Want to know how Times Square achieves such breathtakingly large video displays? It’s all due to video wall technologies. You see them in action everywhere, from busy downtown streets to hospitals.

They don’t always have to be the size of a small building, either. A video wall display is a versatile tool that can take on various shapes and sizes.

Why does this matter to you?

It’s because nearly every industry can benefit from using video walls. Even if you aren’t out to promote anything, a large display surface always comes in handy.

Check out our in-depth breakdown to discover what a video wall can do for you.

What Is a Video Wall? Explained in Plain English

A video wall combines multiple displays to achieve one large display. They range from tiny LED panels to LCD monitors.

The multiple displays have thin frames to join together seamlessly. That gives the appearance of one giant screen.

A video wall can work cohesively for a single large display – or each monitor can show something different.

For the individual screens, most video walls use LED technology – with LCD monitors, tiles, and cubes following suit.

Recommended: What Is Digital Signage? Here’s How It Can Help Your Business

How Does a Video Wall Work? The Hardware and Software You’ll Need

For a video wall to work, you need video wall software and some type of video wall controller.

You’ll work with video wall software to add specific imagery, videos, or messages while using a video wall processor to control how you split the images.

Video wall controllers grant you the ability to use the full pixel resolution of your video wall, supporting multiple applications to display content.

When deciding on a video wall, there are four essential components to consider. You’ll need to make a few crucial decisions before going all-in on a video wall display.

1. Decide Which Display Fits Your Need

The first step is to decide which type of display is right for your needs. Options include:

• LED panels
• LCD panels
• Tiles
• Cubes

LED panels are ideal for creating large, seamless displays that won’t burn out. They’re prevalent in sporting arenas, downtown advertisements, and digital artwork.

LCD panels thrive wherever you need multi-source visualization, making them perfect for conferences and control rooms. LCDs have more pronounced bezels than LED panels, which is great for showing content from more than one source.  

Tiles and Cubes make eye-grabbing digital displays. A three-dimensional cube with screens on each side makes for a wild visual that will intrigue anyone nearby. Using tiled displays is a fantastic way to ‘breadcrumb’ viewers toward a specific location or screen.

2. Selecting the Right Video Wall Processors

The video wall processor is the software that makes sure each source signal goes to the correct screen. It also ensures the proper resolution of each image.

In other words, the video wall processor controls what the screens display..

The processor is a piece of software that’s typically installed on a matrix switcher. The switcher comes with a remote (similar to a TV) and can sometimes connect to external devices, such as a laptop.

You’ll need to decide if you need a standard processor or an advanced one. A basic video wall processor is fine if you’re taking content from a single source and displaying it to multiple screens.

If you’re taking content from more than one source to your displays, you’ll need an advanced processor.

3. Using Video Extenders for a Seamless Presentation

Ideally, you want to place your processor next to your video wall display. That makes it easy to connect the two with a standard video cable. Yet, sometimes that’s not always possible.

If your video wall is in an area where you can’t store your processor, you’ll have to place it elsewhere.

An example would be storing it in your IT room so that it doesn’t get in the way of your video wall presentation.

That’s where a video extender comes into the picture, carrying the video signal from your processor to your display.

4. Determining Which Video Wall Controller Works for You

The video wall controller is the hardware that contains the processing software. It’s what you’ll use to input commands to your video wall. There are three different types of video wall controllers available. They are:

• OEM-provided controller. These are the controllers that come included with most video walls. They’re typically matrix switchers controlled by a remote.
• PC-based controller. Another option is to install the processing software on a PC along with input/output cards to control the displays. While this is an affordable option, the controls are pretty limited, and stability issues may occur.
• Professional–grade touchscreen controllers. These are the highest-end and most robust video wall controllers. They feature user-friendly touchscreen controls for simplified operations.

These Four Benefits Fuel the Rapid Adoption of Video Walls

Now that you know what makes video walls tick, what can they do for you?

The answer is they can do much more than you may think. A video wall installation can become whatever you want.

Do you want to use multiple displays to create a single canvas to show off your art? Or would you prefer to arrange the displays in a square for a more interesting design?

Video wall display technologies make it all possible.

Here are the four main benefits you’ll enjoy from installing a video wall.

1. Freedom to Display Your Content the Way You Want

Video walls enable you to break free from the limitations of traditional signage. You’ll enjoy total freedom when devising ways to display your art, ads, and information.

An example would be setting up a virtual fitting room on a video wall outside your clothing store. Or you could set up a 3D video wall cube outside your tech store, showing off new products and features.

If you want to get creative with digital signage, video walls grant you the ability to think outside the box.

2. Educate Customers with Interactive Displays

Educating customers about your product can encourage them to take the next step and try it out. An interactive video wall is a perfect way to entice people to learn more about your business.

The best part?

Video walls offer many compelling interactive features. For example, touchscreens enable customers to get up close and personal with your display.

Educational opportunities for customers include:

• Learning more about your company
• Viewing products in different colors and sizes
• Seeing new product features in action

3. Quickly and Affordably Adapt to New Changes

The professional world is fast-paced, and change is always just around the corner.

Policies change, menus get updated, and branding images get tweaked. Traditionally, that meant ordering expensive new signs and materials to keep up with the changes.

Video walls eliminate that expenditure of time and money.

If corporate HQ updates your menu, it only takes a few minutes to upload the new one to your video wall. The same is true for all recent changes and updates to information.

4. Video Walls Are Drawing More Attention and More Customers

You need a video wall if you want to nail your company’s first impression with customers. An interactive video wall display catches the eye and wows customers.

With superior resolutions and brightness, video walls can’t help draw attention to themselves. They’re the ideal tool for promoting your business and upcoming events.

Top 5 Main Use Cases of Video Walls

In today’s age, video walls are everywhere. Large digital displays have numerous use cases, from government organizations to your favorite neighborhood pub.

Here are the top five most common uses for video walls to narrow things down.

1. College Campuses

Universities can use video walls to make education more dynamic and exciting.

Instead of falling asleep to boring lectures, students can engage with interactive video walls to improve engagement and retention.

Beyond that, uses for video walls on college campuses include:

• Interactive maps
• Displaying announcements
• Live video streams

2. Outdoor Advertising

You can’t beat a video wall if you want to get the word out about your business. Taking a quick walk through Times Square is proof of this. A large LED display will make your ad far more noticeable.

You also get the chance to incorporate video, animation, and other forms of dynamic content to showcase your core values and brand quality.

3. Conference & Meeting Rooms

There’s nothing worse than trying to keep up with a corporate meeting on a dimly-lit projector. A video wall will provide a bright, vibrant, and interesting display to make your meeting room more engaging.

Multi-source visualization comes in handy for these situations too. An example would be a corporate control room needing to display live camera feeds, maps, and other content at once.

4. Clubs, Pubs & Restaurants

Bar and restaurant owners always want the largest TV to show the big game. Well, there’s nothing bigger than a massive video wall.

With it, you can show all the major sporting events or multiple games at once. It can also serve as a way to show off your specials and new menu items between sporting events.

5. Sport Venues

The people in the nosebleeds still paid good money for their seats. Providing a massive video wall will ensure everyone in the arena keeps up with the action.

Video walls are great for showing sponsor ads, which can boost your revenue.

Revolutionize Your Operation with a Video Wall from Wallboard

Video wall software is a powerful technology that has uses everywhere. It can turn heads, promote events, educate, and improve your communications.

Whether you want a video wall for your university or a waste management control room, Wallboard offers cloud-based digital signage software solutions to help you manage your content with ease..

Still on the fence? Get in touch with our team today and schedule a consultation to learn how to leverage digital signage to supercharge your business processes.

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