Please select your home edition
Edition
GP Watercraft

Videoworks reveals the details of the modern technologies on board the Benetti Spectre megayacht

by Alice Paniccia 12 Jul 2019 09:30 BST

It is one of the season's most admired megayachts, and not just for its profile, but for the level of the technologies on board. Welcome the 69m full-custom Benetti M/Y Spectre, winner of the 2019 World Superyacht Awards category "Displacement yachts between 500 and 1,999 tonnes", in which Videoworks has built a highly technological installation that includes audio-video, network, telephony, home automation and CCTV systems, confirming in this way its leading role in AV and IT integrations in the yachting world.

Audio-Video

The AV system is fully centralised, skilfully installed in a small dedicated rack room, with 7 full-height racks. Their super-customised frame has been specifically designed to fit into the available space (the cabins have only TVs, speakers and iPads).

A full-height rack is in the wheelhouse, whereas a small deck rack is dedicated to networking and communications.

Audio-video contents are transmitted via fibre-optics. In addition to the Kaleidescape film and music server, there is a server dedicated to the crew, who can access it via iPads. With the Kaleidescape provider, Videoworks has managed the pre-loading of approximately 1800 DVDs and Blu-ray discs (music and films), complete with covers, metadata, info on actors, trailers and special content. In this way Owners are guaranteed a customised service that is certainly convenient to use.

Every room in Spectre has its own HDMI socket near the TV, to display files from local sources. The skylounge hall in the upper deck has two TVs (with 75" and 49" screens) with independent audio systems, although they share the same group of sources. Everything is managed through a matrix that allows to configure the area with multiple combinations, depending on the purpose (party, show, institutional video + satellite channel, etc.). The Sea Tel 100 TV HD satellite dishes (SAT TV) can receive European and American HD channels. This kind of satellite dish works worldwide, which means there is no need for LNB replacement when changing hemisphere.

Home Automation

Internal and external LED lights are managed via Crestron keyboards and DALI protocol, with customised silk-screen printed buttons. Videoworks's sister company, Itworks, has created a customised software for light management, which allows to restore previously saved settings and to save the new configuration as setting, uploading it when requested. A "secret" procedure, known only to the crew, allows to return to the original settings and to easily restore the system.

Owners can use an iPad to call staff from any part of the yacht; the call is received and displayed in the crew mess and in the pantry. The super-silent Lutron blinds can be controlled via Crestron touch-screen and iPad with customised silk-screen printed keyboards. NMEA navigation information (wind speed, direction, cruising speed, sea depth, etc.) can be viewed using the specific Myinfos App developed by Itworks.

Network and Cybersecurity

Onboard network security (Firewall, Bandwidth Manager, Connection Manager...) is guaranteed by the Kerio NG500 system, which allows to surf securely while on board and to manage bandwidth as needed, e.g. if the Owner needs to work aboard, the system allows to limit bandwidth access and use. To guarantee the greatest security possible, the system uses Cisco products from the Catalyst and Aironet professional lines.

Telephony

The telephone switchboard is managed through a Cisco Router and the Cisco Unified Communication Manager software. The system includes 17 cordless telephones + 17 landlines, buzzer, fax line and light signals for calls from the Engine Room.

CCTV System

The closed circuit television system manages 10 cameras, two PTZ cameras (one interior and one exterior), a number of external fixed cameras and a 360 degrees fisheye camera, two observation and management stations (one in the wheelhouse and one in the crew mess), through a dedicated Panasonic software and PC touch panel. The Network Disk Recorder allows the captain to make recordings for security, control and surveillance purposes. The CCTV system is integrated in the entertainment section through the Itworks "Myinfos" app.

Related Articles

TF35 Nyon Grand Prix Day 1
Beginner's luck? X-Wing second after opening day The opening day of the 2025 TF35 season on Lake Geneva saw the six cutting-edge foiling catamarans ghost their way around the racecourse in a delicate 5-knot breeze, completing two races. Posted today at 10:34 pm
Jura Scottish Series 2025 Day 1
Loch Fyne offers racers solid opening day sport Race organisers at the Jura Scottish Series made the best of the beneficial wind and weather conditions on Loch Fyne to get the annual regatta under way on cue for all classes. Posted today at 9:13 pm
Cowes Classics Regatta countdown is on
A week away, and late entries are coming in thick and fast across all divisions We are just one week away now from the start of the Royal London Yacht Club's flagship event - the Cowes Classics Regatta 2025 - and as ever, late entries are coming thick and fast across all the divisions. Posted today at 7:22 pm
DMS Formula Wing Europeans day 4
Golden opportunities await all in medal series. Leaders stumbled in wildly shifting winds as Friday's racing determined the first medal series competitors in the Dogus Marine Services Formula Wing European Championships. Posted today at 7:00 pm
Royal Thames YC 250th Anniversary Regatta preview
Over 180 entries already received and expected to surpass 200 boats The countdown is on for the Royal Thames Yacht Club's 250th Anniversary Regatta, taking place this June. With less than a month to go, anticipation is building fast with over 180 entries already received. Posted today at 6:04 pm
DF95 Spring Series event 8 at Barton's Point
Mainly a shifty drifter, but the form boats still mostly got to the front In 0 - 5 knots of wind from the North going East the event was mainly a shifty drifter, but the form boats still mostly got to the front. Peter Jackson won race 1, Mike Brand race 2 and Dave Adams race 3, those three hogging the podium spots. Posted today at 4:51 pm
Rickmansworth Classic International 14 Open
At 89 Tiercel proved that old boats can still compete and win Vintage and Classic Int 14's came to Rickmansworth Sailing Club over the weekend of 17th/18th May to race for two trophies. The Rickmansworth Open and Transom series Trophies. Boats travelled from as far as Cornwall to compete in this long standing event. Posted today at 3:47 pm
Copa del Rey MAPFRE surpasses 100 entries
Still almost two months to go until the start The Copa del Rey MAPFRE continues to exceed expectations — and this year, it's doing so well in advance. Posted today at 2:41 pm
Jersey Clipper Bursary award
£1000 goes to teenage dinghy instructor to enter Tall Ships Race A dinghy instructor at the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club has been awarded this year's Jersey Clipper Bursary, worth £1,000. Posted today at 2:28 pm
Entries open for Parkstone Youth Week
Different from most sailing regattas - and now with a Roman Empire theme There will a Gladitorial display of sailing and fun off the water activities, encompassing the spirit of Ancient Rome, starting in just 12 weeks' time. So, as Caesar raises his thumb it is time for you to sign up to the highlight of the Roman calendar. Posted today at 1:15 pm