Nevco Video Displays 101: Essential FAQs When Investing in a Video Display
Adding a video display to your game offers plenty of exciting new elements and features and opens up a world of new opportunities. Imagine player profiles or highlights flashing across the screen to introduce your starting lineup or graphics that showcase key game moments to inspire the crowd and ramp up the home atmosphere. From promoting your programs and players to elevating fan enthusiasm and interaction, driving sponsorship revenue and more, it brings an unlimited amount of potential to your game-day atmosphere.
If you’re thinking about investing in a video solution for your school, you might have some questions about what it all entails. Our Nevco Sports Video Team is here to help by answering common questions and sharing the latest trends in new display installations. Whether you’re replacing an old display or adding a video solution for the first time, here are a few key points to help you get started.
Q: How is the video display ran or operated?
A: If the display is indoors it is almost always a laptop computer, and desktop computer in an outdoor setting. This is most often the case unless there are multiple operating locations outdoors, or if your school hasa crow’s nest or some other kind of unique setup indoors.
Q: What are the benefits of having a scoreboard versus all-virtual video?
A: The main value add to a scoreboard is for all the lower-level events at the facility. This could range from practices to youth games, junior varsity games, and more. A lot of times, schools or organizations won’t have the manpower to run the video for these lower-level games or may not trust these groups with the video equipment. The ability to have time and score present without turning the video on is a big appeal and often the biggest regret for those that decide to go all-virtual. If you also consider the usage of time at your venue, 85% of it is used for practices- not games. Not every coach wants the added steps of turning on a video to operate virtual scoring if they can help it- they want it simple and easy.
Q: Can I re-use the same structure for a video board that I currently have for my standard outdoor scoreboard?
A: There are instances where you can re-use your structure depending on the size of it, depth of piers and the size of the new video display. In all cases, our engineering department is involved in ensuring the structure is adequate and meets all requirements for the safety of the equipment and most importantly, the students.
Q: How can I determine the best location for my video display?
A: This varies from venue to venue with a number of factors including space and the structure you have in place. To put it in the simplest of terms, you should always choose the best possible viewing angle for your home fans.
Q: How much power will I need for a video display compared to what I currently have for my standard scoreboard?
A: There is a significant difference in the amount of power required for a standard scoreboard and video board. A video board’s power depends on a number of factors- indoor versus outdoor, its size and more. In all instances, you should require a video company to provide you with preliminary power, so you don’t get hit with a hidden cost.
Q: Is the system completely wireless or do we need wiring?
A: In both indoor and outdoor displays, due to the amount of data transition, it is highly recommended to have fiber or CAT-6 communication integration between the point of use and video.
Q: Can I have someone run the display from the field with a laptop and have the rack somewhere else inside a building if there is no press box or existing structure at the field?
A: We have many instances of outdoor displays where we are able to run video from a laptop or other device without the need of a press box. On indoor displays, the system can be set up to run the video from multiple locations based on your need.
Q: Is there any training provided to set up and operate my display?
A: Nevco provides onsite training with a certified technician to train all staff that would like to attend.
Q: If we do virtual scoring on the video display(s), is that any different than operating a scoreboard? How many people will we need on game-day to run everything?
A: The scoring portion will not change in terms of operating- everything still runs off Nevco’s console MPCW-7 Control. You will need an additional person from their existing setup to run the video, but some people are equipped enough to run the video laptop in addition to other duties depending on how much content they’re pushing.
Q: We use the field for multiple sports. Can I change the appearance of the video display to make it look like a different scoreboard for each of these sports?
A: Yes, scoring templates can be set up on each individual sport or each individual function like a graduation or movie night. The number one benefit of a video board is its versatility. They can be used in any aspect you desire.
Q: What kind of software do I need to run the display?
A: With every Nevco display, software is included at no extra charge to the customer. There are also no additional charges after the purchase so the customer will never have to pay licensing fees.
Q: What kind of graphics do I have access to for my display?
A: All Nevco displays are pre-loaded with sports-specific graphics, along with generics such as ‘Get Loud’ and the American or Canadian flag for example. We also offer custom graphic credits with each video purchase to allow customers to work with our team on creating custom graphics that coincide with their school or organizational branding.
Q: What do I do when my graphics hours are up, and I need more content?
A: There is always more available and we will provide any assistance needed to get your display up to speed.
Q: How many hours can I typically expect my display to last for its lifetime?
A: The typical lifespan of an LED display is 100,000 hours of burn time. This can vary based on weather and the colors that are predominantly used. For example, the color white burns “hotter” than say a darker red or purple. Overall, a period of 100,000 hours is a good timeline to use.
Q: What is the warranty on your video displays and where are your service technicians located if I need someone on site quickly?
A: The warranty varies from five to 12 years depending on the needs of the customer. Most video service-related issues can be fixed remotely, and our service department is readily available at all times. If a technician is needed to come on site, we have a nationwide contract with technicians that are readily available to fix any service needs.
Q: Can you recommend common resolutions and configurations you’ve seen at a facility like mine?
As the resolutions continue to get sharper and provide clearer picture, the high school and collegiate markets are starting to see 5mm and 3.9mm displays become standard indoors along with 2-sided center-hung displays compared to a traditional four-sided jumbotron or wall-mounted display. When it comes to outdoor displays, 16mm is still fairly common but resolutions of 10mm or better are seeing more interest.
Another popular trend is integrating your display with other scoring technologies to create a complete game-day atmosphere. Adding equipment such as audio systems, LED Scorers Tables and more is a great way to elevate the experience for your athletic programs and fans and allows you to not worry about having to make additional upgrades at a later time. You can view Nevco’s entire lineup of scoring products and accessories HERE.
These questions and answers are intended to be a helpful resource that provides more insight into the process of purchasing, installing and running a video display. Our sports video team is ready to answer any additional questions you have and guide you through the process of getting a video solution at your facility! You can learn more about Nevco’s video displays HERE.
If you’re ready to start the conversation about making a video display part of your game-day experience, contact your local scoring and display consultant at 1.800.851.4040 or visit https://nevco.com/contact/.