When you walk into a large stadium to attend a game, there is always an air of excitement and an electricity that seems to run through the crowd. Looking out, you can see the electronic scoreboard, already streaming promotions, information and pregame stats. This is set up as a presentation that draws the eyes with color and bombards you with audio so clear; you would think you were at home. Most of us have no idea that an incredible amount of analysis and planning went into what we are seeing and hearing; but, there is a new art form that has emerged in the architecture of today’s lighting and scoreboards.
When a stadium, school or venue has made the decision on the transition to a high tech scoreboard system, there are now firms that can be hired to assist in making sure the implementation and right choices are made. Each location is different, requiring a unique set of combined needs. Indoor vs. outdoor, attendance size, audio acoustics, camera settings and scoreboard view are just a few of the considerations that are in play. There is a ‘landscape analysis’ that needs to be done to ensure that all topics are addressed. With today’s technology moving is such a fast pace, the concept of future needs is also a big factor.
Few of us realize that in some cases, the standard or preset designs may not be the right choices for all venues. In these cases, the designers, manufacturers and managers put their minds together and there may be a need for a hybrid concept. It is just these situations that spur technology forward and innovation happens. In the case of the largest stadiums with the highest seating capacity, it became painfully obvious that handheld cameras were not going to be a viable option. Companies decided to install robotic cameras that can be controlled from the main controller room, with the ability to flip from one camera view to another.
Another innovation that we take completely for granted today are the LED lighting systems. Early experimentation proved that LED was not only more cost effective in the form of electricity needs and lifetime value, but they were sturdier as well. This is a major consideration when you have sports games like baseball. These LED lights can take a one hundred mile per hour hit from a baseball and keep on going. Managers did a cost analysis and extrapolated that the investment would pay off in two ways: longer lasting LED lights but an additional added benefit of quality and clarity which will bring in higher attendance and sponsors.
Lighting on a scoreboard is top priority, but there is a lot that also goes into the placement of lamps and reflectors to accomplish targeted lighting in a stadium or venue. Each game or event can have different attendance and needs, so the lighting has to be flexible and have the ability to be easily changed in a control room environment.
Future tech needs that have been planned and added include the wireless ability. The initial concept of wireless created its own set of hurtles to overcome, but the planners and managers knew that the demand for this technology was going to offset both the cost and the technology itself. In today’s sports world, even the Little League games are becoming wireless. Another example of supply and demand offering high tech quality to both large and small games.
Streaming to the internet goes hand in hand with wireless and the companies that do the planning already have that in place. Again, a single control room with one person can flip the applications, change the screens, adjust the lighting, add sponsor ads or messages and accomplish replays.
While you and I may walk into the event and be overwhelmed with the new views and sounds, there was a lot of planning that went into everything.
Sources:
http://www.sportsfieldmanagementmagazine.com/article-6663.aspx