NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., is increasing its use of Spyder X20 systems, both companies announced today. Having previously used Vista Systems Spyder image processors, the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) has acquired a third Spyder for Studio 3 in Stamford, which is dedicated to Premier League soccer on weekends and the daily Pro Football Talk show.
NBC Sports Group is a long-time Spyder user, beginning with 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s Studio 8G for Football Night in America in 2006. “We were the first broadcast entity to use Spyder for multiple layers and display,” says Randy Raddatz, vice president of sourcing and production services. Since ’06, NBC Sports has embraced the Spyder while relocating most of its production to the new facility in Stamford.
Studio 3 in Stamford boasts “the largest indoor broadcast wall in the world,” according to Raddatz, which forms the main backdrop in the space. Two Spyder X20 systems are required to drive the approximately 36 x 12-foot LCD projection wall comprised of 28 70-inch Barco OL Series projection modules in a 7 x 4 configuration. The Spyders also drive a 3D rear-projection wall designed by Jack Morton and located upstage center.
“The projection wall shows many of the feeds from various soccer matches or a highlights package from a specific game with graphics,” says Raddatz. “The layering aspect of the Spyder allows us to use this very large template space and maximize production flow, graphics, the visual presentation and data feeds of the games themselves. We can have limitless configurations of pictures, video and graphics.”
Raddatz points out that Spyder “helps us tell the story, display the story and enhance the story. It’s all in support of the content – it never takes over. Spyder’s flexibility, layering capabilities, usage of total template and ability to show things in a different configuration with very high quality and resolution make Spyder an awesome tool.”
Raddatz reports that Vista Systems has been “a great partner” in supporting Spyder. “Once you have the box, the important part of the partnership is support,” he says. “Vista has been working with us to understand and define the capabilities of the system and work with the production design team to explain what Spyder can do. It’s a very collaborative process from design implementation through subsequent support. Spyder is great technology enhanced by a great team.”
About Vista Systems
Vista Systems’ switchers have become the industry standard for live multiple-destination video and data mixed signal switching with real-time windowing and composition. For more information on Vista Systems, visit their website at
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ABOUT NBCSN
NBCSN, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 80 million homes, the Emmy Award-winning network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Premier League, Formula One, Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, the 34th America’s Cup, and beginning in 2015, NASCAR. In addition, NBCSN features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show. NBCSN is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.
