A short guide by Barco on the best technologies to install LED videowalls, including special insights on Barco TruePix.
There is no such thing as “the best video wall” or “the best technology”. It all depends on the type of application, the usage, the environment it is in, etc. That is why Barco offers all relevant video wall technologies: direct-view LED, LCD and rear-projection. Each of these technologies has its specific strengths. The choice of the right video wall is therefore crucial for systems that on average operate continuously for more than 10 years (like a classic control room).
LED wall-based solutions provide a seamless viewing experience, which is a unique feature when comparing with other technologies. The high brightness also makes the product suitable for high ambient light environments. Added to the high definition that can be achieved, this drives audience excitement and a “wow effect”. Finally, the extended lifetime and increased long-term supportability are parameters that should not be underestimated in critical applications.
The technological advantages would not seem few, the question remains: why rely on a Barco LED?
This is where TruePix, Barco’s new LED platform, based on two decades of experience and research in this area of technology, comes in. One can look at product development in two ways. Take an existing product and try to improve it, a quick solution but one that does not allow you to resolve those limitations inherent in the product philosophy. Or approach the change with a more drastic solution: take a step back and rebuild the product from scratch-Barco TruePix was born with this new philosophy to create more value, not only for those who benefit from the ledwall but especially for those who have to install it. Ease and precision of installation, superior image processing, high reliability, and optimal service are the four pillars on which the new TruePix platform is based.
The unique concept on which the mechanics are based guarantees a seamless installation, absolutely flatness, and free of mechanical stress and misalignment, which inevitably compromise visual performance. At the heart of the solution is the new Barco InfiniPix Gen2 processor equipped with the new patented Dynamic Range technology capable of handling images with up to 23-bit processing for flawless representation of all shades of gray at any brightness level. Through the Smart-Calibration function, recognition of the characteristics of the displayed content is enabled allowing the use of wide color gamuts including DCIP3 and even REC2020, enabling the ledwall to reach an unprecedented level of color accuracy, with deeper, more saturated tones. But it doesn’t end there, the new InfiniPix Gen2 also includes Barco’s proprietary SteadyView technology that enables increased visual comfort by reducing eye fatigue. This a very serious topic especially for control room operators, where LEDs’ high frequency of pulse width modulation (PWM) generates annoying problems, especially in low brightness. Through the SteadyView TM algorithm, four different settings can be set depending on the content type, allowing full visual comfort for operator personnel.
Moreover, what is so special about TruePix?
What Barco calls “intelligent engineering” and which laid the foundations for the complete design of a new product. Does the wall you have foreseen for your video wall look perfectly flat? Think again! Not a single wall is perfect, and due to uneven surfaces, an LED install can’t be done flawlessly. To solve all this, Barco created a revolutionary mounting structure that neutralizes imperfections of the underlying surface by using the force of gravity and the communicating vessels principle. Installing an LED video wall is quite challenging. There is a risk to damage the LED modules during installation, but also the time required is unpredictable because the wall generally needs some tweaking afterwards. Over 80% of LED installations globally are impacted by damages.
The shift insertion method makes sure that no LED damages occur, because the individual LEDs never risk of bumping into each other. For the finest pixel pitches, this procedure is camera supported by COALA – Camera Optimized Automatic LED Aligner tool. The smart engineering not only perfects installation, but also eases servicing. Module replacement is done in an elegant way: a motor is activated which pushes the module out in a parallel way, allowing easy removal of the module. When the module needs to be removed from the back, a sliding mechanism is foreseen to make it just as simple.
In addition to offering first-rate performance, Barco has an extensive and well-rounded portfolio of professional pre- and after-sales services to ensure additional steps of security and operational peace of mind. A video wall is a long-term investment, which is why Barco offers up to ten years of an extended warranty, with full availability of spare parts of the same batch compatibility as an absolute guarantee of fast and always perfect resolutions.
