Replay Comes to College

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Did you see the USC vs. Oregon State game last week? Tell me you didn’t miss it. No, I’m not talking about the shocking upset where unranked Oregon State somehow took down the number one team in the nation (though that was impressive as well. And did you know the nickname of Oregon State is the Beavers?). I’m talking about the first ever demonstration of HD instant replay.

To date, surprisingly, the college football replay systems have been in standard definition. So while you at home could see the left footstep on the chalk line after four beers on your 60-inch TV, the ref was looking at a 4 inch television in standard definition. Even for the game last night, the HD was only used as a demonstration for replay officials. The technology has been provided by XOS Technologies that provides replay capability to just about every professional league there is.

The XOS system uses two video screens for multiple officials to review. Replay officials can review and bookmark clips and specific angles for the on field refs. Remote control and touch screen technology allows the ref to sort through clips at varying speeds.

Here’s the process of the system according to XOS. Hey Bud Selig, are you paying attention yet?

• Officials sit in the booth and view both the broadcast and their own replay monitors.
• Officials watch every play, and quickly view multiple camera angles when there is a close call. If there is indisputable video evidence of a wrong call, he can make the decision to stop play. If the call was made correctly, he allows play to continue without having to stop it.
• If the play will be reviewed, they hit a button that automatically sends a signal to pagers worn by the five on-field officials and cues up the bookmarks so the play clips are ready for review.
• If the play will be reviewed, they hit a button that automatically sends a signal to pagers worn by the five on-field officials and cues up the bookmarks so the play clips are ready for review.
• The two officials in the booth review the play and decide which way the call should go.
• They call down to the on-field officials who announce the decision and resume play.
• Fans of one team toss inanimate objects on the field and/or towards the television.