About Premium LED Scoreboards
Premium LED scoreboards improve live sports events with sharp visuals and versatile display options. They offer a more dynamic way to present scores, replays, and other key information compared to traditional fixed-digit scoreboards.
If you’re looking to upgrade your venue’s scoreboard, keep reading. In this post, we discuss what makes an LED scoreboard premium and why it matters to sports venues.
What Is A Premium LED Scoreboard?
A premium LED scoreboard is a digital display made of light-emitting diodes. Unlike traditional fixed-digit scoreboards, a premium LED scoreboard is capable of showing replays, animations, and other visuals, all of which combine to ultimately provide a better experience to fans.
The Evolution of Sports Scoreboards From Manual to Digital
The journey from the earliest manual scoreboards of the 19th century to today’s cutting-edge premium LED displays is astounding. Within a period of over 100 years, the technology transitioned from simple hand-operated systems to full-color displays that provide real-time content, replays, visual effects, and more.
The Very First Manual Scoreboard
The first manual scoreboard premiered at Harvard University during a football game in 1893. Other universities and sports venues soon followed suit, installing their own scoreboards. These earliest iterations consisted of large boards with numbers that could be manually changed, somewhat similar to the scoreboard at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
For those unfamiliar, the scoreboard at Wrigley Field, installed in 1937, remains a popular feature of the ballpark. This 27-foot-tall, 75-foot-wide scoreboard is still operated by hand. Granted, the scoreboard benefits from modern upgrades, including improved lighting systems. However, Wrigley Field is still a good window into the past.
Early Manual Scoreboards That Followed
The earliest wave of manual scoreboards was considerably more primitive than the one at Wrigley Field. They were often positioned about six feet above the ground for better visibility and included cards with the names of players, similar to modern golf scoreboards. As these scoreboards grew in popularity, more permanent structures were built to house them.
LED Scoreboards Are Invented
A key turning point in the development of scoreboards was the advent of LEDs in the 1980s. From this point onward, several important advancements were made that improved color reproduction, brightness, weather resistance, durability, programmability, and customization.
It’s worth pointing out that hybrid LED scoreboards, which came into prominence in the early 2000s, are a unique variety that combines fixed digits with a full-color video display. This allows them to display scores alongside animations, ads, and other visuals.
Additionally, LED video walls, which grew in popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, use multiple LED panels to create large, modular displays. Today, LED video walls are used across a wide range of industries and settings. They are prominently featured in sports stadiums as a high-resolution option.
What Makes An LED Scoreboard Premium?
Video Capabilities
A premium LED scoreboard offers advanced video capabilities that include live updates, instant replays, and space for sponsorships and ads. These latter features boost fan engagement and generate revenue, making them a valuable asset for any venue.
By contrast, conventional fixed-digit scoreboards show only basic information like scores and team names. They lack the dynamic features of premium LED models.
Diverse Display Capabilities
Premium LED scoreboards are able to display a diverse range of content. During pauses in the action, they can showcase fan cams, trivia games, or highlight reels to maintain engagement and excitement in the crowd.
Visual Quality
Premium LED scoreboards offer exceptional visual quality, surpassing standard displays in terms of brightness, contrast, viewing angles, and refresh rates.
Brightness and Contrast
Premium LED scoreboards can achieve brightness levels exceeding 5,000 nits, making them visible even in direct sunlight. This is particularly helpful for outdoor venues where lighting conditions vary throughout the day. Additionally, with contrast ratios such as 5000:1, these scoreboards deliver deep blacks and bright whites, ensuring the content remains sharp and clear.
Color Reproduction
Color reproduction is another key strength of premium LED scoreboards. Premium LED scoreboards support a wide color gamut, allowing for more vibrant and accurate color representation.
Wide Viewing Angles
Premium LED displays typically have viewing angles that range from 120 to 160 degrees. This ensures that even spectators seated at extreme angles or higher tiers can enjoy the same crisp, bright visuals without color shifts or loss of brightness. This is particularly valuable in large stadiums.
Advanced Control Systems
Premium LED scoreboards come with advanced control systems that empower operators to manage content from computers, tablets, and smartphones.
Key capabilities include content scheduling, pre-programming event sequences, and ensuring smooth transitions between pre-game, in-game, and post-game content. Additionally, real-time updates from scoring systems ensure accurate information without manual input, while customizable templates allow for consistent visuals across different events.
Additionally, these control systems typically require authentication from the scoreboard operator or authorized staff so that only authorized personnel can access the system.
In the future, AI-driven features will automatically adjust content based on game situations or crowd reactions. These systems will also offer more detailed analytics to track content and advertising performance, helping venues optimize their strategies.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Premium LED scoreboards are built to endure harsh weather conditions, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor sports venues. Thanks to weather-resistant materials, these scoreboards can handle rain, snow, wind, and extreme temperatures and ensure long-lasting performance.
Many premium models come with an IP65 rating or higher, offering protection against dust and water, which is critical for outdoor installations. UV protective coatings prevent sun damage, while advanced cooling systems allow the scoreboard to perform efficiently in high temperatures.
The longevity of premium LED scoreboards is further enhanced by their high-quality LED components, often backed by extended warranties.
How Much Does A Premium LED Scoreboard Cost?
Premium LED scoreboards come in all shapes, sizes, and prices, ranging anywhere from $10,000 to over $750,000. While that range might seem huge, it reflects the sheer variety of premium LED scoreboards available. Whether you need a straightforward, high-quality display or one with additional bells and whistles, there’s a solution for just about every need and setting.
Get A Premium LED Scoreboard with Elite Displays
Premium LED scoreboards bring value to sports venues by offering sharp visuals, dynamic video capabilities, and advanced control systems. Their versatility allows for real-time score updates, advertisements, and more, all while maintaining superior durability and weather resistance.
Investing in a premium LED scoreboard ensures a better experience for fans and event operators. Ready to upgrade your venue with a new, premium LED scoreboard? Contact Elite Displays today to discuss how our premium LED scoreboards can help you.
