🏈 Welp, here's a few examples of the new lighting for Bryant Denny. A few of you...well, might not want to click.

[TerryP]

Before everyone gets excited, I'm sure the SEC muckity-mucks will, or already have restrictions on what can or can't be done with lighting. From a safety standpoint, the first person that misses a step due to the lights dimming will have a lawsuit before the parking lot is empty.

If I'm not mistaken this should fall under the same rules that govern piped in sound. As soon as the ref signals ready to play music and lights have to be "normal."

I don't see how this is much different from the graphics displayed on the jumbotron down on the Plains...after all, that lights up the stadium about as much as a light display.

The best thing about UA releasing this video is seeing how people reacted to it when ESPN tweeted the clip. It seems 8 out of 10 were pissed off about the tweet and a few screaming "what about Clemson!?!?"

 

[50+yeartidefan]

I could see them going crimson as a grand entrance. NBA teams blackout their coliseums all the time and then have all kinds of laser lights and video tributes during the intro for the starting 5. That seems to never get old.

And we need this.....really?....but it would be cool.....cant argue that

 

[TUSKtimes]

And we need this.....really?....but it would be cool.....cant argue that

No, not a need, this definitely is a perk. But in the past, these stadiums didn't have the LED technology. I remember back just a few years when stadium and coliseum lights would go off we would have a 30 minutes delay until the lights could get back to full strength? Those days are obviously gone and I'm not overly nostalgic to get back.

Whether we personally dig this new tech toy or not, as we speak I can envision ADs all over the place that have seen these Alabama light tweets and are now inquiring where they can get them some of that. Now, that gets old.

 

[TerryP]

@OldPlayer

I don't see how this is much different from the graphics displayed on the jumbotron down on the Plains.

And it just so happens I run across this tweet from an Auburn fan...bottom reply with video.

 

[TerryP]

And we need this.....really?....but it would be cool.....cant argue that

I say need is an accurate word. It's unique, giving the Tide a feature in recruiting. The players will love it. Donors lead to more

It's a better lighting system all around. I wonder if you'd be pleased if it didn't come in different colors?

Ya know, it's really no more complicated that the timed lights you see during the Christmas season.

 

[mando]

To me this comes down to competing for recruits and butts in seats. Seems pretty creative. This is an arms race you can't sit idle or before you blink (no pun intended) you will be behind.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

I say need is an accurate word. It's unique, giving the Tide a feature in recruiting. The players will love it. Donors lead to more

It's a better lighting system all around. I wonder if you'd be pleased if it didn't come in different colors?

Ya know, it's really no more complicated that the timed lights you see during the Christmas season.

We know by n ext season EVERYONE will have. So I guess i shut up and enjoy our first night game with light show
You know AU will try n out do.
I read a bunch of NFL stadiums did. But they rarely have night games. So I wondered????
...well a lot less energy used for lighting so thats a plus

 

[Bamabww]

Wow! That’s pretty cool.

 

[Entity]

Once the time change those 2:30 games will be dark in the 4th quarter. Maybe this will keep a few fans around at the end of games

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Well, I guess it was inevitable. I only hope they fixed the sound in the upper deck so you can hear the calls.

 

[rick4bama]

I hope it being testers daily!

 

[BamaFan334]

Hopefully they run a light show all week for when Tennessee and Auburn are home games. I think it was a pointless purchase, but you might as well have fun with it now.

 

[TerryP]

I think it was a pointless purchase, but you might as well have fun with it now.

Installing a better lighting system isn't what I'd consider to be pointless. We're discussing less lights, less energy, but better illumination with the LED system. There are several big venues that use LED systems across college football: it's just that much better.

Now, they could have gone with a RGB system versus the RGBW ... but at this stage, if they're replacing them as it is, why not? The improved lighting system was coming no matter. Even if it was just the RGB system we're still talking about improvements for those in attendance and a better TV product.

 

[BamaFan334]

Installing a better lighting system isn't what I'd consider to be pointless. We're discussing less lights, less energy, but better illumination with the LED system. There are several big venues that use LED systems across college football: it's just that much better.

Now, they could have gone with a RGB system versus the RGBW ... but at this stage, if they're replacing them as it is, why not? The improved lighting system was coming no matter. Even if it was just the RGB system we're still talking about improvements for those in attendance and a better TV product.

LEDs have proven to be more expensive up front to replace, exponentially. I know this through the aquarium industry as well as the fuel service station industry. NOW, they are cheaper in the long run when you consider the savings, but on this type of scale, how long will it take to recoup those savings through this investment? I have zero clue how often bulbs are replaced and the beating these units take during the season and for other events. Me thinks it cost a nice upcharge for the ability to have a light show with all of the extra pieces needed for the coordinating effects. Maybe this was a situation where we had to hit a budget, or face potential of losing that budget for next year? Who knows, but I know it will take a while to recoup those savings for the efficiency discussion.

 

[TUSKtimes]

LEDs have proven to be more expensive up front to replace, exponentially. I know this through the aquarium industry as well as the fuel service station industry. NOW, they are cheaper in the long run when you consider the savings, but on this type of scale, how long will it take to recoup those savings through this investment? I have zero clue how often bulbs are replaced and the beating these units take during the season and for other events. Me thinks it cost a nice upcharge for the ability to have a light show with all of the extra pieces needed for the coordinating effects. Maybe this was a situation where we had to hit a budget, or face potential of losing that budget for next year? Who knows, but I know it will take a while to recoup those savings for the efficiency discussion.

Just looking at our athletic facilities in general, I would say that the University runs its business more like Disneyland and less like us mere mortals.

 

[TerryP]

NOW, they are cheaper in the long run when you consider the savings, but on this type of scale, how long will it take to recoup those savings through this investment?

12, maybe 15 years ago, I was reading over an expense report covering a coliseum in Charlotte. It was a two night event and as I recall the figure for just operating cost (no labor, just water, utilities, etc.) was six figures. I was shocked, at first, but upon thinking about the lights they had it made sense.
It's my view people are looking at this as something designed for the fans first and foremost. It's my opinion they're third on the list behind recruits and donors. With recruits, I'm always in the camp of "spare no expense." (Look no further than the money UGA is dropping on recruiting in that talent rich state if you want a bar with which to measure.) As to the donors, if a little more "bling" opens their check books? Again, "spare no expense."

Earlier in this thread it was mentioned how long it takes for the lighting system of old to fire back up after being turned off. Do you remember the lights going out in the Super Bowl? Imagine was a cluster that would have been if they didn't have the LED system in place. Seriously, what would we be looking at? 10 minutes of delay on the game?

(BTW, send me the original file on those pics you texted me last night...through the system here, if you don't mind. I'd like to play with them a bit.)

 

[Elderfalsedemigod]

I changed my whole facility over to LED last year.

Local power company actually subsidized 35% of my up front costs based on energy savings

Different LED lights cost differently I am sure but I got LED bulbs and fixtures new for less than the cost of replacement bulbs and ballast for my old metal halide fixtures. Also with LED you don't have to worry about the contamination factor from mercury that is present with the halide bulbs

Just my .02

 

[TerryP]

(Look no further than the money UGA is dropping on recruiting in that talent rich state if you want a bar with which to measure.)

...and I just ran across this for reference.

The cost of college football recruiting — and winning — is now through the roof

The college football arms race is being reflected in recruiting expenditures, which have climbed dramatically among top programs.

www.courier-journal.com