Videowall – What is it?
Standard screens in LCD technology reach sizes up to 98 ”. Of course, there are 110 ”matrices, but these are more demonstrative screens than a standard product for regular sale.
But what if we want to achieve an image with a larger diagonal? We basically have 3 options:
1. Large format projection
2. LED panels
3. LCD videowalls
„Outdoor” cinema
Each of these technologies has its own capabilities and limitations. First, let’s focus on large-format projection. It is a method that can only work in darkened conditions. The price-to-size ratio of the screen is extremely favorable and easy to apply because the entire installation consists of setting the projector or a set of projectors in the right place and displaying the image on any – even irregular – surface. The biggest advantage of this method is the unrivaled size of the image. However, this does not change the fact that the projectors themselves are very expensive, and are used only for occasional “event” applications. Below are examples of using projectors.
LED
Another way is to use screens consisting of LED panels. It is a very efficient and increasingly popular technology. It provides very high brightness, therefore it can be used even in high light conditions. Most often installed in stadiums and streets because the special versions of the panels are resistant to weather conditions, such as rain, UV rays. Today’s LED technology allows you to create walls of various shapes and curves. Of course, this technology also has its drawbacks, even if LED is associated with economy and ecology, unfortunately it is quite an energy-consuming way of presenting content. When installing LED screens on busy streets, we must also take into account their regular cleaning.
One for all, all for one
The last way is called VideoWall, i.e. a wall composed of several LCD screens. It is a technology used inside buildings, both as an advertising medium and as a set of screens in communication centers / terminals. The advantage of this technology is undoubtedly the high resolution. All screens adapted to video walls display the image in FullHD resolution, as you can easily imagine, a videowall made of 4 such monitors reaches a resolution of 4k. The downside of this solution may be for some customers frames that divide individual screens. Monitor manufacturers, however, try to eliminate this feature by using very thin housings (1.8mm) in their panels. It is also unprofitable to create sets of more than several dozen monitors. However, if we need to generate an image with a size of, for example, 3x4m, which will be visible up close, it will be a better choice than LED panels.
How it works?
There are 3 most popular ways to create video walls. One of them is the DaisyChain method of connecting advertising screens, which consists in serial connection of each screen with a Displayport cable. At the beginning of the chain is a player equipped with Digital Signage software. It is a very simple and relatively cheap solution.
The 2nd way is to use a Video Splitter (the most common is the HDMI interface). This configuration consists in connecting the player to the splitter, and then connecting each screen to it with a separate cable. This is the method by which we connect monitors that do not have Displayport sockets.
The last way is to connect a separate player to each monitor (4 screens-4 players). They must be special computers that support the appropriate software that synchronizes each device so that the image is consistent. It is relatively expensive but at the same time the most advanced solution that allows you to create walls with complex structures.
Summary
Video walls can take many shapes and sizes. Despite the high popularity of LED panels and their undoubted advantages, structures based on LCD monitor assemblies may in many cases turn out to be the best. However, if you need to create a large-format outdoor image – LED will be an excellent choice. Before you make a decision to invest in a given technology, contact our specialist who will certainly help you choose the appropriate method.