The broadcast requirement comes first
A stadium perimeter display is not primarily for the people in the seats; they are 20 to 80 metres away and see it at a shallow angle. It is for the cameras. Every spec decision should start with what the broadcast camera sees at 1/1000 second shutter.
Refresh rate
Minimum 3840 Hz, and 7680 Hz for main camera positions. At 1920 Hz the board will show rolling bands on slow-motion replay, which is exactly when sponsors get the most exposure. This is the single most important number on the perimeter spec.
Brightness and contrast in daylight
| Condition | Brightness | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Evening match, floodlit | 5000 – 6000 nits | Floodlights reflect off the pitch |
| Day match, overcast | 6000 – 7000 nits | Contrast matters more than peak |
| Day match, direct sun on board | 7000 – 8000 nits | Needs a hood or a different position |
Physical protection
Players and balls hit the board. The front surface needs a polycarbonate or GOB-protected face, and the bottom edge needs a soft bumper. A board that survives a season without a module replacement is a board with proper mechanical protection, not a board with more nits.
Viewing angle
The camera at the far side sees the board at about 20 degrees off axis. A board with 140-degree horizontal viewing angle holds colour to about 70 degrees, which is enough. Do not pay for 160 degrees; spend it on refresh rate.
Control and content
The board needs frame-accurate switching between sponsor loops, and it usually needs to sync with the stadium clock and scoreboard. Ask for a controller that accepts genlock or a timing reference. Without it, two boards either side of the pitch will be a frame apart on camera.
What to check before signing
Ask for a sample video: the board showing a sponsor loop, filmed at 1/1000 second, 120 fps, from the main camera position. Watch it on a large screen. Bands that are invisible in the room are obvious on replay.