Electrosonic Products

Burbank, CA (October 1, 2008) -- When the lights dim at Staples Center fans of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers are treated to an innovative pregame video show from TLC Creative Design & Production with assistance from Electrosonic’s 9500GL. The HD playback devices deliver high-energy visuals to unique giant, drop-down screens.

Designed to pump up fans and generate excitement, the TLC 360 Screen Release & Drop system features a multichannel video show projected onto a cylinder of spandex screens over 60 feet tall and 168 feet in circumference.  Prior to the game the flexible fabric screens are gathered up in the circular trussing from which they are suspended.  “People don’t notice them; they blend into the catwalk, trussing and I-beams of the Staples Center,” notes TLC CEO and team leader Kevin Bilida.  “Once the lights are turned off and the material is released and flutters down, the screens are twice the size of the basketball floor -- they’re massive.”

At Staples Center four 9500GL players drive the system feeding HD images to eight projectors that fill the entire center of the arena with a huge 360 degree video image of players, text and action on the court to the accompaniment of a monumental musical score.  All four 9500GLs are used for a 4-channel show with continuous action -- players running down the court, passing the ball to each other -- across the screen’s circumference; two playback devices are used for a 2-channel show.

The Electrosonic players feature genlock synchronization for frame-accurate image display.  The 9500GLs handle HD images with the frame-accurate sync needed for TLC’s wraparound screens,” reports Electrosonic’s Product Sales Manager Jennifer Wisehart.  “The playback devices have dedicated hardware decoders to play out HD video and are more stable than PC sources -- that’s essential in mission-critical operations like this.”

The low-cost, compact 9500GLs supports ATSC-compliant MPEG2 in multiple resolutions, making HD imagery as economical to use as Standard Definition.  Utilizing a 10/100 base T Ethernet network infrastructure, the players can live anywhere on the network providing high performance, manageability and efficiency.

“The reliability of the 9500GL was our top priority along with ease of use and high-quality imagery,” declares TLC creative director Scott Anderson.  “We began using the Electrosonic players this past season, and they’re really great machines.  We’ve recommended them to quite a few clients for different applications, including exhibit display and corporate environments.”

Another key factor in selecting the 9500GL was Electrosonic’s “technical and customer service and support,” says Bilida.  “We had a few hardware choices, but the other systems just didn’t make it because we felt the support wasn’t there.  This equipment wasn’t purchased for one season: We plan to use if for a minimum of three years.”

Electrosonic’s Burbank office helped LA-based TLC figure out how to convert their Apple video files for use in the 9500GLs.  “Most people who use the players run PCs but we have Macs,” Bilida explains.  “Electrosonic’s tech staff showed us how to import Mac data into the players -- it was very impressive!”

In addition, TLC “wanted an interface that more directly related to how the system operators use the players,” he says.  “So Electrosonic built it for us.  We hadn’t expected that.”

The 9500GLs are housed on the arena’s production level with the video server system.  “The MS9500 operators can preview the four outputs of the show on their way to the projector,” Anderson explains.  “With the interface Electrosonic provided they can operate the projectors and cue the show and interface to the audio playback.”

Bilida traces the evolution of video playback over the eight years that TLC has been working with the Lakers on their pregame video show.  “We started with videotape playback then transitioned to computer-based playback with four square screens in the arena.  Now we’ve moved to the cylindrical screens and a fully-digital system.”

The innovative display is a perfect match for the Lakers who are known as entertainment leaders in the NBA.  “They’re usually willing to take a chance.  The risks are high but so are the rewards,” says Bilida.  He notes that Lakers fans get into their seats earlier than those in any other arena in the league.  “People get their drinks and snacks and go to their seats right away because they expect an ‘awesome’ opening.”

When the one- to two-minute pregame video concludes the spandex screens are released from their mounts, using technology developed by TLC, and flutter to the floor where the Laker Girls sweep them away in seconds.    Then the lights go up and the fans cheer the player introductions.

TLC also creates graphics and animations for the Lakers’ Daktronic LED boards plus animations and videos for the team’s main scoreboard.

The company has extended its use of the 9500GL to corporate events, shows and tours, Anderson reports.  “It’s so reliable, and we love its small size.  We can take a player into a hotel room and load video on the road.”

About Electrosonic 

Electrosonic is a worldwide audio-visual company with extensive experience in designing and engineering video products. Founded in 1964, Electrosonic has always been among the first to apply new technology to create state-of-the-art solutions that meet the challenges of the professional video market.

Electrosonic’s product line includes multi-image display processors, HD video players, and encoders for video and graphics streaming over IP networks. The new ES7100 is among the first 3G SDI encoders on the market and provides unmatched image quality over IP networks. Electrosonic is also a leading innovator in high definition video playback. The new ES9600 is designed for high performance JPEG2000 file playback with up to 2K file support.

Electrosonic operates on a worldwide basis with a staff of more than 400 people and principal offices in the USA, the UK, Finland, Sweden, China and the United Arab Emirates. The operational headquarters are located in Burbank, California.