The video system at the Eintracht Stadium in Braunschweig has been completely modernised using exclusively equipment from Dallmeier. The heart of the installation, the unique Panomera® multifocal sensor technology, provides security for both the home and visiting fan areas.
The Eintracht Stadium in Braunschweig can accommodate more than 25,000 spectators. The entire video system in place was to be updated to reflect the state of the art as part of the general stadium modernisation programme. For almost two-and-a-half years, the operating company of the Eintracht Stadium, the Stadthalle Braunschweig, conducted a thorough investigation of the subject and tested the systems offered by several different manufacturers. In the end, the Panomera multifocal sensor technology from Dallmeier emerged as the leader. And now, the video experts from Regensburg are supplying the entire video system – from cameras to recording to management.
Challenge for the cameras
In order to ensure security for the visiting and home fan areas, the Panomera multifocal sensor technology is used. This unique camera technology, patented by Dallmeier, is unlike single sensor cameras in that it uses several lenses, each with a different focal length. "This makes it possible to monitor large expanses and distances from just a single location – in real time and uniform picture resolution, excellent dynamic response and consistent depth of focus", says Roland Meier, Head of Panomera Multifocal Sensor Systems at Dallmeier and also in charge of the project in Braunschweig.
For as security management soon realised, the Eintracht Stadium in Braunschweig posed a real challenge for cameras. Not only because the running track significantly increases distances to the spectators, but also because the light conditions made it practically impossible for conventional cameras to operate effectively. "There is a space between the stand and the roof, which allows light into the stadium but creates a very difficult situation for many cameras, as we discovered in the course of our test", explains Marcus Meyer, Technical Director of Stadthalle Braunschweig Betriebsgesellschaft mbH. However, with the Panomera system each sensor defines its own contrast, white balance and exposure. This in turn enables significantly more effective dynamic range and unrivalled picture quality over the entire scene – even with widely varying light conditions within the same image.
Besides Panomera, other high resolution PTZ cameras by Dallmeier have also been installed, particularly to safeguard the areas around the outside of the stadium.
Video data is recorded on Dallmeier VideoIP appliances. These recording systems are well known for their unsurpassed quality and reliability. RAID 6 and redundant power supplies guarantee the highest possible level of recording availability. Image material from the system has received an LGC Forensics certification, which means that it can be used as evidence in court.
Intuitive management
For managing the system, operators can make use of multiple Panomera® Viewing Clients and the SeMSy management software with joystick. SeMSy is a high-performance, future-oriented video management system designed with maximum operator convenience in mind. It offers an extensive suite of functions covering live image display, a wide variety of search functions in the recorded material, control of the PTZ cameras and even simple archiving of sequences of interest.
Armin Gallus, a member of the crisis management team with the Braunschweig police, is enthusiastic about the system: "One of the most important features for us is that the entire scene is recorded without interruption. This means that if something does happen, we can look for it in the recordings at any time. And the resolution of the cameras is really impressive, not only live but also in the recordings. That is critical for us, because it means we have evidence which we can use to identify and detain offenders."