HOUSTON - Beginning this fall, Toyota Center will redefine the in-arena fan viewing experience when it unveils a state-of-the-art video scoreboard which will set a new standard for indoor arenas. The new video board will be the largest indoor center-hung scoreboard in the United States, offering patrons an unprecedented view of the action at Houston Rockets home games and Toyota Center events such as the upcoming 2013 NBA All-Star Game. The new board is the centerpiece of a sweeping arena-wide improvement project that was announced today and also includes the installation of new HD flat panel screens throughout the concourses, upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity options, new concessions point-of-sale systems and other upgrades for Toyota Center patrons. The board will debut at the Rockets Nov. 3rd regular season home opener against the Portland Trailblazers.

“This is an exciting day for Toyota Center and the more than 1.3 million patrons who attend events here each year,” said Houston Rockets and Clutch City Sports & Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Tad Brown. “Mr. Alexander has always challenged us to find innovative ways of improving the fan experience, and this new scoreboard is quite simply going to be the best-in-class among indoor arenas in the country. Our fans in all locations will have the opportunity to experience Rockets games, and other events, like never before. Our new Wi-Fi data network will allow fans to stay connected and the upgraded concessions network will make ordering of food and beverage items faster and more efficient. These improvements, along with many others, will provide Toyota Center patrons with an unmatched in-arena experience for many years to come.”

The new scoreboard will be manufactured and installed by Panasonic and will feature the largest combined viewing area of any indoor center-hung scoreboard currently used in the U.S. The scoreboard will contain four large screens—two rectangular-shaped displays that will face the east and west seating areas and a pair of square-shaped screens that will face the north and south ends of the bowl. The larger boards will measure approximately 25’ high by 58’ wide. The two end panels will measure approximately 25’ high by 25’ wide. All the boards will display a full HD signal with 1080 lines of resolution. Plans also include the installation of ancillary boards in each of the four corners of the upper concourse that will be used to display additional statistics during Rockets games and other sporting events.

The new center-hung board will offer fans in all areas of Toyota Center an unmatched view of the action. The new board will provide a video image that is more than 600 percent larger than the previous scoreboard that had been used since the building’s debut in 2003. Additionally, the new board will be capable of handling limitless configurations for displaying live action, game statistical information and animations. While the previous scoreboard used a standard definition signal, the new board required a complete re-build of the arena’s scoreboard production studio facilities in order to produce the new HD content that will be used.

Other parts of the project include the installation of more than 300 all-new HD flat screen televisions in the lower and upper concourses, suites, as well as the Lexus Lounge and Woodforest Lounge. Patrons with smart phones will also have greater access to a high-speed data network, increasing their ability to stay connected while at events. Fans will also benefit from a new point-of-sale system that will make ordering concessions items faster and more efficient, new carpeting throughout the building, and new concessions menu offerings.