NFL Network Selects Azzurro Transportable TeamCam Systems For Live Coverage of Commissioner Awards

The NFL Network recently held their Annual Commissioner Awards Ceremony at the Marriott East Side Hotel in New York City on May 9, 2013. Prior to the event, Azzurro supported NFL Network with staff for on-site set up, configuration, and testing of two Azzurro Transportable TeamCam Systems.

Unique to these transportable systems, bidirectional HD signals were delivered via a standard public internet connection provided by the hotel, eliminating the need for a satellite truck. On the day of the event, both systems delivered four HD paths between New York and NFL’s Culver City Studio. Additionally, each system provided two in-band VoIP lines and wireless headsets which were used for IFB & PL coordination. The transmission was monitored and tested by Azzurro’s Network Operations Center at 32 Avenue of the Americas.

“The Commissioner Awards Ceremony posed a ‘live on air’ pressure situation with absolutely no room for failure.    Having on-site support from Azzurro added much needed comfort. The event aired flawlessly,” said Dave Shaw, Director Technical Operations at NFL Network.

Azzurro Transportable Team Cam Systems are a scaled down version of the full TeamCam Systems currently deployed at over 50 NFL locations throughout the United States. Built into a 4RU road case with wheels and luggage handles, these systems were designed to easily travel or ship to remote locations. They connect via public internet for bidirectional transport. NFL Network has deployed these systems to cover pre-season training camps, draft parties, live sideline reports and the Pro Bowl from Hawaii. They provide a high quality HD signal with extremely low latency; critical during live on-air interviews.

In the event a location is not staffed with a camera crew, a second road case is available containing an HD Camera and professional light panels on tripods. Tethered together, NFL creates a complete remote controllable insert studio. All camera and lighting functions are easily performed from any of NFL’s multiple TeamCam touchscreens in their Culver City, CA, or Mt. Laurel, NJ, headquarters.