Godzillatron

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Godzillatron during a game in the 2007-08 season, as seen from the East grandstands
Godzillatron during a game in the 2007-08 season, as seen from the East grandstands
The new scoreboard being used direct camera views, as seen from West grandstands
The new scoreboard being used direct camera views, as seen from West grandstands
Godzillatron as seen from the north end zone
Godzillatron as seen from the north end zone

"Godzillatron" is the nickname given to the scoreboard at the University of Texas at Austin's Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The official name of the board has not yet been decided; it is simply referred to as the "Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium Scoreboard" by the Texas Longhorn Athletics department. It is one of the largest high definition video screens in the world. It was manufactured by Daktronics in Brookings, South Dakota, the largest producer of large-screen video displays in the world.

At the time of its creation, Godzillatron was called the largest high-definition video screen in the world,[1][2] though it was quickly surpassed by a larger screen in Tokyo.[3][4] It is still the largest high-definition video screen in collegiate sports when considering total screen size.[5] As of 2006, the Big 12 Conference hold the three largest screens in college football by surface area, with Nebraska and Texas A&M at numbers 2 and 3 respectively. (TCF Bank Stadium, currently under construction at the University of Minnesota, when completed will have the second-largest scoreboard in college football, also a Daktronics HD video display.)[6] Godzillatron is 84% larger than the screen at Nebraska (7,370 square feet vs 4,012 square feet).[7] Depending on how the measurement is made Godzillatron may be the largest high definition screen in the Western hemisphere. The Miami Dolphins have a high-definition screen with a larger diagonal measurement, but Godzillatron has greater square footage.[8]

The scoreboard was installed as part of a US$150 million stadium renovation, $8 million of which is being spent on audiovisual improvements. The new high definition screen is the centerpiece of these improvements and it debuted at the start of the 2006 football season. [2] The screen has a pixel resolution of 2064 x 848. Previously, two scoreboards were in place, one in the south end and one in the north end. The new scoreboard replaces the one in the south end. The north end no longer features a scoreboard as it has been removed in preparation for the addition of extra seats in the 2008 expansion.

[edit] Criticism

A downside for fans is that the screen can be used to allow more obtrusive advertising to be displayed during games.[9] It has been controversial among fans because at some times a large portion (more than 50%) of the screen is being used for advertising and other non game related graphics.[10][11] This has led to some fans (including Austin American-Statesman commentator Kirk Bohls) calling the new screen "Adzillatron".[12][13] Complaints have also been made about the scoreboard being too loud and about it broadcasting advertisements to those in the stadium, even over the top of the band playing in the stadium.[11][12] In its first usage, the portion of the new screen that was typically used for showing replays and film highlights was approximately the same size as the old video screen.[10][14] More recent games have featured a 16:9 format image centered in a ring of advertisement and score/clock related information. Nevertheless, complaints continue about the advertising, with some fans shouting out "We won't shop/eat/bank there" when advertisements are played loudly in the stadium.[15]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Kilian, Ryan. "Colt McCoy silences critics as Longhorns roll over North Texas", 5 September 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-08. 
  2. ^ a b Maher, John. "That's one big Bevo of a scoreboard" (HTML), Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved on 2006-05-11. 
  3. ^ "World's Largest HDTV", Luxist. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. 
  4. ^ "Giant Video Screen Constructed at Tokyo-area horse track", Pink Tentacle. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. 
  5. ^ Daktronics. Texas Longhorns Choose Daktronics for HD Video Display at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (HTML). Daktronics. Retrieved on 2006-05-10.
  6. ^ "Minnesota Teams With Daktronics For TCF Bank Stadium Video Display Boards", University of Minnesota, March 4, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-14. 
  7. ^ "Biggest scoreboards in college football", Austin American-Statesman, August 23, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-03-29. 
  8. ^ "Longhorns to snatch "world's biggest HD display" title from Dolphins?", engadget. Retrieved on 2006-09-07. 
  9. ^ O'Keeffe, Kevin. "New scoreboard brings the “Wow!” factor to football stadium", 2006-07-01. Retrieved on 2006-07-13. 
  10. ^ a b Salinas, Andy. "New screen's ad coverage disappoints some students", The Daily Texan, 2006-09-05. 
  11. ^ a b Robbins, Kevin. "Godzillatron roars to life - Fans get first look at scoreboard to end all scoreboards, still a work in progress", Austin American-Statesman, 2006-09-03. 
  12. ^ a b Soltan, Margaret. "After its Premiere, Godzillatron Renamed By UT Fans: It's Now Adzillatron", 2006-07-03. Retrieved on 2006-07-13. 
  13. ^ Bohls, Kirk. "10 talking points for Texas-OU", Austin American-Statesman, 10 October 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-30. 
  14. ^ Blair, Alex. "Colt McCoy, Godzillatron make their career debuts on Saturday", The Daily Texan, September 6, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-07. 
  15. ^ Suzanne Haliburton. "Questions on TX-OU, petitioning NCAA for eligibility", Austin American-Statesman, 5 October 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-07. 

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