This month, we focus our sights on visually stunning commercial and professional grade videowalls. Advancing technology allows for the most narrow bezels yet, brilliant colors, and exceptional options. Installation options are made simpler and smoother without comprising quality.
Analog Way’s Ascender 32 – 4K is a powerful, multi-screen seamless switcher with 32 scalers and 12 seamless inputs with 42 input plugs: six HDMI, nine DVI-I, three Display-Port, 12 3G/HD/SD-SDI, and 12 universal analog. In addition to a native background layer, the Ascender 32 – 4K can display up to four true-seamless scaled layers plus one native background per output. Designed to support multi-output systems, the Ascender 32 – 4K is fully adaptable to videowall applications. It is equipped with four outputs that contain five output plugs including DVI Dual Link, HDMI 4K, and 3G/HD/SD-SDI. It can output a variety of formats and, within the confinement of the platform’s maximum bandwidth, adapt to any kind of videowall pixel aspect ratio through “Custom Output Formats.” This functionality allows the operator to define the output resolution for applications that may require a specific native format. To easily perform simple switching and operations from a single Crestron touchscreen, the Ascender 32 – 4K can be operated through the AW VideoCompositor by any non-technical person. Analog Way also developed an open API control protocol along with AMX Crestron drivers in order to facilitate the integration of switchers in the automated videowall environment.
BenQ PL550
BenQ’s PL550 Ultra-Narrow Bezel Display is a 55in. videowall panel that provides digital signage professionals with the world’s smallest bezel-to-bezel gap—only 3.5mm—to create content experiences that are entirely seamless to the viewer. The PL550 delivers crisp, bright images with an FHD 1920×1080 resolution. To facilitate largescale installations, the LCD panel provides HDMI digital daisy-chain capabilities to connect up to 16 displays without a splitter. Connectivity is supported via a direct USB flash drive and video-over-Ethernet, while BenQ’s Multiple Display Administration (MDA) software tools make maintenance and scheduling system integration simple and efficient.
Black Box Radian Video Wall Processor
Create massive videowalls to improve situational awareness in command centers, control rooms, and mission-critical operations centers with Black Box’s Radian Video Wall Processor—designed to support 24/7 operations. You will be able to display low-latency video from any source, including H.264 streams. The scalable processor offers hundreds of inputs, up to 64 outputs, and allows for realtime resizing of any content window. With Radian, multiple walls can be managed from the same processor by several users. Radian also supports 4K and HDCP, and is compatible with any Ultra HD display.
BrightSign LS423
BrightSign’s LS423 is a fully featured, commercial-grade player offering a superior alternative to consumer devices often chosen for price-sensitive digital signage installations. Based on the award-winning BrightSign HD platform, BrightSign LS423 delivers signature reliability and affordability, with a robust feature set including H.265 Full HD video decoding, a basic HTML5 engine, USB 2.0 type C, and networking. Capable of 1080p60 Full HD video decode and supporting HTML content, the LS423 is an economical way to support even the largest videowalls. Customers can use the BrightWall feature within BrightAuthor for easy videowall setup and perfect synchronization.
Contemporary Research 232-ATSC 4
A universal TV tuner, Contemporary Research’s 232-ATSC 4 can receive both analog and digital MPEG-2/MPEG-4 channels, in ATSC, NTSC, and clear QAM formats. Using an optional RF switcher, the tuner can switch between antenna and cable feeds. The integrator-friendly HDTV tuner is controllable with two-way RS-232 and IP Telnet, as well as wireless and wired IR commands. An onboard webpage enables remote Web control. A new menu-driven display simplifies setup, and a front-panel USB port makes firmware updates a snap. The new compact enclosure allows mounting of two tuners in a single rack space.
Datapath iolite 600
Datapath, world-leading engineers of visual solutions, has launched the iolite 600—a discreet videowall controller for small-to medium-scale walls. The compact iolite system fits perfectly into retail, corporate reception, and boardroom environments, offering low noise emissions and high levels of customization and flexibility. The iolite system can be combined with up to six of Datapath’s Vision, decode and graphics cards to offer a flexible blend of inputs, outputs, and SQX IP streams. Furthermore, the system can decode and feed content to multiple locations simultaneously with SQX technology.
Epson Pro L1405U
The Epson Pro L1405U large-venue laser projector, combined with the ELPLX01 ultra short-throw lens, offers a laser light source and 3LCD technology for powerful, uncompromising, ultra-short-throw projections with up to a 400in. display. Ideal for a wide range of projection installations, including videowalls, the Pro L1405U delivers 8000 lumens of color brightness, 8000 lumens of white brightness, and native WUXGA performance with Epson 4K Enhancement Technology. Its features are ideal for easy installation including powered lens shift for easy adjustments. The ELPLX01 zero-offset lens features a 0.35 throw ratio, one of the shortest in the industry, allowing the projector to be installed just inches away from a screen or wall and still project a large, clear, crisp image.
ICS Technology WC5000
ICS Technology offers full lines of both hardware and PC architecture-based videowall processors. The WC5000 can offer up to 48 video outputs at up to UHD resolutions. With its MultiPixel technology, the WC line can match custom native resolutions and support multiple outputs concurrently at different resolutions and orientations with the same processor. Capture types include analog, DVI, HDMI, DP, multiple SDI types, and h.264 network streams. It also includes advanced features including scaling, cropping, onscreen display text, rotation, gap compensation/overlay, HDCP, input source playlists, and the ability to run Microsoft Windows applications as part of a layout presentation. All ICS products are Trade Agreements Act compliant.
Kramer VSM-4x4HFS
The Kramer VSM-4x4HFS is a presentation scaler/switcher that can also be used as a 2×2 videowall driver. It has a multitude of operation modes including 4×4 matrix switcher mode, the videowall (2×2) processor mode, dual display (PIP/P&P) mode and quad display mode. The unique 2×2 videowall mode allows one of the most economical and yet effective solutions for impressive videowall displays for both retail and entertainment venues such as sports bars. The VSM-4x4HFS offers an incredibly fast and clean switching experience, with absolutely no glitches.
LG 55VH7B
LG’s 55VH7B series features a nearly borderless design, with a bezel only 0.9 mm thin, and can connect seamlessly with other displays to create a powerful and impactful image for an immersive experience to capture any viewer’s attention. The videowall series features a high-performance system-on-a-chip (SoC) which works with LG’s webOS for signage platform to lower the cost of ownership by eliminating the need for an external player. Each display features LG’s In Plane Switching (IPS) panel technology to ensure accurate color saturation and contrast, even at wide viewing angles, that results in an unparalleled picture quality. Each model is designed to be lightweight, weighing no more than 20lbs., which, combined with a slim depth of 87mm, allowing for easier product installation and maintenance. The 55VH7B effectively raises customer awareness, particularly in areas with heavy foot traffic such as museums, galleries, and large retail stores.
LynTec Remote Power Control (RPC) Series
LynTec’s Remote Power Control (RPC) Series of breaker panels offers the easiest setup and operation in self-contained panels for simple, intuitive power control of videowalls. With the proliferation of large videowalls in numerous venues, integrators and operators alike need to plan for the unique challenges presented by this growing technology. LynTec’s feature-rich RPC panels are the answer; encapsulating everything needed to maximize product life and ensure an installed videowall operates properly. RPC panels feature built-in, customizable sequencing for inrush control, and automated on/off control to reduce electrical costs, and protect electronics when not in use. The RPC Series offers the largest selection of panel options for cost control and is fully customizable to any install with retrofit relay panels or controllable circuit breaker panels based on build type. A built-in Web server enables easy browser-based setup and control via smartphones, tablets, or computers, while an astronomical timer allows for scheduling of events. The RPC Series is fully compatible with any control system that communicates in IP, DMX-512, sACN, RS-232, Telnet, BACnet (IP or MS/TP), or has a browser-based interface.