What is a video wall, where is it used, types and purpose

Video walls are “televisions” assembled from identical LCD panels, televisions or monitors, synchronized in the image. Now they are used in the fields of education, business, entertainment – wherever there is a need to demonstrate information on a large screen. We will tell you how the video module complexes are arranged, how to choose high-quality equipment and assemble it with your own hands.
Video wall 3 by 2 Samsung [/ caption]

Scope of video walls

Unlike a simple screen or a picture from a projector, video wall displays are high resolution, clear and expressive colors. Video wall monitors are capable of receiving and broadcasting a signal from multiple sources simultaneously. Therefore, they are suitable for work in rooms with a large number of people as the most practical. Video complexes are installed in:

1. Dispatch centers.
2. Situational centers.
3. Trainers.
4. TV and radio companies.
5. Conference rooms.
6. Lecture halls, etc.

Signal broadcast from the video wall [/ caption]

Appointment of technology

The width and height of video walls are usually up to several tens of meters. The predecessors of panels for video walls were scoreboards – unlike them, the video wall was supplemented with the functions of scaling content, instantly displaying new ideas on the screen, broadcasting from an unlimited number of channels, and so on. A video wall controller is necessary when data comes from several sources at the same time: it also helps to change the position of the picture outside the frames of LCD panels for video walls. Manual channel switching is not required when using it.
The video wall controller distributes the signal from several sources [/ caption] This technique is also capable of providing live broadcasts: thanks to the demonstration characteristics of the system and in the presence of equipment for uninterrupted communication. The video panel is also installed for advertising purposes thanks to the detailed transfer of the picture. The devices cope well with both photo and video content.

Controller for a budget video wall 2×2:

https://youtu.be/sNKyJLacxVI

Types and differences of video walls

Video walls have several parameters by which they are classified:

1. Span length . The classic is recognized as a diagonal of 46 or 55 cm, capable of functioning around the clock for several years. The duration of continuous operation and distinguishes the video panel from simple widescreen TVs.
2. The number of modules . The most popular are 2×2 video walls of four monitors or 3×3 video walls out of nine.
3. Width of seams . A clearance of more than 5.3 mm is considered impractical and outdated – today these are almost not produced. Current models have seams ranging from 1.7 to 3.6 mm and are considered “seamless”. Video wall made of panels, joint thickness 3 mm [/ caption]
4. Video wall mounts are: floor, ceiling, wall and floor-to-ceiling.
5. Brightness is measured in candelas per square meter, the ideal value for a wall is 500. There are also devices with a brightness of 700-800 cd / m2, used in rooms with high lighting.

A conventional wall is made up of video cubes, which, by their design, can have rear or front access. Cubes range in size from 20 to 100 inches diagonally. They are built into the front panel in such a way that they leave no more than 1 mm gaps. Rear access allows you to reduce the distance, but front, on the contrary, increases it to 2 mm and increases the cost of cubes. Video
wall dimensions [/ caption] Another option is LCD parts with a liquid crystal display. The gap between the frames of the panels is larger than between the video cubes – about 3-6 mm, and they are also inferior in performance. LCD video wall panels are not capable of working 24 hours a day and must be turned off for 2-3 hours,
to prevent residual pixels.The third type is LED video wall panels composed of LEDs. The pixel size can reach 3-5 mm, so such models are mounted outside as an advertising design. Brightness and good color rendering make them visible even in bad weather. What are the requirements for the device:

• long planned service life (from 3 years);
• seamless – a system with seams more than 3.5 mm will be impractical, moreover, it is almost impossible to replace it, since they are almost out of production;
• fasteners and wires included;
• availability of a guarantee.

Video walls – an overview of the most important features:

https://youtu.be/jv_L4RRP1FI

Video wall device

In addition to displays and mounts, the kit must include a device that is capable of transmitting information to the screen. If there is only one source, then you can connect it without additional equipment: each wall has its own switch built into it, so it is enough to connect a cable to the connector and transmit the image. Standard cables such as HDMI, Display Port, VGA and others will do. When broadcasting from several channels and the need to switch between them, they buy a matrix switcher. Its principle of operation is simple: the sources are changed by pressing a button on the remote control or switch. The connecting cable must be selected based on the transmitter inputs – HDMI, DOP, VGA, and so on.

A video processor for a video wall, otherwise called a video controller, not only allows you to work with many channels without losing quality, but also display from two users simultaneously, transfer control rights or control remotely. The video processor has more functions than other controllers, so it is suitable for control rooms and observation posts.

Self-installation of a video wall, how to make an installation from monitors with your own hands

Mount installation

The weight of the equipment reaches several centners, so it can be mounted either on concrete or brick. If the support is not strong enough, floor or floor-to-wall or floor-to-ceiling mounts will do. Electricity wiring is done.

Mounting

First of all, the rack is mounted: it consists of metal brackets, connected crosswise. Panels are screwed on top, adjustment is made so that the distance between the frames is the smallest. Displays are fragile in themselves and should be handled with care. Finally, check the equipment and debug. https://youtu.be/7fMR_qJbYEk

Calibration and setup

All monitors are united by one software, but without preliminary configuration it will not start. The setting method depends on the type of demonstration. If the image will be broadcast in full width, it is recommended to use programs like Enplug (https://www.enplug.com/) or Userful (https://www.userful.com/). Each has its own microcomputers and applications. Each element is connected to the commutator – the program independently displays video fragments and offers to calibrate. If in a project different images are to be broadcast on separate screens, a controller is not needed. Monitors are connected directly to the sources, each of them is configured directly in the application. No special computer software is required in the second type of configuration.
Connecting a video wall through a video processor network Spectrum [/ caption]

The best video wall models on the market

We have collected the most popular walls, their characteristics and advantages into a single list.

Mitsubishi Electrics

The last episode released to date is the 70th. Video cubes from Mitsubishi are LED, maintain a constant luminous intensity and have a long service life. Customers can choose cubes with diagonals from 50 to 70, any scale, including 4: 3, 16:10 and others. The products of this company are distinguished by one of the narrowest gaps – from 0.2 to 1.5 millimeters.

LG video walls

In large cities of Russia, LG walls can be ordered from almost any hardware store. The most popular are 2×2 and 3×3 configurations with 110 or 160 inches diagonals. The smallest seam gap among the rulers is only 0.88 mm – this is the LG V16508MWP model.
LG V16508MWP [/ caption] Displays have built-in SoC software, with which you can configure and control. LEDs do not require additional lamps: the clarity and brightness of the image allows the panels to be installed even outdoors in daylight.

Samsung video walls

Samsung manufactures and sells walls of popular configurations (2×2, 3×3 and 4×4) with diagonals of 46 and 55 cm through official distributors. The company has developed several innovative lines – UHD, UDE, UHF – that are distinguished by high quality and detail of the image. As for the device, Samsung monitors are liquid-crystal, the set includes connecting cables and a wall mount. These walls are seamless: the minimum clearance is 1.7 mm, the maximum is 3.5.

Christie MicroTiles Cubes

The life expectancy planned for the displays of this manufacturer is equal to 65 thousand hours, that is, about 7 years without shutdown. The convenience of cubes lies in the possibility of their free grouping. A seam no more than 1 mm wide, displays created with new DLP and LED technologies – these are some of the advantages of MicroTiles video cubes. You can buy them from the official website of the company.

Interactive MultiTaction Panels

Those who are looking for interactive walls should pay attention to the products of this company. MultiTaction has released a corporate interactive system that recognizes access passwords, supports communication channels between users, and so on. MultiTaction iWall is their best product, which is a 5-meter wide and 2-meter high 4×3 wall with diagonals of 55 centimeters modules. The displays easily show content up to 8K, with a maximum brightness of 500 cd / m2. You can buy video walls through distributors.
Video walls are the equipment without which corporate work cannot be imagined. Wall equipment is expensive, so before buying it is important to familiarize yourself with its functionality, operating conditions and structure, so as not to make the wrong choice.