Mineirao Stadium, officially known as The Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto, has been redeveloped into a 64,000 seat multi-event arena with intelligent security systems and sustainable power consumption.
Mineirao Stadium, officially known as The Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto, has been redeveloped into a 64,000 seat multi-event arena with intelligent security systems and sustainable power consumption.
Background
48 years ago, on 5 September 1965, the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto was inaugurated with a match between Selecao Mineira and River Plate. Since then, the stadium, popularly known as Mineirao, has undergone several refurbishments and been listed by the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee of the Belo Horizonte municipality.
Now, in preparation to host matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, Mineirao has undergone large-scale redevelopment to make it a multi-event arena. Managed by Minas Arena, it is considered one of the country's main stadiums and has now earned its place as one of the key venues for the two biggest sporting events in the world.
Challenges
The main challenge was to select a high-tech security solution for the arena, with technology that reached and exceeded the standards in force at major football stadiums abroad. This had to be done while complying with FIFA's requirements, whilst time minimising costs in order to remain within the set budget.
A Technology Committee was established at the planning and construction stage. This Committee defined the systems, IT and telecommunications solutions for the Minas government's public notice, using the most sophisticated technology, in line with FIFA's requirements.
Solution
Systems integrator Johnson Controls set the parameters for consideration and selected Sony cameras for the project. The selection process took several types of cameras into account, based on the individual requirements of each one.
The chosen solution involved a total of 364 Sony security cameras, and was completed through Johnsons Controls. The solution consisted of 275 fixed HD high-resolution cameras, and 89 mobile HD high-resolution rapid dome cameras with optical and digital zoom.
The Sony SNC-DH180 was used for the fixed camera requirements. Used to protect against vandalism it has an infrared illuminator that guarantees images even in darkness. They are high-resolution HD cameras, offering 30 frames per second and a PoE (Power over Ethernet) system.
Sony SNC-ER520 rapid dome cameras were used for the mobile cameras, providing a 360 degree continuous pan quality image, with a wide visual field, PTZ 36x optical functions and 12x digital zoom. Their power system is HPoE (High Power over Ethernet).
The cameras were installed in strategic locations to allow monitoring of internal areas, the stands and critical areas. They are located in areas which included internal corridors, the car park, turnstile access areas and by the pitch. All the images generated by the CCTV system are directed to Mineirao's Operational Control Centre. These images are monitored in real time to assist with security. CCTV operation and management software is available, and all images are stored on a server for a fixed period of time.
Why Sony was selected
Johnson Controls carried out a broad market analysis, to select the best partner for the project. They required a partner that would honour the company's strength and had appropriate technical expertise, with the potential to provide their employees with the best training.
In a partnership that was approved by the Technology Committee, Sony was selected because it best fulfilled these criteria, while also providing the reliability and versatility that the stadium needed. Sony's cameras were easily integrated into the stadium's CCTV management infrastructure.
On top of high image standards, Sony's IP cameras also offer DEPA (Distributed Enhanced Processing Architecture) smart image analysis features. These offer the Minas Arena the perfect recording and monitoring solution for high quality image analysis and detection through alarm activation and processing in and around the stadium.
Results
The planning, supply and installation of the Sony systems were completed in record time, between March and December 2012. The Stadium is now equipped with a state of the art security solution that meets the safety requirements set by Johnson Controls and Minas Arena Technology Committee.