Fit to purpose
A command and control room may use a high-resolution liquid crystal display (LCD) video wall to show the fine detail of images and charting.
With so many products to choose from, how can one ensure he/she is selecting the best technology that suits their company’s needs? The following are some aspects a sign company can discuss with their client to help him/her evaluate the different technologies.
- Shape: There can be limitations when it comes to setting up LCD displays, usually resulting in more rectangular shaped video walls. Because LED modules piece together like tiles, a more custom-shaped display is achievable. This makes LED displays more suitable to fit into spaces with odd and varied dimensions, including the ability to wrap various configurations.
- Lighting: In an area where there are more ambient lighting conditions, LCD displays do not have sufficient light power to make visuals cut through glare. However, some manufacturers offer premium, daylight-readable displays, which work well even
in direct sunlight. With LED screens, designed-in brightness wins those battles against direct sunlight. By sharing this knowledge with clients, sign companies can make sure their customers know about the available offerings. - Distance: When searching for the best display, distance of viewers from the visual needs to be determined. Close proximity best suits LCD because visuals will look vivid and sharp even up close. However, if viewers will be at a distance of 3 m (10 ft) or more, a relatively low-cost 1.5-mm (0.06-in.) pixel-pitch LED video wall will deliver big, rich, and seam-free visuals.
- Content: Before one can decide on the best technology to implement, businesses are in the best position to determine
what type of information they will be communicating on-screen. For example, a command and control room may use a high-resolution LCD video wall to show the fine detail of images and charting. On the other hand, a lobby of an office may require a large LED display to create a visual experience for visitors. - Physical constraints: If space is a concern, a sign company has the option of mounting systems that pull out to allow rear servicing, or LED displays that offer thin side profiles, which can be installed and serviced from the front.
From ideation to execution
Before one can decide on the best technology to implement, it must be determined what will be communicated on-screen.
A large video wall may simply appear as a giant television, but it can be so much more—especially considering all that happens from ideation through to execution. At any stage, it is easy to get things wrong. That said, the best advice for sign companies is to work with a display manufacturer/partner to work out the objectives, strategy, capital, and operating budgets.
Businesses must fully understand what will be communicated or displayed on the digital signage before making technological decisions as the design and scale of content has a direct influence on these choices. If a video wall project goes awry, the client is left with one very big monitor taking up space. However, when everything goes as planned, the client has a compelling digital canvas that powerfully drives and delivers on their objectives.
A seasoned enterprise business leader and expert in sales channel marketing, Mary Peterson is vice-president, IT and enterprise solutions for Samsung Canada where she shapes the strategic vision for the company’s IT B2B division in Canada. Throughout her more than 30-year career in the technology industry, she has created successful business divisions within the Canadian operations of some of the world’s most respected technology companies.
