Tampa Bay Lightning Chairman and Governor Jeff Vinik is privately funding a revolutionary, $5 million high definition (HD), center-hung video display system that will be installed into the Tampa Bay Times Forum before the start of the 2012-13 Lightning regular season. The system, developed by renowned industry-leader, Daktronics, will feature the largest high definition center-hung video displays in any U.S. or Canadian arena. It will include a state-of-the-art control room, and allow for a true high definition signal with 1,296 lines of resolution.

“After completing the transformation of the Tampa Bay Times Forum this past season, we recognized the need to hang an appropriate state-of-the-art video board in the arena,” said Steve Griggs, Chief Operating Officer of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Storm and Tampa Bay Times Forum. “Like many other new elements in the Times Forum, the board will be recognized nationally for its innovation, quality and fan-friendliness. It promises to be among the best in North America and allows us to further enhance the in-arena presentation for all of our events.”

The new suspended video display system will include four large video displays using the latest Daktronics video technology in a rectangular configuration. The two largest displays will measure approximately 28 feet high by 50 feet wide. With 1,296 lines of resolution, the largest two displays will present live and recorded video in true high definition, with the capability to show multiple zones of content, creating a digital canvas on which to present video, animation, graphics, scores and statistics in unlimited layouts.

The two “smaller” suspended displays will be positioned at the ends of the larger displays, creating incredible viewing for all fans in the venue. Dimensions of these displays are approximately 28 feet high by 20 feet wide, tapered at the bottom. By comparison, the arena’s current video board measures 16 feet high by 28 feet wide on all four sides. The new board will offer four times as much display space on the sidelines as the old board and two times as much display space on the end zones.

Each of the four Daktronics video displays will utilize the latest surface mount light emitting diode (LED) display technology. When combined with Daktronics’ world class video processing capabilities, the displays will present imagery in 144 quadrillion shades of color. Nearly six million individual light emitting diodes will populate the two larger screens, tightly spaced together on 6mm (.24”) center to center pixel spacing (pixel pitch is also 6 mm on the end displays). The Daktronics technology also boasts industry leading contrast ratios and super wide viewing angles.

“We appreciate the trust and confidence the Lightning have put in the Daktronics team to deliver this incredible, one of a kind system that will certainly ‘wow’ their fans for many years to come,” said Daktronics Regional Sales Manager Brent Stevens. “It’s another large investment and significant upgrade the ownership has made to the venue to make the game day experience the very best it can be.”

In late 2011, Daktronics added 14 digital LED ribbon boards inside the seating bowl along with a 360 degree ribbon board in the arena bowl and a digital dasherboard at ice level. These displays will be integrated with the new center-hung displays to provide a true super system controlled with Daktronics industry leading control system.