If you have been looking into adding a video wall to your business profile you may have seen a device called a video wall controller or advanced video wall processor mentioned. You may not know if you need one or what the benefits of these devices are.
One of the reasons behind the popularity of video walls is the customisation of what is displayed. Video wall displays are capable of showing content from multiple sources distributed over the whole wall, each to the exact size you want. For more information on video walls, take a look at our Video Wall Buying Guide.
However, for the video wall to understand how to present your content, it requires advanced technology. This is where the advanced video wall processor steps in.
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What is a video wall controller?
Benefits of a video wall controller
Get the most out of your video wall
What is a video wall controller?
Video wall controllers, also called advanced video wall processors, allow the management of content across several screens in a multi-screen display. This gives you ultimate control over how your content is shown and lets you be flexible in how you visualise your sources. Your content can be shown however you like, on a single screen, a portion of the video wall or the entire wall. With a video wall processor, you can have a dynamic display that can deliver information clearly and in an appealing way.
For example, you could have a promotional video that covers a large portion of your video wall, then two remaining screens on one side that show recent news and contact details. The video wall controller takes your designed layout and transfers that information to the screens. In this situation, the controller makes sure that the video is stretched over the exact portion of the wall you wanted and places the other content on the two empty screens. Acting as a regulator, the controller ensures that each bit of content arrives and is displayed on the panel that it is intended.
Without the video wall controller, you would be restricted in how you can present your content. This is because there would be nothing communicating with the screens to explain how a source should be presented.
Read: Need help deciding on a video wall? Check out our Video Wall Buying Guide
Benefits of a video wall controller
1. On-device memory
An advanced video wall processor allows you to configure the input sources on your video wall however you like. You may find a configuration that you particularly like or is effective at drawing attention to your business. In this situation, you would not want to have to recreate this layout constantly. Thanks to the memory on the device, your layout settings and user access permissions will be saved once they have been set.
A major benefit for your business is increasing footfall into your store. It has been found that 8/10 customers have entered a store because of a digital sign catching their interest, so finding an effective layout for your content is integral. Once you have this, you’ll not have to attempt to recreate it should you make any adjustments but find them less effective. You’ll be able to simply select your saved layout and it will be instantly applied to your video wall display.
2. Dynamic Display
A video wall controller allows you to manage and control the presentation experience, giving you absolute control of what you want to display, where and how on the video wall.
The processor device allows you to connect several sources to your display at the same time, without this, you would be limited by the number of ports on your video wall screens.
With a controller, you can display content from various sources in the desired size across your display.
For example, you could have a large section of your video wall feature your digital signage, which could be displayed across multiple screens. The surrounding screens could then show information such as the latest news, upcoming events and contact details. Without an advanced video wall processor, you would be very limited by the number of input sources you could connect to display content.
One particularly effective way you can adopt a dynamic display is around your point of purchase. 40% of shoppers say that digital displays can change what they buy because relevant information is served close to the point of purchase. With an advanced video wall processor, you can adjust your display at the closest point to the checkout to display a product you are looking to increase sales of. This allows you to influence your customer’s purchases until the last possible moment.
3. A Range of Features
Scalability
You might want to increase the size of your video wall at a later date. When designing a video wall, it is suggested to plan for an additional row or column of screens.
With more screens, you’ll need more connections available on your video wall controller. Some processors are easily expandable to allow for the growth of your video wall. Having an advanced video wall processor capable of expanding means you will not be restricted by the original number of ports available. It also means that you can add more screens to your video wall without the need for a second controller.
Quality adjustment
Video walls display content across multiple screens, but this size is unlikely to be the same resolution a video or image was taken in. The video wall processor can upscale or downscale the quality of your content to fit the display size you have chosen. Changing the native resolution can compromise the image, so a controller with a higher-quality image processor will provide you with the best image once scaled.
Get the most out of your video wall
Video wall controllers give you the chance to fully take advantage of what your video wall can do for you. With a processor device, you can edit exactly how much of your wall displays each source, allowing you to set how big a video or image appears. Having this control allows you to create a dynamic display that suits your needs.
Other features such as quality adjustment, and adjusting your content to your desired size, will utilise the resolution your video wall offers to give you the best picture quality possible.
Ready to plan your video wall project?
LamasaTech can provide a free consultation to determine the best video wall options for your requirements.
LamasaTech is an award-winning specialist and leader in digital display technology. We support customers across a range of industries including retail, military and defence, government and public sector, technology, hospitality and education.
If you have any questions about video wall controllers or are interested in video walls, LamasaTech is here to help. Get in touch today.