Durham, N.C., May 26, 2017 –SMT, the leading innovator in real-time data delivery and graphics solutions for the sports and entertainment industries, today announced it is again providing real-time data integration services and on-air graphics for the broadcast of the Indianapolis 500 on ABC. Since 1995, SMT’s technology has enhanced the broadcasts of the Indianapolis 500 and qualifying races, delivering data-driven graphics, official timing and scoring systems, tracking, race crawls, real-time telemetry and talent prompters. The annual 500-mile race will unfold on May 28 at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.
With SMT’s ISO Track system, viewers can easily follow their favorite drivers in a tight pack, with images from in-car cameras and aerial coverage of the race track. ISO Track makes it possible to seamlessly integrate dynamic camera images with graphics, real-time statistics and telemetry information and allows sponsors to integrate branding with qualifying race results graphics.
This data integration is made possible via SMT’s Data Matrix Switchboard (DMX), a data hub that absorbs, collates and distributes real-time data streams such as on-board feeds, time codes, timing and scoring, pit and position and historical statistics. This data is distributed to the on-air race crawl, talent prompters, and SMT’s GOTO Board, a custom built interactive touch screen used by commentators to share with the television audience key race information, including on-track weather conditions, pole qualifying results, racing statistics, racing technology, the qualifying racers, images from pit row, the start grid and biometrics.
SMT also provides the popular split screen “Side-by-Side” feature, a split-screen format that provides continuous race coverage, including SMT’s scoring ticker, on half the screen during commercials. This feature has been used in Indy Car Series telecasts since 2005. With Side-by-Side, fans won’t miss a moment of race action.
“We are proud to partner with ESPN to bring the highest level of broadcast technology available to this year’s Indianapolis 500,” said Gerard J. Hall, founder, president, CEO, SMT. “With SMT’s data-rich graphics highlighting integral telemetry, tracking, and statistics, viewers watching the race will experience incredible, up-close views paired with the content today’s fans crave.”
About SMT
SMT is the leading innovator in real-time data delivery and graphics solutions for the sports and entertainment industries, providing clients with scoring, statistics, virtual insertion and messaging for broadcasts and live events. SMT’s solutions have been used at the world’s most prestigious live sports events, including the Super Bowl, Indy 500, Triple Crown, Roland Garros, Tour de France, The Open Championship, Wimbledon, and the Olympics. SMT’s clients include sports governing bodies; major, regional and specialty broadcast networks; event operators; sponsors; and teams. The 20-time Emmy Award-winning company is headquartered in Durham, N.C., with divisions in Jacksonville, Fla., and London, England.