University of Washington Launches New Production Studio
The facility uses IP-based infrastructure to handle multiple concurrent high-definition broadcasts for university athletics.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Data Centers
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The University of Washington opened its new Sundodger Studios facility on August 12, 2026, to manage increased athletic production demands in Seattle. The studio is now fully operational, supporting 1080p, UHD, and HDR workflows across four concurrent control rooms.
Why it matters
The facility marks a transition to IP-based broadcast infrastructure for university athletics, providing the necessary flexibility to scale production schedules. By integrating these systems, the university addresses a capacity bottleneck in its digital media output.
The facility runs on an SMPTE ST 2110 network, utilizing two K-Frame SXP production switcher frames that each manage 128 IP inputs and 64 IP outputs. Connectivity is maintained via eight XCU Xpress UXF base stations linked to ten LDX 100 Series cameras.
The players
University of Washington
A Seattle-based research university that operates a large collegiate athletics program requiring high-volume digital production.
Grass Valley
A provider of live broadcast production technology, including IP-based switcher frames and high-speed camera systems.
Conference Technologies, Inc.
A systems integration firm specializing in the deployment of complex audiovisual and broadcast infrastructure.
The details
Sundodger Studios utilizes SMPTE ST 2110, an IP standard for professional media that allows video and audio signals to be transported over standard Ethernet cables rather than traditional SDI cabling. The installation employs two K-Frame SXP production switcher frames, each controlling two of the facility's four rooms, to route incoming feeds from the ten LDX 100 Series cameras. Eight XCU Xpress UXF base stations act as the interface, converting signal data from the cameras into the IP-ready format required for the studio's network architecture.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Construction and installation of the new facility was completed.
August 12, 2026: Facility went live for the first men's soccer game.
September 18, 2026: Industry open house held at the facility.
The Tech Race
The shift to SMPTE ST 2110 aligns with the broader industry transition from legacy SDI cabling to flexible, IP-based production environments. This facility puts the university's production capabilities in line with modern broadcast standards currently replacing older hardware-locked systems.
The upgraded infrastructure allows the University of Washington to produce high-resolution sports content in UHD and HDR formats. Fans and viewers will experience higher-quality broadcasts as the facility handles four concurrent events with improved production flexibility.
The takeaway
The move to IP-based infrastructure demonstrates how universities are scaling their production capacity to meet modern broadcast quality demands. Observers should watch for the upcoming integration of these systems with the university's existing Daktronics hardware to gauge long-term system interoperability.
Further reading
For more on the infrastructure shifts occurring locally, read about Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Video Group.
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