On the other side is the announcement that just landed in the Unfair Park in-box, in which the Texas Rangers detail " a series of significant improvements in the video, technology, and audio systems at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for the 2011 season." (None of which involve Cliff Lee.) The companies responsible: Daktronics, who also upgraded the audio and video at the Cotton Bowl and Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the SMU campus, and Sony.
The upgrades are myriad and spelled out in the press release, but perhaps the most noticeable upgrade will be, as seen in the conceptual rendering above, the high-definition video board going on top of the Home Run Porch: It's 42-by-100-feet and replaces the much, much smaller 24-by-36-foot screen currently in place. "In addition," says the release, "a new video board that will be 25 by 29 feet (725 square feet) will replace the Coca-Cola matrix board on top of the office building in center field." That's for starters, right, Chuck Greenberg?
"Our ownership group is committed to increasing the fan experience at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to a higher level. We plan to make a series of improvements to the park over the next several years. The upgrades for 2011 are just the beginning of that process."There ya have it. Now jump!
TEXAS RANGERS TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT BALLPARK UPGRADES FOR 2011
Video, technology, and audio systems will be dramatically improved to enhance fan experience
Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers today announced a series of significant improvements in the video, technology, and audio systems at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for the 2011 season.
The club will partner with Daktronics Inc. and the Sony Corporation to deliver high-definition digital content throughout the ballpark in a number of different formats. The upgrades will dramatically enhance the in-park experience for Rangers fans with high quality video, technology, and audio and additional information.
"Our fans will be treated to a new entertainment experience with these video, technology, and audio upgrades," said Rangers Managing Partner & CEO Chuck Greenberg. "We are pleased to be working with Daktronics and Sony in bringing the newest integrated display system technology and the highest quality video to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington."
The 2011 Rangers Ballpark in Arlington upgrades will include the following elements:
NEW VIDEO BOARDS: The current video board on the roof of the Home Run Porch, which is 24 by 36 feet (864 square feet) will be replaced by a new board that measures 42 by 120 feet (5,040 square feet). In addition, a new video board that will be 25 by 29 feet (725 square feet) will replace the Coca-Cola matrix board on top of the office building in centerfield. The old video board used standard definition technology while the new boards will both be high-definition.
Both the Home Run Porch and Centerfield video displays will utilize Daktronics newest 15 millimeter LED technology, featuring tighter resolution and improved image quality. This technology and its control system allow for complete flexibility in programming. The video boards can operate as single giant displays or be divided into multiple zones (windows) to show a wide variety of statistics, information, graphics, animation, and live and recorded video.
The Daktronics Pro Star Video Display Board, which replaced the manual scoreboard on the left field prior to the 2009 season, will be upgraded with HD technology. The three boards will provide HD video capability to fans from any vantage point in Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
IPTV SYSTEM: The new Daktronics LED video and the existing ribbon and field-level displays that were installed in 2009, will be combined with more than 800 Sony(r) professional-grade LCD monitors to create a venue-wide digital media network. The Daktronics system will be an internet protocol television (IPTV) solution that will deliver multiple live content on 10 high-def channels to any display in the ballpark.
The Rangers will take advantage of Daktronics industry-leading data integration capabilities to instantly present up-to-the-minute scores, statistics, news and information on any IPTV channel. The Sony LCD monitors will be located throughout Rangers Ballpark. This will include all permanent concession stands, where the monitors can become changeable menu boards, allowing for the display of concession items in HD and the ability to change pricing in-game.
"L Bar" technology will be available as part of the IPTV system, allowing for information and advertising opportunities on screen during game action.
SHOW CONTROL SYSTEM: At the center of the control solution will be the Rangers new Show Control system, with the ability to take in various video, scoring, timing, statistical data and out-of-town scores and even point of sale information. With the Show Control system, all displays across the network can be turned on or off, control their volume or change the channel so all the displays show the same piece of content. One system provides total control and total integration. With the click of a single button one message can be delivered anytime to all displays everywhere throughout the ballpark. The Rangers are adding additional cameras to further enhance the "in-park show" at Rangers Ballpark. Sony is overseeing a complete rebuild of the Rangers Ballpark scoreboard control room to incorporate the new system.AUDIO SYSTEM: The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington audio system is receiving a total overhaul with the old speakers being replaced and the additional of technology upgrades and production equipment to compliment the enhanced video product.
Work has already begun in the scoreboard control room, and the entire project is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2011 season.
