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 INTRODUCTION
Non-linear video technology (storing video on computer hard
disks) provides significant benefits in the recording, replay,
and preparation of video for steward’s review, fan
entertainment, and race documentation. The constraints of
the current linear (taped-based) system are eliminated.
Individual tape decks are replaced with a common storage
system connected to multiple video channels that record
and playback video to and from the common storage. As with
an audio CD, there is no waiting for a tape to fast forward
or rewind. Unlike a CD that has only a single channel, the
recorded material is available for instant playback on any
and all of the multiple channels simultaneously.
Record multiple camera angles of the
race, one channel for every angle, and then replay the race
using the best camera angle for each part of the race from
only one channel, while the other channels are used for
steward’s review. The stewards can view multiple angles
of the race action and play all of them in sync and at any
speed. It is even possible to playback video while still
recording. For example, show a replay of the start of the
race as the horses enter the first turn, no limits! Non-linear
video holds great promise for the specific needs of horse
racing. Dixon
Sports Computing ’s Thorough
Media Center delivers this promise.
Designed specifically
for the horse racing industry, the Dixon
Thorough Media Center (TMC),
using proven Dixon technology, becomes the hub of your video
operations. The TMC is a non-linear, broadcast quality video
server based system, which exploits the power of the server
to handle the unique requirements of horse racing. The TMC
enables a single operator to capture multiple angles of
video with a simple click of the mouse. The video is then
instantly available for steward review, replays on the big
screen, concourse, luxury suites, off-site betting, and
simulcast. Dixon Sports Computing has worked with
horse racing pro-fessionals to add horse racing specific
functionality to our proven Live Event Editor, creating
the TMC. As with our Dixon Live Event Editor, the
TMC will be continuously refined to further increase the
benefit to our horse racing customers. The hub of the video
control room, the TMC gathers video from the track cameras,
charac-ter generator, and other control room sources. The
video is tagged and organized with race information including
specific points in the race. Once gathered, the video is
immediately and simul-taneously supplied to where it is
needed: steward’s review; big screen replay; distribution
tape or DVD creation; and in the future to a VOD
(Video On Demand) and/or other advanced systems. The TMC
even handles your offsite video needs. Amazingly, the Dixon
Thorough Media Center quickly and easily plugs
into the existing system, using the same cameras, video
routers, and other ancillary equipment in use today. Simply
plug the video and audio input and output cables from the
video serverto the existing video router, connect the control
stations, and the system is ready for racing.
A GOOD INVESTMENT
Now and Ready for the Future
The TMC is an all-inclusive data and video logging, storage,
and retrieval system, adding capability and allowing more
to be done in less time. It is compat-ible with the current
analog-video control room, yet is ready for the digital-video
future. The TMC is even compatible with the new wider 16x9
video format. The TMC significantly reduces expensive tape
deck maintenance by lessening the duty cycle of the video
decks and lowers the amount of tape stock required. The
master copy of each race for every angle is recorded to
low-maintenance hard drives inside the video servers. Tape
is used only for dis-tribution and long-term archiving of
material. Video quality is also preserved with all distribution
tapes and DVD’s recorded directly from the master video
recorded on the video server
DIGITAL ASSETS
With the TMC, what used to be tape-based assets, separate
master tapes of each camera, race, second generation race
summary tapes, and race slates, become digital assets with
the benefits digital assets entail. Digital assets are easily
accessed, shared, manipulated, re-purposed, and duplicated
with no quality loss. Many of the benefits of the TCM are
due to the switch to digital assets. Being a digital asset
also allows the system to be expanded to use these assets
in new ways (see the growth section on EDITING page).
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•DIXON
THOROUGH MEDIA CENTER• 
