Sony is serious about 4K.
Sony’s commitment to Ultra HD is more than just a marketing campaign, as Ultra HD is ingrained throughout every facet of its operation. Sony is not only showing consumers that it can deliver state-of-the-art Ultra HD equipment, it is also validating its 4K commitment to the commercial AV industry.
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Golf Channel Stands Out with 4K
Holding the title of arguably the most interactive dedicated sports network, NBC’s Golf Channel says, “our viewers play our sport … you don’t see that with the NFL Network viewers. They aren’t lining up with pads to play.”
As part of its ongoing mission to continually engage those viewers that live and breathe the sport, the network is constantly seeking out the most compelling content.
Golf Channel says it has a “great partnership with Sony” that includes its use of everything from a short-throw VPL-GTZ1 projector in its screening room to HDC4300L 4K cameras that will be integrated into its broadcasts before the start of 2017.
Visitors of Golf Channel studios are greeted with various forms of technology, including digital signage and video displays.
Golf Channel also says that high-dynamic range (HDR) is part of its long-term plans.
“HDR is part of our roadmap,” says a Golf Channel spokesman. “We are looking at 4K and HDR as one in the same.”
Golf Channel says that it hopes to be one of the first to offer 4K broadcasts. Examining the challenges associated with those goals, some of the hurdles include “the transport,” as well as solutions such as the HEVC codec.
Specific to Golf Channel content, not all golf courses have the appropriate infrastructure to support the broadcast of 4K.
Partnering to Make a Difference
For 30 years, the Moffitt Cancer Center has followed its mission statement to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. John Maass, manager, conferencing technology, Moffitt Cancer Center, says the hospital relies on technology to help progress its mission statement.
Using equipment that includes Sony projectors for presentations, the hospital requirements necessitate finding a balance between image quality, reliability and ease of use.
After attending an AVI-SPL trade show, Mass auditioned a few different projectors before deciding on Sony. “The decision was made right there. We outfitted our facility with 30 [Sony] projectors,” says Maass.
The following year, Maass’ team began installing Sony’s laser-based projector products to take advantage of their low-maintenance requirements, as well as their high lumen output capabilities.
Because these projectors are used for mission critical medical applications such as pancreatic cancer care, image quality is a high priority.
High contrast capabilities are important performance aspects that radiologists need in order to accurately assess patients’ statuses to ensure they get the right treatments.
A new technique that Moffitt Cancer Center employs is called image fusion, and Sony is facilitating this amalgamation of images.
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This technique combines “different modes—CAT scans with MRIs, etc., to see much more precisely how patient care is progressing rather than viewing a singular image. Having these types of tools at their disposal can help determine whether a patient is at a stage where they can have surgery versus other types of treatments,” says Maass.
“We want to be innovation leaders,” states Maass. “Sony is willing to try something new. That partnership is more than just consumer driven. The relationship and teamwork is a part of a whole process. [We] have four campuses and Sony cameras are a part [of the collaboration and teaching processes] of it.”
A high point of the technology that Maass and his staff have implemented is an auditorium AV system that features a Da-Lite projection screen, Community Professional speaker arrays, Crestron control, Crown amps, Middle Atlantic racks, and separate Sony projection setups.
One setup features a pair of Sony laser projectors in a stacked configuration. The stacked projectors produce 13,000 lumens. The auditorium also features an 18,000 lumen Sony SRX-T615 4K projector that utilizes a comprehensive cooling system to ensure optimum operation.
