As part of the recent refurbishment, Great Northern Inns turned to local AV specialists Cable Guys to provide an audio visual experience that would impress customers. The AV needed to deliver outstanding sports coverage and live entertainment to every inch of the bar. Cable Guys exceeded the client's expectation by installing over 24 screens, video walls and televisions to distribute high definition live sports coverage, news updates and entertainment from 8 separate AV sources, including a combination of full HD and 4K UHD to provide the best quality AV possible.
One of the main objectives was to provide multi-channel picture-in-picture functionality to the bar's 90" UHD screens. To deliver the best possible results whilst ensuring full flexibility of sources to screens, Cable Guys worked closely with AV distribution specialists CIE-Group. The team worked together in designing and implementing a fully integrated AV distribution system using the latest CYP HDBaseT range of 4K UHD Matrices and Receiver End Points, together with CYP's innovative EL-41PIP.
CIE's CYP product manager Martin Featherstone explains; "Cable Guys approached us to get involved in the design and specification by offering an innovative solution in the Southbank Bar delivering HD and UHD content to a large number of screens. Within the system is the PU-8H8HBTPL-4K22, which is the latest HDBaseT Lite Matrix which delivers 4K content, as well as HDCP2.2 compliancy, together with the CYP's Power-over-Cable HDBaseT Lite Receivers. We've also made great use of CYP's EL-41PIP picture-in-picture device, which allows for four separate sections of content at any one time without any bezel interference."
A key requirement from the client was that the install needed to provide audio to every area of the public space to ensure visiting sports fans have consistent access to live commentary. The new AV system means that customers can hear up-to-the-minute live coverage of their favourite sports throughout the bar.
Southbank Bar manager Owen Roach, said of the new AV refurbishment; "It's fantastic. The biggest thing for us is to try to be the first to do new things and deliver the latest and best technologies to our customers. When people come to watch sport it's an experience - it should make a serious impression. I like to think we've got that all-round package - we're not just about sport but it's a huge part of what we do. It's about providing an enjoyable experience and attracting people in."
(Jim Evans)
