New Sharks Season

Just like the season before, my friend Chris and I got a 10-game plan again for the Sharks 2007/2008 season. Dan and Jan are also in this year and we went to the first regular season game on Saturday (we already went to a pre-season game as part of our plan but pre-season does not really count). They beat the Nashville Predators 3-0 and it was fairly entertaining. One of the really cool things this season though is the new scoreboard. Apparently, the Sharks replaced the entire video and sound system and is one of the sweetest system I have ever seen. Clarity is fantastic, you almost end up watching the game on the display instead of looking down on the ice. Compared to last season it's like switching from an old black and white TV to a new HD flat screen. Very cool.

For the geeks among you, here are the details of the improvement (which cost ~16.5 million according to the San Jose Mercury News):

DETAILS OF IMPROVEMENTS

Center Hung Scoreboard
HP Pavilion plans to install a new high-resolution LED scoreboard. This new technology provides a clearer and brighter image than what currently exists. The existing video display is nine-feet by 12-feet; the proposed new display is approximately 18-feet by 24-feet, providing a 16x9 video aspect ratio that is used in high-definition television displays. Currently 21 of the 30 NHL facilities have new high-resolution LED Scoreboards.

LED Fascia Display
HP Pavilion plans to install full color, moving LED fascia displays. NHL buildings constructed during the past five years have these full color, moving LED displays to enhance the guest experience. These signs provide a very dramatic visual experience for the fans. They will also enhance the ability to provide flexible programming for events such as NCAA sanctioned sporting events that require specific guidelines for sponsorships and programming that HP Pavilion currently is not able to provide. The existing fascia display is the original fixtures installed when the building opened in 1993.

Seating Area Sound System
The proposed sound system would be a complete change to digital equipment and would incorporate outward facing speaker clusters as compared to the old style distributed speaker placement. This will provide a clearer or more audible sound quality with sound generated from the center of the building rather than throughout the building. The existing sound system was installed when the building opened in 1993. The system not only provides audio during events but it serves as the primary emergency announcement source in the seating area.

Rigging Capacity Upgrade
The proposed rigging capacity upgrade would increase the current capacity from 75,000 pounds to 150-200,000 pounds depending on the needed scope of work. This work would accommodate both center and end stage shows. When the building was designed, standard show loads were 40,000 pounds with large shows in the 60-80,000 pound range. Today standard loads are 60-80,000 pounds with large shows running 125-150,000 pounds.

HD Video Equipment Upgrade
The building opened in 1993 with analog equipment which is no longer supported by manufacturers. With the change to high-definition technology and digital equipment throughout the industry, compatibility issues with traveling mobile studio trucks has become a serious issue. A complete change is required to ensure reliability and interfacing with the new scoreboard and LED systems and TV trucks.

Acoustic Improvements
Above the soffit of the penthouse suites exists large flat surfaces that cause sound to bounce back into the seating area creating serious sound reverberation issues. A solution has been identified that will encompass installing sound deadening panels from the soffit to the underside of the roof structure. This will create an area between the new panel and existing wall to act as a “sound trap” to significantly reduce reverberation in the seating area. This reduction of the standing waves created by the slap off of the back wall will improve the clarity of the sound system and the systems used by touring shows.