One of the more amazing experiences I was a part of while in San Jose was the opening show ahead of player introductions. My role as the Technical Services Manager for the SAP center was to oversee the lights, audio, video and production of the in arena and concourse displays.
Beginning in August of 2017 I began creating a pixel accurate after effects template that included a 20mm Daktronics Fascia, measured 14160 pixels wide by 48 pixels high. A 20mm Daktronics Upper Halo, measure 2796 pixels wide by 96 pixels high, a 20mm Daktronics Middle Halo, measured 2560 pixels wide by 64 pixels high, a Main Video Display with a 10mm pixel pitch measuring 736 pixels wide by 544 pixels high and a 20 mm Daktronics lower ring, measuring 1536 pixels wide by 48 pixels high. The template also took into account the measured space between the video displays and was designed to create the illusion that it was large canvas that content could freely pass between. Some of the issues to overcome were mapping the first and last pixels and distorting and accuratley portraying content on different sized and shaped screens with different pixel dimensions
The largest challenge to overcome, however, was synchronizing the show. In the video below you can see the screens are tied to the music, the on ice projection system, the colored LED wristbands and the theatrical lighting. This was accomplished using the a pre-recorded SMPTE timecode audio track that was converted to a .wav file. There were several players in use. A primary timecode, a backup timecode, and a primary audio file. Then on the concourse there was a coordinated video display across 16 video walls and 21 LED walls of varying size with a 5 minute countdown to the beginning of the show to help ensure a maximum number of people got to witness the show.
The video below was shot in 3-D so pull the camera around to help gain an appreciation for the full scope of the presentation
