A unique relationship exists between Interactive AV and the Ottawa 67’s Hockey Club.
Over several years this club incorporated many AV and video production components used to heighten the game day experience. They worked with numerous companies in a broad range of ways.
In 2007/2008 Interactive AV was approached to assist them with furthering and improving their game day experience.
They had a disjointed video and audio system, old equipment which did not provide sufficient quality, outdated display systems, and generally a system just being held together. On top of that they have very limited budgets to allocate to upgrades or maintenance. They wanted and needed help plus someone with “Vision” to help migrate to a high definition production capability and to deliver a sexier more contemporary game day experience.
Interactive AV had experience with “broadcast production” and understood the challenges faced by the hockey team. We also recognized synergies between our organizations existed, as well as a consistent “Vision” shared with key hockey club personnel. A new and unique relationship was established.
First tasks were to address infrastructure issues. We fixed, updated and added cabling and signal distribution making it more reliable and slightly higher performance. Intercom systems were repaired, replaced and augmented in order to extend and broaden live production communications, including wireless intercom capabilities for camera operators. Wireless microphone systems were added to provide greater access to “talent” who moved about the arena interacting and engaging with fans.
New High Definition and high brightness projectors were installed into the score board to improve image display of the hockey game, as well as intermission on-ice promotional activities.
As time progressed, additional inputs were added to the video production environment. Audio systems were upgraded and improved. Digital recording of game activities and later rudimentary slo-motion playback was enabled. Pre game activities were updated with on-ice live full motion video and graphics projection.
Their system is now ready to make a leap to full a complete high definition system in the near future. Several other initiatives are on the roadmap which will have a dramatic impact on the fan game day experience.
This unique relationship has been rewarding and continues to this day.
