CBS SCORES BIG ON IMAGE WITH NEW PIONEER PLASMA AND VIDEO WALL DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR "NFL SPORTS" STUDIO
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Pioneer Display Technology Brings Football Action
To Life For Millions of Viewers of CBS’ Top-Rated Show
LONG BEACH, Calif. (June 10, 1999) – Television studio sets have changed tremendously in recent years by embracing the latest in display technology to bring news, entertainment and sports shows to life through vivid imagery. “CBS NFL Sports” is the latest to give its show a major technology face-lift with a new, visually-stunning set featuring plasma panels and a video wall from Pioneer New Media Technologies.
Custom-designed with eight Pioneer plasma panels positioned throughout and a video wall that serves as a backdrop, the set provides both dramatic scenery and an effective method of entertaining the millions of football fans who tune in to the top-rated weekly program. Installed by New York-based Mobile Wall One, a leading video display integrator, the new layout takes advantage of the most innovative technology available for displaying clear, bright images.
"When we made the decision to renovate the set, our intent was to adopt a great looking system that can display crystal clear video images,” said Ken Aagaard of CBS. “Our football coverage is centered around the ability to show game highlights and interviews, so getting the right display system in place was absolutely vital. With that in mind, we designed the entire set layout around the plasma display panels and video wall."
CBS NFL SPORTS / PIONEER INSTALLATION
The centerpiece of the “CBS NFL Sports” set is an impressive video wall that is made up of 18 Pioneer RM-V2550 video cubes stacked in a 3x9 configuration. Positioned directly behind the host desk, the display is used to show video of game clips, replays, live remotes, taped interviews and more.
In front of the host desk, four 40-inch Pioneer plasma panels are in a unique “pond area” configuration, taking advantage of their 160 degree viewing angles and space-saving cabinet depth of less than four inches. Designed in a video wall-like formation and angled slightly toward the set’s ceiling, the so-called “plasma pond” provides a unique way to display video images that appear as if they are floating up from the floor.
Supplementing the video wall for showing game highlights and other football action, the plasmas – with their ability to display ultra-sharp, high resolution pictures – are also used to display the “CBS NFL Sports” emblem, program sponsor logos, advertisements and other graphic elements.
Along with the 40-inch panels in the pond area, Mobile Wall One has also installed two Pioneer 50-inch plasma units, the world’s largest and most advanced plasma display currently available. Featuring XGA resolution, the panel is used specifically in the set’s “interview area” showcasing computer driven and video images.
“We worked closely with CBS to provide a display solution that would complement the innovative design vision of its new sports set,” said Steve Artists, president of Mobile Wall One.
“A big challenge was that we wanted displays that could deliver clear pictures to support the show’s cutting-edge football coverage but that would also ‘look’ futuristic. Pioneer’s display products, particularly its thin flat panel plasmas, proved to be an ideal choice.”
According to Craig McManis, marketing director for Pioneer’s Industrial Display Division, CBS’ decision to use plasma panels and video walls underscores a growing trend by the broadcast industry of turning to these display technologies to support their sets and programming.
“Many television shows are turning to plasmas and video walls because they offer stellar picture clarity, work well in sets and have the ability to support the stringent technical requirements for broadcast quality displays,” McManis said. “Today, viewers can tune in virtually every day to see a Pioneer display in action on one of their favorite program.”
He added that along with “CBS NFL Sports,” other high-profile installations using Pioneer video wall or plasma products include “The Tonight Show,” “NBC Nightly News,” “Access Hollywood,” “CBC This Morning” and CNBC.
Headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., the Industrial Display Division of Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc. is the leading provider of display products for the industrial market. The company delivers a host of innovative display solutions for a wide variety of professional industries and broadcast applications. Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc., is a subsidiary of Pioneer Electronic Corporation.
For more information on Pioneer’s video walls, plasma displays and other industrial products from Pioneer New Media Technologies, log onto Pioneer’s Web Site
( www.pioneerusa.com ) or call (800) 926-4329.