Texas A&M Streamlining Sports Broadcasts: NDI Utilization

12th Man Productions, the sports broadcasting team at Texas A&M, has leveraged TAG Video Systems' NDI capabilities to transformative effect, streamlining camera operations across various sports. This strategic move has enhanced the agility and efficiency of live sports production, keeping pace with the rapid technological advances in the industry.

By integrating NDI feature sets within TAG’s innovative framework, the broadcast team has transitioned from a multi-cable setup—typically requiring separate lines for power, signal, and control—to a singular Ethernet connection. This change has been especially beneficial in dynamic sports environments like soccer and basketball, where agility and swift adaptability are crucial. Adopting TAG’s NDI capabilities has simplified the physical setup and ensured the delivery of high-quality video feeds, now conforming to the SMPTE ST-2110 standard directly out of the TAG’s system.

The shift to a single Cat6 cable for each camera replaces the previous need for a complex web of cabling— power cables, coax for video transport, and fiber for control. Now, a single Cat6 cable delivers power and carries high-bandwidth digital audio and video signals, including control data, simplifying the installation and reducing the material cost and setup time.

This innovative approach has revolutionized operations across Texas A&M’s various venues. From goal cameras for soccer to slam cameras for basketball and dugout and bullpen cameras for baseball, the transition to ST-2110 has significantly enhanced the efficiency of the university's broadcast workflow. The ability to convert live NDI camera feeds to ST-2110 within TAG’s system has streamlined the processes and opened new avenues for creative broadcasting, enhancing content delivery and the viewer experience.

The adoption of this system demonstrates Texas A&M's commitment to leveraging advanced technology for improved broadcasting outcomes. It showcases the transformative impact of TAG's solutions in sports broadcasting, highlighting the drive towards innovation and efficiency. As 12th Man Productions continues to expand its technological capabilities, it sets a benchmark for broadcasting operations, simplifying complex workflows, and enabling the exploration of new frontiers in content delivery.