A video wall is one large screen made up of multiple monitors tiled together.
A video wall can help improve employee productivity and raise brand visibility. They are commonly used to raise situational awareness, increase response times, and for disaster management, collaboration efforts, and quick decision making.
The video wall display is merely the most visible component of the video wall, which requires a processor and specialized software to run. Video walls can provide high resolution and an easy way to communicate quickly and effectively.
What Is a Video Wall System?
A video wall system is a high-resolution display wall, using several different monitors that are connected to form one large screen. These monitors are contiguously overlapped to form one large image for high visibility.
This differs from a single large screen. It allows the controller to customize tile layouts and has a greater pixel density and screen area per cost.
Video walls are found in stadiums, control rooms, and large public venues. The largest high-definition video wall in the world was achieved in August 2017 at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. It measures 7,639 feet, 5 inches. Video walls can vary in size and number of screens.
They are also commonly used by Fortune 500 companies. As they become more affordable and accessible, more and more companies are using them.
Components of a Video Wall System
A video wall system is more than just the visual display that you see on the wall. It is made up of the following main three components:
- Video wall displays: This involves a tiled arrangement of screens or monitors that are laid contiguously to form a single large high-definition display surface. Technologies for this display include LED, LCD, blended projection, and projection cubes. Each of these can differ in resolution, brightness, cost, and reliability.
- Processors: The video wall processor, or controller, is what works to make the content accessible and visible on the intended interface. The controller will gather all of the necessary input and content from the sources you wish to capture, send it to the displays and allow you to scale, adjust, and arrange it as desired.
- Software: The software is the interface, or “dashboard,” that allows you to control the entire video wall system. The software programs can contain a variety of tools, allowing the user to manipulate the display, content, and appearance as necessary. Video wall software can come with a high level of customization.
Benefits
A video wall display has a variety of benefits, including being more cost effective than a single large screen for a bigger-than-average display area.
These are other benefits:
- Highly visible communication tool: Public spaces, corporate workspaces, and control rooms often have a lot of information and data that need to be disseminated to employees, customers, or audiences. Video wall displays can offer a high-impact and very visible visual method of imparting this information.
- Ability to streamline content: A video wall system can combine and integrate information from a variety of sources in different formats, merging it into a single visual display.
- Increased versatility and flexibility: Video walls can display content from multiple sources at once and have the ability to process content from a variety of display sources and applications. Video walls can also be reconfigured and upgraded easily to change its look and function.
- Easy to control: Video wall systems are easy to configure and use with the controller and software. While they are high-tech, they are not necessarily complex or hard to use.
Costs of Video Wall Displays
Video wall displays come in a wide variety of sizes, brightness, and warranties. If you’re interested in these products, you can probably find one that fits your budget. But know that these products have costs in the thousands.
For example, a mid-sized video wall with LED panels could come with the following costs:
- Panels: $5,000 per panel (you’ll probably need four)
- Video processor: $10,000
- Software to run the processor: $5,000
- Mounting hardware (if it’s not included): $2,000
- Cables and connectors (if they’re not included): $1,000
Some business owners are savvy and can install and calibrate their walls independently. Most need to hire an outsider, especially as warranties can be voided with DIY work. If you do hire a contractor to help you, expect to pay $5,000 and up.
Best Brands for Video Wall Displays
Plenty of companies want to offer you video wall displays. Which one should you choose? This table can help you compare options at a glance and make an informed choice.
LCD and LED: What’s the Difference?
Video wall displays use one of two types of technology to share images. Understanding what they are and how they work could help you shop effectively.
The acronym LCD stands for liquid crystal display. This type of device uses liquid crystals — which don’t emit light but reflect it from backlights or reflectors. Computers often have LCD screens, as do digital cameras, watches, and calculators. While LCDs are effective, they can display shadow images when a picture is shown for too long.
The acronym LED stands for light-emitting diode. Displays with this technology use LEDs as pixels. LEDs are very bright and can be used outdoors, even when it’s bright and sunny. LEDs are considered more effective than standard projection screens, but they’re not as clear and crisp as LCDs.
Setup and Installation of Video Wall Displays
Setting up a video wall can be as simple or complex as you make it. Basically, it only requires deciding how many monitors or screens you want, the size of your display, buying the video wall components, and installing them.
Your installation can vary by manufacturer and product, as each one works a little differently. Always read your instructions carefully before you get started. Specifically, look closely at your warranty information. Some companies require you to hire a professional. If you tackle this step alone, you could void your warranty.
A very basic installation process contains these steps:
- Mount the displays. Your product contains mounting brackets that should be connected to the displays, per the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, mount those brackets to the wall. Play close attention to the spacing, so your images look streamlined.
- Connect them. Your product contains video cables that connect the displays to your desired video source. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to connect the displays to your source.
- Configure. Turn on the video wall, and navigate to the display settings menu. There, you can do things like adjust the brightness and color.
- Test. Push stills and moving images across the display and ensure that everything works as it should.
Installing a video wall can be time-consuming, especially if it’s large and complex. Set aside at least a few hours for the work, and know it might take all day to get it right. Again, hiring someone could be the best way to finish this process properly.
Maintenance and Support of Video Wall Displays
While plans can vary significantly, many video wall display providers offer warranties that last between 2 and 5 years. Those warranties could cover things like replacement parts and installation of those parts.
Ensure that you read every line of your warranty. Know what mistakes could void your protections and what to do if you need help.
A video wall should work well without much maintenance. However, the screens should be lightly dusted with compressed air, and you should inspect the surface for cracks and other signs of damage. Some manufacturers offer maintenance contracts in which professionals come out to clean and check your screens regularly. This could be a good investment if you’re using screens in high-traffic or hazardous areas, where breaks are common.
Video Wall Display FAQs
How do I make a video wall?
First, you’ll need to decide how you want your video wall to look — how big it will be, where it will go, and what you want it to do. From there, you’ll find a system that works for your space, installing as many screens as desired, chaining them together, and integrating them with a controller.
How much does a LED wall cost?
The cost of a video wall is highly variable, depending on the size and type you choose. They can range from a few thousand dollars to well over $400,000.
Is a video wall a single screen?
A video wall is multiple screens, often daisy chained together to create a seamless and integrated display. This is more cost-effective than a single oversized screen and gives the user more flexibility.
Are video walls hard to set up and use?
No, video walls are not complex to install or control. They are user friendly and can be easily controlled with a single interface.
References
- Largest High-Definition Video Wall. (2022). Guinness World Records Limited
- LED Excellence. (2022). Planar.
- Video Walls. (2021). LG Electronics
- Finance Your Billboard With Formetco. Formetco.
- Video Wall Solutions. (2022). Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc.
- Is This The World's Greenest Video Wall? (November 2013). Forbes.
- Barco Large Video Walls. (2022). Barco