This development aims to facilitate eSports events, attract more students, and establish the university as a prominent institution in academic eSports broadcasting.

Investment in eSports Infrastructure

As the first university to offer a dedicated eSports degree, the University of Staffordshire has enlisted Digital Garage to upgrade its broadcasting facilities as part of a £2.7 million expansion at its Stoke-on-Trent campus. Digital Garage, acting as the main contractor, will oversee the design and construction, integrating professional-grade broadcasting studio equipment from Panasonic.

Advanced IP-Based Video Production

A new 61-seat arena in the university’s eSports Broadcasting Hub will utilize Panasonic’s live video production platform, KAIROS. The facility will feature two AT-KC200 mainframes that are compatible with the SMPTE ST 2110 IP-based standard, a technology that allows efficient transmission of video and audio over IP networks. KAIROS virtualizes switcher functions, reducing the need for traditional hardware and providing a flexible, cost-efficient solution for both remote and studio-based eSports productions.

Professional-Grade Broadcast Equipment

The arena will include three AW-UE100 4K-capable PTZ cameras and three AK-HC3900 HDR studio cameras from Panasonic. The AW-UE100 PTZ camera supports high bandwidth NDI® and SRT protocols, with a direct drive motor for seamless movement and a 74.1° wide-angle lens offering extensive zoom capabilities. The AK-HC3900 camera is equipped with a large 4K-CMOS sensor that delivers 1080p HDR quality and can be upgraded to native 4K resolution.

Training and Facility Management

Digital Garage will handle the entire project, from design to execution, ensuring optimal functionality of the space. Additionally, both Digital Garage and Panasonic will provide ST 2110 and KAIROS-based training for the university’s IT and academic staff, preparing them to manage the IP-based production setup and support student activities efficiently.

Mike Whelan, Managing Director of Digital Garage, highlighted the benefits of integrating low-latency ST 2110 technology and Panasonic’s camera systems, emphasizing the practicality of this setup for eSports events.