Video wall

A video wall in television studio

A video wall is a special multi-monitor setup that consists of multiple computer monitors, video projectors, or television sets tiled together contiguously or overlapped in order to form one large screen. Typical display technologies include LCD panels, Direct View LED arrays, blended projection screens, Laser Phosphor Displays, and rear projection cubes. Jumbotron technology was also previously used. Diamond Vision was historically similar to Jumbotron in that they both used cathode-ray tube (CRT) technology, but with slight differences between the two. Early Diamond vision displays used separate flood gun CRTs, one per subpixel. Later Diamond vision displays and all Jumbotrons used field-replaceable modules containing several flood gun CRTs each, one per subpixel, that had common connections shared across all CRTs in a module; the module was connected through a single weather-sealed connector.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Screens specifically designed for use in video walls usually have narrow bezels in order to minimize the gap between active display areas, and are built with long-term serviceability in mind.[9] Such screens often contain the hardware necessary to stack similar screens together, along with connections to daisy chain power, video, and command signals between screens.[10] A command signal may, for example, power all screens in the video wall on or off, or calibrate the brightness of a single screen after bulb replacement (in Projection-based screens).

Reasons for using a video wall instead of a single large screen can include the ability to customize tile layouts, greater screen area per unit cost, and greater pixel density per unit cost, due to the economics of manufacturing single screens which are unusual in shape, size, or resolution.

Video walls are sometimes found in control rooms, stadiums, and other large public venues. Examples include the video wall in Oakland International Airport's baggage claim,[11] where patrons are expected to observe the display at long distances, and the 100 screen video wall at McCarran International Airport, which serves as an advertising platform for the 40 million passengers passing through airport annually.[12] Video walls can also benefit smaller venues when patrons may view the screens both up close and at a distance, respectively necessitating both high pixel density and large size. For example, the 100-inch video wall located in the main lobby of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center has enough size for the distant passerby to view photos while also providing the nearby observer enough resolution to read about upcoming events.[13]

Simple video walls can be driven from multi-monitor video cards, however more complex arrangements may require specialized video processors, specifically designed to manage and drive large video walls.[9] Software-based video wall technology that uses ordinary PCs, displays and networking equipment can also be used for video wall deployments.[14][15]

The largest video wall as of 2013 was located at the backstretch of the Charlotte Motor Speedway motorsport track. Developed by Panasonic, it measures 200 by 80 feet (61 by 24 m) and uses LED technology. The Texas Motor Speedway installed an even larger screen in 2014, measuring 218 by 125 feet (66 by 38 m).[16]

Video walls are not limited to a single purpose but are now being used in dozens of different applications.

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  2. ^ Mitsubishi's Large-Scale Display Changed the Way We Watch Live Sports. University of Lahore – via site.ieee.org.
  3. ^ "Mitsubishi Diamond Vision Mark III HR 15mmPP Flat Matrix CRT". lampes-et-tubes.info.
  4. ^ "Futaba SONY (TL-08D) 8-799-070-01 Flood Beam CRT Jumbotron Tube". lampes-et-tubes.info.
  5. ^ "Itron HB 2F89068 Mark III Flat Matrix CRT Unit". lampes-et-tubes.info.
  6. ^ Drummer, G. W. A. (January 1, 1997). Electronic Inventions and Discoveries: Electronics from its earliest beginnings to the present day, Fourth Edition. CRC Press. ISBN 9780750304931 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Whitaker, Jerry C. (December 23, 1996). The Electronics Handbook. CRC Press. ISBN 9780849383458 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ "Futaba TL-3508XA Jumbotron Display". Industrial Alchemy.
  9. ^ a b "What is a Video Wall?". Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  10. ^ "Clarity Margay II Specifications". Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  11. ^ "Terminal 2 Baggage Claim Building Opens In July" (PDF). Oakland International Travel Planner. Port of Oakland. 2006. p. 12. Retrieved 2017-12-05. An 8-foot by 21-foot video wall featuring finished works by local artists commissioned by the Port of Oakland
  12. ^ "Las Vegas Airport 100 Screen Video Wall". CineMassive. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
  13. ^ "Living Media Wall". Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  14. ^ "Startup of the Week: Hiperwall".
  15. ^ Digitaldirectoryexpress
  16. ^ World’s largest HD video board to be built at Texas Motor Speedway - NBC Sports, 23 September 2013