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Daktronics HD-X LED scoreboard coming to Twins' Target Field

by Darren Murph posted Oct 25th 2008 at 5:33PM

You know that ridiculously large HD-X LED scoreboard that keeps tabs on which Arizona Diamondback is up to bat? Yeah, one of those things is coming to Target Field in 2010. Said ballpark is slated to open in under two years in downtown Minneapolis, and Daktronics will be installing a 101- x 57-foot high-def scoreboard (the fourth largest in MLB) that can be "operated as a single giant display or be divided into multiple zones." If you'll recall, this isn't the first gigantic HD scoreboard to be ordered up by a Minnesota-based team, but this particular deal also includes a variety of ribbon boards and a sophisticated out-of-town scoreboard in right-center field that measures 109- x 12-feet. So, any Twins fans jazzed to see their club at the new park? Or are you really just jazzed about the new 'boards?

[Thanks, Andrew]

Comcast adds Family Channel HD / Disney HD in Minneapolis, MN

by Darren Murph posted Jun 2nd 2008 at 11:21AM

We know, it's a shocker of epic proportions, but Comcast has expanded two of its three favorite newcomers to yet another city. This time, we're talking Minneapolis, Minnesota, which has just received Family Channel HD and Disney HD. Interestingly, our local tipster didn't seem to notice Science HD, but considering that this area was already gifted with 11 new high-def stations last December, we suppose there's not too much room to complain -- for another month or so.

[Thanks, Matt]

And we're off: Twin Cities get first DOCSIS 3.0 deployment

by Darren Murph posted Apr 3rd 2008 at 7:10AM Breaking News


Although we just heard that Comcast's DOCSIS 3.0 rollout was on track for 2009, folks in the Twin Cities region now have exclusive bragging rights for an undisclosed window of time. Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota have become the first markets to have access to an all new "extreme" broadband (or wideband, as it were) connection, which promises 50Mbps down / 5Mbps up. As expected, the carrier isn't being modest about the launch, claiming that users can suck down a 4GB HD movie "in about ten minutes," compared to "more than six hours" on a 1.5Mbps DSL connection. The newfound speed won't come cheap -- for residential users, look to lay down $149.95 per month for the privilege. Even if you aren't springing for the good stuff, current customers in the area will have their existing broadband connections hastened gratis, with 6Mbps / 384Kbps users moving up to 1Mbps uploads and 8Mbps / 768Kbps users seeing 2Mbps uploads. Kudos, Twin Cities -- you just made most of America sick with envy.

[Image courtesy of TheRedWoodMotel]

University of Minnesota orders up 108- by 48-foot HD scoreboard from Daktronics

by Richard Lawler posted Mar 4th 2008 at 2:22PM


The University of Minnesota has finally found a way to one-up OSU and the other U of M's football squads by ordering up the first Daktronics HD-16 scoreboard in the Big Ten (Will you be able to watch the Big Ten Network on it?). Second-largest in college football to Texas' Godzillatron, the 108- by 48-foot display takes advantage of all the company's latest technologies, and should be ready for Minnesota's home opener against Air Force in 2009. Some fans may wonder how the big screen will make the football team better, but if top-notch facilities help recruit the next Marion Barber III-Laurence Maroney connection then it should be well worth it.

Duluth, Minnesota blessed with three new HD options on Charter

by Darren Murph posted Feb 29th 2008 at 7:12AM

While Charter subscribers in Madison, Wisconsin are expecting to gain access to TLC HD and Discovery HD in the not-too-distant future, neighboring customers in Minnesota (Deluth, to be precise) can get cozy with Golf / Versus HD, Discovery HD and The Movie Channel HD right away. We're not so sure these additions aren't a regional thing, so be sure and shout if you too spotted these newcomers on your Charter STB.

[Thanks, Bob D.]

Comcast gives Twin Cities 11 new HD options

by Darren Murph posted Dec 12th 2007 at 10:40PM

It is the season to give, you know, and while we've heard that Comcast will be on the receiving end of things when it hikes rates in 2008, at least users across the nation are receiving a boost in their HD lineup before having the family over this holiday season. Up next on Comcast's list is St. Paul / Minneapolis, Minnesota (and western Wisconsin), which is receiving 11 new channels to complement the 22 already available. Among the newcomers are CNN HD, Animal Planet HD, Discovery HD, Food HD, Sci-Fi HD, TLC HD, Universal HD, USA HD, TBS HD, History HD and FSN North HD. Reportedly, customers in the area are already able to view USA, Sci-Fi, Universal and Food, and the rest of the gang is slated to go live on or before December 17th.

[Thanks, Ed]

Where do Blu-ray and HD DVD discs come from?

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 25th 2006 at 1:20PM

Surprisingly enough, blue laser media isn't the result of a licensing deal with Gargamel and the subsequent disappearance of the Smurf population. Imation and Memorex have produced a short (14 minute, 68MB) video podcast about their facility in Minnesota producing Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. Sure there's quite a bit of marketing fluff, but by fast forwarding to the last few minutes, there's some interesting information about manufacturing blue laser discs. From the original master recording, to the plants ability to produce either format depending on the coating applied to the disc. Maybe once supporters of both sides see both formats come from the same place, they'll see we all aren't really that different. Can't Blu-ray and HD DVD just get along?




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