Planar Displays Offer Great Interactive Experience for Michigan Wolverines Fans

The Crisler Center at the University of Michigan has installed a digital signage network composed of PS-Series displays and Clarity Matrix video walls from Planar. The implementation of this interactive infrastructure has been supported by Dimensional Innovations.

The Crisler Center, home of the iconic University of Michigan Wolverine basketball team whose history dates back to 1967, has opted for visual technology Planar to offer a more interactive experience to its fans. This stadium began its renovation four years ago and today has an extensive network of digital systems that allow perfect communication between Michigan teams., Ann Arbor fans and community (Washtenaw County-Michigan).

This communication is reflected in a wide range of Planar interactive displays that create excitement and provide an additional revenue stream to the university.. With the support of the company Dimensional Innovations, Crisler Center, also called Crisler Arena, has been equipped with Planar PS-Series LCD displays and Clarity Matrix LCD video walls along the playing field and in the William Davidson Basketball Player Development Center. Dimensional Innovations has designed and implemented different interactive platforms, from single systems to multi-screen video walls.

“This variety of digital communication platforms from Planar offers all types of visitors, big and small, who come to the stadium the chance to join the celebration of Michigan Athletics in a way that is different and more exciting than it probably would be today on any other campus,” comenta Justin Wood, Vice President and Practice Director de Dimensional Innovations.

Planar PS-Series: interactivity and reliability

On the playing field they have installed 17 Planar PS-Series line screens (PS4652) of 46 inches that are used by fans to explore sports played in Michigan through photos, videos and texts. It is possible to view the statistics of a recent match, learn about upcoming games, buy tickets… With these displays, interactive areas are also created (Kids Zone Interactives) so that the youngest can play, customize your photos or compare your jumping ability to that of a Michigan player.

To foster enthusiasm and interest among fans entering Crisler Arena, a PS-Series Planar display, model PS5552, of 55 inches has been installed to tell the story of The House That Cazzie Built , a reference to the legendary player who led the Wolverines to three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles (1964-1966) and two in the Final Four (1964 y 1965). The touch technology that this screen incorporates, their 450 cd/m2 brightness and its resolution 1920 x 1080 contribute to increasing its attractiveness.

Curtis Walker, Technology Project Manager at Dimensional Innovations explains that the Planar PS-Series system was chosen, above all, for its reliability “provided by commercial grade LCD panels”.

Clarity Matrix chosen for its great image quality

Planar Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System Chosen for Placement in Crisler Hall of Honor, a 'library'’ digital touch screen displaying Michigan athletic history. This display is configured with MX46HD equipment in a 5×3 allowing you to browse a wide range of content, including player profiles, titles and awards obtained, and a set of historical images and videos.

Clarity Matrix is ​​also a nerve center at the William Davidson Development Center as it offers a space dedicated to the practice of both men's and women's basketball.. in this room, The video wall offers a 3-way configuration×2 and is made with the same screen models as the previous one to show a collection of historical photographs with different aspects of campus life and the experience of playing basketball at the university.

The ultra-thin width of the tile bevel (5,5 mm) Clarity Matrix was a very important factor in his choice. “This video wall is made as if it were a continuous monitor and is capable of remotely locating drivers, Power supplies and other components keep heat out of the video display minimizing the chance of failure. This helps to extend the life of the panel.”, Walker comments..