Exterity today (Thursday) announced that Hippodrome ParisLongchamp has deployed its solutions for IP video and digital signage across the 57-hectare horse racing facility to enable guests to enjoy a more immersive experience at the races.
Following a €140m investment and two years of refurbishment, the newly renamed ParisLongchamp has regained its historic status and recognition as a modern, elegant and fashionable new Parisian destination. Yet, the horseracing venue, nestled in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, has decided to break with the classic codes of traditional racecourses and open up its grounds to the general public. A new 160-metre-long grandstand, topped with a glass building that plays with transparency and perspectives; guests gain a breathtaking view, taking in the course, the parade ring and the stables.
Integral to this new image, ParisLongchamp deployed an Exterity IP video system that incorporates 500 screens, providing both video and digital signage for race fans, and in support of the wide range of corporate events hosted across the 55,000 square metres of public enclosures. The Exterity system offers high-resolution live and recorded video plus signage across 20 different spaces, which are modular and fully equipped to welcome between 500 and 60,000 people, creating a veritable conference centre.
“Horseracing is no longer a specialist interest, and we needed a system that guaranteed a tailored experience for professionals and first timers plus our corporate hospitality clients,” said Thierry Migeon, technical manager at France Galop, the governing body of flat and steeplechase horse racing in France. “Today, we offer our own internally produced content, dedicated channels for professionals, betting information for speculators, and content live-streamed from rooms that are normally not accessible to the general public, such as the jockey weighing room and the stables. This unusual experience enables us to transform the perception of a day at the races, and we are already identifying new ways to expand on the Exterity system for guests during the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.”
Installed by system integrator Manganelli Technology, the Exterity system includes a full end-to-end IP video installation spanning 500 screens and offering a range of specialist TV channels, including At the Races, Equidia Pro and Racing UK, alongside the digital terrestrial television (TNT) service and encrypted channels, such as BeIn Sport and Canal Plus Sport. To enable the distribution of premium, encrypted channels in specific areas, the system is also fitted with content protection solutions, including Conditional Access by Conax and Viaccess Orca, as well as Samsung LYNKTM DRM.
Exterity ArtioSign digital signage enables France Galop to deliver information, merchandising and pricing via 150 TV displays across the hospitality suites, public spaces and on-site refreshment areas. The system also provides France Galop with the ability to deliver content to visitors’ mobile devices via a web app, including replays of the races.
“We originally worked with Exterity when we deployed the IP video system at Stade Pierre Mauroy for the UEFA Euro 2016, and they were an obvious choice for such a large-scale, international venue as the Hippodrome ParisLongchamp,” said Fabrice Leguay, regional director at Manganelli Technology. “ParisLongchamp is a very sophisticated venue with an extensive master control room that centrally manages internal, national and international TV signals to deliver personalised content to visitors across the venue. This type of installation means that we need to work with trusted, reliable, high-calibre IP video products, which is why we chose Exterity. Being able to combine the wide array of TV channels with built-in digital signage and content protection licenses for international premium TV channels also made a huge difference, and enabled us to deploy the system in record timeframes without compromising on anything.”
“ParisLongchamp is an iconic venue, not only for horseracing fans, but also for international visitors to Paris, and we are proud to play an active part in this new, tech-savvy venue,” said said Myriam Calaber, Europe and Mediterranean sales director at Exterity. “With over 500 screens and between 50 and 60 channels playing at all times, it is an incredible feat of video and digital signage, and showcases a unique blend of interactive solutions for guest engagement.”
Images: Exterity
