Grass Valley, Tab M Solutions Complete Production Hub For University Of Illinois’

Grass Valley and integration partner Tab M Solutions have completed Phase 1 of a new broadcast production control room for the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics: Fighting Illini Productions.

The installation, delivered ahead of the 2025 football season, primarily supports football and basketball videoboard productions, with secondary integration into Big Ten+ broadcasts.

The project required an entirely new broadcast infrastructure within an existing facility that presented space and thermal constraints. Tab M Solutions designed a hybrid SMPTE ST 2110/SDI architecture that allows staff to maintain familiar SDI workflows while using IP for infrastructure efficiency and scalability.

The deployment includes five Grass Valley LDX 150 cameras with super slow-motion licenses, one LDX 135 RF wireless system and a CCS-ONE camera control server. The LDX 150 cameras are deployed natively over ST 2110, eliminating traditional baseband CCUs and enabling direct connectivity from venues to the core IP switch. The CCS-ONE centralizes shading and supports remote monitoring.

“Our objective was to elevate our game-day production while positioning Fighting Illini Productions for long-term growth,” Derryl Myles, Fighting Illini productions & technology associate director of athletics, said. “The hybrid architecture allows us to incorporate IP strategically while maintaining familiar workflows, and the LDX 150 cameras provide the image quality, flexibility and performance we need to meet the expectations of Big Ten and our fanbase.”

By removing traditional CCUs and reducing hardware density, the design lowered rack space requirements and thermal load while simplifying integration within the existing control room footprint.

“This was an intentional transition strategy,” Kevin Tucker, Tab M Solutions partner-CTO, said. “The hybrid 2110/SDI architecture preserves operational familiarity while using IP where it creates tangible benefits. Deploying the LDX 150 cameras natively over 2110 reduced rack space, heat load and integration complexity while creating a scalable foundation for future expansion.”

Phase 1 establishes the technical platform for the university’s long-term production vision to enhance storytelling while future-proofing infrastructure.

“Fighting Illini are now equipped with a production control room and hybrid infrastructure that positions it perfectly to meet the needs of today while building scale and flexibility for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow,” Greg Doggett, Grass Valley VP of sales, NAM sports, said.

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