Canad Inns Stadium, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and home to the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers, is using the ST300-DSR1K-T Slow-Motion Controller for instant replays and slow-motion playback capability, DNF Controls announced today. The slow-motion controller, part of a half-million dollar upgrade to the stadium, controls two Sony DSR-DR1000 digital hard-disk recorders used during the production of Blue Bombers' home games.

"We took a very old facility that lacked any type of broadcast-quality wiring and completely rebuilt it. In doing so, we integrated DNF's ST300 controller and Sony's DSR recorders; together they offer the tremendous flexibility and speed necessary for video playback during live events, and they do so without disrupting the recording process," said Terry Belanger of Advance Electronics, the company responsible for designing the new production room. "The Blue Bombers were interested in upgrading their facility to improve the audiovisual system for Blue Bombers fans, as well as for fans attending this year's big Grey Cup game, which is being held at Canad Inns Stadium and is the equivalent to the Super Bowl here in Canada."

In addition to two existing cameras, two new Sony DXC-D50 cameras - each equipped with a 50x lens - cover the action on the turf, recording footage onto two DSR-DR1000 hard-disk recorders. DNF's ST300-DSR1K-T controller allows operators to locate footage, mark cue points, and then replay the video instantly, broadcasting highlights to fans via the stadium's Sony JumboTron. Also included in the Blue Bombers' upgraded production system is a Ross Synergy video production switcher.

"Previously on our tape-based system, if action happened a minute or two back in the game, it took quite a long time to search, locate, and then play the clip," said Erin Madden, VTR operator for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. "DNF's slow-motion controller now provides us with faster look-up times and an easy-to-use, reliable control board for instant playback on the JumboTron for Bombers fans watching in the stands. An efficient system like this is vital during games since there is just not a lot of time between plays to show highlights and slow-motion replays."

At the recommendation of True North Sports & Entertainment, Advance Electronics selected the ST300-DSR1K systems for Canad Inns Stadium after successfully deploying the product at the nearby MTS Centre for coverage of Manitoba Moose hockey games.  

The ST300-DSR1K provides simultaneous record and playback for demanding live sports and entertainment broadcasts and was developed to provide control over the Sony DSR-DR1000 DVCAM stream-based hard-disk recorder. When implemented with Sony recorders, DNF's slow-motion instant-replay system offers a two-line display; a T-bar for fast, simple, and smooth slow-motion instant replay; and single-keystroke cue marking for access of up to 100 cue points per VTR.

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About the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Since its inception in 1930, the Winnipeg Football Club has come to represent quality sports, entertainment and community spirit. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have kept their fans captivated with thrilling touchdowns and record-breaking performances for the past 76 years and will continue to do so for years to come. In 2001 Canad Inns Corporation joined forces with the Bombers to become a major corporate partner. Through the deal, the stadium naming rights were granted to create what is now known as Canad Inns Stadium - the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In 2006 Canad Inns Stadium will host the 94th Grey Cup Championship on Nov. 19. More information about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is available at the team's Web site at www.bluebombers.com.

About True North Sports & Entertainment
True North Sports & Entertainment Limited is the owner of the Manitoba Moose and is the owner, developer, and operator of Winnipeg's downtown multipurpose sports and entertainment center. In 2003 True North acquired the ownership of the Moose hockey franchise to create a single ownership entity for the new facility and the team, which has been the facility's anchor tenant since the building opened in fall 2004. As building owner and developer, True North has completed construction on the 15,000+ seat entertainment, sports, performing arts, and community events facility at a prominent address on Portage Avenue in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. More information about True North Sports & Entertainment is available at http://www.mtscentre.ca.