Panasonic AW-HN40H TV Technology: Guide to Sports Production - Page 12

D.C. UNITED'S NEW AUDI FIELD MAXIMIZES FAN ENGAGEMENT 3,300-square-foot video board highlights MLS's newest soccer stadium By Mark R. Smith WASHINGTON-It's been a long time coming for D.C. United­-since the Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise's inaugural season in 1996-but the years of negotiating and the recent construction are almost over, and Washington's soccer fans are ready for its debut. The Saturday, July 14, 2018 match against the Vancouver Whitecaps will mark the opening of $500 million, 20,000-seat Audi Field, in the city's Buzzard Point area, and providing crystal clear video that evening will be the 3,306-square-foot Samsung video board atop the stadium's north end zone. Also enhancing the event will be a long ribbon board that encompasses much of the field and other video accoutrements, plus the broadcast center. NOT BIGGER BUT BETTER The debut of Audi Field also marks a step forward in video board technology, said Chris Olinger, director of sports sales with Prismview Electronics, a Samsung company. "The main screen is a true 10mm board. That's really tight and that makes it unique in soccer. "What's interesting," he added, "is the L.A. Galaxy's LED screen is larger, but it's a 16mm board. So, I believe the Audi Field board offers the tightest resolution in the MLS." Olinger also cited the stadium's other 10mm board, the 11-foot by 48-footer at the player's field entrance, at its south end; and the ribbon display that wraps around three-quarters of the venue (save the north end zone), which is typical in the D.C. United The $500 million, 20,000-seat Audi Field, home to D.C. United, is the newest stadium built for Major League Soccer. [12] GUIDE TO SPORTS PRODUCTION | MAY 2018