Are you considering a video wall for your next Digital Signage project but are unsure about all the necessary things you need to include?
People often ask me what size bezel to use when creating a video wall. Should it be regular or ultra-thin? Before I can attempt to answer that question, I want to address other variable factors that you need to consider, which will help you make a more informed decision.
From my experience, I found that most people prefer to use an ultra-thin bezel. It looks rather sleek and also makes the entire display look like its one LARGE DISPLAY instead of a bunch of tiles put together. The problem with an ultra-thin bezel display is that it can be quite costly.
Other factors to consider:
• What kind of content do you want to use? Content is key, especially if you are creating an advertising or logistical data dashboard for your video wall.
• What distance will people be viewing the display?
• What’s your budget?
In this video we created in early 2016, you’ll see some standard video content playing on a regular bezel video wall compared to an ultra-thin bezel video wall: https://youtu.be/fR9AU8JcElE
You probably noticed a subtle difference between the two variations. The video wall content displayed outdoor scenes in Ontario, which are somewhat familiar to most of us. Any details that were missing in the tiled bezel are completed in the mind’s eye, and after a while, not even noticeable. For this sort of application, a regular bezel is ideal.
If this was some sort of data dashboard with lots of information that required pinpoint accuracy, some of the data points could get lost in the bezels or make it difficult to read. In this case, you may want to consider using an ultra-thin bezel.
A few years ago, we did a Toronto digital signage project using an ultra-thin Samsung video wall (4×3) for a Toronto financial firm. As they were displaying data that was specific to their business, absolute clarity and pinpoint accuracy was extremely important. A regular bezel was not an option.
What about distance?
If the data is going to be seen from a far distance AND the content is displaying data with multiple pictorial graphs, a regular bezel is quite sufficient. In this case, it is the pattern of the data, and not the specific values, that the audience is interested in. To fully appreciate a video wall that uses a data dashboard, the minimum distance needs to be at least 6 feet.
You get what you pay for …!
Another deciding factor is budget. Ultra-thin bezels are typically twice as expensive as regular bezel displays. If you need specific details to display crisply and clearly, you’re going to have to pay the extra cost.
Today’s digital display market is very competitive and you may find it hard to keep up with all the latest releases. Here’s a taste of some of the current offerings from the large brand names:
- Samsung recently introduced the world’s slimmest bezel video wall, at 0.9mm on the upper/left sides and 0.5mm on the lower right sides. With little bezel interference, audiences are focused on rich visual content instead of the actual display itself. Designed to perform 24/7, content can be delivered uninterrupted in various conditions.
- Sharp’s new LED Ultra-Slim Bezel professional monitor, with a bezel-to-bezel width of just 3.5mm and up to 500 cd/m2 brightness, makes it 40 percent lighter and 40 percent more energy efficient than their previous models. Their video wall also includes optional Mirror Bezel Frames which help to minimize visible lines between PN-V550 monitors by reflecting mirror images of the display content.
- LG’s narrow .9mm even panel design offers improved algorithms that reduce image gaps between screens during fast-moving video playback. Their video walls include video angles of 120 degrees or above, improving clear picture quality even when installed in stacks of four or more. A great feature when video walls are installed in large spaces.
Want to test out a few design configurations of your own?
- The NEC – Video Wall Configurator is an easy, on-line tool that helps you visualize your video wall before you make a decision. Choose your display configuration, portrait settings, motif design and more. You can then save it or share it with your colleagues via email.
There you have it – an explanation that should give you a better understanding of video walls. Hopefully you will now be able to make a better informed decision on your next video wall project