The Ravens this season "will have the capability of showing 360-degree replays of plays with the newly-implemented freeD system" on the large videoboards over both end zones in M&T Bank Stadium by "using 28 cameras spaced out" around the facility, according to Ryan Baillargeon of the Baltimore SUN. Ravens President Dick Cass yesterday said that in addition to the freeD replay system, there will be a "new WiFi system, metal detectors and cameras to improve safety and Ravens' stadium employees are being trained to upgrade interactions with fans." He added that the "latest round of upgrades will bring the investment in upgrades over the past three years" to $40M. freeD Senior Technician Will Dunbar estimates that the replays will be "shown five to 10 times per game for key plays, especially touchdowns." Baillargeon notes the Cowboys are the "only other team with freeD technology, but their stadium's only goes 180 degrees." Ravens Senior VP/Stadium Operations Roy Sommerhof said that fans will be able to "connect their smartphones and tablets to improved WiFi with the help of 800 antenna ports and about 420 miles of cable installed over the winter." The other improvements include "29 metal detectors, similar to what you would find at an airport, to speed up entry into the stadium while helping security." Sommerhof said that this season "will be a test year" for the technology "with $500,000 invested when they are all implemented." Baillargeon notes the Ravens have "additionally added 55 cameras, to bring the total to 91, to help security" (Baltimore SUN, 8/6).
