KVM Extenders: FAQs

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In this FAQ, you will find answers to some basic questions about KVM extenders. Read on to learn about what they are, how they work, where they are used, their benefits, the maximum distance that signals can be extended, and more.

What is a KVM extender? What does a KVM extender do?

A keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) extender enables users to work on a computer from a distance. Typically, it is a set of transmitter and receiver appliances. The KVM transmitter unit is connected to the computer system and captures the peripheral signals such as universal serial bus (USB) for keyboard and mouse, audio, and video. These signals are extended to a remote user station where the monitors, keyboard, and mouse are powered by the KVM receiver unit. KVM extenders overcome the distance limitation of HDMI®, DisplayPort™, and USB cables and transport these signals anywhere from 15 feet to several miles away from the system.

How does a KVM extender work?

KVM extenders consist of a transmitter and receiver pair. A transmitter unit is located next to the computer system, and a receiver unit resides at the remote user station. The units communicate with each other over copper (such as CAT5e) or fiber optic cabling.
The KVM transmitter unit captures the input/output (I/O) signals from the computer—while the most common signals are video, audio, and USB for control, some models also extend RS232 and infrared (IR) signals. The KVM extender encodes these signals and uses either proprietary or standard internet protocol to transport them to the KVM receiver unit, which decodes these signals and powers the remote peripheral devices (such as displays, keyboard, mouse, and speakers).

What are the benefits of using KVM extenders?

A KVM extender is useful wherever there is a need to control a computer from a distance—which could be for a variety of purposes. The most common reasons to use a KVM extender include user comfort and safety, centralization of equipment for security and easy maintenance, and enabling/improving collaborative efforts. When a user needs to work on more than one system, using KVM extension with switching solutions declutters and optimizes desk space—since multiple computers can be controlled with a single set of displays, keyboard, and mouse.

Where are KVM extenders used?

KVM solutions are deployed in a wide range of industries and control room applications to improve security, ergonomics, and collaboration—from industrial control rooms to military and defense command centers, airport management, transportation, emergency dispatch centers, post-production, broadcast, education and healthcare, to name but a few.

What are IP KVM extenders?

IP KVM extenders enable users to work on a computer from a distance. They use internet protocol to transmit signals from point A to point B, convert the signals into packets, and distribute them through standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) network switches. IP KVM extenders offer many advantages over point-to-point KVM extenders. They enable the design of KVM matrix systems over IP, where any source system can be accessed from any remote location on the network. The network switch effectively replaces the traditional KVM matrix switch and provides better scalability.

What is a KVM switch? How is it different from a KVM extender?

KVM switch is a hardware device that allows a single user to control multiple computers with a single set of displays, keyboard, and mouse attached to the KVM switch. The primary goal of the KVM extender on the other hand is to extend the video, keyboard, mouse, audio, and USB signals of the system to a remote user station. IP KVM extenders support both of these functions—they extend the KVM signals over IP and allow users to control multiple computers from a single set of displays, keyboard, and mouse attached to the KVM receiver unit. With IP KVM extenders, the network switch effectively replaces the fixed-port KVM switch.

What cable types are supported for transmission?

Typically, two types of KVM extenders can be found—those that support fiber optic cabling, and others that support CATx (copper wire) cabling. Some KVM extenders can support both types of cabling. The type of cabling required will be dictated by the distance the signals need to be extended (fiber optic cables support the longest distance), the environmental conditions, and the security level required (fibre optic cable is immune to electro-magnetic interface and considered more secure).

What is the maximum distance that the signals can be extended?

This depends largely on the cabling and the design of the KVM extender. As a general guideline, CATx cables support a maximum distance of about 100 meters (328.08 feet) in point-to-point extension, while IP KVM extenders support longer distances over CATx networks. Fiber optic cables provide a quantum jump in distance supported than CATx—for example, fiber optic single-mode cabling can cover up to 10 kilometers (6.21 miles).

What are the common video connection standards?

DisplayPort and HDMI are the most common video connection standards available on modern graphics cards and displays. The HDMI and DisplayPort specifications establish the maximum supported resolution per revision, the required bandwidth, and the corresponding high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) revision.

What is HDCP?

HDCP is a hardware encryption specification that protects digital content from being transmitted to non-compliant devices and prevents the unauthorized duplication of the content.

How many monitors can I extend with a KVM extender?

Select high-performance KVM extender models support multi-display configurations, extending up to four video signals with a single transmitter/receiver pair over a single fiber-optic or CATx cable. To support higher number of displays, multiple KVM extenders can be used with a system.

Why does bitrate matter in IP KVM installations?

Bitrate measures the amount of data transmitted per second, generally in megabits per second (Mbps). It indicates the amount of bandwidth an IP KVM extender requires for transporting audio, video, and USB signals over the network. Evaluating the available network bandwidth is critical in planning and deploying an IP KVM solution.

What type of security features do IP KVM extenders support?

IP KVM extenders could offer several security features, such as encryption to protect the confidentiality of the information transmitted, and user authentication to prevent unauthorized remote access to systems.

Can a user access multiple computers with IP KVM extenders?

Yes. Select IP KVM extender models support many-to-one configurations. A user can control multiple systems from a single receiver unit (remote user station).

Can multiple users access the same computer with IP KVM extenders?

Yes, select IP KVM extender models support one-to-many configurations. Multiple users can access the same computer system from different receiver units (different remote user stations).

Can I switch between two computers running different operating systems (for example, Windows® and Linux®)?

Yes, select IP KVM extenders are compatible with multiple operating systems, and they allow switching between two computers each running a different operating system. A user can then work remotely on these computers from a single receiver unit that powers single set of displays, keyboard, and mouse.

What is the SRT Protocol?

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Understanding The Secure Reliable Transport Protocol

SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) is a royalty-free, open-source video streaming transport protocol that delivers secure low-latency streaming performance over noisy or unpredictable (lossy) networks such as the public internet. SRT uses an intelligent packet retransmit mechanism called ARQ (Automatic Repeat reQuest) on top of a UDP data flow to protect against packet loss and fluctuating bandwidth, as well as to ensure the quality of your live video.

High-quality, low-latency live videos

The use of video in businesses, governments, schools, and defense is on a sharp rise. Many protocols have addressed compatibility distribution of streaming video to very large volume of viewers consuming content from disparate devices and appliances. However, one of the best ways to leverage the assets already on premises at various organizations, as well as the considerable investment by service providers in the cloud, is to feed streaming distribution tools with very low-latency video and do so reliably.

SRT takes some of the best aspects of User Datagram Protocol (UDP), such as low latency, but adds error-checking to match the reliability of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). While TCP/IP handles all data profiles and is optimal for its job, SRT can address high-performance video specifically.

What are the common applications of SRT?

IT thought leaders among enterprise and government end-users are especially excited about SRT because it’s a viable replacement for the Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP). RTMP is a TCP-based streaming protocol originally developed to work with Adobe Flash players and still in use today as a protocol for live streaming video.

RTMP’s primary function is to deliver content from an encoder to an online video host. Known for its low-latency streaming and minimal buffering capabilities, RTMP was often used by broadcasters for streaming live events in real time. However, because RTMP cannot stream HEVC video content, it’s not ideal for new applications. SRT, unlike RTMP, is codec agnostic and can stream any type of video content.

What are the benefits of using the SRT protocol?

Streaming video over the internet can be a challenge due to unpredictable network conditions, including unstable connections, bandwidth limitations, and latency issues. SRT supports:

  • Pristine quality video – SRT is designed to protect against jitter, packet loss, and bandwidth fluctuations due to congestion over noisy networks for the best viewing experience possible. This is done through advanced low latency retransmission techniques that compensate for and manage the packet loss. SRT can withstand up to 10% packet loss with no visual degradation to the stream.
  • Low latency – In spite of dealing with network challenges, video and audio is delivered with low latency. It has the combined advantages of the reliability of TCP/IP delivery and the speed of UDP.
  • Secure end-to-end transmission – Industry-standard AES 128/256-bit encryption ensures protection of content over the internet. SRT provides simplified firewall traversal.
  • Leveraging the internet – Because SRT ensures security and reliability, the public internet is now viable for an expanded range of streaming applications—like streaming to cloud sites (for example, LiveScale omnicast multi-cloud platform’s concurrent distribution to multiple social media such as Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitch, and Periscope from one live video feed), streaming or remoting an entire video wall content, or regions of interest of a video wall, and more.
  • Interoperability – Users can confidently deploy SRT through their entire video and audio streaming workflows knowing that multi-vendor products will work together seamlessly.
  • Open source – Royalty-free, next-generation open-source protocol leads to cost-effective, interoperable, and future-proofed solutions.

What are the common applications of SRT?

SRT also addresses security concerns and focuses on performance video – even through public internet infrastructure. Common applications of SRT include:

  • Remote broadcasting
  • Online video platforms
  • Content delivery networks
  • Enterprise video content management systems
  • Hardware, software, and services internet streaming infrastructure companies

What is the SRT Alliance?

Established in 2017, the SRT Alliance is a community of industry leaders and developers that aims to support the free availability and collaborative development of the SRT protocol.

Matrox Video is a member of the SRT Alliance and endorses the use of SRT.

Introduction to Color Spaces in Video

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What is color space?

Color space is a mathematical representation of a range of colors. When referring to video, many people use the term “color space” when actually referring to the “color model.” Some common color models include RGB, YUV 4:4:4, YUV 4:2:2, and YUV 4:2:0. This page aims to explain the representation of color in a video setting while outlining the differences between common color models.

How are colors represented digitally?

Virtually all displays—whether TV, smartphone, monitor, or otherwise—start by displaying colors at the same level: the pixel. The pixel is a small component capable of displaying any single color at a time. Pixels are like tiles on a mosaic, with each pixel represents a single sample of a larger image. When properly aligned and illuminated, they can collectively be presented as a complex image to a viewer.

While the human eye perceives each pixel as a single color, every pixel is actually made up of the combination of three subpixels colored red, green, and blue.

Pixel representation of a sample of a larger image

While the human eye perceives each pixel as a single color, every pixel is actually made up of the combination of three subpixels colored red, green, and blue.

By combining these subpixels in different ratios, different colors can be obtained.

                                                         RGB color space

By mixing red, green, and blue, it’s possible to obtain a wide spectrum of colors. This is referred to as RGB additive mixing.

The color space itself is a mathematical representation of a range of colors:

8-bit vs 10-bit color

8-bit and 10-bit refer to the number of bits per color component or color depth.
RGB 8 bits (sometimes written as RGB 8:8:8) refers to a pixel with 8 bits of red component, 8 bits of green component, and 8 bits of blue component. This means that each color component can be represented in 28, or 256 hues. Since there are three color components per pixel, this leaves a total of 2563, or 16.77 million possible colors per pixel.
Similarly, RGB 10 bits refers to a pixel with 10 bits of red component, 10 bits of green component, and 10 bits of blue component. Each color can therefore be represented in 210, or 1024 hues, leaving a total of 10243 or 1.074 billion total possible pixel colors.

                                                      YUV or YCbCr color space

YUV color space was invented as a broadcast solution to send color information through channels built for monochrome signals. Color is incorporated to a monochrome signal by combining the monochrome signal (also called brightness, luminance, or luma, and represented by the Y symbol), with two chrominance signals (also called chroma and represented by UV or CbCr symbols). This allows for full color definition and image quality on the receiving end of the transmission.

Storing or transferring video over IP can be taxing on network infrastructure. Chroma subsampling is a way to represent this video at a fraction of the original bandwidth, therefore reducing the strain on the network. This takes advantage of the human eye’s sensitivity to brightness as opposed to color. By reducing the detail required in the color information, video can be transferred at a lower bitrate in a way that’s barely noticeable to the viewers.

YUV 4:4:4

 

Full color depth is usually referred to as 4:4:4. The first number indicates that there are four pixels across, the second indicates that there are four unique colors, and the third indicates that there are four changes in color for the second row. These numbers are unrelated to the size of individual pixels.

Each pixel then receives three signals, one luma (brightness) component represented by Y, and two color difference components known as chroma represented by Cr (U) and Cb (V).

YUV subsampling

Subsampling is a way of sharing color across multiple pixels and using the eye and brain’s natural tendency to mix neighboring pixels. Subsampling reduces the color resolution by sampling chroma information at lower rate than luma information.

 

YUV 4:2:2 vs. 4:2:0

4:2:2 subsampling implies that the chroma components are only sampled at half the frequency of the luma:
                                                                                                 

The chroma components from pixels one, three, five, and seven will be shared with pixels two, four, six, and eight respectively. This reduces the overall image bandwidth by 33%.

Similarly, in 4:2:0 sub-sampling, the chroma components are sampled at a fourth of the frequency of the luma.

The components are shared by four pixels in a square pattern, which reduces the overall image bandwidth by 50%.
Several other chroma subsampling methods exist, but these are the two principles of chroma subsampling reducing the image bandwidth by reducing the pixel color sampling frequency remains the same.
The image below details how a 4×2 pixel region is represented in 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 subsampling.
                                                                                                   
In the example below, the three frames (one luminosity and two chromas) can be combined to create the final colored image:
                                                                                                     

Monochrome

Since most displays are black by default, the simplest way to portray an image is by brightness only. This is known as a monochromatic image:

In such cases, the incoming signal will only have a luma (Y) component, and no chroma components (U or V).

 

Subsampling size saving

With 8 bits per component,

  • In 4:4:4, each pixel will require three bytes of data (since all three components are sent per pixel).
  • In 4:2:2, every two pixels will have four bytes of data. This gives an average1 of two bytes per pixel (33% bandwidth reduction).
  • In 4:2:0, every four pixels will have six bytes of data. This gives an average of 1.5 bytes per pixel (50% bandwidth reduction).

                                                                                                   

When to use chroma subsampling and when to avoid?

Chroma subsampling is a useful method to use for natural content, where lower chroma resolution isn’t noticeable.
On the other hand, for complex and precise synthetic content (for example, CGI content), full color depth is needed to prevent visible artifacts (edge blurring), since the pixel precise content may exacerbate them.
The images below show how CGI data can be impacted by subsampling.

                                                                                                                               Chroma sub-sampling 4:4:4 vs 4:2:2 vs 4:2:0
The finer details are lost when this image is displayed using chroma subsampling. This can be dangerous in mission-critical environments where key decisions are made based on the presented data. When sampling text at 4:2:2 or 4:2:0, then the quality will drop making said text increasingly difficult to read.
When choosing products for video walls, for example, it’s crucial to choose technologies that allow versatility with regards to color space. Take a control room for instance. Part of the control room wall may display charts or graphs where every detail matters. In this case, a capture, encoding, decoding, and display product which has the capability to handle 4:4:4 is better suited. On the other hand, if watching a feed of high motion content, say a sports event, then the overall network bandwidth could be reduced by having this video play at 4:2:0. Versatility is key when choosing products for capture, streaming, recording, decoding, and display as it allows the user to reach a wider range of functionality.

 

Is YUV 4:4:4 the same as RGB?
While the output image will look very similar, and the bandwidth required to transfer the image will be the same2, the storage and transfer of data will differ between the two.
RGB will transmit content with a predetermined color depth per component. This means that each of the R, G, and B will contain data for each of the red, green, and blue color components respectively to collectively formulate the overall color of each pixel.
YUV, on the other hand, will transmit each pixel with the associated luma component, and two chroma components.

                                                               Color space conversion

It’s possible to convert between RGB and YUV. Converting to YUV and using subsampling when appropriate will help reduce the bandwidth required for this transmission.

Videowall Processor Features

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Dedicated Video Bus

Centralized videowall processors use a data bus to transport video from their inputs to their outputs. Some systems incorporate a dedicated bus for this purpose, while other systems use a common bus for transferring video as well as other inter-system communication. Use of a dedicated video bus ensures that the transfer of video data is not impeded by other activity, providing more reliable, stutter-free video playback, and ensuring the processor responds to user commands in real-time.

Scalability

Some end users will want to add more input or output channels over time. This may be part of a phased installation, or an unforeseen upgrade. While some processors are easily expandable, some have a “fixed configuration,” and cannot be changed after leaving the factory. Other videowall processors are upgradeable, but may require on-site support from their manufacturers to make hardware configuration changes. For a distributed videowall processing system, or a centralized videowall processor that accepts sources streamed over a network, potentially up to hundreds of input sources may be supported.

Redundancy & Accessibility Features

For videowall processors used in missioncritical or 24/7 environments, redundant and hot-swappable components are essential. Redundant, hot-swappable power supplies keep processors running during a failure, and facilitate replacement without powering down the unit. Hot-swappable fans can quickly and easily be replaced if necessary. The ability to replace these components, without removing the videowall processor from the rack will minimize downtime.

Upscaling and Downscaling Quality

Maintaining image quality is crucial for videowall processors, which often display large images at high resolution, or downsize images into smaller windows or “thumbnails.” Depending on the quality of the image processing, scaling sources up or down from native resolution can compromise image integrity. Poor scaling can produce artifacts, which can make imagery ineffective for applications requiring critical analysis of images.

Accurate Input Detection

Incoming source signals can vary widely in signal format and resolution. Quick, accurate input detection and configuration of input sources is ideal. Slow auto-detection can produce blank windows that are presented for an undesirable length of time when switching between window layouts or input sources. Inaccurate input signal detection can result in images shifted horizontally or vertically, displayed at the wrong aspect ratio, or presented with other visual distortions and artifacts. Manual programming to correct these issues for each input can add weeks of programming that could have otherwise been avoided if quick and accurate input detection was supported. This capability also makes integration of new sources, or temporary sources such as guest laptops, simple and easy.

HDCP Support

High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, or HDCP, is an encryption system widely used for content delivered by Blu-ray Disc players, satellite and cable TV receivers, and PCs. To properly display digital encrypted content, all devices in the signal chain must be HDCP-compliant. The increasing use of digital video sources has made HDCP compliance a growing requirement for videowall processors.

Multiple Output Resolutions

Some videowall processors can output multiple signal formats simultaneously. This is useful for systems that incorporate displays of various resolutions, such as a videowall comprised of large 1920×1080 projection cubes flanked by 1366×768 flat panels as auxiliary displays. However, processors limited to one output format should feed a signal at the native resolution of the videowall displays. For auxiliary displays, signals from the processor may be upscaled or downscaled to match their native resolutions.

Window Borders, Titles, and Clocks

A videowall processor’s ability to add colored borders and text to source windows can be a powerful feature in many applications. Colored borders can denote the status of the content in a command and control room, such as green for unclassified data and orange for top secret data. In a traffic monitoring environment, a red border can help highlight an accident, or colors can be used to indicate traffic levels. Overlay text can be used to provide information about the source, such as the location of a reporter, and the local time. Clocks displaying the time for different regions or time zones can be generated by many processors, allowing an integrator to streamline system designs by avoiding the need for external clocks or status displays.

Remote Control Protocol

Some applications may require a touchpanel controller, or use of a customized application for videowall control. In these systems, the videowall processor must support Ethernet or RS-232 remote control. The range of control options will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it is important to make certain that all required control capabilities are supported. This topic is covered in detail in Videowall Processor Control.

Application Control

Videowalls in data-driven environments such as utilities and network centers often require the ability to manage applications presented on the videowall using a keyboard and mouse. This can be accommodated by installing and operating applications directly on some videowall processors, much like a PC. Other solutions integrate hardware or networked software switching systems to manage keyboard and mouse control directly on the source machines. Software solutions require compliance with operating systems and network security requirements, while hardware solutions require more cabling and control integration.

Preview Output

Some organizations require that a smaller presentation of the videowall be viewed elsewhere in a facility, on one or two screens, or be streamed to another location. This allows other staff to see an overview of the videowall, without requiring use of a large number of display devices. Some processors provide a preview output of the videowall within the control software, or automatically generate an output that can be connected to a display. Other processors allow preview layouts to be programmed and presented on additional outputs. This method requires that the videowall processor supports presentation of a single input on different displays and different window sizes, a feature not supported by all processors.

What is a Video Wall Processor?

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Many companies and non-profit organizations that are considering implementing a video wall processor may still be unsure on whether it is required or whether it is worth the investment. This is a debate that some companies are still facing as multi-screen displays, known as video walls, are gaining popularity in a wider range of use cases from retail stores to hospitality, sports stadiums, classrooms, control rooms, lobby signage and corporate boardrooms.

While video wall technology may be complex, the reasoning for their widespread use is straightforward: video walls bring an easy solution to a big challenge: how to showcase information to both large and small audiences in a dynamic and adaptable manner. Video walls allow displaying a combination of content coming from multiple sources; they also provide an immersive experience which makes this information more impactful.

In addition to the screens themselves, video walls require advanced technology to make them dynamic and flexible to control what content is presented where, how, and when. This is where video wall processors come into play.

What is a Video Wall Processor or Video Wall Controller?

Briefly defined, a video wall processor (sometimes referred to as a video wall controller) is a piece of software (often installed on a hardware unit) that allows the management of content on multiple monitors in a multi-monitor display or video wall, as a single canvas. A video wall processor gives users the flexibility to visualize any piece of content across multiple screens or the entire video wall. It also allows for multiple pieces of content to be viewed on a single screen, a portion of the video wall or the entire wall, in any one of the unlimited possible combinations. Each display can be controlled individually or in groups, leading to a dynamic display solution that could be utilized to meet a wide range of display requirements while also delivering information effectively and compellingly. The number of monitors in a multi-monitor system might span from two to two hundred or more. The dimension and design of the video wall is determined by the requirements of the target audience.

What is the Purpose of a Video Wall Processor/Video Wall Controller?

Visualization solutions require some type of technology to control what a viewer can see. Consider an air traffic management centre: the more developed and intricate a framework is, the more robust the control system must be. To get the maximum benefit from a multi-monitor setup, maximizing performance, picture quality, security, and automation, a video wall controller is needed.

However, not all video wall controllers are created equally. The best ones offer increased usability, giving an organization’s audio-visual team or video wall operators, the tools they need to get the most out of the technology, right at their fingertips.

1. There Are No Resolution Restrictions

Resolution is a popular concept. It all comes down to the number of pixels available, we call this “display real estate”: the more pixels on a screen, the higher the pixel density, the more accurate and better the quality of image you will get. It’s easy to see why video wall controllers are very efficient at producing an impressive visual impact based on this flawed concept. When you build a video wall with a series of high-definition screens, the resolution increases incrementally. A video wall can only effectively display high-resolution content without quality degradation if it benefits the support of a powerful digital signal processing unit, i.e. a video wall processor.

2. Signal Processing – Many Sources With Various Formats

The connection and capacity to capture various sources on a single screen or projector is limited. They can interface with a limited number of devices and each screen can only display one specific source at a time. A video wall processor is needed to overcome these limitations so that a video wall can simultaneously display several streams from various sources and source types in any size, configuration or aspect ratio that is desired, across the single logical surface formed by the multiple monitors joined together.

3. Processing Capacity and Performance

Professional high-end controllers bring many other additional benefits like the ability to enable internet access, allowing to display live web sources on the video wall or other apps, like clocks, dashboards, or emergency messaging, all at the same time. In addition to that, they can mix both baseband and IP sources and display them anywhere on the wall. Some even come with control panel designers that would allow you to design buttons on any computer or tablet that would permit users to change layouts on the video wall with a simple click of a button. The right video wall controller can deliver a high level of flexibility and achieve incredible processing performance, resulting in an infinite number of custom configurations for impactful and effective visualization experiences.

 

 

What is multi-channel encoding?

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Multi-channel encoding refers to the ability to serve multiple simultaneous streams from captured video sources. This is most useful for making a media source available to many destinations for immediate consumption (live streaming) and later consumption (on-demand streaming). Multi-channel encoding deals with problems such as: number of simultaneous viewers, types of viewing options (hardware vs. software, wireless devices, etc.), and recording options for on-demand streaming at a later time.
While video production environment workflows often deal in uncompressed video to maintain quality throughout the editing process, most applications of multi-channel encoding deal with compressed video for facilities AV and for content distribution across multiple locations and through the public internet.

Different ways to achieve multi-channel encoding

There are multiple different workflows for creating multiple streams.

Using a multi-channel encoder

One way to generate multiple different streams is by using encoders that have the processing power and features to produce multiple streams directly from the encoder.

The benefit of using a multi-channel encoder is that less hardware is required further down the pipeline. Configuration of the desired channels can be performed and tested locally. This type of encoder will often be more sophisticated, with more features and flexibility than cheaper encoders, and is often capable of higher quality video as well.

Using a streaming media server

Another way is to use streaming media servers, which usually means software running on dedicated appliances, PCs, or servers, that basically takes source streams as inputs and uses the processing power of the streaming media server to transcode and multiply the number of available streams. Some streaming media servers run on-premises. Some streaming media servers run in the cloud.

There are many types of media servers. Some are for serving media content at home. Some are for performing transcoding operations for enterprise video distribution. Media servers are very useful to enhance the functionality of any type of encoder. However, they either require additional hardware (for on-premises media servers) or subscription to a service provider (for cloud-based servers), and sometimes both.
While streaming media servers offer flexibility (especially for cloud-based services), they cannot improve the quality of the video that they receive. As such, if option A is to use a high-quality, multi-channel encoder streaming direct, and option B is to use a low-quality single-channel encoder in conjunction with a streaming media service the cost might come out to a similar level, or even slightly cheaper for option B, but the distributed video in option A is going to be far superior.
But streaming media servers and multi-channel encoders are not mutually exclusive. For example, you might use a multi-channel encoder to provide multiple resolutions on a local network at an event, and use an additional channel from that multi-channel encoder to send a stream off-site to a streaming media server. Alternatively the multi-channel encoder can send one stream to a network attached storage (NAS) device and a second stream to a streaming media server. In both cases the multi-channel encoder is capable of meeting the local requirements and sending a high-quality video to the streaming media server for mass distribution.

Benefits of multi-channel encoding

Using multi-channel encoders and/or streaming media servers provides multiple advantages.

1. Change/augment protocols

Since different video streaming protocols deal with different problems, it makes sense that multiple different protocols are sometimes required to get video from media sources, like cameras, all the way to many simultaneous consumption nodes like smartphones, tablets, PCs, media players, and game consoles, and over very large distances to a disparate base of viewers. This often necessitates the use of cloud services or the public internet.
For example: “continuous” streaming protocols, like RTMP, can help maintain certain aspects of video performance while minimizing latency.
HTTP-based protocols, like HLS and MPEG-DASH, package video streams into fragments to better borrow the massive interoperability of networks and software applications by behaving like all other network traffic. They rely on TCP transmission to provide error correction, and on HTTP to traverse firewalls without requiring special instructions. However, these protocols require huge amounts of buffering to make this all work which injects significant latency. These solutions are perfectly acceptable for on-demand streaming workflows. But the market is working very hard to continue to compress latency for live streaming applications.
So having multiple protocols and the ability to change protocols for different segments of your workflow allows you to maximize both reach and performance by providing you with the ability to have some more advanced nodes capable of maintaining a low latency and very high video performance while also assuring that everything else is compatible with your streaming delivery setup.
This applies at a local level just the same as it does over the internet.
Local
At a local level, an encoder running on a decent network can feed directly into a decoder and provide high-resolution video with minimal latency. If it is a multi-channel encoder, the same encoder can provide additional streams that work with standard players and browsers on lower bandwidth parts of the network, including wireless devices. Whether or not your encoder supports multi-channel encoding, it is also possible to use a streaming media server on your network to multiply the streams and/or change the protocols to suit your applications.
Some manufacturers of encoders also provide hardware and/or software decoders–minimizing complexity to have everything work together seamlessly.
“Recording” for on-demand streaming can also be fairly mission-critical in order to avoid losing a keynote speech or important moment during a network interruption. Sometimes multi-channel encoders and/or encoder and streaming media server combinations provide a local cache of what’s being recorded while simultaneously recording on cloud services. Or recording and simultaneously live streaming captured video sources may be the desired application. Here too, different protocols may be called into service such as FTP for an MPEG-4 file recording and a live RTMP H.264 stream.
Cloud/Internet
The same applies to cloud/internet where-by multi-channel encoding enables the use of the right protocols for the right segments of the video streaming workflow.
By leveraging the appropriate protocols it is possible to have a mix of very high-performance nodes and very easy-to-access nodes. Protocol flexibility also allows you to mix old/legacy compute equipment with much more modern equipment. This means it is possible to pursue continuous improvement and evolution of your video streaming infrastructure instead of requiring large overhauls and revolution of your infrastructure.
Many cloud streaming architectures currently use a low-latency protocol, such as RTMP from the video source to the cloud and use more broadly compatible HTTP-based protocols for mass distribution.
The multi-channel load can be placed on the encoder or the streaming media servers being used or a combination of the two.
Recorded files
Another instance of a change in protocol is when streaming from a stored file rather than a live source. A perfect example of this is Video on Demand (VOD) services. These providers must store the video content in a container, and when a user initiates a viewing session it then converts it from a stored file to a video stream which is sent to the viewer over the internet. This could be handled by a multi-channel encoder or streaming media server. The protocol that they will use to communicate with the viewing device (such as a SmartTV) will help inform them of the bandwidth availability and reliability of the network, which allows them to select the appropriate resolution stream to create/send from the stored file.

2. Change/augment number of resolutions

One of the most important variables that affects the bitrate of live streams is the resolution of the video being streamed. Multi-channel encoding deals with this problem as well.
Delivering streaming video is a balancing act between visual acuity and stability of the stream. In the early days of watching videos from the internet, users often experienced the frustration of buffering. Many videos were simply un-watchable.
Significant progress has been made to deliver optimal experiences that account for how much bandwidth is available and how much information can be carried in the video streaming payload to each node. (Higher resolutions require more information.)
Today, adaptive bitrate streaming technology automatically detects users’ bandwidth and computer processing availability in real time and provides a media stream that fits within these constraints.
Transcoding in the cloud is something that creates latency and requires paid-for services. For this reason, many organizations that generate a lot of private (corporate) video content are balancing the load by either sending multiple different resolutions from multi-channel encoders from each captured video source in their organization, or using adaptive bitrate encoders that can be leveraged by certain compatible multimedia players that have the ability to switch between the different bitrate segments and offer the maximum quality (often includes resolution) that optimally suits the compute power and network conditions of that player node.
In enterprise and media and entertainment encoding, this basically means that video sources are often sent at their maximum quality and resolution profile but the local encoder and/or streaming server also create additional stream copies of the source in reduced settings.
This “scaling” of video sources through multiplication of the streaming video profiles is very useful to instantly accommodate all destination types. A 4K source, for example, can be kept in 4K and decoded at an appropriately powered viewing node. But the same 4K source can comfortably supply the same source content onto tablets and smartphones. These devices often have a lower resolution screen anyway and the corresponding reduced resolution stream is served to match what the wireless network and processing power of these wireless devices can handle.

3. Change/augment streaming profiles or video container formats

One of the most important variables that affects the bitrate of live streams is the resolution of the video being streamed.
Another aspect of multi-channel encoding is the ability to convert assets from one streaming codec or video file format to another or to multiple others. This can be more processing intensive than changing protocols as in the example above. Going from one codec to another often requires decoding the original stream or file and transcoding it (re-encoding it) to one or more different codecs or file formats.
There are different motivations for changing the codec of your video assets.
Here is a simple example:
Assume an organization has added new equipment capable of generating very high resolution, such as 4K. When these new assets are captured at full resolution, using codecs that produce a small-enough bandwidth might be enticing. But the codec and/or encoding profile used directly from the source to mitigate its bandwidth use may not match what is the optimal codec or encoding profile for content distribution at large.
Using HEVC (H.265) to encode 4K content may appear to shave off some bandwidth and help assure the stability of the stream from its capture point to its stream re-distribution point on a network or on the internet. But HEVC tends to drain battery on handhelds more than H.264 and many older devices do not have hardware implementations of HEVC. Media servers and other tools are therefore still extensively used to turn new HEVC sources into more convenient H.264 streams for many applications.
Conversely, some installations have legacy MPEG-2 sources. In this case, a transcoding effort could mitigate distribution bandwidth ‘and’ augment downstream device compatibility.

Not All Encoders Are Created Equal

It should be noted that there is a big gap in performance between encoders. Some highly-optimized H.264 encoders can produce bitrates that are superior to some early or basic HEVC encoders. The same applies for other encoding performance metrics such as latency or image quality.
But over time there are transitions in the market for resolutions and codecs. At some inflection points it sometimes makes sense to use different technology from the source-side encoder to the content delivery infrastructure versus the content delivery network to the final consumption nodes. Archiving the highest resolution content is sometimes a good enough excuse to move to less established technologies to mitigate storage costs. But mass distribution always requires well-established technologies for maximum compatibility and reach.
Transcoding can be expensive. It makes sense to study what can be achieved to minimize transcoding burdens on a video distribution infrastructure. When a video library is archived in a highly compatible format it may still be the better compromise to use a well-established codec, like H.264, right from the get-go. Some emerging standards falter or get skipped. And some well-established standards continue to generate more evolved implementations and have a very compelling mix of performance and broad compatibility.
But whatever your workflow requires, multi-channel encoders and transcoding software and services can often assist with moving between codecs and encoding profiles and helping you reach your viewers.

4. Deal with different network bandwidth in different ways and optimize for each case

All three previous sections above combine to demonstrate how supporting multiple protocols simultaneously, how transcoding and transrating, and how producing different resolution and quality streams to deal with different bitrates and decoder/players justify multi-channel encoding.
We also reviewed different methods of multi-channel encoding including: multi-channel encoders that produce multiple streams right at the source, adaptive bitrate encoders which produce multiple profiles for compatible destinations to choose from, and transcoding media servers–which are software and services that let you manipulate and multiply your source video streams to suit your application.
Hybrid environments that fully-leverage one or more of these multi-channel encoding technologies allow organizations to serve streaming content in the best ways to all points factoring in considerations of security, network bandwidth, number and type of decoders/players, and more.

What is Encoding?

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Encoding refers to converting captured video and/or rendered PC graphics into a digital format that helps facilitate recording, moving, multiplying, sharing, altering, or otherwise manipulating the video content for editing, transport, and viewing. The process entails following a set of rules for digitizing the video that can be reversed by a “decoder”, to allow viewing. The decoder can be dedicated hardware or simply a software player. The encoding process can use a market standard or a proprietary encoding scheme.

First step: video capture

The first stage of encoding is video capture. This almost always involves capturing audio at the same time if available.
There are many different media that can be “captured”. Popular sources for video capture include: cameras, video production and switching equipment, and graphics rendered on PCs.
For cameras, video production, and switching equipment there are different ports to access the audio and video. Popular ports (I/O) from these devices that are connected to encoding equipment include: HDMI and SDI.
Capturing rendered graphics or video from a PC can be accomplished in many ways. Software can be used to capture what is visible on the display of the PC. Another option is to capture the graphics output of the PC from popular ports such as DisplayPort™ or HDMI®. It is even possible to do hardware-based capture from within the PC over the PCI-Express bus. Products that support a very high-density of capture and/or encoding can be used in certain real-time recording or streaming applications of 360° video, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), when combined with GPUs capable of handling video stitching from many IP or baseband cameras.
When using software encoding (see below), capture hardware for PCs comes in many forms including PCI-Express® cards, USB capture devices, and capture devices for other PC interconnect.

Next step: video encoding

Encoding video can be achieved with hardware or software. There are features and price points in all granularities for the requirements of the workflow in both hardware and software.

There are many options for capturing and encoding video. Handheld mobile devices come with cameras and can create both encoded video files as well as live video streams.

Transcoding and transrating

Transcoding and transrating are other forms of encoding. This refers to taking digital video and converting it. An example of transcoding is taking a video asset from one format, such as MPEG-2, and converting it to another format, such as H.264. An example of transrating is taking a video asset and converting its resolution or bitrate characteristics but keeping the format the same; such as H.264 for example. For some operations of transcoding, video must be decoded and then re-encoded. For other types of transcoding, the same encoding format can be maintained but things such as the streaming protocols can be altered.
Sometimes software running on-premises or in the cloud as a service can be used for transcoding applications. The purpose and performance requirements of transcoding operations vary greatly. The amount of latency that can be tolerated by a streaming video workflow can impact choices for both the original encoding of various media and the transcoding options.

Encoding with or without compression

Encoding raw video can be achieved with compression and with no compression.
In video editing environments, for example, video is often manipulated, and many workflows are designed with digital uncompressed video.
In applications where video is being served to users on the internet, video is usually compressed so it can fit on networks and be viewed on many different devices.
When video is made available directly from content owners to content viewers, by-passing cable and satellite service providers for example, this is sometimes referred to as “over-the-top” content or OTT for short. Almost all content that reaches a viewer, in any format, is compressed video. This includes OTT, Blu-ray, online streaming, and even cinema.
While video can be encoded (digitized) with or without compression, when compression is involved this usually involves a video codec, which is shorthand for: compression/decompression.
When the purpose of encoding is for live streaming or on-demand streaming of recorded media, video codecs–such as H.264–are used to compress the video. Software and hardware decoders reverse the process and allow you to view the media.

Real-time vs. non real-time encoding

Encoding video is an operation that can happen in real-time or something that can happen with more considerable latency.
Much of the on-line video available in streaming services for movies and shows, for example, uses multi-pass encoding to exploit compression technologies that offer viewers the best blend of performance and quality-of-service. Image quality and bitrate are normally inversely correlated where optimizing one penalizes the other. But the bitrates of video can be significantly mitigated using multi-pass techniques, while still producing exceptional quality and performance to viewers.
More on multi-pass encoding afterdawn.com
In other instances, real-time video encoding better suits the application. For example, in live streaming applications, where only very nominal latency is tolerable between the camera and the viewing audience, the video is often captured, encoded, and packaged for distribution with very little delay.
On-line meetings and web conferences normally use real-time video encoding as do professionally-produced live webcasts.
Note: the “on-demand” version of web conferences and webcasts that are recorded for later consumption by viewers on their own time are usually in the same format as the original live event handled by a real-time video encoder. This is because quality cannot be added back once the video goes through its original encoding with compression.
One of the major distinguishing features between hardware-based and software-based real-time encoders for applications over bandwidth constrained networks is the latency, quality, and bitrate optimization that they can achieve. The best encoders, both hardware and software based, can produce exceptional quality at very low latency and very low bitrates.
Sometimes encoders can also be tightly-coupled with corresponding decoders. This means that vendors offer both ends with certain additional optimizations. For example, the ease and automation to connect source and destination end-points, the signal management and switching, and the overall performance and quality can be tuned to supplement and augment or, in some cases, entirely replace traditional hardwired AV infrastructures.

Hardware vs. software encoding

The difference between hardware and software encoding is that hardware encoding uses purpose-built processing for encoding, whereas software encoding relies on general-purpose processing for encoding.
When encoding is performed by dedicated hardware, the hardware is designed to carry out the encoding rules automatically. Good hardware design allows for higher quality video and low power consumption and extremely low latencies, and can be combined with other features. These are usually installed in situations where there is a need for live encoding.
Software encoding also uses hardware but uses more general-purpose processing such as CPUs in personal computers or handheld devices. In most cases software encoding exhibits much higher latency and power requirements. The impact to latency and power using software encoding is even higher for high-quality video. Many modern CPUs and GPUs incorporate some level of hardware acceleration for encoding. Some are I/O limited and mainly used for transcoding. Others incorporate a hardware encode for a single stream, for example to share a video game being played.
A good example of a use for software encoding using high-quality video is video editing, where content editors save changes often. Uncompressed encoded video is used to maintain quality. At the end of the video editing process, re-encoding (transcoding) the video, this time using compression, allows the video to be shared for viewing or stored in a reduced file size. While uncompressed video usually remains stored somewhere for future editing options, extra copies of the video, used for viewing, are often in compressed format. Moving uncompressed video is extremely heavy on bandwidth. Even with new high-bandwidth networks, effective bandwidth and scalability are always maximized when video is compressed.
Another example of software encoding can be using a personal computer’s camera or a smart handheld device to carry out video conferencing (or video calls). This is often an application of highly compressed video encoding carried out in software running on CPUs.
To users, the distinction between hardware-accelerated encoding versus software encoding can be nebulous. Hardware acceleration serves multiple different purposes for different workflows. For example: many handheld devices contain CPUs that can accelerate the encoding of highly compressed video for applications such as video calls. The “goal” of hardware acceleration in this case is to protect the battery life of the handheld device from a software process running on the CPU of said device without acceleration. Left to run entirely in software, video calls, watching streaming video on YouTube, or watching videos stored on the phone, would all be activities that would significantly drain the battery life.
There is a correlation between the “complexity” of the encoding task with respect to whether software encoding—running on general-purpose computing—is used, or whether hardware-accelerated encoding is used. Maintaining video quality while significantly compressing the size of the video for storage or transmission on networks is an example of complexity.
This is one of the reasons why video standards are very important. The fact that H.264 has been a long-serving video standard has meant that it is hardware-accelerated in smart handheld devices and personal computers. This has been one of the major reasons it has been so easy to produce, share, and consume video content.
Streaming video services offering home users with movies and shows sometimes use software-based encoding to achieve the highest quality at the lowest bitrates for reliable high-quality experiences to millions of concurrent users. But for such a targeted use-case, they use a large number of computers for very long runtimes to find the most optimal encoding parameters. This is not done in real-time and is more suitable for on-demand streaming, versus live streaming.
For encoding applications with more narrowcast applications, such as video editing infrastructures, it makes sense to use less complex processing for uncompressed or lightly-compressed encoding.
For corporate, government, education, and other organizations that produce a lot of video for their own consumption (versus video that is produced for sale to consumers), there is a need to balance many variables. Video quality is important. Maintaining quality while fitting on networks for reliability and performance is critical. Keeping encoding latency low, video quality high, and bandwidth low is essential for live streaming applications. “Recording” for on-demand streaming is often performed in the same step as encoding for live streaming. So the high-bandwidth approach of video editing infrastructures is not practical here. And the highly-optimized multi-pass encoding approach from movie streaming services is both out-of-budget as well as non-real-time and does not fit many applications from these organizations.

Encoding for streaming and recording

Encoding the video is only the first step in the process for streaming or recording. So how does the encoded video get from the encoder to the viewer, or to the recording device? The encoder needs to send the video somewhere, but it also needs to tell the receiver what it is sending.
Streaming protocols are different video streaming delivery rules and optimizations that are encapsulated to deal with different objectives and priorities such as video latency, network bandwidth, broad device compatibility, video frame rate and performance, and more.
Streaming protocols allow video that has been encoded to subsequently be transported, either in real-time or at a later time. Protocols do not affect the video itself, but rather how a user/viewer might interact with the video, the reliability of delivery of that video stream, or which devices/software players can access it. Some protocols are proprietary and can only be used by specific vendor hardware, significantly reducing the interoperability and potential reach of that content.
Simplistic AV-over-IP products in the AV industry often produce these proprietary stream formats that increase vendor lock-in, reduce interoperability, and greatly reduce flexibility for how the assets can be used in organizations. But they take responsibility for the interoperability of their own products. Sometimes customers willingly accept this lock-in to increase their confidence that large groups of distributed end-points will seamlessly work together and that vendor support will be clear in the case of incompatibilities, bugs, or other problems.
Different protocols are designed for different applications. For example, on a local network when sharing a live event, latency will be a key component. The viewer will not necessarily need playback controls and network reliability can be assured by some organizations, so there may be less of a need to employ sophisticated error correction. So protocols that are used across cloud or public internet may be different than protocols used for facilities AV infrastructure over IP.
When diffusing a stream to multiple platforms for wider distribution on the internet, HLS, MPEG-DASH, and Web RTC are among the protocols used to distribute content broadly. Prior to using these protocols for stream diffusion, the stream protocols used for uploading content from a facility to cloud services might be things such as RTMP. Where networks are unreliable but video quality still needs to be maintained, or the video needs to be secured, newly emerging protocols, such as SRT, might also be entirely appropriate.
Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) is a new protocol that was developed as a replacement candidate for RTMP. Many hardware and software companies have already implemented support for this new transport protocol.
When the video is being stored, rather than viewed as a live stream, it requires a method of storage. Unsurprisingly, there is a wide gamut of options here as well for storing uncompressed, lightly compressed, and highly-compressed video. While operations can be performed on stored video to make it consumable with different options at a later time, the more thinking goes into how the stored video will ultimately be consumed, the more decisions can be made up-front about how to digitize it at the capture point. Just as in the streaming discussion above, there are tools for every workflow. And in the context of this multi-channel encoding discussion, many options for storage can be dealt with directly at the capture point and/or with transcoding using media servers and other tools.

What Is a Video Wall Controller?

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Video Wall Controllers

The video wall controller is generally a 19” rack compatible computer chassis with operating system handling different input and output signals. The video wall processor receives different input signals through HDMI, DVI, SDI, video or other cables or even through the LAN. The controller has several outputs, usually controlling multiple monitors or screens.  The video wall screen is a coherent screen of multiple displays usually 4×4, 6×2, 8×2 or up to 172×44 arrangements. Over these screens the information can be displayed in any position and size regardless of the monitor borders. The total resolution of the video wall is the sum of the individual monitors’ resolution.

Over this video wall, a large coherent Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019 desktop is displayed by the controller. This is a graphics desktop where any standard windows desktop applications or operating system services can be rendered. You can display and work with any web browsers and open any desired webpage. All webpages appear live and you can have multiple browser windows opened parallel.

Any of the windows and applications that might be used to complete your daily work can be moved around with a simple drag and drop operation over the video wall surface.

Additionally, to these standard Windows graphic applications, you can use SCADA and any Office applications like Excel and Power Point, or even mapping applications that can run in the graphics background.

Overlay windows

The users also have the possibility to display live overlay windows from HDMI, HDBaseT, legacy video and SDI inputs. These live inputs are displayed in real time and scaled to the desired position and size. These overlay inputs can overlap with the graphics windows and with each other of course.

All in all, we can display media players, satellite receivers, Blu-ray players or even PC outputs displaying operator workstations’ screens. Thus, the video wall has a combined function displaying Windows graphics and overlays from different inputs.

User interface

FOLAIDA video wall system can be controlled by an intelligent graphics user interface called FOLAIDA Control that can run locally or on any number of networked operator workstations who are sitting in front of the video wall. This operation needs installation of the program package to that certain operator PCs running Windows 10 operating system.

There is an extra Web browser based remote control service also, called FOLAIDA Control. This solution uses arbitrary Web browser technology that is HTML5 compliant. So, the user can control the FOLAIDA box from Windows, iOS, Android, Linux devices as for example mobile phones or tablets also.

The Preview option of the FOLAIDA video wall controllers makes possible to see the live preview of the input sources which allows the user to see what is being displayed over the video wall even from a remote location.

Layout Management

The layout management programs contain services to design and recall complex wall layouts. We can assign pre-designed layouts to each of the layout buttons. Users can set up and manage graphics application and browser windows with pre-defined content or attributes also.

The user-friendly user interface supports operators to work in native language as English, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Russian.

Summary

Video walls and video wall controllers can be used for traffic control, police command center, industrial process supervision, in mission critical control rooms whereas can be used as a LED wall controller or video wall display controller. A FOLAIDA video wall solution is a coherent screen of multiple monitors, over these screens we can display graphics information that are compatible with Windows 10 operating system. Additionally, we can display inputs from HDMI, HDBaseT or even LAN based inputs. We can also combine the inputs and the graphics windows to have a real time and great experience for the customers.

What Should I Consider?

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Video Wall System Considerations

How much do video walls cost? Can my space accommodate multiple displays? Is a processor necessary? We’ve outlined key questions to help you identify your needs and narrow your options when considering a video wall solution.

Match Your Needs to the Right Solution

Display Considerations

Choosing the right video wall display depends on several factors including your organization’s budget and use case. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help.

What’s the cost of a video wall?

While exploring the different video wall display options be sure to consider both the upfront cost of the displays as well as the total cost of ownership. Some technologies are more affordable initially, but the long-term costs of regular maintenance, consumable parts, and high-power consumption make them extremely expensive over time. Other display types are more expensive at purchase, but far less costly in the long term due to their efficient performance and minimal maintenance needs.

How much space do I need for a video wall?

Flat panel displays, like LCD and LED, have narrow profiles and can be wall-mounted. This makes their overall footprint virtually nonexistent. Other technologies, like projection cubes and blended projection systems, demand several feet of floor-space. Before committing to a particular display type make sure you determine how much space is available.

Will room lighting affect the brightness of a display?

A display’s brightness is determined by the way it produces light. Some technologies are vulnerable to being washed out by ambient light. If your space has large windows or overhead lighting your display should offer a high maximum brightness. A display system that isn’t bright enough will make your content hard to see and can cause eye strain.

Is video wall resolution important?

Different types of display panels provide different levels of pixel density or quantity of pixels per inch. Pixel density is important. It affects the total resolution of your video wall as well as the sharpness and detail of images when viewed up close. If you need to display highly detailed content on your video wall, or if people will be viewing the wall up close, select a display type with high pixel density.

How does system usage factor into selecting the right display type?

If your system will support mission-critical operations and needs to be in use 24/7, you’ll need a display type that offers high reliability and longevity. Some displays, like LCD and LED, support 24/7 use for years on end. They may also offer redundant power supplies and other fail-safe capabilities. Be sure to avoid display types with consumable parts such as lamp-based projection systems. These systems will require regular downtime for part replacement.

Software Considerations

Software is a critical element needed to manage and control any video wall system. We’ve outlined what you need to know upfront to make the right selection.

Processor Considerations

A video processor works in tandem with video wall management software to route selected content to the desired area of the display canvas. Knowing your overall content sharing goals will help you determine the right processor for your needs.

Are you seeking real-time content control?

If your display wall is meant for mission-critical applications that requires real-time content control, you’ll need a processor that supports this type of dynamic interactivity. However, if your system will play automatic, pre-programmed content, you’ll want to choose a processor that supports digital signage playback, distribution, and content management.

 

How much content do you plan to display at one time?

The number of inputs a processor can accept varies, and determines the number of different content sources the processor can display at once. If you need to display a large number of content sources simultaneously, be sure to select a processor with a large amount of inputs and outputs. You should also consider a processor that accepts streamed content sources as well. The ability to display content from non-physical sources gives your team more flexibility.

 

Is 24/7 system usage critical to your operations?

Just like with displays, some processors are particularly well-suited for constant use. If your application demands extreme reliability and resilience, look for a processor that is designed for 24/7 performance. These processors are built for maximum reliability. They typically feature added fail-safes like redundant power supplies that allow the system to continue operating even if an individual component fails.

 

Do you require multiple video wall systems or auxiliary displays?

If you want to display content on more than one video wall or display surface then you need to choose a processor that can manage multiple systems at a time and accommodate different technologies.

 

Will you need advanced graphics processing?

Some applications use ultra-high-resolution content such as education, simulation, and digital signage. If your application requires this sort of capability then look for a processor or rendering engine that offers 3D-accelerated graphics hardware and places a strong emphasis on graphical performance.

Environmental Considerations

Environmental factors like weather exposure, location, terrain, and more have a major impact on which video wall system will work best for your organization. Begin by assessing your surroundings.

Will environmental stressors affect a system?

As you plan your project you should identify any “environmental stressors” that might affect your video wall or it’s performance. Extreme temperatures, humidity, and vibration can quickly damage a display system that is not designed to withstand these pressures. If you’re planning to use your wall in a rugged environment, be sure to select robust and easily portable components. Some display types and processors are specifically designed for use in harsh environments.

 

What are your integration needs?

Some video wall solutions can integrate with external technology such as conferencing systems, speakers, and lighting. Once connected to your video wall, these devices can be controlled through your system’s software. If these device control options interest you, be sure to select a solutions provider with proven success performing complex integrations.

 

What are the aesthetic goals of your space?

Systems built in public spaces or corporate locations, like universities or lobbies, should be attractive and on-brand. Make sure you take the final look of your solution into consideration for these environments. For the best results choose a solutions provider that offers a range of customization options.

Support Considerations

Making sure that you have a team on hand for assistance when you need it can help you get the most out of your solution and help ensure your system is always up and running for visualization of critical information.

Will technical support be in place for your new video wall?

A video wall is a major investment, so make sure you protect and support it for years to come. Choose a provider with a strong, long-term technical support program. Your plan should include easy access to knowledgeable personnel who provide training, can answer questions, and troubleshoot issues. If you use the video wall 24/7, then you need access to 24/7 support. Your plan should also provide on-site support options in the event that an issue can’t be resolved remotely.

 

Can your video wall provider gain access to your site?

If you plan to deploy your system in a highly secure or downrange location, access to your site might prove tricky for your provider. In this cases, your own personnel or pre-cleared contractors will install and maintain the system. Look for a provider that offers in-depth, hands-on training. This will prepare your personnel to support the system in the field.

indoor led display

What’s The Best Display Type?

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Compare Display Options

What are the Features and Benefits of LCD Technology?

LCD (liquid crystal display) technology is included in most smartphones, computer monitors, televisions, and other visual devices. Understand how a LCD display panel can serve as the focal point of your setup for optimal visualization.

What is a LCD?

LCD panels are composed of two polarized pieces of glass surrounding a layer of liquid crystals. Liquid crystals themselves aren’t light-emitting, so standard LCDs feature their own backlighting array that shines through the arrangement of liquid crystals to create the display’s picture.

Features and benefits
  • High resolution – bright display of text, images and video
  • Reliable – can withstand vibrations, humidity, and UV light
  • Serviceability – easy to service
Considerations
  • Affordable – requires minimal maintenance
  • Bezel edges – forms visible “seams” when monitors are arranged in a tile format
  • Portable – easy to move from location to location (compared to LED panels)
Use Cases
  • Command centers
  • Control rooms
  • Security operation centers
  • Network operation centers
  • Real-time crime centers
  • Emergency operations centers
  • Education and research facilities
  • Conference rooms and other presentation spaces

 

What are the Features and Benefits of LED Technology?

LED (Light Emitting Diode) or Direct View LED (DvLED) panels are similar to LCDs. However, there are some distinct differences and considerations. Understand these differences to help you consider which display type will work best for your environment.

What is a LED?

LEDs use an array of light-emitting diodes as individual pixels across the entire display. Hundreds and hundreds of light-emitting diodes across the display are grouped in clusters of red, green, and blue which provide their own light while producing the required image.

Features and benefits
  • Bright display – includes extreme brightness and color accuracy
  • Seamless view – creates a seamless visual canvas when display panels are grouped together
  • Reliable – long lifespan and functions well in varying temps
Considerations
  • Cost – higher upfront price point (compared to other displays)
  • High ambient lighting – Ideal for rooms that require more than 500 NITs
  • Aesthetics- optimal for environments that warrant an impressive video wall
  • LED controller – dictates the capabilities of the display in good or restrictive ways
Use Cases
  • Very large video wall setup (more than 40 panels)
  • Control room applications such as SCADA and DoD layouts where bezels can negatively impact content