Verizon Center shows off "first true indoor HD LED scoreboard"

We don't know if it's really the world's "first true indoor high-definition LED scoreboard" or not, but even if it's a close second, the quartet of new screens at the Verizon Center are getting pretty glowing early reviews. Mitsubishi Electric and ANC Sports Enterprises teamed up to install the four center-hung, 25-foot by 14-foot Diamond Vision systems at the home of the Washington Capitals, along with over 1,000 linear feet of LED fascia to display scrolling info. At only 1,280 by 736 pixels, none of these screens is going to make the most out of your favorite Blu-ray flick, but they do make the arena a perfect venue for your next LAN party.

[Photo courtesy of Flickr member Jessfir]

[dcpmark @ Sep 28th 2007 8:57AM]

Great. Glad to see Verizon is concentrating their HD upgrade efforts to scorerboards rather than the HD lineup for FIOS. Now that DirecTV has 28 available and 27 announced HD channels to the 19 and 1 of FIOS, how about giving your PAYING customers some more HD love??

[leonwestbrook @ Sep 28th 2007 4:02PM]

Umm. Verizon is just the naming rights sponsor of the building. Verizon has no control over what goes on in the building.

[dcpmark @ Sep 28th 2007 8:08PM]

Oops.......that's what I get for reading the acticle at 5:57 am PST without caffeine in my system.

[Justin @ Sep 28th 2007 9:09AM]

It's a really nice scoreboard. I was lucky enough to see it on the 25th during the Capitals first pre-season home game. The new scoreboard, the new uniforms, and the fact that they won makes me thing it's going to be a good season.

[Adam @ Sep 28th 2007 9:40AM]

Now if only the capitals didn't suck...;)

[Brodie @ Sep 28th 2007 10:01AM]

The TD Banknorth Garden in Boston has one of these bad larrys installed. Theyre pretty impressive. I dont know what the resolution is of those particular screens, but I'm sure its pretty similar. Why is it that the bad teams are getting the best scoreboards? At this rate the Phoenix Coyotes are going to 1-up us all and put a 1080p version of this thing in their arena.

[Raimon @ Sep 28th 2007 10:10AM]

Leds are the future, we will see more developments in few month.
Users can replace the halogen 50w for 9w leds ones.

Ecology and economy in the same place.

You can buy leds in http://www.e-ponts.net/leds

[Paul Nicholson @ Sep 28th 2007 10:48AM]

Yeah...that's a nice sign and all...but i'll take the new one in Nashville over that tiny one any day. Not sure the resolution specs, but having stood under it, i'd guess its better than 1280x768. It's at least that good and boasts a slew of additional hi-res screens on the top, bottom, and sides to boot.

Pics here
Video here

Oh - and it's not the first by a long shot. Chicago had one similar to what Nashville just got a long time ago (though slightly smaller) and several other arenas have had hi-res screens for a while (Edmonton's is particularly nice i believe)

[Chupacabra @ Sep 28th 2007 11:30AM]

Sweet! I can't wait to see it later this season. The Caps are going for the Cup this season!

[DJEJ @ Sep 28th 2007 11:42AM]

Reading Is Cool

[Josh @ Sep 28th 2007 11:34PM]

...the more you know.

[Greg @ Sep 28th 2007 11:59AM]

25'x14' eh? still doesn't match up the Bobcats Arena's board at 28'x16'

Course, the way the Bobcats play sometimes, it's the best thing in the Arena

[XM RULES @ Sep 28th 2007 12:26PM]

I attended the first Caps' game at the Verizon Center (then, the MCI center). While we loved the arena, we all commented on the lousy screens. Good to see that they FINALLY have stepped up. I hope Dan Snyder gets a clue for FedEx field!

(I was also at the first Caps game EVER and still have my ticket stubs...$8.50/ticket for center ice seats...damn, I'm old)

[palehorse @ Sep 28th 2007 2:57PM]

C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!

[DarkAardvark @ Sep 28th 2007 3:26PM]

ill have to check it out in a couple weeks =D

[Dan @ Sep 28th 2007 11:12PM]

Ovy in high-def. Nice!

[martin @ Sep 29th 2007 2:25PM]

Sweet! This means that the Wizards will also use this nice screen once their season starts. The old screen was horrible.