Video-Over-IP Blitz: Almost Friday Sports Bar Turns to Blustream for Scalable, High Quality Video Distribution Over IP
Sports bars do more than serve drinks; they provide a distinctive entertainment experience where customers can catch the latest game or DJ in large, high definition. Aiming to rediscover and elevate the college-party experience, Nashville’s Almost Friday Sporting Club wanted an advanced video distribution system capable of delivering its numerous video signals to any of its 18 TVs, video walls, and LED wall in high resolution and with ultra-low latency. DWP Live, one of the nation’s leading event production and integrations companies, relied on the Blustream Contractor Series IP50HD video-over-IP solution to accomplish this.
Almost Friday’s lively entertainment experience depends on a high-quality visual experience, which was made more challenging with its location. It’s on the ground floor of Holiday Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown. The 18 DirecTV satellite receivers that feed the bar’s displays are located on the sixth floor, where the feeds originate, falling outside most cable restraints. Almost Friday needed a solution that could transport these feeds without running expensive fiber cables.
Using the Blustream IP50HD transmitters and receivers, DWP Live successfully linked three network switches with fiber, allowing them to run CAT6 cables to cover the distance. With their high scalability and long-distance transmission of HDMI signals up to 100 meters over a standard 1Gb network architecture, the IP50HD-TX 1080p HDMI transmitters and IP50HD-RX 1080p HDMI video scaling receivers meet the distribution requirements for the bar. Video source signals are distributed in pristine quality around the venue’s multiple displays.
With one transmitter paired with each of the 18 satellites and 24 receivers covering the displays, the setup allows Almost Friday’s staff to easily manage the overall AV system, including the Apple TVs, DJ video input, or any other input the venue desires. In addition to video distribution, the IP50HD supports bi-directional IR, RS-232, and USB/KVM signals, enabling seamless control of the connected devices, such as changing channels or interacting with input sources. DWP Live was able to easily integrate the video over IP solution with the bar’s control system, which thanks to the solution’s integrated Blustream ACM200 control module, works with any leading control platform. And, with the Blustream Drag and Drop TV visual control application, they can control and configure each input from any web-enabled device, ensuring a seamless experience during installation and for staff.
In addition, the Blustream IP50HD was the perfect distribution solution for the bar’s video walls. The solution allowed the video walls to display various sporting events, live performances, and entertainment options simultaneously, catering to the diverse interests of its patrons. With the Blustream video over IP solution seamlessly managing the distribution of video signals, Almost Friday’s staff can easily curate the perfect ambiance and tailor the AV experience to suit any occasion.
“The Blustream IP50HD system was not only simple to install and support but also — from what we’ve heard from the client — extremely easy to use,” said Jason George, General Manager at DWP Live. “Since they’ve opened, Almost Friday has given very positive feedback. We genuinely appreciate Blustream for delivering a reliable and easy-to-use solution that exceeds expectations in both performance and user satisfaction.”
Now, with high-quality video content pouring from multiple sources to numerous displays, the sporting club can keep the party going — making every day feel like the weekend is just around the corner.
List of Blustream Products Used:
18 IP50HD-TX Transmitters
24 IP50HD-RX Receivers
