What Is a Jumbotron? A Guide to the Massive Video Displays

Everyone of us might have seen those colossal, vivid screens in a concert, live event, or sports event. It is much more than just giant screens. In a world where attention is the ultimate currency, these Jumbotrons enhance the fan experience and serve as an advertising powerhouse.

Although these Jumbotrons are not something new, as they are already famous like New York’s Times Square or London’s Piccadilly Circus, but what exactly makes these mega-screens so useful?

In this blog, we will be covering everything about the Jumbotron. Let’s start by understanding what a Jumbotron stands for.

Jumbotron: What is it?

A Jumbotron screen is a huge, high-definition screen which provides clear and brighter displays and is used in stadiums, concerts and other such outdoor venues. They are much larger than the normal LED displays and also have higher resolution. In simple terms, a Jumbotron is a massive TV that catches the attention of the audience.

Due to their massive size, the prefix “jumbo” has been used to describe them. The huge size and clear and bright displays (even during daylight hours) are how they grab the audience’s attention.

How did Jumbotrons come into existence? The term and concept of Jumbotron originated in the 1980s when Sony started coming up with gigantic video screens. These huge video screens were used in sporting events to improve the visual experience for the audience. The first Jumbotron was used publicly in 1985 at the World Fair organized in Japan .

Before Sony introduced this concept, Mitsubishi Electric launched its own variant, the Diamond Vision screen. It was an 875-foot video display that went on to be known as the biggest Jumbotron of all time by the Guinness World Record five times.

During those old times, Jumbotrons, as the name suggests, used to be huge and bulky screens with low-resolution, i.e., 240 x 192 pixels. However, today’s Jumbotrons are LED-based displays that are huge and yet offer high-resolution (at least 1920 x 1080-pixel) and clarity displays.

How does Jumbotron work?

The earliest Jumbotrons were based on the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) technology, the ones used in bulky TVs. However, they aren’t much functional outdoors. With technological innovations, the modern Jumbotrons today are based on the LED (Light-emitting diode) technology. This also reduced the size of Jumbotrons and made their structure slimmer.

In a modern Jumbotron, numerous LED modules, each of which has tiny LED lights, are fit together. These modules work to produce the display by varying the intensity of light.

The LED modules are assembled together into large panels, which form a single, seamless display altogether. The screen operations, right from displaying content to managing its transitions, are controlled using advanced software.

Modern Jumbotrons can receive input from various sources like live video feeds, pre-recorded content, and digital signage systems. Integrated into a network, they allow remote control for quick content updates and adjustments, such as changing sports scores or switching to a live feed, all with just a few clicks. This setup simplifies content management and troubleshooting, ensuring displays stay relevant and engaging, even in large venues.

The resolution of the screen is decided by the pixel pitch - the arrangement and density of the LED lights. The tighter the pixel pitch is, the more LEDs are present per square inch and the sharper and clearer the picture is, even from a distance.

For example, a Jumbotron with a pixel pitch of 4mm will have a higher resolution than one with an 8mm pitch, making it ideal for scenarios where viewers are closer to the screen.

Use cases of Jumbotrons

Jumbotrons are commonly used in large venues such as sports arenas, concerts, city centers, and public events. Here’s how they play a role in these settings:

1. Sports Arenas

Jumbotrons are a popular way to broadcast live action during games, ensuring every fan has a clear view, no matter where they’re seated. They also show instant replays, real-time scores, and fan cams, keeping the excitement going throughout the event.

2. Concerts

For fans seated far from the stage, Jumbotrons provide close-up views of performers, giving everyone the feeling of being up close. They also enhance the visual experience by displaying graphics, animations, and live feeds, along with behind-the-scenes footage or fan interactions.

3. City Centers

In urban areas, Jumbotrons are valuable DOOH advertising platforms, promoting local businesses, global brands, and events. They also broadcast important public information, like weather updates, traffic alerts, or emergency notifications, reaching both locals and tourists.

4. Public Events

At festivals, parades, or rallies, Jumbotrons are essential for displaying schedules, event maps, and announcements. They ensure critical updates, such as schedule changes or emergency alerts, are quickly communicated to everyone attending.

Benefits of Jumbotron

Jumbotrons aren’t just large; they are versatile and practical. Here are a few more reasons on why jumbotrons are useful.

• High Visibility: Jumbotrons are designed to provide high visibility from a distance. It has a bright, vivid screen that can display clear content under various lighting conditions, even in broad daylight. Due to its larger size, it provides a high viewing angle to people spread across a larger area.

• Flexible Content: Jumbotrons offer the flexibility to display various types of content such as video, image, graphics, and live feeds in shows and events. It can simultaneously display live streaming events, with sponsored ads, and other information.

• Real-Time Updates: Jumbotrons offer the flexibility of real-time updates and instant content changes. Organizers of concerts and live events can use Jumbotron displays to frequently update information like scores, guest details, or switching promotion information.

• Economic Advantage: Given its large size and visibility, Jumbotrons is a suitable advertising platform. Through these big displays, brands can display promotional content, brand collaboration, and product advertising throughout the event. Additionally, it eliminates the need for printed materials, like banners, posters, and flyers, ultimately saving a lot.

• Enhance events and audience engagement: Jumbotrons have the advantage of capturing the attention of a large group of people during an event. In events with large populations, it is hard for everyone to get a close and clearer view of the event.

They can check the Jumbotrons to witness the moment regardless of their position and seat. For instance, in sports matches, they can watch the moments closely and even get the chance to check scores and replays. It provides them with all the information updates live with the experience of being part of the crowd of the event.

Renting vs. Buying a Jumbotron

Deciding whether to rent or buy depends on your needs:

Renting

Renting Jumbotrons is suitable for short-term events (sports events, festivals, concerts). Renting is affordable when you don’t want to buy it but rather use it for a few days. You can have access to the newest technology, and you don’t have to spend heavily on it, as there is flexibility in selecting a Jumbotron renting provider.

However, there are two things you need to consider: You will have limited control over customization as it’s entirely adhered to by the rental company. Additionally, it may cost you more over time, as the cost of multiple rentals over time could exceed the cost of buying one outright.

Buying

Buying a Jumbotron is the best option for those who regularly need it. Purchases may come with a big upfront investment, but in the long term, they will save money and help avoid repeated renting costs. Additionally, you can cover the buying investment of your Jumbotron, as it will open the gateway for advertisement, sponsorship opportunities, and renting opportunities.

When you own the Jumbotron, you have full control and customization over it. Owning a Jumbotron offers you assets that have a resale value. While the Jumbotron is a depreciating asset, selling your old or outdated model can still provide valuable financial support when you are ready to upgrade to newer technology.

Choosing the right Jumbotron

Consider these factors when selecting a Jumbotron:

1. Size: The size of the Jumbotron should be proportionate to your venue and audience size. A too-small one might not be visible to everyone, and an oversized one will make it unnecessarily costly.

2. Resolution: A higher resolution provides a sharper, more detailed image of the content. High-resolution Jumbotron is essential if your audience is close to the screen or you are planning to display intricate graphics or content.

3. Brightness: Brightness is a key factor as it needs to be clearer even in outdoor events or venues with strong ambient light.

4. Content Needs: According to your content needs, you can select screens with necessary screen specifications, such as refresh rates for smooth video playback or color accuracy for vibrant graphics.

Choosing the right Jumbotron for your business is essential for its overall success. It is important that the quality of the Jumbotrons from the supplier aligns with your expectations. Look for suppliers who provide full support, such as setup, maintenance, and technical help. Make sure they offer customization options to meet your specific needs and have a clear pricing structure that covers delivery, setup, and any extra services or equipment.To effectively manage and control the content on your Jumbotrons, software support is essential. Without it, handling your displays would be impossible.

One of the most popular choices for this purpose is Pickcel. It is easy to set up and manage, and you can even control everything from your mobile device.

Famous Jumbotrons around the world

Some Jumbotrons are almost as famous as their locations:

• Times Square, New York City: Time Square, also known as “The Crossroads of the world,” is the hub of entertainment, advertisement and promotion. As one of the busiest pedestrians, Times Square runs content 24/7 for more than 50 million annual visitors that pass through it.

• Piccadilly Circus, London: Piccadilly Circus is a central hub for both tourists and locals, surrounded by historic buildings, theatres, and shops. As a symbol of London’s commercial prowess, it features a massive LED screen, recently upgraded to 783.5 square meters—the largest advertising display in Europe . This iconic screen allows six non-competing brands to showcase their content, further enhancing its status as a prime advertising location.

• Tokyo Dome, Tokyo: Tokyo Dome, located in Tokyo Dome City, is a multi-purpose stadium renowned for hosting various events such as professional sports games, concerts, and exhibitions. One of its standout features is a massive screen measuring 125.6 meters in length , making it one of the largest sports venues worldwide. This Jumbotron showcases real-time statistics, player highlights, and promotional content, enhancing the overall experience for attendees.

Summing Up

Jumbotrons have become a vital part of large events and public displays, gaining popularity in venues worldwide. From the 160-foot-wide screen at Texas’s AT&T Stadium to the massive one at Rogers Centre in Toronto, these giant displays are built to engage thousands of spectators at once.

Whether your goal is to entertain, inform, or advertise, Jumbotrons provide an effective way to reach large audiences. Renting or buying one ensures that you capture attention and create memorable experiences. You won’t regret it! If you’re also in need of Jumbotron management software, be sure to try Pickcel.