Panasonic Speeds Up Indianapolis For Fans
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
Indianapolis Motor Speedway fans now experience the raw speed of the 99th Indianapolis 500, up close and personal, courtesy of 20 newly-installed LED video boards from Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America.
Larger, brighter and smarter digital displays delivered content in real time to thousands of spectators watching the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ with the same clarity as home viewers.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway selected Panasonic to build a network of next-generation video boards throughout the infield and in front of the grandstands of the legendary 2.5-mile oval. Panasonic installed a series of networked LED displays measuring 11,540 total sq. ft., more than double the size of the previous boards. Panasonic engineers incorporated 10mm pixel count technology into many of the displays, giving those video boards the tightest pixel pitch of any display in motorsports.
“Our focus is preserving the traditions and legacies of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, while finding creative ways of using the latest technologies to create an immersive fan experience,” says Doug Boles, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Cutting edge technology, a state-of-the-art video production control room and LED digital displays improve our ability to reach more people and promote stronger involvement, enthusiasm and connectivity between the race and our fans.”
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world. Panasonic’s digital displays are significantly large, bright, have more accurate color imagery and can broadcast HD animation, 3-D graphics and video. In Turns One and Four and above Gasoline Alley, the displays are more than three and a half times the size of the previous boards. The boards above the Media Center and at the south end of the Gasoline Alley Suites are more than four times larger.
Advanced system capabilities gave programmers expanded versatility to deliver real-time content that engaged, informed and entertained fans. In addition to animation, multi-screen images, social media, replays, close-up angles and graphics, fans also received up-to-date information from hundreds of racing data points, such as speed, RPMs, tire pressure, car throttle, oil readings, lap counter and leader positions.
“One of the key aspects of this project was synchronizing all content – data, graphics and video – to produce a solution with unmatched resolution and the capacity to perform multiple functions in a seamless fashion,” says Jim Doyle, president of Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company. “We worked closely with Indianapolis Motor Speedway to design a high-end, integrated technology solution that raises the bar on the connected fan experience while giving sponsors a dynamic, interactive messaging platform to solicit consumer engagement, increase brand visibility and grow revenues.”
Panasonic Enterprise Solutions has installed some of the largest high-definition LED video boards in the world. Motorsports projects include Guinness World Record-certified ‘Big Hoss TV’ at Texas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Louden Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Sonoma Raceway.
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