Gearhouse Broadcast specifies Draka Multimedia and Specialty Cables to upgrade four of Qatar’s soccer stadiums to meet requirements of HDTV sports broadcasting
Amsterdam, March 18, 2011 – Draka Communications, a global leader in the cabling and optical fibre industry has announced that a range of its multimedia and broadcast cables contributed to the recent upgrading from SD to HD of four of the five Qatar soccer stadiums, in a project completed for the 2011 Asian Cup earlier this year. The cabling project management and installation was handled by systems integrator Gearhouse Broadcast, who were awarded the contract to upgrade the technical infrastructure of Al Gharafa, Al Rayyan, Al Sadd Sports Club and the Qatar Sports Club. Currently, these stadiums represent a total capacity of 137,000 seats.
UK-headquartered Gearhouse Broadcast is a major systems integrator in the broadcast services industry, specialising in the delivery of broadcast facilities for prestigious international televised sporting events. With an exceptional track record of prestigious installations spanning sixteen years the company delivers technical solutions to some of the biggest names in broadcasting. “We were pleased to partner with Draka to meet the urgent requirements of the Qatar National Olympic Committee for the stadiums, “ said Eamonn Dowdall, Gearhouse Broadcast’s Managing Director. “ Draka responded to our cabling requirements with speed and efficiency, and we know we can rely on the quality of their broadcast cables to meet our high standards for this project.”
Draka studio broadcast solutions for the Qatar project comprised multicore Audio cables, HD Video cables, SMPTE311M camera cables as well as their reliable Triax cables that have earned the trust of camera crews.
Draka broadcast cables meet the HDTV broadcast standards of global events, together with data communications cables for broadband data transmission, telephone and IP network infrastructure. They meet the highest quality standards for the latest broadcast technology ( HD TV, Dolby Digital 5.1) and are compatible with recognised international standards ( HD, SMPTE) as well as complying to international specifications ( IEC 60332-3-24).
Qatar to build nine soccer stadiums
Upgrading the current stadium infrastructure is part of the State of Qatar’s plan to significantly extend its sports event capability. This year Qatar announced a $4 billion plan to build nine new football stadiums and renovate three as part of its 2022 World Cup commitment. Qatar unveiled its plan for the new stadiums as well as cooling innovations for the facilities, all with a high-tech cooling system which will keep temperatures on the pitch at 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius.) The solar powered system will pump cool air into the stadiums through grills in the stands and be combined with roofs designed to protect fans and players from the sun. In preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Al-Garaffa football stadium in Doha, with its existing 21,175 capacity, will be expanded to 44,740 to meet World Cup capacity.
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Draka
Draka (Euronext Amsterdam: DRAK), headquartered in Amsterdam, has 9400 employees in countries worldwide and 2010 revenues of over € 2.4 billion. Draka has a presence in 31 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.
Draka’s activities are divided into three groups: Energy & Infrastructure, Industry & Speciality and Communications. Draka Communications with its four business units, Telecom Solutions, Multimedia Specials, Optical Fibre and Cable Solutions is a global market leader in the development, production and sales of fibres, cables and advanced network solutions. More information at www.draka.com/communications
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Photo: Qatar upgrades its Sports stadiums to HD : Draka Communications announces that a range of its multimedia and broadcast cables contribute to the recent upgrading from SD to HD of the state of Qatar’s four soccer stadiums, in a major project handled by Gearhouse Broadcast for the 2011 Asian Cup earlier this year.
Shown here is the Al Rayyan stadium, location for an ambitious upgrade for 2022.
More Information
Contact:
Draka Communications PR,
Nicole Esser,
Tel: +49 221 677 3551 or nicole.esser@draka.com
Draka Communications,
Oli Hentschel,
Tel: +49(0)151.188355 11 or marc.hentschel@draka.com
Gearhouse Broadcast,
Siobhan Murtagh
Tel: + 44(0)845 820 0000 or smurtagh@gearhousebroadcast.com