As a society, we are not only accustomed to experiencing excellence in technology, but we are now in a condition where we expect it. On a daily basis, we view high resolution videos with special effects and extreme sound quality. This expectation can also translate into the world of electronic sports scoreboards, where we face a few more challenges and hurdles in video displays. While we have a total environmental control when viewing a video on a pc, tablet or our smartphone, this is not the case in either an indoor or outdoor electronic scoreboard. Each venue may offer limitations and there are rules-of-thumb that can be applied for the decision as to when to add audio to scoreboard video.
If you are having audio problems in either indoor or outdoor sports arenas, you may want to get the opinion of a sound engineer. Speakers are available in different mixtures and splits and there may be some alternatives to consider.
Indoor sports venues may seem like a perfect environment and a no-brainer to add audio for the fans and sponsors. Some stadiums were constructed without any consideration to audio needs and therefore have terrible acoustics. The first thing to remember is that loud is not always better; as it can actually amplify the problem. Speakers, whether hard-wired or wireless, are basically somewhat inefficient. In an indoor environment, the sound is going to leave the speaker and, in essence ‘bounce’ off of the walls that it hits. In some cases, a sound engineer can recommend setting up a series of speakers that can offset this ‘bounce’ ability, thereby cutting the bounce off at its source. Decorative and removable wall padding may be another option, as this will allow the sound to be absorbed. Absorption will avoid reverberation or that ‘echo’ effect.
An electronic scoreboard in an outdoor arena presents an entire set of circumstances. There are variables such as weather and wind that can drastically affect any audio portion of your video. Location of the field may also create acoustic echo or even the ability of one portion of the fans to hear well, while the others can’t hear at all. The addition of non-permanent speakers to the mix, placed in exact positioning can have the same echo-cancelling effect that was mentioned above.
When there are audio challenges in video scoreboard displays, it is paramount that the team performs pre-game testing to ensure that all adjustments work properly.
If you find yourself in the situation where you have made adjustments for either indoor or outdoor scoreboard audio and they have not been sufficient, you may have to make the decision to opt out of audio all together. Audio is not a requirement, but a wonderful enhancement. If this is the case, you may also wish to choose slideshow, static advertising, which plays better without audio or have audio available only on live streaming webcast or website links. The removal of audio ability actually opens up the chance to use more creativity in you electronic scoreboard presentations, and can actually prove to be more popular.