Panasonic’s KAIROS platform is utilised alongside 4K-capable PTZ and studio cameras, delivering an eSports degree that equips students with the required industry skills.
Bracknell, UK. October 2024 – University of Staffordshire has created a state-of-the-art eSports broadcasting course with the support of Panasonic and its long-term partner, Digital Garage. This will enable the university to run eSports events, accommodate more students onto the course and position itself as a leader in academic eSports broadcasting.
University of Staffordshire was the first university to launch a dedicated eSports degree. It has enlisted Digital Garage to expand its professional broadcasting capabilities, as part of a £2.7 million eSports expansion programme at the university’s Stoke-on-Trent campus. As the primary contractor, Digital Garage will manage the entire design and build, equipping the space with professional broadcast studio equipment from Panasonic.
IP-based video production
The new 61-seat arena in University of Staffordshire’s eSports Broadcasting Hub will utilise Panasonic’s state-of-the-art live video production platform, KAIROS. Two AT-KC200 mainframes will be utilised, compatible with the SMPTE ST 2110 IP-based transmission standard that is revolutionising the transmission of video and audio signals over IP networks.
Ideal for remote and studio-based production environments, KAIROS virtualises traditional switcher functions and eliminates many legacy switcher hardware constraints. It features innovative CPU/GPU architecture and removes the one-to-one input restrictions of SDI-only switchers. This will enable much of the intermediary kit to be removed, providing a cutting-edge, cost-effective solution for eSports broadcasting.
The installation of Panasonic’s KAIROS platform and 4K-capable cameras provides students with a professional broadcast environment in a university setting. Their experience in operating Panasonic’s cutting-edge KAIROS platform and IP-based video production networks delivers the future skills they need to go into the workplace.
Richard Mortimer, Technical Services Manager at University of Staffordshire, commented: “We needed to deliver a course to recruit the next generation of sportscasting students, albeit within budget. Digital Garage gave us the confidence to step out of our comfort zone and invest in high-level Panasonic technology, to build industry-leading facilities with commercial viability. We knew that adopting ST 2110 was absolutely the right decision, giving us a competitive advantage in eSports.”
4K-capable broadcasting
University of Staffordshire’s studio is equipped with three AW-UE100 4K-capable PTZ cameras and three AK-HC3900 HDR studio cameras. The UE100 PTZ is the first 4K 50p/60p[1] PTZ camera to support high bandwidth NDI® and SRT IP transmission protocols. Its direct drive motor delivers smooth pan and tilt movements, with a wide-angle lens with a 74.1° field of view and 24x optical zoom offering installation flexibility, low noise, and high-resolution image capture – making it ideal for remote and studio-based productions.
The HC3900 1080p HDR studio camera is equipped with a large 4K-CMOS sensor for high sensitivity and video quality, ideal for broadcasting, events, education, and corporate environments. Future upgrades to native 4K 60p/50p will enable the HC3900 to deliver native 4K video with a horizontal resolution of 2,000 TV lines.
Professional broadcasting in an academic setting
With Digital Garage managing every aspect of the project, including design, build and budgeting, it has complete autonomy over the selection of best-of-breed kit from Panasonic. It has also re-designed the installation and staging layout to maximise the form and functionality of the space.
Furthermore, Digital Garage and Panasonic have delivered ST 2110 and KAIROS-based training, to help University of Staffordshire’s IT and academic staff transition to an AVoIP-based production approach. This will enable them to manage the innovative technology and answer any installation or workflow queries – whilst supporting students effectively.
Mike Whelan, Managing Director of Digital Garage, added: “KAIROS live production platform was a no-brainer; the ultra-low latency of ST 2110 is ideal for eSports. Combined with Panasonic’s PTZ and studio cameras, University of Staffordshire’s eSports arena now has the ‘wow’ factor. They can now provide state-of-the-art technology to students, giving them the tools required to run and host eSports events.”
For more information, read the full case study here: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/case-studies/staffordshire-university-case-study
About the Panasonic Group
Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022, with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of Euro 54.12 billion (8,496.4 billion yen) for the year ended March 31, 2024. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/
About Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH
Panasonic Connect Europe began operations on October 1st, 2021, creating a new Business-to-Business focused and agile organisation. With more than 400 employees and led by CEO Hiroyuki Nishiuma, the business aims to contribute to the success of its customers with innovative products and integrated systems and services – all designed to deliver its vision to Change Work, Advance Society and Connect to Tomorrow.
Panasonic Connect Europe is headquartered in Wiesbaden and consists of the following business divisions:
- TheMobile Solutions Business Division helps mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, business tablets and handhelds.
- TheMedia Entertainment Business Division incorporating Visual System Solutions offers a range of high brightness and reliable projectors as well as high quality displays; and Broadcast & ProAV offers Smart Live Production solutions from an end-to-end portfolio consisting of PTZ and system cameras, camcorders, the Kairos IT/IP platform, switchers and robotic solutions that are widely used for live event capture, sports production, television, and xR studios.
- Business and Industry Solutionsdelivers tailored technology solutions focused on Retail, Logistics and Manufacturing, using its unique Gemba Process Innovation approach. Its purpose is to increase operational efficiency and enhance customer experience, helping businesses to perform at their best, every day.
- Panasonic Factory Solutions Europeis helping to make smart factories a reality with its wide range of automated solutions including electronics manufacturing solutions, robot and welding systems and software solutions engineering.
For more information please visit: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com
Please visit Panasonic Connect Europe’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panasonic-connect-europe/
[1] Actual output format is UHD (3840 x 2160) 59.94p/50p.
