Written By: Nick Sabato | Nov 21st 2019 - The Daily Republic

BROOKINGS -- Instant replay made its debut in South Dakota prep football championship games last week and the South Dakota High School Activities Association is deeming it an early success.

Every turnover and scoring play was reviewed in the booth, but play on the field was stopped less than once per game. Through seven championship games, two plays were overturned on touchdowns where replay showed the ball carrier tackled short of the goal line.

Even when officials were called to the sideline to review a play, the process was quick and concise, avoiding elongated breaks in the action that draw criticism at the college and professional levels.

“We hired a Friday night crew to be our replay officials and we’re gathering feedback from them as far as what we can do to improve it or refine it,” SDHSAA Assistant Executive Director John Krogstrand said. “I think there’s some little tweaks to it are all that I’m looking at from being in the booth for most of the games. Just to make it better for ourselves when we do have those major reviews or simple in-game things.”

There were two technicians in the booth at all times, with one clipping plays as they happened on the South Dakota Public Broadcasting telecast. The other technician assisted with setup, but was also a former NCAA Division I official that was able to provide tips when needed.

Two certified SDHSAA officials were also in the booth, along with another official with a headset on the sidelines. Officials in the booth had the freedom to stop play if a play warranted a review, but in order to overturn a call, the head official on the field and the official in the booth had to agree on the play.

In total, 60 scoring plays were reviewed, along with 14 turnovers and a handful of plays in which the game was paused to review the spot of the ball.

“We had six to eight cameras at our disposal, as opposed to an NFL or college primetime game that has 16-24 cameras,” Krogstrand said. “Knowing we were a little bit limited there, we wanted to make it so that it was so obvious that anybody at home on the couch could say it was ‘no doubt’ (to overturn a call). So, it wasn’t one person’s individual opinion.”

In the coming weeks, the SDHSAA will internally review its own findings, along with taking a look at how replay panned out in championship games of neighboring states such as Minnesota.

Still, Krogstrand would like to simplify what constitutes a review or stoppage in play for the future. There weren’t any controversial plays or calls in the seven games this season, but a situation may arise in the future and the SDHSAA wants to be prepared for such an event.

“The proposal that we had was about a page long and it had some specifics to it,” Krogstrand said. “I’m just looking to refine it and make it more simple and just have two separate criteria of what you can and cannot do with replay. There’s some gray area that’s left up to interpretation and the less interpretation, the more we can say is black and white.”

By SEC Staff
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The Southeastern Conference will expand its football collaborative instant replay process to include a sideline monitor for use by on-field officials, beginning on Thursday night as Texas A&M hosts Texas State in College Station, Texas. The monitor, which will be positioned at the officials' sideline headset location, will be utilized for viewing by the game referee during every official instant replay stoppage of play.

"We continue to look for opportunities to enhance what I believe is the most effective instant replay system in college football," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated. "Our commitment to supporting correct officiating outcomes will continue to hold a high priority."

The game referee will see what the replay official in the stadium is viewing and discussing with collaborative replay officials in the SEC Video Center. This added visual element will allow the game referee to better communicate replay decisions to head and provide a more specific announcement to fans in attendance and viewing on television.

While the referee will be able to participate and provide input about the ruling on the field and the replay review in progress, the decision to confirm or overturn a call will still be maintained by the replay official in the stadium replay booth working with the collaborative replay officials located in the SEC Video Center.

Collaborative instant replay was first adopted in college football by the SEC in 2016, with three instant replay officials at the SEC Video Center working in conjunction with the replay official at each stadium to establish a collaborative decision when instant replay stoppages occur. Prior to implementation of the collaborative replay process, the referee had a headset which allowed audio-only communication between the field and the instant replay booth.

The sideline monitor will be an addition of the DVSport instant replay technology currently utilized by the SEC. Every play is reviewed by instant replay, but game stoppages only occur when time is required for additional video review of a play.

​Beginning with three cameras, the GY‑HC500 base model, GY‑HC550 with internal streaming and graphics, and GY-HC500SPC for sports productions, JVC’s 500 Series will be introduced during the NAB Show New York — Oct 17-18 — at the Jacob K. Javits Center.

Designed for concurrent live IP production and high-quality 4K acquisitions, the 500 Series cameras will record to SSD media in formats up to 10-bit, ProRes 422 in 4K resolution with 50/60p frame rates. With connectivity in mind, compression formats are also available in H.264 and MPEG-2. (The GY-HC550 adds MPEG-2 and MXF recording.)

“No other competing 1" camcorder in this category comes close to our connectivity,” says Joe D’Amico, vice president, JVC Professional Video, in the press release. "The new 500 Series delivers a complete production-over-IP workflow solution in a compact form factor.

For the most advanced options, the GY-HC550 houses dual external antennas with built-in wireless LAN, integrated GPS, and Zixi error correction with automatic repeat request (ARQ).

In addition to SSD, all three 500 Series cameras have dual SDHC/SDXC media card slots for redundant, relay, backup, and proxy recording. Direct Auto FTP upload is available during productions. SMPTE 2022 forward error correction is featured for reliability in 1080p streaming performance at up to 20 Mbps. 

Like the JVC 800 and 900 Series camcorders, the 500 Series is a ProHD-Bridge-compatible product, so all models provide bi-directional live streaming with low latency — less than 500ms — and return video with IFB. For the most advanced transmission options, the GY-HC550 houses dual external antennas with built-in wireless LAN, integrated GPS, and Zixi error correction with automatic repeat request (ARQ). 

The GY-HC550 and GY-HM500SPC also have integrated lower-third and full-screen titling options for recorded or streamed video without need for any external CG. With WiFi updates to scores and the like available via connected smartphone or tablet, the GY‑HC500SPC also has versatile score overlays with customizable graphics for sports events.

Each 500 Series camera has up to 12-stops of dynamic range, 1" 4K CMOS imager and integrated 20x zoom lens with three-ring control and built-in ND filters. Lossless 40x dynamic zoom is possible in HD, and HDR is supported through HLG (hybrid log gamma) mode or 10-bit J-Log mode. The 10-bit J-Log mode expands dynamic range by 800-percent for “film-like” latitude.

All three feature a 4", high-resolution LCD screen for menu navigation, LCOS viewfinder, dual XLR inputs, 3G-SDI and HDMI video outputs, M.2 drive slot for external SSD recording and IPX2 water-resistant rating for operation in inclement weather.

The cams are expected to ship in January at $5,500 (GY-HC550), $4,400 (GY-HC500SPC), and $3,900 (GY-HC500). Last April, JVC launched the GY-HC900 “Connected Cam”, a 2/3" broadcast news-over-IP camcorder solution, during the 2018 NAB Show. 

JVC Professional is a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation. ​

DVSport is pleased to announce its expansion into High School Football Replay starting with the state of Alabama this fall.  In January, the National Federation of State High School Associations (“NFHS”) approved that schools in the Alabama High School Athletic Association (“AHSAA”) could experiment with the use of instant replay during games.
 
"Alabama is at the forefront of using cutting-edge-technology in the high school athletics setting and with its deep football roots, it is a perfect place for this partnership to begin." stated DVSport CEO Brian Lowe.
 
DVSport Replay technology gives officials the ability to review video from multiple camera angles within seconds of the play happening. Once a coach challenges a play, the on-field referee will be able to review a play on a system located on the sideline.
 
No stranger to replay solutions, DVSport has been the leading provider of Instant Replay since 2005 in both the professional and intercollegiate sports markets. DVSport’s replay solutions have been used in over 400 venues, 10,000 collegiate football games, 20,000 collegiate basketball games, and 1,500 professional games to complete more than 100,000 reviews in various sports.
 
Beginning in the 2018 season, football members of the AHSAA will have the option to implement Instant Replay into their games. Alabama will be one of the first states to use Instant Replay in regular season high school football.
 
AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said, “We are grateful to the NFHS for approving our request. This gives our officials the opportunity to use the same technology coaches have been equipped with on their sidelines to get the call right.” 

“While this replay process is in the initial stages of development, the AHSAA is committed to working with DVSport and the NFHS to develop a cost-effective process to assist both our coaches and officials in addition, all football state championship games will use the same replay fan experience DVSport provides for SEC contests.”

The AHSAA’s protocol will be as follows:
Section 1. Instant replay is a process whereby video review is used to let stand or reverse certain on-field decisions made by game officials.

Section 2. The instant replay process operates under the assumption that the official’s ruling on the field is correct. The replay official may reverse a ruling only if the video evidence convinces him or her beyond all doubt that the ruling on the field was incorrect. Without indisputable video evidence that the ruling on the field was incorrect, the ruling will stand as called.

Instant replay will be available at schools that use DVSport Instant Replay’s system. No other instant replay system will be allowed, according to the AHSAA protocol.
 Complete details of the AHSAA Instant Replay protocol can be found at www.ahsaa.com.

About DVSport
DVSport, Inc. is a software company founded in Pittsburgh, PA specializing in digital video acquisition, analysis, and play-back software designed specifically for the sports market. DVSport has provided Instant Replay in college football since 2005 and college basketball since 2010.
 
DVSport is the current provider of Instant Replay for NCAA college football for the ACC, American, Big Ten, Big-12, Big South, Big Sky, Colonial, MAC, MEAC, Mountain West, Missouri Valley, OVC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt and SWAC conferences. In addition, DVSport has been the exclusive postseason Replay Solution provider for the College Football Playoff (“CFP”), FCS, D-II, D-III playoffs and the NAIA championship game.

​Pittsburgh, PA – January 1, 2018 – Today, for the third consecutive season, DVSport has partnered with ESPN for their MegaCast broadcast of the Coaches Film Room on ESPNNEWS and the ESPN App. For the first time, Coaches Film Room will begin with the College Football Semifinals and air again during the National Championship MegaCast.

According to ESPN, “the presentation features coaches providing in-depth analysis from a film room equipped with multiple camera angles, clicker technology and telestration.” DVSport coaching clients Larry Fedora (North Carolina), Dana Holgorsen (West Virginia), and Gary Patterson (TCU) are among the participating coaches.

Coaches Film Room features the coaches providing in-depth analysis in a film room equipped with DVSport’s On-Air Talent Replay System. This system will enable Kelly Stouffer, the former Colorado State University and Seattle Seahawk quarterback, immediate access to multiple camera angles and full control of those angles (program, All-22, Sky Cam and High Endzone) on air to help drive the conversation by the coaches. Kelly will have the option to telestrate to make points of emphasis while controlling the video with a coaching remote. “ESPN continues to find unique ways to present the games from a coaches’ perspective. This will once again give college football fans an entertaining approach to learn more about how coaches see what is happening on the field”, said DVSport President and CEO Brian Lowe.

Missed Coaches Film Room?  Click here to watch!

About DVSport
DVSport, Inc. is a software company founded in Pittsburgh, PA specializing in digital video acquisition, analysis, and play-back software designed specifically for the sports market. DVSport has provided instant replay in college football since 2005.

DVSport is the current provider of Instant Replay for NCAA college football for the ACC, American, Big Ten, Big-12, Big South, Big Sky, Colonial, MAC, MEAC, Mountain West, Missouri Valley, OVC, PAC- 12, SEC, Sun Belt and SWAC conferences. In addition, DVSport has been the exclusive post-season HD Replay provider for the College Football Playoff (“CFP”), FCS, D-II and D-III playoffs.
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About Coaches Film Room
The popular Coaches Film Room makes its CFP Semifinals debut after successful, well-received airings during the CFP National Championship MegaCast the last three seasons. Once again, it will be presented with limited commercial breaks.

ALAMEDA, USA – Today, DVSport and Clear-Com® jointly announce the successful deployment of a centralized Instant Replay Solution at two Division I College Football Conferences: the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The instant replay solution is comprised of the DVSport HD Video Instant Replay System -- which enables officials to immediately analyze any reviewable on-field calls and Clear-Com’s Eclipse HX Matrix System, LQ IP interfaces and RS-701 Analog Beltpacks Intercom Solution, providing instant 3-way communication between the Senior League Officials at the Video Command Centers, Technicians and Replay Officials at each of the respective Conference’s stadiums. Video feeds from the DVSport Instant Replay System and audio feeds from the Clear-Com intercom system are delivered over a secure IP network.

“Originally started as a proof of concept, DVSport worked with each Division I College Football Conference to implement a Collaborative Instant Replay Experience,” said Keith Lowe, Chief Operating Officer, DVSport. “This setup entailed each Football Conference designating a Command Center [headquarters] for situating a team of 2 to 4 Senior League Officials to monitor, review and command replay of any play or decision made at any one of the associated stadiums. If a play or decision was disputed, the Command Center would be able to see what the Replay Official was doing to manage through a review, while also consuming the content available to them on every play using the DVSport Instant Replay Systems for review.”

“The SEC implemented the concept of the Video Center as a way to provide oversight to the in-stadium process by using both video and communication equipment that allows for complete interaction at all times with the replay booth and the field.  The Clear-Com solution not only met our expectations for usability and clarity, but it exceeded them with the ease of use.” – Cole Cunningham, SEC Director of Video Operations for Football

“Simultaneously to video review, real-time communication between the officials and the technicians and/or on-field officials needed to be clear and easy,” said James Schaller, Regional Sales Manager, Clear-Com. “When the senior officials need to review a play, they can quickly push a button that is labeled with the name of the city, immediately connecting with the people sitting in the replay booth in that venue, and say ‘Roll that back again’ without any delay.”

Facilitating the communication for each of the two Conferences is Clear-Com’s Eclipse HX-Median Digital Matrix System with several LQ IP interface devices at each end point. This provides the secure IP linkage between the senior officials who use the V-Series Rotary Keypanels at the Video Command Center, and the on-field officials and technicians who use the RS-701 analog partyline beltpacks in each Conference’s football arena.

After successfully testing this concept, the ACC and SEC Football Conferences were extremely pleased with the HD Instant Replay operation and have committed to using the DVSport/Clear-Com solution for all future in-game reviews going forward. The SEC Video Center at the Conference office in Birmingham, AL is where it oversees the replay booth operations at 14 Conference stadiums. The ACC Conference centralizes its Instant Replay Operations in Greensboro, NC at its Game Day Operations Center where it oversees plays from 15 Conference stadiums.

About DVSport
DVSport, Inc. is an agile software company founded in Pittsburgh, PA in 2002 specializing in digital video acquisition, analysis, and play-back software designed specifically for the sports and medical markets.  DVSport has provided instant replay in college football for eleven years, college basketball for seven years and college volleyball starting in 2016.  In 2016-2017 alone, DVSport will provide replay for more than 1,600 football games and 6,000 basketball games.

DVSport has a strong customer base that spans the professional, intercollegiate and high school sports market as well as broadcast partners.  Clients include the Dallas Cowboys, the Denver Broncos, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Seattle Seahawks, the Dallas Mavericks, University of Connecticut, University of North Carolina, Navy, Notre Dame, Gonzaga, Texas Christian University, University of Virginia, and University of Washington to name a few of our customers.  Broadcast partners in the United States include the ESPN-family of networks, FOX, CBS, American Sports, Raycom and Webstream.

DVSport markets both a web-based Galaxy product and an iPad-based DVSport Shuttle solution to enhance the users experience of watching video at their convenience from any internet connection or popular iPad tablet. DVSport Galaxy features a well-designed video interface, playlist, analytics, calendar and group sharing functions. The DVSport Shuttle includes video controls once reserved for coaches remotes, telestration, laser pointer, screen capture, clip e-mail capabilities as well as the ability to add video from iTunes, Galaxy or straight from the built-in iPad camera.

DVSport is the current provider of HD Instant Replay for the Canadian Football League (CFL) and NCAA college football for the ACC, American, Big Ten, Big-12, Big South, Big Sky, Colonial, MAC, MEAC, Mountain West, Missouri Valley, PAC- 12, SEC, Sun Belt and SWAC conferences. In addition, DVSport has been the exclusive post-season HD Replay provider for the FCS, D-II and D-III. DVSport provides collegiate football replay in 94 stadiums during the regular season. Within that footprint, DVSport has replay crossover in seven NFL stadiums and has done neutral site and/or post-season games in an additional twelve NFL stadiums.

DVSport also provides HD Instant Replay solutions for NCAA college basketball for the ACC, American, Big East, Big Ten, Big Sky, MAC, MAAC, Mountain West and SEC conferences. The main benefits of our courtside solution include shortened review time, high quality of the video, and the ability to put control of the video in the hands of the on court official instead of the production truck or control room.  The ability to review timing issues with the clock or last second shots, 2/3 point shots and which team last touched or possessed the ball.

DVSport’s latest replay venture includes a medical replay client, which leverages the existing replay platform to provide video and data, implemented at all Power 5 Conference football programs. The system allows independent medical observers in the press box to review every play and every angle to view the mechanism of injury and remove a player from the game if necessary.
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DVSport is committed to providing first class client support across the nation. We have offices in twenty major cities across the United States to provide all of our clients with phone and on-site support for DVSport hardware and software.