Prepare to have your mind blown, football fanatics and tech enthusiasts! You've likely seen it on TV, maybe even in person, a gleaming beacon of high-definition glory suspended above the gridiron at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. But have you ever truly grasped the immense scale of this technological marvel? It's not just a "big TV"; it's a spectacle in itself, a crucial part of the legendary "Jerry World" experience.
Let's embark on a journey to truly understand just how colossal the Dallas Cowboys' TV screen is, and what makes it such an iconic fixture in the world of sports.
Step 1: Let's Set the Scene – Imagine the Impossibility!
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty numbers, I want you to close your eyes for a moment. No, really, close them! Now, imagine your living room TV. Is it 50 inches? 65? Maybe even a monstrous 85-inch screen? Got that image firmly in your mind?
Good. Now, multiply that by hundreds, even thousands. That's the kind of scale we're talking about when we discuss the Dallas Cowboys' main video board. It's so big, it has its own internal catwalks for workers to access it during games. Mind-boggling, right? That's the sheer audacity of AT&T Stadium's visual centerpiece.
Step 2: The Heart of "Jerry World" – Unveiling the Main Screen's Dimensions
The Dallas Cowboys' main video board, officially known as the Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision screen, is not just one screen but rather a four-sided structure suspended over the center of the field. When people talk about "the" Dallas Cowboys TV screen, they are typically referring to the two main sideline-facing displays, which are truly gargantuan.
Sub-heading: The Sideline Giants
The two primary sideline displays of the AT&T Stadium video board boast dimensions that are simply staggering:
Height: A towering 72 feet (approximately 21.9 meters). That's roughly the height of a seven-story building!
Width: An incredible 160 feet (approximately 48.8 meters). Imagine a football field from one 20-yard line to the other – that's the approximate length these screens span.
Sub-heading: The End Zone Companions
In addition to these two colossal sideline displays, there are also two smaller, though still very large, end zone displays that complete the four-sided structure:
Height: Approximately 29 feet (8.8 meters).
Width: Around 51 feet (15.5 meters).
Step 3: Putting the Size into Perspective – How Big is "Really Big"?
Numbers alone can sometimes fail to convey the true magnitude. So, let's break down the sheer scale of this video board in more relatable terms.
Sub-heading: Square Footage Showdown
The combined viewing area of the two main sideline screens is an astounding 11,393 square feet (over 1,058 square meters). To give you an idea:
This is equivalent to over 3,200 standard 52-inch flat-screen TVs put together. Imagine trying to set up that many TVs in your house!
It's larger than many professional basketball courts or even an entire tennis court.
Sub-heading: Weight and Power – A True Behemoth
This technological marvel isn't just big in surface area; it's also incredibly heavy and power-hungry:
The entire video board structure weighs approximately 600 tons (about 1.2 million pounds). That's the equivalent of roughly 18-and-a-half fully loaded fire trucks!
It consumes a massive amount of power, with the sideline displays alone requiring around 635 kilowatts. This is why the stadium has robust power infrastructure.
Sub-heading: Pixels and Clarity – A High-Definition Dream
Despite its immense size, the resolution of these screens is designed to be crystal clear, even from the furthest seats:
The screens feature over 10.5 million individual LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), allowing for a vibrant and sharp high-definition display.
The pixel pitch (the distance between individual pixels) for the main sideline screens is 20mm, and for the end zone screens it's 16mm, ensuring a relatively tight pixel density for such large displays.
Step 4: The Engineering Marvel – How is it Held Up?
Suspended a remarkable 90 feet above the center of the playing field, the entire structure is a testament to modern engineering. It's not just a giant screen; it's an incredibly complex system.
Sub-heading: Cable and Truss Systems
The enormous weight of the video board is supported by an intricate network of heavy-duty cables and massive structural trusses. These are designed to withstand not only the weight of the screens but also any vibrations or external forces.
Sub-heading: Internal Walkways and Maintenance
As mentioned earlier, the sheer size of the Diamond Vision screen necessitated the creation of an internal network of catwalks and platforms. This allows technicians to perform maintenance, troubleshooting, and even operate elements of the display from within the structure itself, even during events. It's a "building within a building" concept for a TV screen!
Step 5: The Impact – More Than Just a Scoreboard
The Dallas Cowboys' TV screen isn't just about showing the score or replays. It fundamentally transforms the fan experience at AT&T Stadium.
Sub-heading: Enhancing the Game Experience
Unrivaled Views: For fans in the upper decks or those with obstructed views, the video board provides a nearly life-sized, high-definition view of the action, making every seat feel like a premium one.
Instant Replays and Stats: Fans can instantly see replays from multiple angles, in-depth statistics, and other engaging content, all in breathtaking clarity.
Interactive Elements: The screen is also used for fan engagement, showing crowd shots, interactive games, and sponsor activations, keeping the atmosphere electric.
Sub-heading: A Landmark in Sports Technology
When it was first unveiled in 2009, the Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision screen at AT&T Stadium was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest high-definition video display. While other larger screens have since been built (like "Big Hoss" at Texas Motor Speedway), it remains one of the most iconic and influential sports venue displays globally, setting a new standard for stadium technology. It's a symbol of the Dallas Cowboys' commitment to a truly grand experience for their fans.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 related FAQ questions about the Dallas Cowboys' TV screen, starting with "How to," along with their quick answers:
How to describe the Dallas Cowboys' main TV screen's size?
It's 72 feet high by 160 feet wide, with a total viewing area of over 11,393 square feet, equivalent to over 3,200 52-inch TVs.
How to identify the technology used in the Dallas Cowboys' TV screen?
It uses Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision LED technology, comprising over 10.5 million individual LEDs.
How to understand the weight of the Dallas Cowboys' TV screen?
The entire video board structure weighs approximately 600 tons (1.2 million pounds), comparable to many fire trucks.
How to know if the Dallas Cowboys' TV screen is still the world's largest?
No, while it was once the largest, other screens like "Big Hoss" at Texas Motor Speedway have since surpassed it in size.
How to confirm the height at which the TV screen is suspended in AT&T Stadium?
It is suspended 90 feet directly above the center of the playing field.
How to access the inside of the Dallas Cowboys' TV screen for maintenance?
The screen has an internal network of 10 levels of catwalks and platforms for technicians to access it.
How to describe the impact of the TV screen on the fan experience?
It provides unparalleled high-definition views, instant replays, detailed statistics, and interactive content, enhancing the game for every fan.
How to know the resolution of the Dallas Cowboys' TV screen?
The main sideline screens have a resolution of 2,176 x 4,864 pixels, supporting 1080p HDTV content.
How to explain why the Dallas Cowboys' TV screen is so important to AT&T Stadium?
It's a central feature that elevates the fan experience, making the stadium a world-renowned venue for not just football but also major events, and a symbol of its innovative design.
How to find out when the Dallas Cowboys' TV screen was installed?
The installation of the Mitsubishi Diamond Vision system was completed in June 2009, coinciding with the opening of AT&T Stadium (then Cowboys Stadium).
