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SPORTSDOG SCORES WITH BARCUD DERWEN OB

Farnham, 11 October 2001

Courtyard’s SportsDog is playing its part in providing the Welsh-based Barcud Derwen’s facilities coverage of this season’s Welsh Premiership and European Cup Rugby. Its set of automated on-air facilities provides many aspects of the live graphics presentation needed for the matches, all out of one 2U box.

The initial interest in the SportsDog generator was for its count- up/down clock. Here, remote control was key as interfacing with Barcud Derwen’s own custom-written Visual Basic software was essential. However, as the package also handles many of the other ‘must haves’ such as naming the two teams and live score updates, it adds much more to the on-air package.

SportsDog was designed exactly for this type of application but this is its first OB use. It replaces a swathe of traditional elements and simplifies on-air operation. Pre-season set-up creates a template that is recalled and modified as necessary for each match. In addition to the clock, this can include logos (sponsor, station, teams), text fields to contain team names, as well as variable text areas for live score updates – all in the chosen style of font, edge and colour.

Pre-match preparation then only involves recalling the template and inserting the team names. Updating scores and running the clock are remotely controlled from Barcud Derwen’s own software. SportsDog further simplifies technical support requirements with its internal keyer that is also remotely controlled. Beyond the current rugby there are clear applications across many other sports.

SportsDog is one of a series of application-targeted generators from Courtyard. In every case they offer improved efficiency and on-air looks from a convenient 2U package. These are well suited for both studio and OB use where the internal keyer further reduces the footprint on precious production facilities.

About Courtyard

Established in 1986, Courtyard Electronics Limited designs, manufactures and sells a product range whose success stems from its high performance and reliability supplied at competitive prices. Current products include SPGs and changeover units, test pattern generators, colour correctors, on-air and VT clocks, logo generators, character generators and serial legalisers.

For further information contact:

Steve Cranny

Tel: +44 (0) 1252 712030

E-mail: steve@courtyard.co.uk

Bob Pank Associates

E-mail: bob.pank@virgin.net