Boston Celtics Adds Network Electronics to HD Suite

The Boston Celtics basketball franchise has installed a Network Electronics VikinX video/audio routing configuration to its new HD video edit suite. The new system creates videos for the teams administrative offices as well as entertainment and information segments played for up to 18,500 fans on four large HD scoreboard screens at TD Banknorth Garden in downtown Boston.

To keep pace with a recent HD upgrade at the Garden, the edit suite was transformed from analog to HD in a half-day when the team was on the road. The HD edit system incorporates a Network Electronics' HD0808 8x8 high-definition router, a digital audio router and a P-8-Proxy 8x8 multibus X-Y push-button control panel.

"Network Electronics falls into the equipment category I love," said Jay Wessel, vice president of technology for the Boston Celtics. "I just push a button and it works, which in my mind is the greatest thing you can have in technology."

The Network Electronics' VikinX routing system supports Adobe Digital editing, Sony HD Beta, BetaSP, DVD recorders and a QC station for audio-video monitoring. The small size and low power requirements of Network components were also a consideration, according to the companies.

Little Bay Broadcast Services in Madbury, N.H., designed and integrated the new HD rack off-site for a fast cut over.