International Systems Integrator, Gearhouse Broadcast and associate company AV Tech completed the broadcast cabling and audio visual contract at the upgraded sports arena, the Khalifa Tennis & Squash Club in Doha, Qatar. The Qatar National Olympic Committed contracted AV Tech to deliver an integrated broadcast system for the complex which was used for the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships Doha 2008.

The stadia were selected by QNOC to be brought in line with international broadcast standards which were specified by the national broadcaster Al Jazeera Sport. The installation provided by Gearhouse Broadcast enables any outside broadcast provider to come to the venue and interconnect into a purpose built control room and, within a matter of hours, they can be ready to have broadcast video and audio pictures available. The system was built to be robust, reliable and flexible.

AV Tech carried out the design, supply and installation of spectators seating and sports flooring at the Khalifa complex delivering audio visual systems throughout the Stadium. The installation included large Daktronics LED game information boards.

The broadcast infrastructure, installed by Gearhouse Broadcast covered every area of the club including the field areas, commentator rooms, the stand areas, press rooms and practice courts. In technical terms the installation consisted of 61 wall boxes, 134 camera positions, 286 video tie lines and 121 data tie lines, all of which will use Belden cable. To complete the installation Gearhouse Broadcast provided a crew of 5 Riggers, 3 Wireman, a Project Engineer and a Project Manager.

In terms of broadcast equipment the Control Room was integrated with Harris SD and HD distribution amplifiers, Harris SD and HD synchronisers, Harris SD to analogue converters, Harris analogue to SD converters and Harris aspect ratio converters. The control room was also equipped with a Sony A Grade broadcast monitor, a Tektronix 7120 Waveform monitor, a Bel BMAZ- 4S HD and Harris ARG audio distribution amplifiers for audio monitoring.

Eamonn Dowdall, Managing Director at Gearhouse Broadcast said, "We are highly skilled in the provision of broadcast infrastructure installations, and in particular, the area of venue cabling having carried out numerous installations in the region previously at prestigious arenas such as the Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence and Aspire Tower. This particular project had to be completed in time for the WTA Final."