NFL OKs HDTV For Instant Replays

[dkennedy]

NFL OKs HDTV For Instant Replays

The league also makes the rule permanent.

March 28, 2007

By Phillip Swann, tvpredictions.com

The National Football League yesterday agreed to install High-Definition equipment in every stadium for referees to view instant replays.

The decision was part of a vote to make instant replay, which allows referees to review controversial calls, a permanent part of the game.

That's according to a report in The St. Louis Post Dispatch.

The newspaper reports that the instant replay provision was approved by a vote of 30-2, with Arizona and Cincinnati voting against it.

The HD instant replay equipment is expected to cost between $275,000 and $300,000 in each NFL stadium.

Until now, the refs were forced to watch instant replays in less-than-clear standard definition. NFL owners were reluctant to pay for the high-def equipment until instant replay was made permanent, according to Sports Illustrated.

The league approved the use of instant replay before the 2004 season. The rule continues to generate controversy with some football observers saying it takes too much time and/or offers inconclusive proof.

Perhaps the high-def equipment will clear things up.

[dkennedy]

NFL Taps Harris For HD Replays

April 16, 2007

Referees will review calls this year for the first time in high-def.

By Phillip Swann, tvpredictions.com

The National Football League has signed Harris Corp. to supply the technology for its new HDTV Instant Replay system.

This season, for the first time, the league's referees will review disputed calls using high-def video. Team owners earlier this year approved the HD upgrade for all 31 NFL stadiums.

Harris Corp. announced today at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas that it's been hired by the league to supply hardware, software and related service for the upgrade.

The order includes 33 Harris 'Nexio' HD servers as the primary servers with another 33 providing backup. The new system is expected to be ready for the league's first pre-season game on August 5 between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We are pleased to upgrade our systems to reflect innovations in technology," said Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice president of officiating. "The new HD systems will provide our officials with state-of-the-art equipment to further enhance their ability to make proper calls."

Instant Replays are used when a coach challenges a referee's call on the field.

The league said the Instant Replay upgrade makes sense considering that most of the games are broadcast to viewers in high-def.

"Since today's NFL games are being broadcast in HDTV, it was critical to have this official replay system also support all the major HDTV broadcast formats," said Jeff Howard, the NFL's senior executive of engineering and broadcast technologies."

At each stadium, the HD Instant Replay system will be installed in the replay booth, which is manned by a replay official, a video technician, a video operator and a communicator.

Two other systems will be used by the NFL to train officials at the league's annual officiating clinic in July.