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Jumbotron

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The jumbotron at theBarclays Centerarena in New York City during aNY Libertybasketball game features box score statistics and graphics.

Ajumbotron,[1]sometimes referred to asjumbovision,is a video display usinglarge-screen television technology(video wall).

The original technology was developed in the early 1980s byMitsubishi Electric[2]andSony,which coinedJumboTronas a brand name in 1985.[3]Mitsubishi Electric sold their version of the technology asDiamond Vision.It is typically used insports stadiumsandconcert venuesto show team statistics, close up shots of an event or even other sporting events occurring simultaneously.[4][5]The same jumbotron technology is used in outdoor public places, often for advertising purposes (such asTimes Square,for example).[6]

History and development

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TheSonyJumboTron made its debut atWorld's Fair 1985.
The "Super Sign" onABC'sTimes Square Studiosfacility was a very large Sony JumboTron. This unit was later replaced with aMitsubishi ElectricLED display.

The jumbotron was invented in Japan during the early 1980s, but there is a dispute between two rival Japanese companies,Mitsubishi ElectricandSony,over its invention.[2]In 1980, Mitsubishi introduced the first large-scale video board,[7]theDiamond Vision,which was a large screen usingcathode-ray tubetechnology similar to traditional tubetelevisions.[2]The first demonstration of the technology was during the1980 Major League Baseball All-Star GameinDodger Stadium,Los Angeles.[7]

Panasonic had the Astro Vision which was based on Fluorescent Discharge Tubes. These were the only three players in the large-screen industry.

Ironically, it was Sony who introduced Daktronics to the pro and college sports world, as Sony would exclusively sell Daktronics scoreboards and controllers with their video board solutions. Eventually, Daktronics replaced Sony in the space completely.

In 1985, the term "JumboTron" was coined by Sony for its large-scale video board.[7]The JumboTron was the brand name for the large-scale video boards originally manufactured by Sony and is recognized as one of the largest non-projection video displays ever manufactured. Sony creative directorYasuo Kuroki,who previously helped create theWalkman,is credited with the development of the JumboTron.[2]It was introduced at theExpo '85held in May 1985 atTsukuba, Ibaraki.It had adisplay resolutionof 450,000pixels,using a new proprietary Sony technology called the Trini-lite.[3]It was amicroprocessor-based light bulb developed by one of Kuroki's colleagues, chiefBetamaxengineer Yuji Watanabe. Trini-lite technology allowed screen clarity andcomputercontrol, laying the foundation for the first Sony Jumbotrons.[2]

In December 1986, theSan Antonio Spursunveiled the first indoor arena JumboTron scoreboard at the now-defunctHemisFair Arena.[8]

Starting lineup players are introduced on the jumbotron during a W NBA Basketball game

While the JumboTron and similar large-screen displays are physically large, they ranged from low to medium display resolutions. While the original Sony JumboTron in 1985 had a 450,000-pixel resolution, comparable tostandard-definition televisionsof that era,[3]certain later models had lower resolutions. The JumboTron at the now-demolishedTampa StadiuminTampa, Florida,measured 30 ft (9 m) diagonally, with a resolution of only 240x192pixels,belowVHSresolution. Screen size since then varies depending on the venue. The display introduced in 1985 was 40 meters wide by 25 meters tall. Newer,LED-based large screenshave resolutions that are an order of magnitude greater than the early JumboTron resolution at a fraction of the cost. For example, the much publicized center-hung video board in theDallas Cowboys'AT&T Stadiumis 72 feet tall and 160 feet wide (22 m x 49 m), displaying HDTV at 1920 x 1080 resolution, 45 times more pixels.

The largest JumboTron in use was located at SkyDome (nowRogers Centre) inToronto,Ontario, and measured 10 m tall by 33.5 m wide (33 ft × 110 ft), with a resolution of 672 × 200 pixels, or 134,400 pixels.[9]Its cost wasUS$17 million; by comparison, a similar-sized LED system sold today would cost around $3 million. The Rogers Centre JumboTron was replaced in 2005 by aDaktronicsProStar as part of a stadium revitalization project.

Sony JumboTron was the first video board ever in Times Square. It remained that way for almost ten years.

Purpose

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Originally, JumboTrons solely displayed the scores of the games via numerical displays. This then evolved into instant replays being showcased for the benefit of fans within the stadiums or arena, and in modern day, social media is heavily integrated, with fans being urged to post on various social media platforms to then have their content appear on the JumboTron screen.[10]

Sony JumboTron's were the world's first mobile screens and concert screens. Big Mo was the first portable video screen andGenesisused the first portable video screens for concert tours in the mid-90's.[citation needed]

Specifications of production and design

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An LED jumbotron display aboard a pelican barge.

Originally, the JumboTron was not anLED display(light-emitting diodedisplay), sinceblue LEDswere unavailable at the time, and the only green LEDs available were of the traditional yellow-green variety, which were unsuitable for anRGBdisplay. Each display consisted of multiple modules composed of 16 or more small flood-beam CRTs (cathode ray tubes), each of which included from 2 to 16 pixels composed of red, green, and bluephosphors.Sony displayed one of the earliest versions at theExpo '85World's FairinTsukuba. Eventually, JumboTron systems adopted LED technology as blue and pure green LEDs were developed.[11]LED-based systems have about ten times the lifespan of CRT-based systems, a key reason for the change.

Genericized trademark

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AlthoughJumboTronwas aregistered trademarkowned by the Sony Corporation, Sony stopped manufacturing the devices under that name in 2001 and the wordJumbotronhas since become agenericized trademark.[5]An Illinois-based company called Watchfire Signs filed for the US trademark in February 2023.

See also

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Displays similar to the JumboTron include:

References

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  1. ^"Jumbotron - Wall Video Screens, Custom Led Signs USA".Retrieved2021-12-04.
  2. ^abcdePilon, Mary (11 November 2015)."Twilight of the Jumbotron, the biggest invention in sports".SB Nation.Vox Media.Retrieved27 September2019.
  3. ^Tailgate to Heaven: A British NFL Fan Tackles America - Adam Goldstein.p. 119.
  4. ^abManVentions: From Cruise Control to Cordless Drills - Inventions Men Can't Live Without - Bobby Mercerp. 115-116.
  5. ^Elliott, Stuart (31 August 1993)."THE MEDIA BUSINESS: ADVERTISING; Sony's Times Square Jumbotron has begun to attract advertisers".The New York Times.Retrieved27 September2019.
  6. ^abcNelson, Murry R. (2013).American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas [4 volumes]: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas.ABC-CLIO.p. 653.ISBN9780313397530.
  7. ^Rodriguez, Ken (2017-04-22)."Introduced by the Spurs, the JumboTron Marks a Sports Arena Milestone".San Antonio Report.Retrieved2022-09-09.
  8. ^Filey, Mike (1989).Like no other in the world: the story of Toronto's Skydome.Toronto: Sun Controlled Ventures. p. 112.ISBN0-919233-31-7.
  9. ^"The History — And Uncertain Future — Of The Jumbotron".wbur.org.28 November 2015.Retrieved2021-04-14.
  10. ^XP, Stellar (2024-01-20)."Jumbotron Rental For Small Business Advertising".Stellar XP.

Further reading

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  • Media related toJumbotronsat Wikimedia Commons
  • The dictionary definition ofjumbotronat Wiktionary
  • Quotations related toJumbotronat Wikiquote
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