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FSR Switchers Serve Personal Viewing
Choices to Chicago Pizza Patrons
March 4, 2010
Source: FSR
Florida’s
New Premiere Sports Bar Opens with 108 TVs to Optimize Entertainment
Options
Chicago Pizza and Sports Arena, Jacksonville, Florida’s
premiere Sports Bar opened its doors during the first week
of November 2009 to the delight of patrons determined to satisfy
their palates and cheer on their favorite teams.
The chain’s third, and largest restaurant in the northern
Florida city installed FSR’s Pathfinder Matrix switchers
to assure the greatest choice flexibility and highest signal
quality for more than 100 high-definition TVs located throughout
the establishment, including each table, the patio and rest
rooms.
Working with First Coast Entertainment, a provider of commercial
and residential audio-visual services, FSR supplied three
16 x 16 Pathfinder Matrix switchers to achieve a unique viewing
dynamic. According to Gene Salano, First Coast president,
“Sports bars typically have numerous TVs, some big, some
small. What sets Chicago Pizza apart, however, is not the
amount of TVs – although over 100 is quite a lot, but
the ability to receive any sporting event on any screen at
any time. Shows can be changed on the fly because of the FSR
Pathfinders.”
The FSR HD Pathfinder Matrix Switcher family features Split
Mode Switching that allows each color channel to be switched
independently; settings are easily programmed from the unit’s
front panel. Designed to accommodate an economically sensitive
climate, one switcher can perform the duties of several units,
and compatibility with future video types and resolutions
guarantees longevity.
The Pathfinder is the highest bandwidth and flattest matrix
switcher on the market. The HD component and RGB models feature
600MHz@-3dB bandwidth with +/- 1.0 dB flatness to 300MHz to
ensure unparalleled clarity and color fidelity.
Chicago Pizza has forty-eight 52” TVs divided between
the inside of the establishment and the patio where diners
overlook the St. John’s River. Sixty 26” models
are mounted at each individual table to optimize entertainment
options. Patrons can select any of sixteen DirectTV receiver
feeds or any of the local cable channels, offering maximum
flexibility. All signals are delivered in HD for greatest
viewing enjoyment.
The brainchild of owner, operator Vic Comastro, Chicago Pizza
originated in Chicago and moved south about 20-years ago,
first to Atlanta, where five locations thrive, and then expanding
to Jacksonville. The latest restaurant, Florida’s third,
is situated at Jacksonville Landing.
“We’ve been in this business for 30 years, since
Sports bars first emerged,” explained Comastro. “Having
big TVs on each table, aside from our good food, is what separates
Chicago Pizza from our competition. Everyone can watch what
they want and that’s what’s really great about FSRs
Pathfinder switchers; they change the channels to accommodate
every table’s preference.
“Having a totally HD facility was also a huge consideration
for us,” Comastro continued. “We could have done
high-definition for a lot less money, but we needed to have
the most pristine signal reach every TV. People come back
because they can watch their favorite team on a TV that probably
has better reception than they receive at home, even if they
have HD. Here they can watch eight TVs at once and the clarity
is perfect on all of them. Having the Pathfinders guarantee
our customers a clean, clear picture.”
Comastro also worked with First Coast on his other Florida
establishments so every location would have the same system
driven by FSR Pathfinders. “It’s simple to work,”
he continued. “Once a manager learns how to work one
system, he can work them all.”
“The FSR piece brings a simplified solution to the project,”
added Salano. “It’s one less headache if personnel
need to be moved between restaurants.”
In addition to the FSR Pathfinder, Chicago Pizza also installed
four FSR RGB DAs to ensure proper signal distribution.
“We have plans to build more!” concluded Comastro.
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