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Cisco boosts stadium WiFi, makes MLB slightly more tolerable for the internet-obsessed (video)
Anyone who's been in a packed stadium or concert venue knows better than to expect to be able to browse the web or even check email, unless of course your device happens to be compatible with a certain underutilized data-only network. A new initiative from Cisco, however, aims to bring connectivity to the over-saturated masses. The company's Connected Stadium WiFi bundles the Aironet 3500p access point, designed specifically for "high-density stadium and arena deployments," with strategically placed antennas that target fewer seats with the same amount of throughput -- likely similar to the 884-device network AT&T deployed at Cowboys Stadium for Super Bowl XLV. We hope the lighter load placed on carriers -- and already sky high ticket prices -- would help make Connected Stadium a free service, but key words like "purchasing" and "monetizeable" in the networking company's announcement make us think that some greenbacks are likely to change hands once the service launches in the real, connectivity-challenged world of overcrowded venues.
Super Bowl XLV Media Day: Packers split on iOS / Android, Cowboys CIO talks mobility
We woke up this morning in Dallas to 20 degree temperatures and a parking lot covered in ice. Not exactly the kind of weather the NFL was hoping for when it selected the new Cowboys Stadium to host Super Bowl XLV, but it didn't stop both teams and media from making their way -- however slowly -- to Arlington for Super Bowl Media Day. Naturally, the likes of ESPN were there in full force, but rather than picking apart defensive schemes and seeing who could outgun Troy Polamalu for the longest mane in North Texas, we spent our time asking about mobile OS preferences and soaking up knowledge from Cowboys CIO Pete Walsh. With a price tag well north of $1 billion on the new Cowboys Stadium, the home to the world's largest HD display is certainly one of the most technologically advanced in the world. It's packing 884 wireless access points throughout (not to mention an internal network operations center that constantly monitors activity on each one), 260 miles of fiber optic cabling, capacity to handle over 100,000 simultaneous wireless connections, over 3,100 IPTVs and micro cell towers for each major carrier within -- you know, so that kickoff video that just can't wait actually sees its way onto YouTube prior to the start of the second half. Head on past the break to catch of a video of us talking smartphone platforms with Green Bay Packers center Scott Wells, as well as a lengthy (and insightful) interview with the Chief Information Officer of the Dallas Cowboys. Everything from the Cowboys' rejection of FanVision to their hopes to blanket the stadium with gratis WiFi is covered, and we're even given a hint that contactless payments and mobile food ordering systems could be just a season or so away. %Gallery-115523%
Dan Snyder shows off Washington's new HD screens, says they're clearer than Jerry's & punter-proof
After seeing the HD scoreboards in the new Cowboys Stadium we didn't think it could get any better, but Dan Snyder would disagree. This season Washington fans can enjoy two new 100 foot long high definition scoreboards installed at either end of FedEx Field, which Snyder claims are sharper than anything you'll see down in Jerry Jones' palace despite being slightly smaller, with the added benefit of a "secure" (read: no blocked kicks) location visible to all in the stadium. We'll let the fans of these NFC East rivals duke it out over which one is better, but for more pictures, and a few from inside the control room check out the official team blog.
Cowboys Stadium 3D scoreboard experiment doesn't go so well, turned off in less than seven minutes
You know 3D has a long way to go when even Jerry Jones can't manage to sell it for longer than seven minutes: the vaunted real-time 3D scoreboard display experiment at last night's Cowboys game was turned off to loud cheers after just six minutes and fifty seconds of being active. The problem, as usual, was glasses: most of the 80,000 people in attendance didn't bother to put on the headgear required to see the 3D effect, and instead saw a blurry anaglyph image -- which they then booed. What's more, some who wore the glasses complained that the 3D effect caused nausea, although probably not as badly as the Cowboys' 20-17 loss to the Chargers. HDlogix actually has the tech to do glasses-free 3D, but it simply doesn't work when scaled up for the world's largest HD monitor -- a problem they'll have plenty of time to solve when the Cowboys fail to make the playoffs with another couple December losses.
Cowboys Stadium first to demo real time conversion of 2D HDTV video into 3D
The Cowboys might not be doing so well on the field these days, but that's not stopping Jerry Jones from constructing a gadget lover's nirvana for them to call home. The world record-holding Mitsubishi displays at the center of Cowboys Stadium will this weekend be treated to the first public demo of a new real time 3D conversion technology from HDlogix. Touted as a glasses-free autostereoscopic method, it will be demonstrated before Sunday's game against the Chargers, and used during the game on highlights and live video to give the good people of Dallas an extra dimension to their already supersized visual experience. The list of promises from HDlogix is mighty impressive, including the ability to convert to and from all the 3D standards floating around at the moment (more on that in the source PDF below), but we advise waiting until Sunday when said good people can judge for themselves. Full PR after the break. Update: We've received a quick note from the company to say that the actual feed on the Cowboys' megatron will be based on old school glasses-needy anaglyphs, since the humongous structure isn't capable of doing the more sophisticated stuff.
Dallas Cowboys HD scoreboard makes the Guinness Book of World Records
Mitsubishi, mostly seen in this space with displays for your living room, has finally got some recognition for its display that could be your living room (a subtle yet important distinction). Yes, that's right: the Guinness folks are presenting the scoreboard at Cowboys Stadium with the coveted World's Largest High-Definition Video Display award. Consisting of four Diamond Vision LED video screens (the two main displays measure 72 feet high by 160 feet wide while the end-zone displays are 29 feet high by 51 feet wide), this bad boy is suspended 90 feet above the center of the playing surface and might prove something of a "punt magnet." To celebrate, the Engadget editors are going to take another stab at the Publication With The Most Editors Sporting Beards Made Of Bees award. Huffington Post, it's on! Full PR below. Show full PR text Guinness World Records to Recognize Dallas Cowboys and Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision for World's Largest Video Display Four-Sided, High-Definition Screen Equivalent of 3,268 TVs Hangs Above Cowboys Stadium Playing Field CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mitsubishi Electric gained yet another entry in the Guinness World Records book with the recognition of its revolutionary Diamond Vision video boards at Cowboys Stadium as the World's Largest High-Definition Video Display. The official certificate presentation will take place during a pre-game ceremony on September 28, just prior to the Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers Monday Night Football game, which will be aired nationally on ESPN. The world's first four-sided, center-hung, high-definition video display in a stadium consists of four Diamond Vision® LED video screens, with the two main sideline displays measuring 72 feet high by 160 feet wide, and two Diamond Vision® end-zone displays measuring 29 feet high by 51 feet wide. Weighing 600 tons, the screens are suspended 90 feet directly over the center of the playing surface and stretch from nearly one 20-yard line to the other. With a total viewing area of 11,393 square-feet, the Diamond Vision® display is equal to 3,268 52-inch televisions, and has 10,584,064 LED lights. "This was probably the most exciting project we've ever been involved with," said Mark Foster, general manager of Mitsubishi Electric's Diamond Vision Systems. "The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most innovative teams in the NFL, and their new stadium reflects that. These scoreboards and displays are the realization of the Cowboys' commitment to their fans and the sport. We are very proud that the Cowboys organization turned to Mitsubishi Electric to deliver their vision as part of this incredible project." "We're extremely proud of our world-class Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision screen," said Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones. "We have designed everything about Cowboys Stadium to provide an unequalled experience for our fans, and this screen is the centerpiece of what we have created for them." Mitsubishi Electric has now been recognized by Guinness World Records five times for its accomplishments, and the Cowboys' board is the fourth Diamond Vision screen to be honored by Guinness. The first came in August 2003, for the World's Longest Video Display for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong which was installed in August 2003. In March 2005, GWR recognized the Diamond Vision® LED display at Turner Field in Atlanta as the World's Largest High-Definition Television Screen, and in September 2005 the Mitsubishi Electric video board at the Japan Racing Association Tokyo Racecourse was certified as the World's Largest Television Display. In 1993, Mitsubishi Electric was recognized for designing and installing the World's Fastest Elevator - capable of traveling 750 meters per minute (approximately 28 miles per hour) - at the Landmark Tower in Yokohama, Japan.
NFL to let Cowboys giant HD scoreboard stay as-is, at least for 2009
The NFL has ruled on the Dallas Cowboys punt blocking super-sized videoboard deciding to leave it where it is, 90 feet above the playing field, at least for this season. That's no surprise to us, on the last EHD Podcast we figured no one would be able to tell Jerry Jones there's a problem with his billion dollar baby, obstructed view seating and all. So far there's just the one strike in the books, but if it happens again, it is a dead ball and the clock and down will both be reset. Haven't seen the punt heard round the world yet? Check after the break for a clip of the kick that caused all the commotion, though we're still waiting for a ruling on whether or not Gears of War tournaments on the thing are still legal.
Dallas Cowboys HD scoreboard hanging too low?
It's not necessarily on the level of Yankee Stadium's jetstream, but the new Dallas Cowboys stadium has its own problems. The massive HDTV strung up over the field was hit by a punt during the first NFL game played there last night. So far, by the rules that will result in a do-over, while owner Jerry Jones says there are no plans to move the screen and he doubts anyone will hit it during the regular season. Check the video evidence embedded after the break, somehow we doubt this is the last time this happens.
Giant Cowboys Stadium LED wall caught playing Xbox 360 during downtime Update: Video!
The 72 x 160-foot LED wall at the center of the new Cowboys Stadium is certainly impressive enough when it's showing game highlights or concert footage, but no giant screen ever truly earns its credentials until it's been put to some real use: playing video games. Thankfully, Jonas Brothers video director Steve Fatone somehow pulled himself away from concert preparations to do just that earlier this week, and apparently became the first person to ever play Xbox 360 on the display in the process. As you can see above and in the gallery below, the two certainly seem to be made for each other, although it looks like the controller can get a tad touchy if you stray too far while trying to play it.Update: Our man Steve hooked us up with a video of the rig in action -- head after the break to check it out.[Thanks, Steve; photos thanks to Troy]
Dallas Cowboys record breaking 1080p display caught on video before the stadium opens
It took long enough, but we've finally got video (embedded after the break) of the giant 159 x 72-foot 1080p displays facing each sideline of the new home of the Dallas Cowboys, playing back some highlights of a game vs. the Colts. We've seen the specs and the mockups of Mitsubishi's huge DiamondVision screen, but suddenly things look very different when the camera pans down and one realizes exactly how large these displays are. Once we've confirmed the stadium isn't built by the same guys that put together the team's practice bubble, we'll be making plans to head down and catch a game. Eat that, Dolphin Stadium.[Thanks, Yaggs]