In cooperation with Hockenheim Ring, host of Formula 1 Santander Grand Prix, the massive 300sq.m screen provided spectators in the Innen Tribüne - the long stand inside the track, where spectators were up to 400m from the screen - with a television view of the race, something that would have been impossible with a standard high resolution screen.
Using 299 Phantom30 frames, the 23m wide x 13m deep screen is thought to be the largest LED screen ever used at such a major motor racing event. Built specifically for the occasion, the screen needed to be easy to construct and de-rig, but also needed to present extremely low wind resistance. Indeed the pre-race days saw strong winds and torrential rain, but the G-LEC screen, even brighter than the high resolution screens used at the pit stops, continued to perform.
Using a system that comprised 52 PSUs, two S-Drives and two Folsom video converters, the video feed was supplied by the Ring as composite video over 150m of cable into the Folsom units. These then converted the signal DVI for the Phantom 30 S-Drives, which transmitted the LED drive signals over optical fibre daisy chained to each of the 276 frames.
Lars Wolf, managing director of G-LEC, said: "As well as showing the race on the day itself, the screen was also used with a solid white signal for announcements, timetables and weather forecasts. I was delighted at how well the system performed, and we have received a lot of enquiries as a result."
The free standing truss structure, designed and supplied by Megaforce, included three levels of flooring on each side of the screen for special guests. The screen itself hung from a 23m wide single span truss frame, possible because the screen weighed just 2.5 tons, and as well as being easy to rig, was also economical in use, requiring just 100kW / 150A. Calculated to withstand strong winds, the whole structure was fully approved by Germany's TÜV standards body as a temporary building for its ability to withstand the elements.
The project was managed for G-LEC by Achim Lehrke, who was assisted by Stephan Gerber, Markus Soroberto, Dario Santos and Stefan Jung.
(Jim Evans)
