Soviet era technology, the W.L.A, and Michigan Stadium…

Submitted by doxa on
Is it just me… The audio and video equipment at Michigan Stadium seems to have been left in the pre-HD era…Why is this? I took a trip to the Texas vs. Oklahoma game this year and spent four hours at the world’s largest trailer (Cotton Bowl) with one of the best “jumbotrons” I had ever seen. [So, was this game a waste of my time since the “regular season” games don’t matter anymore? As I recall Texas did win this game!] Next, I took a trip over to Tuscaloosa to see Nick Satan and Alabama. They have a top notch stadium with three HD video boards and an impeccable sound system. Texas takes the top prize with its Godzilla inspired video board down in Austin. If you look close enough at pictures of Michigan’s video boards you can see the rabbit ears sticking out of the top right corners! With all the construction going on why not replace both endzone boards with a solid HD video screen? The area is wide open beneath for concrete pillars to support the structure and it would provide Michigan with a fantastic game time experience. Take a look around the college football world: Texas “Jumbotron”: http://www.bustercollings.com/images/DKR-JumboTron/Texas-Longhorns-Jumb… http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/00/86/10/image_4710860.jpg Cotton Bowl: http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/12843/cotton_bowl1_medium.JPG Alabama: http://www.secfootball.itgo.com/bryantdenny.jpg Auburn: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2372/1882840901_7563a9bc9e.jpg?v=0 Michigan: [Half of it is a fixed template for time and score!!!] http://www.stevendkrause.com/life/bighouse03.jpg Am I asking too much for a decent replay and the ability to see the game without watching pixels tackle each other on the video board? Someone call the W.L.A and tell them their Soviet era technology needs to go! It’s time the revolution transitions to HD. [And I don't want to hear it's because we play in the cold/snow/north]
W.L.A. Michigan Stadium
Soviet era

Comments

bsb2002

December 2nd, 2008 at 5:46 PM ^

lights, could take or leave them food, i dont eat at the games, so don't care toilets, please! merchandise sales, whatever standing, in favor of chair backs - no sky boxes! - fine as long as i dont have to sit in them (which i think we can work out) any other questions?

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 512

CPS

December 2nd, 2008 at 7:01 PM ^

Just keep your eyes looking straight ahead. If the troughs are set up to be used on either side, use a staggered formation so that you are never directly across from someone else. In the event that the staggered formation does not work due to too many people, look directly at the other person's left shoulder. Under no circumstance should you ever make eye contact.

Joined: 10/20/2008

MGoPoints: -405

Hard Gay

December 2nd, 2008 at 5:47 PM ^

While they are nice, there are many more things I would much rather have. I actually don't have a problem with our current jumbotrons, especially after seeing what they have at PSU, OSU, and ND. Notre Dame Stadium doesn't even have jumbotrons. Couldn't see shit in that shitty shithole.

Joined: 10/01/2008

MGoPoints: 1421

wingedG

December 2nd, 2008 at 6:00 PM ^

whos gonna pay for it? michigan stadium is known for not selling out and having advertisment around. if you put up an expensive jumbotron youll need sponsers for it. which wont happen. Michigan will always try to stay as close to its roots and not try to look like an nfl stadium.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 10

doxa

December 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 PM ^

The same way you pay for a 250 million dollar expansion…Name it after someone! “The Jack Roth Video Board” = 5 Million Dollar donation! [TEXAS]-The scoreboard was installed as part of a 150 million stadium renovations, $8 million of which is being spent on audiovisual improvements. The new high definition screen is the centerpiece of these improvements and it debuted at the start of the 2006 football season. The screen has a pixel resolution of 2064 x 848. I’m not asking for a Godzillatron…I simply want to see an HD re-play! Problem solved. Next…

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 64

Ninja Football

December 2nd, 2008 at 6:52 PM ^

I'm sorry kind sir, but you are mistaken in your assumption that the soldiers of the WLA prefer old, outdated technology. I have to wonder how you came to your conclusion, as the purpose of our Revolution is to fight against old, outdated modalities. Rest assured, we are currently in negotiations with Bill Martin to sponsor a much newer Jumbotron shaped, appropriately, like a unicorn. Next on the agenda: The sale of Zima at the concession stands, and the right to legally shiv anyone who boos the players.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 342

Enjoy Life

December 2nd, 2008 at 6:57 PM ^

NOOOOOOOOOO, I go to games to experience the game. I absolutely hate nd stadium, spartan stadium, osu, the rose bowl, et al. They have jumbo trons that spew advertisements and loud obnoxious music, or fake lion roars. Drowning out the band which never plays. Stats on the game -- nope none available. Often one big jumbo tron that a lot of folks can't even see. This SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS!!! If you're too lazy to actually watch the field, stay at home and watch it on your HD TV.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 2658

Jill

December 2nd, 2008 at 7:20 PM ^

Enjoy Life said: "They have jumbo trons that spew advertisements and loud obnoxious music, or fake lion roars. Drowning out the band which never plays." Do the jumbotrons come preloaded with this stuff, or can you order them just for the enhanced HD replay viewing? I mean, if you HAVE to play the fake lion roars . . . well, that just wouldn't do. We are WOLVERINES!

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 181

Enjoy Life

December 2nd, 2008 at 11:01 PM ^

Does anal-retentive have a hyphen?? Obviously I could have written a much longer post to distinguish each and every stadium and it's shortcomings. That was (obviously) not my point. And, the jumbotron does not have to come with the obnoxious music and really obnoxious ads, but virtually all do (I have not been to every stadium, so if anyone knows of a stadium with all the new tech and no ads and no loud music, let me know). I can see the current video perfectly well on the current screens. I'm an old fart (season tickets over 50 years). You young whippersnappers must need to buy some glasses. A fake Wolverine growl would also just flat out suck.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 2658

doxa

December 2nd, 2008 at 8:07 PM ^

So I take it the inflatable wolverine whose mouth we run out of while it spews white smoke is out of the question for next year? ;-) Look. I’m not asking for a Godzillatron with advertisements and a bunch of gimmicks…I simply think the largest stadium in the nation shouldn’t have two dinky TV’s from the leave it to beaver era…When did Michigan Stadium become the poster child for the progressive Amish in America society?

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 64

jfs52

December 3rd, 2008 at 10:46 AM ^

just some background on our "dinky tv's" -as far as michigan goes, those boards are pretty new- you obviously didn't attend any games before 1998 (i think it was 98). anybody remember the awesome black rectangular boxes? they didn't take those out that long ago, and i was shocked they did. i'm still thrilled with what we have to be honest...see this 98 michigan daily article http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/nse98/news/news2.html i get your point about the tech, but i also understand people's fear about the game becoming an "experience" rather than a game. i am kind of in agreement with them that if we make stupid gitchy crap possible then stupid gitchy crap will happen. if they started to make wolverine sounds when we make a first down like the crap they do at northwestern and penn state i will tear my diploma into little pieces and mail it back to the universtity (dagnabbit). some old photos: http://www.umich.edu/stadium/history/

Joined: 08/07/2008

MGoPoints: 6

UofM Snowboarder

December 3rd, 2008 at 10:45 AM ^

The only time I really watch the screens is for under review plays(which they only do a few times a game) or when I can't see the band very well during halftime. Why they hell are you watching the screens? You are AT the game. If you wanted to watch the game on a screen, why didn't you just stay home? The one thing that you could new with new/bigger screens is tilt them downward to reflect more sound, other than that, I see no reason.

Joined: 08/22/2008

MGoPoints: 957