Image courtesy of Danthonia

<p>Buying a scoreboard for your school will certainly thrill students and the wider school community but it’s a notable expense. So, getting the best value for money, perusing every option and considering what the scoreboard will be used for (and in what setting!) is absolutely critical. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/20170522_155732-Copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12570"/><figcaption>Image courtesy of Blue Vane</figcaption></figure>



<p>These flashy units now come with an array of bells and whistles, from LED to SMART functionality, video and multimedia capabilities, wireless access and even wifi. Schools can factor in price, space and frequency of use to choose between boards with a basic scoring function to full-blown video scoreboards that display live-action replays and animation to enhance the excitement of any sporting experience (and integrate other school subjects to boot). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Millennium-servicing-Copy-543x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12571"/><figcaption> <br>Image courtesy of Blue Vane </figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em><strong>School News </strong></em><strong>spoke with a variety of leaders in the sector to find out everything you need to know about buying a scoreboard for your school. </strong></h3>



<p>Danthonia Designs’ spokesman, Leo Zimmerman told us about a few of the biggest considerations he thinks schools should make before deciding to buy or upgrade. Size is a big one. “How far are the viewers from the scoreboard?” It sounds like a simple question, but too often goes unconsidered until it’s too late. Do you want the score and video display on the scoreboard to impact the crowd or act simply as a reference point for the referee? Would you like to display game footage, slo-mo replay, or advertisements? Narrow down your intentions. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/YVOB-1-Copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12572"/><figcaption> <br>Image courtesy of Blue Vane </figcaption></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top three tips</strong> : </h2>



<p>Peter Liistro from Blue Vane Scoreboards
recommends:</p>



<p>1. ; ; ; ; ; ; Be
clear on the lifespan you will expect from the scoreboard. Some technologies
change fast, making a scoreboard obsolete very quickly.</p>



<p>2. ; ; ; ; ; ; The
scoreboard will need repairs one day: Is the scoreboard serviceable and can it
be done for a reasonable cost?</p>



<p>3. ; ; ; ; ; ; Do some research. Ask sports clubs in your area. What brand and features to they have and are they happy with it?</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9851.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12577"/><figcaption>Image courtesy of Danthonia</figcaption></figure>



<p>Another biggie is
screen resolution. “The higher the resolution, the better the image looks but
higher resolution also means higher cost and more electricity consumption – and
if the scoreboard is far enough away, the higher resolution may hardly be
noticeable,” Leo explained. If cost is a big consideration, clarify with your
supplier on what resolution you are being quoted. You may also be able to visit
installations in other schools or gyms, so you can see what a particular
resolution looks like in real life. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9812.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12576"/><figcaption>Image courtesy of Danthonia</figcaption></figure>



<p>Leo recommended:
“Ask your supplier if the resolution being quoted is the actual pixel pitch or
virtual pixel pitch because virtual pixel pitch is a software enhancement to
make the picture look better, but will not yield the same quality of image.”
Adjustable brightness is also important because it’s likely that games will be
played during the day and night. Leo noted that an outdoor scoreboard should
have a brightness of at least 6000 nits. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_20130509_144213-Copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12573"/><figcaption>Image courtesy of Blue Vane</figcaption></figure>



<p>Different sports
have different scoring needs, so think about what your school will be using the
scoreboard for as this will inform what product best suits you. From
length-of-game to the amount of data required, the needs can vary. Cricket is a
very data-heavy game to score, whereas soccer would require much less screen
space, for example. Different scoring software will appeal to different sports
too, so check that with your supplier. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_9297.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12578"/><figcaption>Image courtesy of Danthonia</figcaption></figure>



<p>If future
software upgrades are a key consideration, and they should be, it will help if
your new scoreboard has a solid data connection. Wifi is a good option but
depending on location and the quality of the wifi available, it might not be
optimum for video streaming. If you have the budget, it’s worth looking into
fibre optic cabling. Find out about any software before it’s installed, so that
it’s easy for staff to use and you know whether third-party apps or any other
integrated tech is required. </p>



<p>The structure of
your scoreboard is also extremely important. The stand needs to be stable, safe
and (if outdoors) able to withstand storms or harsh off-season weather. Hot dip
galvanised steel or aluminium will help prevent corrosion but there are other
types of structures out there so check that an engineer has certified the build
at the quoting stage, and consider protective units that will protect against
ball damage. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cricket-score-board-6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12575"/><figcaption>Image courtesy of Danthonia</figcaption></figure>



<p>Finally,
scoreboards are pieces of IT equipment and should be maintained as such. Just
like a computer will have to be serviced every now and again, you can bank on
having to call up your supplier to assist with a glitch at some point. So it’s
important to establish a good relationship with a service provider who can help
you out. If they have spare parts stored nationally, that’s also a bonus
because it means your wait time will decrease if something needs repairing.
Warranties will tend to cover damage but it’s worth reading the fine print to
be sure that everything is covered, not just delivery of a spare part.</p>

A study investigating the realities of out-of-field teachers is seeking participants for groundbreaking research.
The resources are designed to support teachers to make sure all students are engaged in…
Tic disorders are far more common than many people realise, and are often misrepresented in…
The school library has long been a place of discovery, reflection, and learning. But as…
Is your school an inclusive community that empowers students to recognise bullying and to stand…
Performance indicators for the education and VET sectors have just been released with some encouraging…
This website uses cookies.