News

October 2007 - bettingBUSINESS - MRG has answer to analogue switch off

With the switch off of the analogue TV signal at the beginning of this month, technology supplier MRG Systems is expecting increased interest in its digital to analogue converter (DVP100), one of the many products the company is showing at the Betting Show in Birmingham.

MRG says that the bookmakers need not wait for their area to be affected as the DVP100 can be installed well in advance to take the strain off technical services that will inevitably ensue in the final weeks leading up to the termination of the analogue signal.

Eight decoders are tuned into the chosen TV channels and stored using the simple interface on the unit. The signal is converted automatically from digital to analogue which is then fed to the TV screens. Existing TV stock is preserved, no retuning of the TV is required and no complex cabling is necessary. Costs are kept to an absolute minimum because even the install can be programmed to take place during normal trading hours.

Financial director Adrian Potter said that the firm has already generated great interest. He said: “We are greatly encouraged by the response to the adverts we placed earlier in the year. We expect to receive many more enquiries at the Betting Show as people demonstrate their awareness of the problems the analogue switch off will create for them.

“It’s worth noting that the DVP100 has been conceived as an industry specific solution designed around the needs of the LBO. Yes it does have a wider appeal and there are other markets we have introduced it to, such as the hotel industry, but we see the main take-up in the LBOs.”

MRG has also further developed its touchscreen form guide from the prototype that was shown at last year’s Betting Show. The new version, developed through collaborations with Turftrax and iKnowledge’ is a simple to use form guide with wide appeal that will enhance any LBOwith a broadband internet connection. The touchscreen rapidly navigates users to the runners in an event and the individual form of each runner can be displayed with a single touch. Track conditions, sectional times and the much lauded Turftrax ‘Predictor’ offers the public a completely original experience that will help to increase activity at thye tills. This is innovative in itself, but MRG has also added the option to print a slip with the barcode details of a chosen bet.

Another touchscreen product from MRG is the Customer Information Terminals which have been on trial in a number of Coral shops. The interface allows the customer to access data previously only available through the managers’ monitor, so relieving pressure on counter staff. Customers can get all the information on early prices, ante post, results and any of the novelty betting opportunities being offered by the group.

MRG’s Ian Hunter added: “If it’s not being used by the public it reverts to showing the latest race currently running. There are additional developments we hope to have ready for the show in prototype form and you can be sure that this type of device will set the tone over the next few years.”

BIDS (Betting Information Display System) continues to be developed to provide the most automated studio software available to the industry. The data feed component has been significantly enhanced to accept XML for any sports betting feed. Incorporating this into BIDS both simplifies and optimises the process for users to offer a much greater variety of betting opportunities. New clients quickly benefit from the close relationships the development teams builds with them and the true ‘Can do’ response of the company.