Lighting The Future With LED Displays
No matter how the world changes, the desire to look good and feel important is always there. Companies are no exception—as they try to grow and outmatch one another, projecting the best possible image is always a priority.
One of the ways that a company can “legitimize” their business and outperform the rest is by featuring the latest technology that helps enhance both productivity and image. A new wave of technological installation is imposing itself upon the world, leaving no industry untouched. I could go into detail about the evolution of the workplace, of sporting events, entertainment, and just about every space out there over the past decade, but you have already experienced it already, even if you are unaware of its immensity. This product has had massive success across the world and is in high demand. You can’t turn on a TV, go to any major city, enjoy a concert, or even visit some churches without encountering this product. So, what is this product that’s transforming industries and spaces all over the world? It’s video wall technology.
I’m sure most of you can recognize a video wall, but to explain in layman’s terms, it’s a multi-monitor setup consisting of individual monitors tiled together to create a large and unified screen. It sounds and looks simple enough, but in reality, what goes into building a video wall is much more complicated than what it seems. There’s a lot to consider when designing a video wall, such as the size of the wall itself, pixel pitch, LED/LCD technology, type of tile/cabinet, and capability. You also need to take into account all of the potential uses for the video wall and the industry in which it will operate. On top of it all, that there is a lot of planning and coordinating with multiple departments in regard to product installation. Depending on the size of the project, completion may take anywhere from a month to a year. Additionally, country, state and city regulations can have a big influence. Keep in mind, though, that if the proper time and effort are put into the installation of a video wall, it will be the ultimate product to dominate the area. There is a reason why millions of people go to Times Square or the Las Vegas Strip every year at night and just stare up at the signs and videos playing on the screens.
Businesses have to evolve constantly so that they are not left behind. An example is broadcast television. Until a few years ago, all broadcast TV news outlets incorporated green screen technology in the background of the set to show viewers what they were reporting on. At the time, green screens were the best technology on the market, but now that video walls are available, it is the cheaper and more limited option of the two. Presenters on the set have to trust that what is being displayed on the green screen is the right image, especially when they need to point at something (think weather reports). On the other hand, with a video wall, presenters can see what’s on view and be more accurate in their reporting. Video walls offer studio sets change capabilities: two shows can be performed at the same time in the same studio, but with mobilization options for video walls, what’s on display can be moved around and the viewer would be none the wiser.
One of the biggest questions that someone interested in video walls often has is the cost of this technology. The right answer isn’t a number or a price tag but the fact that you get what you pay for. In other words, any LED company can get their product featured in a trade show and look fantastic, but what actually matters is what goes on under the surface. I’ve worked with a staging company that bought a large LED from an off-brand company. At the start, it worked great, but over time all video walls need maintenance. That’s not really a problem for the bigger brands because servicing their product is something they do frequently, but when it comes to off-brand walls, you either need to pay a lot to get service on their part or you do it yourself. At the end of the day, the video wall we purchased was always the main attraction at our events and received the most compliments, so you could say its popularity and allure compensated for the maintenance issue. Still, there’s no need to sacrifice convenience for appeal. If you’re careful when you’re looking to buy a video wall, then you can invest in a quality product that looks amazing today and is easy to maintain down the road.