SVG, NAB partner on Sports Technology Forum at NAB 2007; discount for SVG members

The National Association of Broadcasters, in partnership with the Sports Video Group, today announced the launch of the first Sports Technology Forum to be held Monday, April 16 during NAB2007 in Las Vegas. The event will provide registrants with practical solutions to their biggest sports production challenges for all three “screens” — HD, broadband and mobile devices.

“The annual NAB Show is where people come to learn how to produce the highest quality professional video, and very few areas of video production are as demanding as sports production,” said NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr. “With sports content continuing to play a key role in consumer adoption of digital TV, this timely program will focus on the unique interests of sports broadcasters, professional and college sports teams, major sports venues and sports leagues.”

“This one-day conference will emphasize the latest tools and techniques that will make a difference in the quality of sports productions and on the bottom line,” says Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG Editorial Director. “Given the exciting array of new technologies and delivery mediums that are literally reshaping sports production as we know it, we are delighted to have the opportunity to bring this community together at the world’s biggest media and entertainment content event – the NAB Convention.”

Key sports network, league and technology leaders will moderate expert panels comprised of the top players in the sports broadcast and production market, providing sports content creators at all levels with the information needed to make solid buying decisions at the show. Each panel will feature a 10-minute “Master Class Presentation” by a leading expert in the field on a specific approach to the panel topic.

The sessions will cover the following topics:

10:30-11:30
How to Deliver Knock-out Sports HD Images
Sports industry leaders and manufacturers take to the stage for a roundtable discussion of the latest technological advances in HD cameras, lenses and HD wireless transmission. How do the tools improve an HD broadcast? What are the pitfalls and technical limits? And what new introductions at NAB will advance the state of the art?
Moderator: Tom Sahara, Turner Sports, Senior Director, IT and Remote Operations

11:30-12:30
Next-Generation Remote Production Trends
New technologies are reshaping the design of sports TV production vehicles. Flat-panel monitors, fiber interconnects, and feature-rich production switchers continue to evolve, reshaping the technical requirements of production vehicles. Top engineers from the remote production truck companies discuss the hottest trends in truck design and how they’re readying for increased demand for HD trucks.
Moderator: Wendell Grigely, ESPN director of remote productions

1:30-2:30

Sports Surround Sound: Successful Mixing Techniques

High-definition sports images are complemented by an immersive Surround Sound experience designed to make viewers feel like they’re in the stands. Leading sports audio experts and manufacturers discuss proper mixing techniques and the latest advances in audio boards and processing gear.

Moderator: Bob Dixon, NBC Olympics Project Manager, Sound Design

2:30-3:30
Talkin’ Graphics: Bugs, Opens and Tickers
While great images wow the viewer, great graphics inform the viewer, keeping them on top of the players, game action and latest scores – from the field and from around the league. What are the top tools used by today’s sports graphics professionals and what features are coming down the road? This in-depth panel discussion looks at the challenge of creating graphics for both HD and SD viewers, finding the right ticker, avoiding on-screen clutter, and designing the right look for your viewers.

3:30-4:30
Sports Cuts: HD Nonlinear Editing and the Need for Speed
Sports content distributors are always on the hunt for new ways to get highlights packages in front of viewers more quickly during and after the big game. What editing systems do today’s leading networks and leagues rely on? And what new features are NLE makers introducing to enhance workflow and time to air? Go behind the scenes with today’s top sports editors and manufacturers.

4:30-5:30
Winning Ways to Wow the Sports Broadcast Viewer
Whether it’s the Skycam, the Cablecam, Super Slo-mo, or on-field graphics today’s top networks are always looking for new advancements to wow viewers. Top network executives and manufacturers discuss some of the hottest toys in the sports production market.
Moderator: Steve Hellmuth, NBA SVP, Operations and Technology

Registration for the Sports Technology Forum @ NAB2007 is available online by visiting www.nabshow.com. SVG and NAB members receive a special members rate.

The Sports Technology Forum @ NAB2007 is the latest addition to SVG’s year-round series of sports production conferences, including its annual meeting, the League Technology Summit, which is scheduled for December 11, 2007. SVG membership represents sports organizations from all major broadcasters, league content holders and their production and technology partners