Madison Square Garden – New York’s iconic indoor arena – has unveiled its new state-of-the-art centre-hung multi-media display. The display serves as the centrepiece of The Garden’s brand-new LED video display system, known as GardenVision, which debuted last Friday, October 25, as part of the third and final phase of The Garden’s unprecedented, USD 1 Billion three-year transformation.
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This Daktronics system includes more than 20 individually produced LED displays and provides attending fans with an enhanced visual experience.
Hank Ratner, president and CEO, The Madison Square Garden Company said, “With the completion of our historic Madison Square Garden transformation, ‘the world’s most famous arena’ has also now become the world’s most state-of-the-art arena, ensuring that we continue our tradition of providing fans with the very best experience possible when they attend an event at The Garden.
“Among the many new technological advancements in the arena is our new one-of-a-kind GardenVision system, featuring the industry’s most dynamic multi-media display with a unique circular design and stunning image clarity, guaranteeing fans all around the arena will get to experience the magic and excitement of The Garden up-close and in high-definition (HD).”
The new multi-media display consists of 24 individual HD LED displays, which are curved to mirror the circular design of the Garden, to provide maximum visibility to all seating positions. The scoreboard is one of only two structures – in all of sports – with LED displays on the inside-bottom, for those seated in the lower sections.
The main video displays are capable of showing one large image all the way around the board to highlight live video and instant replays, and can be divided into separate screens, to show a variety of vivid graphics, colourful animations, up-to-the-minutes statistics, scoring information and promotional videos. The centre-hung video displays will have a unique all-black LED package, providing maximum image clarity and contrast.
Jay Parker, vice president of Daktronics Live Events, explains, “Madison Square Garden wanted the very best and we’re proud to deliver that to them. The curvature of the main video displays offers Madison Square Garden something that’s never really been done before in this type of application. It’s very unique and fitting for this venue. The underside displays serve as additional space for any form of content and really exemplify how different this display system is from every other venue in the United States.”
“The flexibility and content options present endless possibilities for this versatile set up. This project has been a great undertaking and it was a joy to work with such great people at Madison Square Garden, we are excited to see everything fired up and running for their first event.”
The four main video displays measure 4.8 metres tall by 8.5 metres wide. Directly above those displays are four auxiliary video displays measuring two metres by 8.8 metres wide.
The corners of GardenVision contain four curved displays matching the height of the main video displays and four more curved displays matching the height of the auxiliary displays to create a full circular video board.
The inside-bottom screens will provide up-to-the-minute statistics, game information, as well as replays.
The top of GardenVision contains an ID ring consisting of a backlit LED panel that is more than half a metre tall and circles the entire top of the structure.
In addition, internal structural accommodations in GardenVision for Wi-Fi, IT and broadcast equipment will improve Wi-Fi coverage throughout the Arena, provide new and compelling camera angles for MSG Network and is set up for future technological advances. The board can be lowered and expanded for different events.
The Garden’s centre-hung multi-media display serves as the centrepiece of the GardenVision system, which extends throughout the arena and includes:
- Three LED displays on both the north and south end of the new Chase Bridges, which feature a combination of video and game statistics.
- Four long, curved LED ribbon displays on two different levels of the seating bowl.
- For basketball games, on the sidelines there will be seven sections of LED scorer’s table displays, which can be connected to showcase additional up-to-the-minute statistics, marketing partners and promote upcoming events.
October 25th marked the conclusion of The Garden’s third and final phase of its top-to-bottom transformation. Other debuting elements included a transformed Chase Square 7th Avenue entrance that is nearly double in size and features a retail store, a brand new box office, a broadcast location, and a specific area dedicated to ‘The Garden of Dreams Foundation,’ the non-profit organisation that works closely with MSG to help children facing obstacles. Also new are two spectacular Chase Bridges that deliver one-of-a-kind views of the action; a new EIGHTEEN/76 Balcony (10th floor) offering a selection of new food and beverage options and unique seating lounges with direct views into the arena bowl; a new Signature Suite Level (9th floor) featuring 18 completely transformed suites and the restoration of The Garden’s world-famous ceiling.
The historic transformation of Madison Square Garden provides fans with an upgraded experience and enhanced amenities from the first row to the last. From the expanded concourses and first-class food and beverage options, to the larger, more comfortable seats and enhanced sightlines, to the special exhibits celebrating The Garden’s unrivalled history, the new state-of-the-art arena reinforces the building’s position as ‘the world’s most famous arena.’