The new controller "Control-VR" for videoReferee® and VAR systems provides direct access to 32 cameras and Virtual Offside Line support.
One of the important components of the video-refereeing system is fast, comfortable and confident work of the operator, i.e. ability to closely follow all details of the game and the ability to quickly prepare for a video referee the controversial moments to be analyzed.
It is worth noting that for many sports the length of pauses is critical. It can influence the player’s internal team spirit, tempo of the game and even change the natural course of events.
Practically the main component effecting operator’s job is clarity, simplicity and ease of interface functions. All these qualities are equally dependent on both the video-refereeing server and the controls. That is why this specially created operator's console plays such an important role in the video-refereeing process.
The remote control should not only be comfortable and convenient, but should also allow the operator to perform most of the operations in analyzing controversial moments without involving other controls. The most frequently used operations should be performed in the simplest, most intuitive and easy to remember way. This will allow the operator to quickly and efficiently perform the tasks before him.
Based on the feedback from practicing operators and our extensive experience in video-refereeing, we created a new refereeing console "Control-VR", which took into account both new requirements arising from introduction of the video-refereeing into new sports, as well as changes in technical regulations and the particulars of operator’s work in various sports.
One of the reasons for creating the new console was necessity to have more direct access channels. The top slomo.tv servers now are capable to work with 32 3G channels. One VAR server for football could accommodate simultaneously up to 4 operators. Special requirements for connecting the referee buttons and working with the virtual offside line also required changes to the referee's console.
The need for the operator to save time by having quick access to all cameras and key system functions, without being distracted by complex multi-level commands when preparing and replaying controversial points, led to the development of a newly designed interface, based on a large number of illuminated RGB buttons.
The interface was partially tested in eSports competitions, where replay operators work with a large number of channels. This made it possible for the new "Control-VR" to have: instant access to any connected camera; quick formation and selection of presets; assigned keywords for each moment; quick search by keywords; positioning by timecode; creating and working with multi-screens; teamwork.
The new design uses large, highly reliable buttons with RGB indication, as well as a simple and operator-friendly interface with color and light prompts.
The color of the button indicates the function of the button at the moment, and its brightness indicates whether the button is currently active. "Control-VR" has a new reliable and responsive Jog/Shuttle produced by slomo.tv. The design of the Jog/Shuttle uses 4 sleeve bearings, which provide lightness, smoothness and high reliability of operation. The Jog wheel can rotate freely for up to 40 seconds. The Shuttle wheel was also changed. The 64 positions left and right allow you to control not only the search speed, but also the speed of slow playback with an accuracy of 2%.
Because lately the company has been paying greater attention to technology and systems for VAR in football, the console incorporates controls and functions that allow working with the Virtual Offside Line. On the right side of the controller there is a joystick for working with VOL, when this function is included in the software. The ability to connect a dedicated trackball to the console's expansion port can make working with VOL even more accurate and comfortable.
The same port is used for connecting Red, Green and Blue VAR buttons. All this makes it possible to simplify the installation connections of the server and control panels for RO and VAR / AVAR.
The "Control-VR" has several modes of operation: direct access to cameras; work with presets; quad or 2 camera views.
Using the prefix button with the numeric keypad allows displaying any of the previously prepared presets. Up to 16 keywords can be assigned for game moments. In a search mode the game moment can be found by the keyword or by the time-code.
Since "Control-VR" is designed for a parallel operation of several control panels with 1 video output, it is therefore equipped with an Active button, allowing the operator to intercept control.
The console also has a built-in operator assistance function.
The new "Control-VR" can be connected via USB, Ethernet, RS232/422 (using the standard slomo.tv technology) and also be powered by PoE.
