For more than 30 years, SMT has built expertise in a wide variety of tennis technology, enhancing the experience of fans, players, media and broadcasters alike.
SMT’s Next Gen Tele presentation platform integrates seamlessly with the RFID-based tracking infrastructure provided by the NFL to display routes for use in first replay. SMT’s football intelligence engine can provide live or replay-based player tracking telestration, trend analysis and live on-air graphics.
The SMT scoring system, TennisX, has been employed at tournaments ranging from the smallest junior event to the world’s largest and most prestigious tournaments, and is the official scoring solution for the US Open and Australian Open. The TennisX system manages every aspect of a tournament, including draw creation, match scheduling, data capture and distribution, scoring and statistics, and prize money calculation. SMT TennisX manages all scoring and competition formats.
The TennisX Data Matrix Switchboard (DMX) manages the collection and integration of all data, including live score and statistics, historical ATP and WTA Tour data, player biographical information, serve speed data, player and ball tracking data, and weather data. The TennisX DMX distributes this data real time to a range of systems, display platforms, broadcast, web-based applications as well as third-party data feeds. The SMT broadcast television interface (TVI) integrates real-time tournament and historical tennis data with social media content for on-air production and the SMT Display Interface (DI) provides state-of-the art content presentation on-site.
SMT has a range of information systems tailored to the needs of various constituencies: fans, tournament administration, players, media, and broadcasters. An example is SMT’s Interactive Information System, which is a state-of-the-art, multi-media application that utilizes the latest in IPTV technology and SMT proprietary software. This system integrates live broadcast and recorded video with live scores and stats, historical data, match schedules and results, sponsor information, and much more. These intuitive, interactive systems can be available throughout facilities in media centers, broadcast commentators, fan kiosks, in sponsor locations, and in administrative, broadcast and player areas, providing complete information to enhance the onsite experience.
SMT’s in-house design entity, SMT Creative Studio, specializes in the creation and implementation of compelling content presentation for the on and off-site audiences, including video displays, broadcast and digital platforms. These state-of-the-art graphics presentations include real-time 2D/3D HD animations, virtual and augmented reality graphics. Our graphic content production capability ranges from the latest render and animation systems to systems that deliver content for perimeter displays and broadcast clock-and-score bugs. In addition, SMT provides customized channels that integrate directly into existing tournament CCTV systems.
SMT’s suite of virtual (augmented reality) graphics for tennis include broadcast graphics and virtual studios. For live match broadcast production, SMT can display an assortment of content within the broadcast such as live match statistics, player flags and identifications, sponsor placements and virtual ads, all inserted directly on the court or around the stadium. In addition, SMT’s technology allows for the virtual content to be produced remotely and tailored for each geographic region.
From its inception, SMT has been at the forefront of display technology and display content production. SMT delivers a broad array of display services tailored to each tournament’s site and needs, including large-scale video displays (Superwalls), information towers, on court and mezzanine ribbon boards, and digital ad panels as well as scoreboards. These provide tournaments with expanded sponsor revenue opportunities while enhancing the fan experience onsite. Our display production services range from fully automated scoreboards and information displays, with tennis logic automatically driving content, to manned production with skilled producers, editors and graphics operators. SMT delivers a high-level production with multiple video sources, line calling replay, custom edited video content, remote ENG cameras, social media, custom session opening, player introductions, and sponsor events.
SMT’s on-site operations teams are highly skilled at working side-by-side with tennis production crews to provide SMT’s in-stadium or broadcast solutions for virtually every tennis tournament, from the popular Miami Open to the prestigious Grand Slams. SMT’s expert remote technical teams understand the expectations of producers and directors and the challenges that come with working in a live TV environment. Whether working in studios, remote trucks or in-stadium, our teams work well under pressure and maintain self-composure and integrity, easily adapting to changes that are inherent in live productions. With next-generation technology and deep-seated expertise, our teams provide installation, on-site camera training, maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure the highest production value possible.
SMT has built a comprehensive interactive solution for the media, integrating real-time and historical information, live video and archived tournament footage and player interviews. Our Tournament IPTV Platform Service (TIPS) provides custom messaging and sponsor opportunities while keeping journalists apprised of every development. SMT provides the software, hardware, creative development, staffing and equipment required to execute this fiber network service. In addition, our other applications, such as interview booking, match video analysis, interview transcripts, and LED displays and graphics, make our services a must-have for large events.
SMT’s Video Production Services team is comprised of Emmy-winning broadcast specialists who use a producer’s eye to help clients produce engaging and compelling content for their distinctive audiences. Tennis fans at select tournaments are treated to SMT’s Moments Ago productions, which feature edited montages during sit-downs, including set/match highlights and session sizzle reels on the stadium’s main video boards. With SMT’s Social Media Walls, SMT curates posts from players, fans, and celebrities that are displayed on giant LED boards.
SMT’s fully staffed Help Desk and Data Operations Center support clients at every level of a tennis production. SMT offers pre-event setup and configuration support, technical support, and is available for post-show attention as needed. Our operations teams are skilled in product set-up procedures, system operating procedures and general hardware/software troubleshooting procedures for resolving normal issues encountered in the field. Working in tandem with our QC group to analyze and troubleshoot engineering, production and operation functions, our expert staff helps clients execute flawless broadcast and events.
SMT’s dedicated account managers provide expert consultation and support as they advise clients on products and services and act as liaisons between all SMT departments (Operations, Engineering, Creative Studio, Help Desk, Accounting, Sales and Marketing) to ensure client expectations are exceeded.
SMT’s in-house Creative Studio specializes in brand design and motion graphics packages for broadcast, webcast and live events. Our Creative Studio experts design with future technological solutions in mind, such as interactive social media displays and virtual and augmented real-time set designs. Our award-winning staff provides national and international sports and entertainment brands with creative development, analysis and strategy.
SMT provides ongoing training for employees and clients, both on-site and from our simulated production truck environment at our headquarters in Durham, N.C. Our instructors replicate a remote production environment in which to learn and practice various aspects of live tennis broadcasts, while our Training and Certification department offers a plethora of training videos, websites and testing for our certification program. SMT instructors design, develop and deliver comprehensive training programs unique to each client.
SMT’s Digital Media team, with backgrounds in mobile and console game design and development, has a strong knowledge of web and mobile applications, virtual and augmented reality, live data streaming and live video enhancement. SMT designs and develops the award-winning NASCAR RaceView app, a fully 3D, one-of-a-kind, live data streaming race day companion. NASCAR RaceView is just one example of SMT’s ability to create compelling experiences in the digital space from 2D to 3D, cross-platform, using a variety of code bases.
Commentator Support
With SMT’s commentator support, on-air talent is instructed on how best to use our off-camera information systems to deliver expert analysis during play, in replay or post-show. Our systems offer an array of current and historical data, statistical and real-time information, providing on-air talent with an in-depth look into each player’s strategy.
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