Professional video and audio systems integration firm Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS) recently restructured the in-house video production control room at JELD-WEN Field in Portland, OR, for the Portland Timbers Major League Soccer (MLS) team. The two-day project was completed in time for the team’s season opener against the Philadelphia Union on March 12.
The home field for the Timbers soccer and Portland State University Vikings football, JELD-WEN Field is an outdoor stadium that opened in 1926 and seats about 20,400. Over the years, the facility has had several major renovations. Part of the 2010-2011 renovation included the installation of a 37ft x 20ft HD video board at the south end of the stadium and an upgrade of the control room, which is housed in a small, two-level portion of the press box.
To improve their game day workflow (and add fiber connectivity for stadium cameras, which had not been done in 2011), the Timbers hired ABS. Rather than start from scratch or install all new systems, ABS kept costs down by re-engineering the existing workspace.
The control room redesign included a variety of updates, including moving the audio operator (and a compact mixer) into the lower part of the control room. Positioned between the PA announcer and scoreboard operator, the audio operator now serves a producer role during games as well. Meanwhile, the video content workstations — including technical director, graphics generator/LED operator and replay operator — were re-clustered together on the second level.
ABS also provided new fiber connectivity to the control room, which upgraded the camera locations around the stadium to HD. During a match, the production team has access to up to eight cameras to cover promotions and game action.