interest.
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MSG |
VDS provided MSG Networks with a complete system to support their on-air graphics needs for sports related broadcasting. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, the system provides scores and news for multiple college and professional leagues, as well as complex screen layouts combining automated and manually inputted data to support live shows (e.g. Talk Of Our Town).
The MSG deployment features the following:
- Display of game schedules, scores and clocks, via connection to Sportsticker data feed.
- Support for various program video squeeze-back modes, including "L" and lower-third graphics only configurations.
- Display of continuous schedules and scores in the lower-third area, with unlimited game notes attached to each game via live operator input.
- Display of multiple text regions for manual input (e.g. "ON THE PHONE", viewer's poll, etc.).
- Optional manual control (i.e. TAKE NOW) or continuously wheeling display modes (including unlimited number of entries) for each display region within the graphic.
- Advanced control logic for varying dwell times for each display region.
- Display of promos (text and graphics pages).
- Display of sponsor logos.
- GPI control for ticker start/stop/pause during commercial breaks.
- Centralized SQL database for support of multiple channels and graphics sources from a single data source.
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CSTV (College Sports TV) |
VDS provided College Sports TV (CSTV) with a complete system to support their on-air graphics needs for sports related broadcasting. Based on the VDS Gametrak Suite, the system provides scores, stats and news for multiple college sports in a lower-third ticker format. The system also includes VDS's automated SportsBoard application for displaying full-screen graphics boards, with automated insertion of data.
The CSTV ticker system features the following:
- Automated insertion of game schedules and scores.
- Dynamic playlist creation, consisting of automated data and manually entered news and game notes.
- Unlimited storage of playlists for playout under automated or manual control.
- Interface to Harris automation system for automated playout tied to automation system rundown.
- GPI interface for manual triggering.
- Integrated squeeze-back and audio effects.
- User selectable logos/overlays.
The CSTV SportsBoard system features the following:
- Automatic generation of sequential game pages (based on daily schedule) on industry standard character generators.
- Support for page deletion and reordering to match show rundowns.
- Support for manual game note entry.
- Flexible support for multiple templates and formats, with integrated template editor.
- Automatic insertion of team logos, game scores and situation information, game notes, team rankings and team records into full-screen pages.
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VDS GameBug |
VDS had developed a number of "bugs" for a variety of sports, including baseball, hockey, football, basketball and soccer.
These systems feature the following:
- Automated scoreboard interface (Daktronics , Whiteway , etc.)
- Automated radar gun interface (baseball).
- Manual controls and overrides.
- Integrated, user-extensible database for team information.
- User-friendly control interfaces for in-game operator control.
- Support for animated transitions (dependent on graphics hardware platform selected).
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