What Is A Jumbotron TV?

Have you ever been to a sports game at a big stadium? There you would likely have come across a large-screen TV offering up incredible displays of the game - including instant replays, close-ups and player profile. To put it simply, a Jumbotron is a big - very big - television display. The original technology was developed in the early 1980s by Mitsubishi Electric and Sony, and debuted at the 1985 World's Fair in Tokyo under the trademarked name, JumboTron. However, the word ‘jumbotron’ has become the generic term for these big displays. While Sony has since ceased selling these screens (back in 2001), they are still prolific across the industry.

If you’re wondering how big a jumbotron is…the largest one in use was located at SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) in Toronto, Ontario, and was 10 metres tall and 33.5 metres wide. These screens aren’t light, either. The SkyDome jumbotron weighs 22,000 kilograms, so you can imagine the installation costs involved. When it comes to how much a jumbotron costs, prices have changed significantly over the years. This one back then was around US$17 million. However, costs have come down considerably today to make these screens much more affordable. A screen the same size today would only cost $3 million, using improved technology.

How Does A Jumbtron TV Work?

Similar to other types of digital displays, a jumbotron uses the same technology, taking the video signal and converting into points of light. It just achieves this on a much larger scale. The main difference is, it needs to be visible in direct sunlight. Many jumbotrons are placed in outdoor settings where large crowds gather, such as stadiums or in Times Square in New York for New Year’s Eve celebrations. In order to achieve this, they use light emitting diodes (LEDs) to create the image. It’s the same technology used in traffic lights to ensure they’re visible.

If you’re hosting a large-scale event, where a number of attendees will be unable to see the stage, field, or speaker, a jumbotron is the ideal digital screen solution.

Of course, due to their significant size, installation is an involved process. An engineer can take a look at the site and determine the correct electrical circuits, fiber networks, staff and equipment required for the job.

Why use a Jumbotron TV?

Jumbotron for Sports

The most well-known use for a jumbotron is in a sports stadium. With many sporting events selling out, some attendees are left with nose-bleed seats, unable to properly see the action on the field. A jumbotron bridges this gap, offering instant replay of important moments, so all attendees get a close-up view of events. They can also be used to share player profiles with the stadium and highlight advertisers, bringing more revenue into the grounds.

Mini Jumbotrons

A mini jumbotron is exactly what the name suggests: it’s simply a miniature version of a jumbotron that has been scaled down to fit a space. You can bring that sports’ game excitement into your home, providing the perfect addition to your game’s room, living room, or the man cave. They also work well in bars, where spectators often come to watch a game with mates, replicating that game-feel, without the overwhelming size.

Jumbotron TV for Event Industry

There are so many different ways jumbotrons can be used in the event industry. They are useful at concerts, to offer close-ups of the band/singer, providing even better views of what’s happening on stage. The same applies for big conferences or events with keynote speakers, to ensure all guests are able to see and hear what is being said.

Jumbotron TV for Bars

Looking to replicate that game feel in a bar? A mini jumbotron is a cost-effective digital screen solution that can be scaled down to fit any space. It brings the game-day vibes into any space, mimicking the look and feel of actually being in the stadium.

Jumbotron TV for Wayfinding

At big events, jumbotrons also act as great wayfinding resources. They can share messages with large crowds, including what gates they should be heading to, how to find transportation, what wait times are like and more. Due to the large-scale nature of the screen, it’s one of the easiest ways to get a wide-spread message out to the masses.

How Jumbotrons can help your business

Whether you’re looking to host a large-scale office event, offer up wayfinding solutions, or adopt smaller jumbotron screens at a bar or restaurant, they offer a great solution for your business. Their LED technology means they can be deployed in almost any situation. Enplug offers a comprehensive LED signage system that is bright and unmissable, and passersby won’t be able to ignore.

While the size of a Jumbotron offers a significant advantage in getting your business message across, without the ability to update and change this in real time, its effectiveness decreases significantly. This is where Enplug’s superior technology comes into play. You can take control of your Enterprise Communications at any scale. Control thousands of digital screens at the same time, monitor content and users across different accounts, and employ software that can scale with your business in time. You can update your jumbotron screen in real-time with just the click of a button, ensuring the right message reaches the right people at the right time.

Ready for a trial with Enplug to incorporate a Jumbotron into your business?

If you’re ready to see your business scale to new heights, then it’s time to get in contact with our expert team at Enplug. We’ll help you work out the best solution for your business to see it operating seamlessly while reaching more customers than ever before. Take a look at just how well our software integrates with Jumbotron screens, ensuring your message is seen. With technology constantly changing, it helps to stay ahead of the game and give your business the boost it deserves. We’re on hand to make that happen.