What is a Video Wall?

A video wall is a unique multi-monitor system that comprises of several computer monitors, video projectors, or television sets lined alongside or overlapping each other to form a giant screen. Distinctive display technologies take account of LCD panels, Direct View LED arrays, blended projection screens, Laser Phosphor Displays, and rear projection cubes.

Why do we use Video Walls?

Whys and wherefores for using a video wall are many. We recommend a video wall over a single large screen as you can modify the tile layouts, get a greater screen area per unit cost, and greater pixel density per unit cost, due to the economics of manufacturing single screens which are unusual in shape, size, or resolution.

Where are they used?

Video walls are frequently seen in control rooms, stadiums, and other enormous public venues. Practical examples are seen in baggage claim sections of Oakland and McCarran International Airports. They serve as advertising platform to millions of commuters. Video walls are significantly used in smaller venues too; such that regulars can follow the screens; both near and far away, correspondingly requiring both high pixel density and large size. The 100-inch video wall in the main lobby of Lafayette Library and Learning Center is not only huge enough for distant onlookers to view photos; but also offers the nearby bystanders ample resolution to read the upcoming events. The largest video wall as of 2014 is located at the Texas Motor Speedway track and measures 218 by 125 feet (66 by 38 m).

What is Video wall controller?

Video wall controller, also called “processor” is a device that splits a single image into parts to be displayed on individual screens. Video wall controllers can be separated into two groups:

1. Hardware-based controllers are electronic devices without an operating system. It is built on an array of video processing chipsets and are preferred for their extraordinary performance and steadfastness. Its disadvantages include high price and the want of flexibility. A single input multiple outputs scalar is an example of video wall controller. It receives one video input, splitting the image into separate parts corresponding to displays in the video wall.
2. Software-based PC & video-card controllers is a computer run operating system in a PC or server. It equips exceptional multiple-output graphic cards and optionally with video capture input cards. These video wall controllers are fabricated on industrial-grade chassis and find application in control rooms and situational centers due to the consistency. Though expensive; it can be used for video wall deployments. The quality of graphic cards and management software determines the performance of software-based controller.

Multi-monitor video cards can run simple video walls but complex arrangements need dedicated video processors, so designed to manage and drive large video walls. In the present day, video walls are not bounded to a single purpose but used copiously in various applications. As the technology continues to progress, the global video wall market is projected to double by 2020.