Video Wall Considerations

Different display types provide different levels of pixel density, or quantity of pixels per inch. Pixel density is important because it affects the total resolution of your video wall and the sharpness and detail of images when viewed up close. If your video wall needs to display highly detailed content, or if people will be viewing it up close, you should select a display type with high pixel density.

Not all display technologies provide the same level of brightness. The brightness of a given display type is affected by the way it produces light and its vulnerability to being washed out by ambient light. If your space has large windows or overhead lighting, you’ll need a display type that provides high maximum brightness and won’t be washed out by ambient light. A display system that isn’t bright enough will make your content hard to see and can cause eye strain.

If your system will be supporting mission-critical activities and will be in use 24/7, you’ll need a display type that offers high reliability and longevity. Some display types, like LCD and Direct View LED, can support 24/7 use for years on end and may offer redundant power supplies and other added fail-safes. Be sure to avoid any display types with consumable parts, like lamp-based projection systems, since these systems will require regular downtime for part replacement.

The spatial demands of different display types can be very different. Flat panel display types, like LCD and Direct View LED, have narrow profiles and can be wall-mounted, making their spatial footprint virtually nonexistent. Other technologies, like projection cubes and blended projection systems, may demand several feet of floor-space. Before committing to a particular display type, be sure to determine how much space is available.

Different display types can vary dramatically in price. When exploring different options, be sure to consider both the initial cost of the displays and the total cost of ownership. While some technologies are more affordable upfront, the long-term costs of regular maintenance, consumable parts, and high power consumption can make them extremely expensive over time. Other display types are more expensive upfront, but are far less costly in the long term due to their efficient performance and minimal maintenance needs.

If your video wall will be used for control room operations, presentations, visualization, or any other application that requires real-time content control, you’ll need a video wall processor that supports this type of dynamic interactivity. If your system will be playing automatic, pre-programmed content, you’ll want to choose a processor that supports digital signage playback, distribution, and content management.

Processors, also referred to as controllers, vary in the amount of inputs they can accept and the number of different content sources they can display at once. If you need to display a large number of content sources simultaneously, be sure to select a controller with a large amount of inputs and outputs. You may also want to consider a processor that accepts streamed content sources, as this will give you more flexibility.

As with displays, some processors are particularly well-suited for 24/7, mission-critical operations. If your application demands extreme reliability and resilience, look for a processor that is designed for 24/7 performance. These controllers are built for maximum reliability and may feature added fail-safes like redundant power supplies, which allow the system to continue operating if an individual component fails.

If you want to display content on more than one video wall or display surface, you’ll need to choose a processor that can manage multiple display surfaces simultaneously. If the displays are based on different technologies or have different aspect ratios, it’s important to make sure that the processor can accommodate this too.

Some applications – like education, simulation, and signage – may involve the display of ultra-high-resolution content. If your application requires these capabilities, look for a processor or content rendering engine that features 3D-accelerated graphics hardware and places a strong emphasis on graphical performance.

When selecting video wall software, be sure to consider who will be using it, what functionality they’ll need, and how familiar they’ll be with the system. Systems in conference rooms and auditoriums will often be operated by first-time users. In these cases, a user-friendly interface and intuitive functionality are key. In control rooms with more experienced, technically-savvy operators, it’s important to select software that provides the necessary features, but is still cleanly-designed and easy to use.

If your system will be used in an environment where responsibilities are divided between several operators, you’ll need a software platform that supports a multi-user workflow. If your team handles sensitive data, you may also want to consider a permissions-based platform that lets administrators control viewing, editing, and sharing rights on an individual basis. This allows boundaries to be set around the content sources and display regions that each operator can access.

If you plan to use your system to deliver presentations, make sure you choose a software platform that supports presentation-building and delivery. Some software allows the user to build and save a sequence of content layouts, which can then be presented one-by-one or played automatically on the displays. More basic platforms may only support real-time content placement.