Daktronics is making a bright impact in the world of college sports once again. Whether it is college football or college baseball, LED displays, and the content that they provide, are a key factor to the fan experience.

[Buffalo’s UB Stadium Gets Overdue AV Overhaul]

Check out two of Daktronics latest at UNC and UVA.

11 LED Displays Come to Tobacco Road

Delivering a new game-day experience to Tar Heels fans at Kenan Stadium, Daktronics partnered with the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill while working alongside Anthony James Partners to manufacture and install 11 LED displays totaling more than 10,000 square feet, roughly one square foot for every five seats in the stadium, and more than 14.7 million LEDs. Two main video displays mirror each other at the ends of the stadium, while sideline ribbon, west end super ribbon and east end ribbon displays round out the LED installation taking place in 2026.

Two main video displays will be installed, one on the east end and one on the west end. Each will measure 31.5x106.5 feet and feature 8mm pixel spacing to deliver crisp, clear imagery with wide-angle visibility to appeal to fans in every seat of Kenan Stadium.

Nine ribbon boards will be installed around the seating bowl of the stadium. This includes two west end super ribbons, a north and a south sideline ribbon, two east tunnel ribbons, two east lower ribbons, and one east upper ribbon. The west super ribbons are approximately 4-feet high, while all the other ribbons are roughly 2-feet high.

Each ribbon display will also feature 8mm pixel spacing for excellent clarity and contrast. Combined, these ribbons add 1,450 linear feet of digital displays to supplement content and statistics on the main displays and to highlight sponsors around the seating bowl of Kenan Stadium.

UVA Brightens Davenport Field with Top Ten Largest Video Display in College Baseball

When Cavaliers baseball fans head to Davenport Field at Disharoon Park, they will be greeted by a new LED video display, one which Daktronics says is a top 10 in size in college baseball. The installation was completed earlier this year, including a backstop display behind home plate.

The new outfield display is the sixth-largest in college baseball and measures 33x58 feet with the ability to showcase all of the live action, statistics, replays, graphics and more that fans crave at every live sporting event, especially the statistics associated with baseball. It features a 10mm pixel spacing for crisp, clear imagery delivered to fans throughout the stadium. The variable content zoning ability of the display ensures a mix of content needed to produce an informative and engaging experience.

Behind home plate, a backstop display brings additional engagement and sponsorship opportunities to UVA baseball. It measures roughly 3x11.5 feet and features a 4.4mm pixel spacing to ensure excellent image clarity and contrast to every logo, animation and graphics shown.

Whether it is for an immersive experience, digital signage, or a canvas for digital art, LED displays are always a hot topic (and some of the more eye-catching booths) from the show floor. As InfoComm 2026 is set to take over the Las Vegas Convention Center from June 13-19, these displays are set to be on, well, display.

[SCN's InfoComm Impulse Preview Series]

To prepare you for Las Vegas, take a peek at what some booths will be showcasing, but bookmark this page and check back, as we will update with more as we hear more.

DreamWall to Debut Outdoor 16:9 COB MicroLED Displays

DreamWall will debut its latest generation of Outdoor CooLED Ultra-Bright, Weatherproof COB MicroLED Video Wall solutions at booth C9947. Engineered for luxury residential, commercial AV, and digital signage applications, DreamWall’s Outdoor CooLED Pixel Pitch displays are available in sizes from 115 to 317 inches and deliver exceptional color accuracy, contrast, and image clarity, with brightness levels reaching up to 4,000 nits for superior visibility in demanding outdoor environments.

Purpose-built for long-term outdoor performance, DreamWall CooLED outdoor-rated panels feature advanced heat-dissipation technology that manages thermal energy at the source, keeping the display surface cool to the touch without supplemental active cooling systems. Designed for efficiency, CooLED technology consumes just 50 watts per cabinet at peak brightness. DreamWall outdoor displays incorporate impact and dust-resistant construction, an anti-glare matte surface, a 100,000-hour rated lifespan, a comprehensive five-year warranty, and an IP65 rating for both front and rear protection.

Epson to Introduce Its First dvLED Displays

Epson will be showcasing its first all-in-one dvLED line, the LE-C1 Series, powered by chip-on-board (COB) technology at Epson’s booth, N7245. Offering high brightness of 600 nits and high contrast performance, even in the brightest of spaces, the new LE-C1 Series includes the LE-C1135 135-inch and the LE-C1162 162-inch Full HD 1080p models, plus the LE-C14K135 135-inch 4K model for ultra-fine detail and comfortable close-range viewing.

Designed to offer the benefits of an all-in-one dvLED display, while utilizing a streamlined component design, the LE-C1 Series is operating system free, helping to minimize vulnerabilities and maintenance requirements for a “set-it-and-forget-it" content delivery solution. The edge-to-edge full visual canvas design hides essential controls, and AV ports on the face of its low-profile control box concealed behind the display.

Powered by advanced COB technology, the LE-C1 Series offers enhanced image clarity, superior surface protection, and lower energy use compared to conventional SMD dvLED displays. Installation is also streamlined with factory-calibrated LED modules and a preconfigured controller for fast, efficient deployment. For added convenience, the control box behind the display can slide out for access if service is ever required.

FOR-A to Highlight LED Displays from Alfalite

FOR-A America is the U.S. partner of the Spanish LED screen manufacturer, Alfalite, whose latest display developments will be on hand at booth C8816. Alfalite’s MATIX AlfaCOB (Chip-on-Board) and AlfaMIP (MicroLED-in-package) designs are integrated into the new Neopix and UHD Finepix LED panels. Specifically designed for critical applications in control rooms and corporate settings, the UHD Finepix panels come in five pixel pitches—0.6mm, 0.9mm, 1.2mm, 1.5mm, and 1.8mm—and are built using MATIX AlfaCOB or MATIX AlfaMIP for MicroLED assemblies. All Alfalite technology is made in Spain and TAA certified for government use.

Additionally, reflecting FOR-A’s evolution into a provider of live production workflows spanning cloud, IP, IT infrastructure, and edge-based intelligence, the FOR-A booth will feature all solutions as interactive demos, accessible via touch screen at any kiosk. Visitors will be able to view demonstrations and drive operations from the kiosks. Video demonstrations will also be showcased on partner company, Alfalite’s, LED wall for a more immersive viewing experience. Team members will be on hand to discuss how FOR-A’s new solutions help overcome today’s most pressing live video production challenges.

Magnetic 3D to Showcase Glasses-Free 3D Display, AI-Visualization, and Pro AV Tools

Magnetic 3D will showcase its latest advancements in Central Hall at booth C5372. Magnetic 3D will demonstrate large-format landscape and portrait glasses-free 3D displays featuring both rendered video content and interactive applications. The company will also highlight its growing ecosystem of professional plug-ins and content creation tools for leading 3D platforms including Blender, Cinema 4D, Unity, and Unreal Engine.

Specifically, Magnetic 3D is bringing its brand new 85-inch glasses-free 3D display and will be demonstrating AI-powered interactive capabilities and professional creator tools for Pro AV, digital signage, and immersive experiences. Magnetic 3D’s multi-view displays known as the Wildfire Series offer significant volumetric space including depth perception and forward projection off the monitor while maintaining up to 140-degree viewing angles. Notably, the company’s technology empowers audiences to view 3D visualizations at the same time for shared experiences and collaborative work environments where depth perception is required.

Nanolumens to Bring Real-World LED Applications to Life

Nanolumens will mark its 20th anniversary in the industry and showcase a range of next-generation display technologies at booth N7321 through application-driven zones, including mission-critical environments, collaborative workspaces, experiential visualization, and future-forward display technologies. Featured display Series include the Engage Pro with Aurora video processing, The Portal, the Captivate All-In-One, the NanoPanel 55, and a revitalized Nixel Series.

Across the booth, Nanolumens will team with other ecosystem partners and technologies including Barco CTRL control room software, Noro, the IAdea MDEP media player built on the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform, and AUO Display Plus, to demonstrate complete, real-world solutions.

For experiential visualization, Nanolumens will feature a next-generation Nixel Series in a smooth-curved video wall configuration. Designed with a patented skin-and-frame topology for custom and architectural installations, the cabinet-less Nixel Series supports flexible mounting and structural integration, enabling unique display shapes and immersive visual experiences. Nanolumens will present its NanoPanel 55 in a tiled 2x2 4K video wall configuration. Designed as a bezel-free alternative to traditional 55-inch LCD displays, NanoPanel 55 serves as a drop-in upgrade for tiled video wall applications, combining simplified installation with the visual performance benefits of LED technology, including improved contrast, brightness and color uniformity.

Be Sure to Check out the New Planar 21by9 Series 5K LCD Displays

Planar will showcase a line of premium 5K resolution 21:9 LCD displays designed to deliver panoramic viewing and enhance productivity at booth C7258 . The new Planar 21by 9 Series features a cinematic ultra-wide digital canvas that is built to impress and designed to deliver superior visual performance.

The Planar 21by 9 Series presents a commercial-grade 24x7 display solution with 81, 94, and 105-inch sizes in 5120x2160 resolution and running native at 120Hz refresh. The premium solution introduces a quantum dot Mini-LED backlight coupled with dual-brightness enhancement technology, driving a wide color gamut reaching 115 percent DCI-P3 color space, 1,000,000:1 HDR dynamic contrast and peak brightness of up to 2,500 nits. The product line has advanced processing capabilities and up to 2,560 local dimming zones driven by Planar’s proprietary algorithm, achieving VESA DisplayHDR 1400 certification for the highest quality commercial LCD display ever.

The HDR10+ certified displays enhance picture quality and enable more dynamic content presentation. The series is ideally sized for popular unified communications and video collaboration platforms, enabling enterprise Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) management, and is equally suited for lobbies, retail and especially dramatic, private cinema.

Pufferfish Set to Launch Next-Generation PufferTouch 4

Pufferfish will unveil PufferTouch 4 (PT4), the next-generation of its interactive spherical display platform. Visitors can get hands on with the PT4 on the Barco booth N7231.

Designed to support the next generation of immersive experiences, PT4 builds on nearly a decade of global deployment experience across museums, visitor attractions, corporate environments, education, science centers, and live brand activations. The new platform introduces significant advancements while maintaining compatibility with the wider Pufferfish ecosystem already deployed globally.

PT4 enhancements include: increased brightness and improved visual performance; reduced weight for easier deployment and installation; quieter operation and improved thermal efficiency; enhanced serviceability and maintenance access; modular architecture designed to support future expansion and accessories; and integration of the latest TI 0.80-inch HEP chipset technology.

Watchfire to Showcase New Outdoor and Indoor LED Display Advancements

Watchfire will bring new display technology to booth C9086 in the Central Hall. Featured products will include Watchfire’s new 4mm outdoor LED display showcased in a four-sided monolith design, alongside an upgraded X-Series APX 0.9mm indoor videowall engineered for premium image quality, reliability, and long-term performance.

The new 4mm outdoor display was developed to address growing demand for higher-resolution outdoor displays in close-viewing environments such as stadium concourses, mixed-use developments, entry plazas, retail destinations, and pedestrian-heavy spaces. Unlike solutions adapted from indoor products, Watchfire engineered the display specifically for outdoor conditions, applying the same durability and reliability standards used across its outdoor product portfolio.

The monolith on display is similar to a series of displays created for WOW, the premier architect of immersive out-of-home experiences, and manufactured by Watchfire for the EON Network, a patented synchronized communications platform spanning Inglewood’s Sports & Entertainment District in Greater Los Angeles. The WOW project utilizes Watchfire’s high-resolution 4mm outdoor display technology across a large-scale network surrounding SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, and the Kia Forum, site of this month’s FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Planar has launched its Mantis Series, a new line of indoor LED video walls purpose-built for rental and staging environments where speed, reliability, and ease of use are critical. Designed for tool-less, one-handed setup and teardown, Planar Mantis Series enables crews of all experience levels to quickly deploy and redeploy LED video walls.

[InfoComm 2026 Impulses: Planar Talks Display Technology and Visual Performance]

Designed for live event and on-camera professionals with a product design architected from direct customer input, the new solution is built to align with real-world rental and production workflows. Engineered to reduce installation time and simplify deployment, the newest addition to Planar’s LED portfolio strengthens support for an array of rental and staging applications while helping rental providers maximize utilization and return on investment.

“Planar Mantis Series reinforces our reputation for delivering industry-leading LED display solutions that maximize visual impact, while facilitating hassle-free installation, teardown and maintenance,” said Sidney Rittenberg, chief executive officer at Planar. “This line of high-performance LED video walls was developed with a wide range of rental and staging venues and professionals in mind, incorporating customer feedback to introduce a solution that can be installed or dismantled without tools and with minimal training or LED experience.”

A dedicated support team in the United States contributed decades of deep, real-world rental and staging experience to the design of Planar Mantis Series,. With models in 1.5, 1.9, and 2.6mm pixel pitches, the series supports a range of viewing distances and production requirements, with specifications including up to 1,500 nits of brightness, refresh rates up to 7,680Hz, a 4,000:1 contrast ratio and scan rates down to 1:8. The series also features a lightweight magnesium alloy design with rigidity, helping minimize flexing or warping to maintain image alignment and consistent visual performance during operation. This makes Planar Mantis Series ideal for concerts, broadcast, and virtual production, where dependable camera-ready image quality is essential.

Balancing reduced weight with structural rigidity, Planar Mantis Series’ lightweight magnesium alloy chassis also enables rapid, single-handed installation and dismantling. The lightweight design supports easier handling and more efficient installation across venues. Planar Mantis Series offers 500x500 cabinets as well as a 500x1000 cabinet size in the 2.6mm pixel pitch. In addition to supporting quick assembly and teardown, the series is designed to simplify service and repair. Quarter-turn locks and quick-lock mechanisms allow modules and electronics to be quickly replaced in the field, while cabinets can be attached or adjusted without tools.

Immersive is certainly a buzzword in Pro AV for 2026. It is of our opinion at SCN that, when executed correctly, it can't be overdone. What we are seeing in 2026 is that installations are becoming more and more experience driven, and these immersive installations are becoming bigger and bigger seemingly every month.

That is exactly what happened at Kai Tak Sports Park.

[Apple Billboard Brings Times Square Passersby Into the Race]

Sydney, Australia-based T&DA, a creative design and technology company, recently collaborated with Leo Hong Kong, a local advertising company, to transform the ceiling of the 328-foot (100m) West Bridge at Kai Tak Sports Park into an immersive digital canvas. What guests experience is a two-minute audiovisual experience described as a 'cinematic experience.'

It is quite a large bridge, once home to the original runway at Kai Tak Airport, and that is exactly the vision brought to life on the West Bridge. As guests walk from Sung Wong Toi station to the stadium, they are instantly engaged in a story that traverses the massive display above their heads, as if moving down an airport runway, which T&DA calls "a narrative journey through the intertwined heritage of Cathay Pacific and its home, Hong Kong." Leo Hong Kong expanded that description, explaining that they created an, "evocative story of an airline interwoven with Hong Kong’s fabric, connecting past, present, and future—a 'worm’s-eye view' where passersby look up to see Cathay’s first aircraft, 'Betsy', take off into the skies."

T&DA explained that it used a hybrid-production workflow that integrated live-action cinematography with CGI and VFX, creating cityscapes, iconic airplanes from the original airport, athletes in action, and much more. Check it out in the video below.

The Madness of March is upon us. Sixty-eight teams enter the Division I men's college basketball bracket on March 17. Now, we haven't had 68 basketball arena installations, but we have had some pretty cool ones this past season.

Take a look back at some of our favorites.

The 2023 and 2024 National Champs Get Massive Display Upgrade

UConn men's basketball is no stranger to elite play, winning the national championship five times this century, including going back-to-back in 2023-24. The Huskies' fans now have elite technology to see their favorite team more clearly.

When Huskies fans returned to Gampel Pavilion this past fall, they were greeted by two of the largest end wall video displays in college basketball as UConn turned to Daktronics to install a new video display system. This includes eight narrow vomitory displays, three court-side LED scorers tables, and Daktronics Show Control system, all installed before basketball tipped off.

Two massive end wall displays were installed inside Gampel Pavilion, each measuring nearly 20x120 feet. Both displays feature 5.9mmpixel layouts to deliver crisp, clear imagery to fans throughout the arena.

ASB GlassFloor Hits the Big 12 Tournament

Our friends at ASB GlassFloor are at it again. SCN has already taken a look at some of the company's immersive glass basketball courts used at Bayern and Kentucky, among a slew of others. Now, the Big 12 will be the first North American sports organization to use ASB GlassFloor’s LED-embedded, glass basketball court in live competition.

Check out more in our article from Feb. 19 by clicking here.

Fighting Illini Streamline Game-Day Production with Grass Valley

Grass Valley and integration partner Tab M Solutions have completed Phase 1 of a new broadcast production control room for the University of Illinois' Fighting Illini Productions. Delivered ahead of the 2025 football season, the installation primarily supports football and basketball videoboard productions, with secondary integration into Big Ten+ broadcasts.

Read about the full transformation here.

How Virginia Tech Enhanced the Hokies Hoops Experience

Daktronics completed the installation of two main video displays and four wing video displays at Cassell Coliseum for Virginia Tech men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, volleyball, and other special events held at the venue. The main video displays at Cassell Coliseum each measure approximately 24.5x44 feet and each features 3.9mm pixel spacing to deliver crisp images and graphics to student-athletes and fans. These are capable of variable content zoning so each can show multiple zones of video, replays, statistics, game information and sponsorship messages.

Go ahead and see for yourself by clicking here.

The Buckeyes Get Audio Uplift for College Basketball Season

Ohio State's 20,000-capacity Schottenstein Center got an audio facelift, installing a DiGiCo Quantum2²⁵ front-of-house audio console paired with a DQ-Rack for Dante-connected I/O and processing. The Schott accommodates a wide range of productions and concerts beyond hosting OSU Buckeyes men’s and women’s basketball and men’s ice hockey games, so enhanced audio is imperative for the fan experience.

Go inside The Schott and see what was done by clicking here.

College Basketball Tips Off with Refreshed LED Systems at Hinkle Fieldhouse

Indiana’s basketball cathedral got a major Pro AV upgrade for the 2025-26 season. Butler University unveiled video experience enhancements at its historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, home to the Bulldogs’ basketball and volleyball programs. The new men's and women's college basketball seasons with new LED technology from SNA Displays.

Check out the details by clicking here.

Spider Senses Tingling: Richmond's Display Game Tournament Worthy

The Robins Center at University of Richmond got a digital display upgrade for Spiders' basketball games. Four video displays are installed to improve the fan experience at Robins Center. One in each corner, each display measures 15.5x33 feet and features 3.9mm pixel spacing to deliver crisp, clear imagery to fans in every seat.

Read the full story here.

Global instability, technology disruption, and a drastic shift in trade practices continue to affect business as we head into 2026. One thing is clear: The uncertainty continues, but so, too, does the demand to keep moving forward regardless of how unpredictable things are. Here’s what is on the minds of AV professionals as the industry ramps up for another year.

Trust Issues and AI

AI has a significant presence in Pro AV, with its integration into PTZ cameras, speakerphones, and transcription and translation tools. For Aaron Xia, CEO and co-founder of Telycam, the next trend to watch is AI's evolution from being an assistant into becoming a more autonomous operator in, say, the production environment, where systems would be able to predict what users need and make changes in real time when needed.

“For example, in multi-camera live streaming, PTZ cameras would be able to communicate with each other and analyze the environment to automatically coordinate camera switching and live directing based on the scene,” Xia illustrated.

That said, Xia recognized rolling out these features isn’t without its challenges. “The main obstacles to breaching this barrier have been a lack of sufficiently diverse real-world data and limited on-device processing power within individual AV products for that level of AI,” he explained. He added that privacy concerns, as well as the need for ultra-low latency, render it difficult to train and deploy advanced AI models capable of operating effectively in live production settings.

Jason Roberts, VP of workplace strategy at FORTÉ, also noted that data collection and integration remain an obstacle to AI’s evolution within Pro AV. “Most AV environments have dozens of disconnected systems—from meeting platforms, room schedulers, control processors, and sensors—all generating valuable insights, but very few of those systems speak the same language,” he observed. “Without that interoperability layer, AI can’t reach its contextual depth or deliver meaningful automation.”

Trust is another issue that AI must address, Roberts added. Many companies won’t go all-in on AI until they are confident that it’s reliable and transparent about what exactly it’s doing with their data. “Organizations are understandably cautious about letting AI make autonomous adjustments in live collaboration spaces, especially in industries with strict privacy or compliance requirements,” he said.

Bill Chamberlin, president of Verrex, believes that one of the next applications for AI in Pro AV is self-repair, which could improve integrators’ efficiency significantly. “I think we’re going to see a lot of growth with proactive break/fix and self-healing,” he said. “Even today, with some of the systems out there, you can write proactive scripts so if it’s not seeing a display or it’s on the wrong port, it’s automatically fixing itself.”

Not only does this capability eliminate the need to roll a truck to resolve these issues, but Chamberlin said it also builds increased trust in the systems AV professionals are deploying.

According to Rob Pickering, director of technology at TRITECH Communications, for clients to truly benefit from AI, AV integrators need to understand how they are already using it and their goals for leveraging it in the future. This requires determining what AI tools organizations have already deployed and examining how Pro AV solutions intersect with these technologies.

“If you think about something like Copilot, how is that client using it?” Pickering asked. “To what level does it come into the conference rooms? What are the features that we need to [provide]?” Integrators should be thinking about their systems in the context of the client’s entire workday, he added.

On an internal level, Pickering would like to see AI technology that can create a set of drawings (a baseline design) that teams can then review, edit, and validate. He also sees the potential for AI to streamline the design process for system upgrades. For this latter application, AI would analyze previous deployments and summarize that data, giving designers quick insight into the customer’s present technology profile.

AI is also being tasked with voice messaging, audio translations, written transcriptions, and even script summaries. "With the latest advancements in AI come dramatically improved options to reach people from a variety of languages and reading or hearing abilities, while maximizing consistency in the quality of announcements and messaging," said Bill Bennett, media solutions architect at ENCO Systems.

For example, AI can create very humanlike synthetic or modeled voices and offer real-time translation in multiple languages. In fact, GenAI can go further, summarizing an emergency weather report, creating a script from the report, and creating a voice recording that can be dispersed. "Now, when it's 3:00 in the morning and the gruff voice of a sleepy security guard is all that's available, AI can create a quality of voice that can be consistent day in, and day out," Bennett said.

While AI is that powerful, it's not quite that easy. "Like any new technology, AI requires some skill in learning how to choose from the multitude of technology options in the marketplace, including how to adapt to the workflows and signal and file formats required in the professional audiovisual industry in ways which are both reliable and efficient," Bennett added. "Designers and integrators need to trust in resources who have been doing this already, to help get them up to speed. ENCO has more than 1,000 broadcast customers using AI tools to create their messaging, many in fully automated settings, which is not dissimilar from messaging and announcing in commercial spaces where quality and consistency are key to repeatable, understandable messaging, regardless of the audience."

Dishing on Displays

Outside of the impact that tariffs may have on display technology, Chamberlin estimated that the Pro AV industry will continue to see price decreases, which will, in turn, render large-format screens more accessible to a wider client base. “It will make it more [feasible] to put large-format displays in more multipurpose spaces, more experience centers, and things along those lines,” he offered. “It’s just going to make it more affordable.”

Pickering also sees an uptick in demand for larger displays. “Spaces are scaling up, meaning newer technologies are allowing larger displays to be rapidly ordered, deployed, and commissioned to where it was just not possible before,” he said.

This is because, in part, several manufacturers are packaging their offerings in a more streamlined fashion, according to Pickering, which simplifies both procurement and installation. “Manufacturers have provided an ordering mechanism [where the display] comes with everything,” he explained. "It’s a single SKU. It’s got the mounts. It’s one line item on a bill of materials.”

For hybrid meeting environments, FORTÉ’s customers are standardizing on 21:9 displays for executive boardrooms, high-end collaboration spaces, and innovation centers, according to Roberts. He said clients like the aspect ratio’s support of immersive layouts (such as Microsoft Teams Front Row), and also appreciate its wider perspective, which creates more meeting equity between on-site and remote participants.

“The added horizontal real estate enables dynamic content zones for people and data that create a more engaging visual balance and reduce cognitive fatigue during long meetings,” Roberts added.

At Planar, chip on board (COB) will continue to be a focus in 2026. Robert Detwiler, senior director of product management, called it a “mainstay” within the company’s LED offerings. He also predicted the arrival of the next generation of MicroLEDs in the coming year.

Additionally, Detwiler pointed out the growing number of facilities that are treating their displays as a design feature. “Displays need to blend into the architecture or be designed to work with architecture, as spaces become more and more highly designed,” he said.

While Planar will continue to invest in LED, the company also acknowledges the continued demand for large-format LCDs, tiled LCDs, as well as smaller-format touchscreens and desktop monitors. “LCD displays are a very good option for space-constrained environments and applications that require the highest resolutions,” Detwiler said. “While the cost of LED continues to be more accessible, the cost of LCD displays continues to remain below LED.” This is why, he explained, Planar remains committed to expanding and improving its LED family of products.

Palmer Digital Group manufactures indoor and outdoor digital kiosks, display enclosures, and menu boards. Chuck Lewis, EVP at the company, believes the incorporation of voice-activated AI into digital kiosks and signage will become increasingly prevalent. He noted that this feature can be especially helpful in quick service restaurant (QSR) applications, as well as retail.

“For example, you can go into a clothing store, approach one of our kiosks, and ask it where you can find women’s jeans,” Lewis illustrated. “It can direct you to the right aisle without you having to wait in line [for a salesperson] to tell you [where you go].”

Trial of the Tariffs

Few would argue that predicting the 2026 tariff landscape is possible. However, one could submit that navigating today’s trade climate requires similar skills to those AV professionals applied during the pandemic, such as adaptability, agility, and communication. But while this industry may have refined these chops just a few years ago, it’s becoming apparent that when it comes to tariffs, everyone pays in one form or another.

Take Aurora Multimedia, for example. It's a U.S.-based AV technology manufacturer, its assembly line is in the United States, and it employs American workers. It is, as CEO/CTO Paul Harris quipped, “living the American Dream.”

If all of this is true, why is Harris quipping about anything right now? "Made in the USA" companies shouldn’t be complaining—aren’t they benefiting from the tariffs? Maybe some are. But if you’re an AV tech manufacturer, you probably need to source a few rather important bits and pieces from overseas to make your complex electronics. That means that you’re paying tariffs.

“If you’re putting tariffs on the raw materials that are only made overseas right now, and you don’t give me an exemption, you are causing me to pay a higher price for those materials,” Harris explained.

For Aurora Multimedia, that’s not a hypothetical concern. The semiconductors essential to its AV over IP product lines are produced exclusively in Taiwan. With no tariff exemptions in place, every shipment carries additional cost.

Another challenge, according to Harris, is blanket ordering—purchasing components in bulk under long-term contracts. While those agreements lock in pricing, new tariffs are applied to any units that haven’t yet shipped, causing unanticipated cost spikes.

“All of a sudden, a product that cost $300 to build might now be $600,” Harris said. “You’re playing an odds game. If you think a trade deal is coming, you might wait a month or two, but in doing so, you risk gaps in your supply chain.”

That wait-and-see strategy can quickly backfire. Delays make parts harder to source, and scarcity drives prices even higher. “Simply put,” Harris said, “it’s a mess.”

Aurora has done its best to minimize the impact all of this has on its customers by absorbing some of these costs. However, despite the desire to avoid passing on these new expenses to its clients, it cannot continue to absorb everything.

“I think everybody is realizing we have no choice,” Harris admitted. “You’ve got to [add] a separate line item that says ‘tariff,’ [and] you’ve got to accept the fact that this is the way it’s going to be.”

At TRITECH, regular communications between project teams and clients help everyone continue to move forward. Pickering explained that the firm includes language in its proposals that alerts clients of the potential need to reassess pricing when and if tariffs change.

For Chamberlin, an attitude of acceptance helps companies better focus on their core purpose. After all, he said, tariffs are just tax. He acknowledged that over-communication with both clients and employees helps to reduce the level of panic that can manifest in the face of uncertainty, as was the case during the pandemic. “Our job as our clients’ partner is to help guide them, and be the voice of calm, and really look at things long term,” he added.

Roberts has observed a transition from what he calls “short-term reaction” into “strategic recalibration.” He argued that in recalibrating, integrators will need to be agile to serve their clients well. In conversations with customers, FORTÉ is highlighting the benefits of scalable solutions that can be adapted when required, while at the same time providing the features that clients need.

“Organizations will increasingly favor partners who can guarantee availability, interoperability, and long-term service continuity, not just deliver hardware,” Roberts said. “Internally, our teams have focused on design flexibility, building solutions that can pivot between platforms, components, or brands without compromising performance or user experience."

For Roberts, being agile and flexible means that system designs shouldn’t be reliant on one manufacturer or even one supply region. “The integrators who succeed in 2026 will be the ones who can flex, offering equivalent solutions, consistent performance, and continuity of service even when sourcing challenges arise,” he added.

During this year’s Milan Fashion Week, Soho House Cities Without Houses partnered with M-Cube, the in-store digital solutions provider, to deliver a refined digital experience for the High in Bloom event held at Garden Senato.

M-Cube designed and installed a series of bespoke LED touchpoints, including a large LED wall, custom LED strips, and transparent circular displays to complement the natural garden setting. Each element was carefully positioned to blend technology and nature, enhancing the event’s ambiance while maintaining Soho House’s premium aesthetic.

Check out the video below to see the video displays take shape!

As part of Soho House’s global initiative to bring its signature community experiences to cities without permanent clubs, the Milan event brought together members and guests for an evening of conversation, creativity, and connection. M-Cube integrated digital technology seamlessly into the garden venue, enhancing the ambiance without disrupting the natural setting.

M-Cube designed and installed a series of bespoke digital touchpoints, including a large LED wall, custom LED strips, and three transparent circular LED displays. Each element was engineered to align with the garden’s pathways and greenery, creating a subtle interplay of light, texture, and movement. The displays were understated focal points that supported the event’s atmosphere rather than dominating it, transforming light into a storytelling tool.

Leonardo Comelli, business director at M-Cube, said, “Our approach was to let technology support the experience rather than dominate it. In Milan, the LEDs enhanced the event’s atmosphere, creating memorable moments for guests while remaining discreet. This project shows how digital installations can elevate premium events by combining design, innovation, and careful integration into natural or architectural settings.”

Visual content, produced in-house by M-Cube and supported by AI tools, was tailored to the Soho House brand aesthetic while remaining sensitive to the venue’s organic environment. The result was a cohesive digital layer that enhanced the sense of exclusivity and connection central to the High in Bloom experience.

Planar introduced the Komodo Series, a family of ultra-fine pixel pitch Chip-on-Board (COB) MicroLED video-wall displays engineered for high indoor visual performance and long-term reliability for corporate, meeting spaces, video production, private cinema, and other environments that demand the ultimate visual performance.

[10 Growth Opportunities Defining the Future of AV]

Available in 0.7, 0.9 and 1.2mm pixel pitches, the Planar Komodo Series features a DCI-p3 color gamut for professional-grade color reproduction and 1,000 nits of brightness to support dynamic image reproduction in any indoor environment. The Planar Komodo Series is powered by Megapixel’s HELIOS LED Processing Platform, supporting video standards and delivering modular and flexible inputs to allow for endless creativity. Developed from the ground up by Planar and Megapixel, Planar Komodo Series features LED display cabinet electronics specifically designed to fully leverage the Megapixel platform.

“We are truly setting a new standard for visual excellence with the Planar Komodo Series,” said CEO at Planar Sidney Rittenberg. “Designed for the most demanding audiences, the Planar Komodo Series delivers a top-of-the-line video wall solution like nothing else available today. This is the first result of our partnership with Megapixel, and we are proud to be presenting the future of LED with another leader in the industry.”

In addition to 100 Gbps (G) ST2110 capability, a standard developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) to define professional media over an IP network, Planar Komodo Series features an upgradable design to support future standards and can be configured to meet customer application needs.

The Planar Komodo Series is designed to support today’s most in-demand formats, including 16:9 and 21:9. With the ability to build video walls from native Full HD and 4K to 8K and ultra-wide 5K, the flagship COB LED family delivers scalable, future-ready visual performance.

In corporate and education applications that benefit from ultra-wide 5K resolution, the Planar Komodo Series is ideal for conferencing, unified communications and hybrid collaboration. For applications demanding expansive or panoramic viewing experiences, it delivers an immersive, cinematic-scale seamless display that maximizes visual impact.

Planar Komodo Series features the latest advancements in COB technology, including improved color accuracy, high pixel density, sharper imagery and deeper blacks. In addition to an advanced manufacturing process that sorts and pairs only uniform LEDs together, eliminating abnormalities, Planar Komodo Series uses an alternating LED orientation to produce improved viewing angles and color uniformity. This helps ensure the highest quality viewing experiences, while enhancing the inherent benefits of COB technology.

“With more COB LED displays appearing in the market, we wanted to offer customers a video wall solution that uplevels the performance currently available,” said Robert Detwiler, senior director of product management at Planar. “The new Planar Komodo Series is our response. We are proud to bolster our selection of COB LED solutions with a high-end offering that is differentiated by an innovative alternating LED pattern that results in uncompromised visual performance, on top of the incredible power efficiency and durability users want in a COB LED display product.”

First up: Was it a blast to be at the greatest ballpark in North America, the home of my favorite (and hometown) baseball team, and see myself on a massive LED videoboard in centerfield, measuring 100 feet wide by 38 feet high and covering an area of almost 3,800 square feet, and sporting a Red Sox jersey? You bet! It was the best experience.

In time for the 2025 opening day at Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, LG installed the main LED videoboard in center field and a comprehensive display solution comprising 11 digital signage installations. These screens span a combined area of more than 9,000 square feet, including a 1,850-square-foot ribbon board display measuring 71 feet wide by 26 feet high.

With a focus on redefining the fan experience, LG established a strategic partnership with ANC, the agency managing stadium operations and advertising on behalf of Fenway Sports Group, the owner of the Boston Red Sox.

"Fenway Park represents more than a century of baseball history, and partnering with ANC and the Red Sox to bring next-generation LED technology to such an iconic venue is an incredible honor," said Tom Bingham, director of Vertical Markets at LG Electronics USA. "This collaboration reflects LG's commitment to transforming legendary sports venues into immersive entertainment destinations. With ANC's deep expertise in game-day operations and fan engagement, we're delivering a display experience that's as unforgettable as the game itself."

Bingham continued, "From the towering centerfield videoboard to the vibrant ribbon displays, this installation pushes the boundaries of what's possible in sports venue display technology. Every screen is engineered to captivate fans and amplify the unique energy of Fenway Park. We're proud to help redefine the in-venue experience at one of baseball's most celebrated ballparks."

Load the Bases

ANC's software platform, LiveSync, integrates Vixi Suite from The Famous Group to create a seamless and easy-to-use fan engagement experience while staying true to Fenway's Green Monster. Luke Fraser, assistant director for Red Sox Productions, has worked in video production at Fenway for nearly 13 years and is very protective of brand image. "The Famous Group makes it incredibly easy because we can keep our traditional graphic look and add little improvements to make the technology available to younger fans," he said. "If you're at a game at Fenway and look out, you're going to see the same Fenway Green."

The process for a fan to see themselves up on the big screen wearing a Red Sox uniform is simple. A fan scans the QR code, uploads a selfie, and the image is sent up to the production room.

Fraser noted that staff operating the Vixi Suite software platform often have little to no experience with it. "We have people in and out here every game, who have this as their first job, and The Famous Group has made the Vixi platform extremely easy to operate. LiveSync does the same thing, where all they do is click a button, and it works. It's a pretty seamless integration."

The Playbook and Strategy

Committing to the rollout of incorporating a fan engagement program takes planning, partnerships, and the ability to demonstrate an ROI.

Fan engagement starts at the entrance of the stadium. "It's from the entry point in the venues through the concessions, through sitting and taking in of the game and the event, and then through the exit point and out the door," Jireh Billings, ANC's head of Revenue and Partnerships, explained. "It's how do you create not just the revenue increase for the teams, but how do you increase the fan engagement. By complementing them together, you have a win-win scenario."

If you've been to a live event recently, you've likely experienced the excitement that The Famous Group enables. "We're in over 400 venues, and a big part of what we do is work directly with the teams and the leagues making sure that when you go to the ballpark, when you go to the venue, when you go to the arenas, you're really having a great experience," said Eric Burak, executive vice president of Production at The Famous Group.

"We are competing with the couch, and we're competing with the living room. And for us, a fan experience company, what we do is deliver a great experience."

Ryan Drobnich, producer of Proprietary Technology Operations at The Famous Group, concluded, "It's a great tech triangle. ANC provides the background of all the boards and the delivery of all the graphical elements, Vixi provides the tech behind the fan engagement, and then Luke and the Red Sox Productions bring it all together and create a beautiful in-game element that delivers happiness, smiles, and joy to fans every day."

Home of Munich's Bayern Basketball team, the FC Bayern Basketball Arena was transformed into an immersive concert venue for this year’s special edition of Schlagerboom, a celebration of Germany’s hit pop music.

Augmented reality (AR) effects, a huge LED stage driven by Green Hippo’s Hippotizer Media Servers, numerous state-of-the-art light projections and laser beams, combined with each audience member wearing lighted wristbands, created a ‘sea of light’ that delivered a night to remember.

Driving an Immersive Concert Experience

Jürgens TV produced the event for Bayerischer Rundfunk, and commissioned content production studio LUPIXX to create the video elements. The visuals were designed to enhance each song, visually expand the stage, and create a sense of depth. LUPIXX Visual Artist and Managing Director Saskia Olma, ramped up the video elements by integrating a tracked Spidercam with augmented reality.

Manipulating the video effects and AR elements were two Hippotizer Tierra+ MK2, three Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 and one Hippotizer Boreal+ Media Servers, supplied by ICT.

“We needed fast and reliable machines that we can count on, and the Hippotizer Media Servers were rock-solid at every moment, allowing us to bring our creative ideas to life seamlessly,” said Olma. “We used stYpe as the tracking system for the Spidercam, and its integration with Hippotizer is well-tested, stable, and always on point. stYpe enabled us to achieve unparalleled precision and accuracy in their camera movements, resulting in a seamless integration of virtual and real-world elements.”

German singer Florian Silbereisen hosted the televised show, introducing a range of acts including Andrea Berg, Howard Carpendale, and Bonnie Tyler.

“The show’s setup was highly challenging due to limited rehearsal time and a dynamic stage configuration,” added Olma. “We had platforms that were arranged differently for each song, which meant that, in addition to our creative content, we had to integrate on-screen markers to help the crew position the platforms precisely. This required extensive coordination in advance. Each song received custom-tailored content adapted to the specific platform setup. The augmented reality elements visually extended the floor visuals and provided additional support.”

Working with ICT’s Project Manager, Martin Fröhner, to ensure a smooth technical workflow, Olma and her team created the content primarily in Notch, with the help of Cinema 4D, and rendered it in Notch LC. On the team were four Content Designers: Vlad Befus, Giulia Bowinkel, and Friedemann Banz; and Saskia Olma, who was responsible for content creation and direction for Ludwig Mond at Jürgens TV.

Founded in 2020, 35North Studios is a state-of-the-art production studio. Their full-service approach helps filmmakers and businesses plan, shoot, edit, score, and finalize projects—all from one well-equipped and sophisticated location. Situated in Clear Lake, Iowa, the studio offers creators a peaceful space to focus on the craft and enjoy the process—a true creative refuge.

At its 12-acre campus, 35North Studios operates out of a 225,000-square-foot facility that includes soundstages and editing suites, in addition to a recording studio, equipment rental house, and production office space. With an eye on the trends shaping entertainment and production, the team at 35North Studios began paying close attention during the pandemic lockdowns, when virtual production projects started to accelerate. They conducted extensive research and evaluations into virtual production methodologies and the technologies that enable them. Soon after, they committed to building their own LED volume.

Justin Fairfax, who was director of 35North Studios at the time of the project said, “It’s just ingrained in us to always be looking forward and to stay ahead of the curve with the latest industry tools. We also saw the opportunity to be an early adopter in the Midwest.”

Matching the Solution to the Need

During the investigative phase, Fairfax and his team reviewed several display technology options based on criteria that included picture quality, pixel count, color depth, and refresh rate.

“Virtual production is a color nightmare because it’s not as simple as just pointing a camera at the real world,” he said. “You have to control the color of three to five different things simultaneously, and trying to get all that right to make a natural-looking image is really hard. We also wanted to shoot 96 frames per second using two cameras, and that meant we had to have a really high refresh rate.”

Other factors that were especially important to the ongoing work of a virtual production stage included ease of use, flexibility, and how quickly the products could be serviced. Explaining these considerations, Fairfax said, “I’ve done a lot of work over the last 15 years in live events and using LED video walls, and I remember the days where if a module failed, you had to disassemble the whole video wall and put it up again. On a virtual production set with 60 people in the room, that’s not okay. You need to be up and running again in five minutes. So, when I looked at different products, I wanted to know how quickly I could fix it and how fast I could hang it or move it.”

Distinctive, Durable, Dynamic

The thorough assessment eventually led Fairfax’s team to equip the 3,500-square-foot, Unreal-powered virtual production stage with a cutting-edge array of Planar CarbonLight CLI-VX Series LED video walls featuring Brompton technology. These include a curved, 36-foot-wide-by-13-foot-high (22x8) main LED video wall backdrop with a 1.9mm pixel pitch (CLI VX 1.9); a movable 16-foot-by-10-foot (10x6) LED ceiling with a 2.6mm pixel pitch (CLI VX 2.6); and two movable LED side walls, each 10 feet wide by 10 feet high (6x6) with a 2.6mm pixel pitch (CLI VX 2.6).

The Planar CarbonLight CLI-VX Series incorporates design characteristics that are particularly advantageous to the unique requirements of virtual production. In addition to exceptional in-camera visual properties, the carbon fiber construction of the displays—creating modules that are uniquely lightweight, thin, and strong—provides the deployment versatility to support virtual production volume design, including hanging, freestanding, and curved LED video wall installations. Additionally, individual LED cabinets can be removed and installed anywhere within a video wall without disrupting the overall layout, while front-side or top-side service makes module extraction simple if maintenance is needed.

“The cabinets are incredibly easy to work with, which gives us efficiency on set,” Fairfax said. “If I need to, the front serviceability allows me to replace any part in minutes. I’m also very impressed with their durability and how well they maintain their rigidity. It’s rare that I have to replace a panel. And the color and picture quality are exceptional—it’s a tool that allows us to make great films and television.”

Virtual production projects are also aided by a motion capture tracking system from Planar’s sister company OptiTrack and ARRI cinema cameras. Additionally, 35North Studios custom-built all of its rendering nodes and computer hardware systems.

Cost-Efficient Virtual Production

As 35North Studios becomes more adept in using its virtual production volume, the economic case for film and TV projects at the studio has become stronger. Beyond the immediate advantages of avoiding the expenses—and hassles—that 35North Studios would otherwise accrue from traveling in the field, cost savings are starting to be realized by streamlining certain aspects of the filmmaking process. This is where the versatility of the Planar CarbonLight CLI-VX Series displays provides an edge.

“The side LED walls have proven to be incredibly flexible in terms of how quickly we can adjust them for a scene,” Fairfax said. “The LED ceiling doesn’t move as fast, but it is still easy to bring down and reposition. However, the real game changer isn’t just the speed at which we can change the background; it’s what we can accomplish by moving those displays tight against a scene.”

Fairfax was referring to the ability of the LED video walls to generate authentic-looking effects in the shot, thus removing that work from post-production. “When we are shooting a car scene, we can make reflections appear and move across a windshield or the car mirrors,” he said. “We can also replicate natural lighting.”

Creating these kinds of elements in the shot saves a lot of time and money in post-production, and makes scenes so much more believable, according to Fairfax: “It’s about improving methods, accomplishing more in less time, and tightening these incredibly lengthy filmmaking processes.”

Since its founding in 1950, United Community has grown steadily, establishing a strong presence throughout the southeastern United States. Today, the bank is one of the largest full-service financial institutions in the southeast, known for its commitment to customer service and community engagement, with numerous branches across several states.

When United opened its $65 million corporate headquarters in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, the new seven-story, 118,000-square-foot building was designed to meet the WELL Building Standard, which emphasizes a holistic approach to health in the built environment. Located along the Reedy River, the facility incorporates open and light-filled spaces, advanced air and water filtration systems, and carefully selected building materials to provide efficiency and thermal comfort. Amenities include quiet zones for fostering collaboration and downtime, two terraces, 29 conference rooms, and a dedicated gathering space and coffee bar.

United’s new headquarters also features two Planar fine-pitch LED video walls installed by commercial AV designer and integrator Advanced Video Group. According to Jason Lynch, director of facilities and purchasing at United Community Bank, the LED installations reflect the pivotal role that technology plays in the building’s interior design. “It’s a very important piece to the experience we want to create,” he said.

In the fourth-floor lobby and gathering space, the Welcome Wall is United’s statement-piece. The installation is a nearly 14-foot-wide, 8-foot-high (7x7) Planar MGP Series LED video wall with a 1.2mm pixel pitch that provides a variety of uses, including digital signage, messaging, presentations, and entertainment. “It’s a showstopper,” Lynch said. “When you come off the elevator, the video wall is the first thing you see.”

As a message board, the Welcome Wall allows United to post news, announcements, or corporate-wide updates like quarterly results. It can also be used to extend personalized greetings to clients and other visitors, leaving a lasting impression. “When people come to this building, we want the experience to be one they remember,” Lynch added.

For United’s employees, Lynch said the video wall enhances the work atmosphere, providing a vivid display to recognize birthdays and work anniversaries or see the bank’s social media posts in real-time: “It supports our corporate culture and fits within our vision to create a workplace that employees are excited about.”

Fit for a Boardroom

In the bank’s new boardroom, Advanced Video Group installed a nearly 12-foot-wide, 7-foot-high (6x6) Planar TVF Series LED video wall with a 1.5mm pixel pitch. Complemented with automatic tracking cameras, microphones, and a Cisco Webex room pro system, the LED video wall provides a tailored solution for presentations and video conferencing.

“The 16:9 aspect ratio of the Planar TVF Series video wall matches their traditional video sources without the need for scaling,” Adam Dox, president of Advanced Video Group said. “From an integration standpoint, we’ve had tremendous success with Planar’s LED lineup over many years. We have peace of mind knowing that Planar displays will perform reliably in high-visibility, high-traffic areas, confirming that the investment is truly worthwhile.”

According to Mark Terry, chief information officer at United Community Bank, the superior performance of the Planar displays was a key factor in their decision. “We looked at other options, but in the end, kept coming back to Planar for its picture quality,” he said. “It’s not just a piece of technology—it’s something that brings our community together.”

Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a global leader in the projector and display markets, has launched the next generation of Direct View LED displays as part of the NEC FE Series. The new displays provide up to 60% less power consumption without sacrificing brightness or image quality.

The newest products in the FE series lineup, the FEXXi3 offers improved power consumption via more efficient LED diodes, resulting in an overall lower cost of ownership over the lifetime of the displays while delivering the same impactful imaging expected from NEC dvLED products. Reduced power consumption not only provides an extra advantage but also results in decreased heat generated from the display, enhancing overall efficiency and reducing HVAC operating expenses. Built on the same chassis as the current FE Series, the new displays utilize the same installation method and frame as previous models, ensuring ease of installation when upgrading.

"The lower overall power consumption of these new direct view LED displays help reduce running costs, saving customers money across the board,” said Mark Miller, Product Manager for Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “This helps make the FEXXi3 environmentally and economically sound.”

Ideal for signage, meeting/conference rooms, and auditoriums, the full line of Direct View LEDs offer attention-grabbing, high contrast, and modular display solutions. All NEC dvLED products are backed by a comprehensive warranty program, including full planning and design, installation, and post-installation maintenance support.

[On Image Matters: Sharp]

Over the last 30-plus years, CCS Presentation Systems has become one of the largest AV integration groups in the U.S., growing from two employees to over 350 with offices in 17 states. Recently, CCS designed and built a new, innovative technology-focused national headquarters that showcases the organization’s advanced AV design capabilities/services. They needed a wow factor for their lobby

As a leader in the commercial audio-visual industry, CCS prides itself on operating as a trusted resource for stellar AV products and cutting-edge audio-video integration.

CCS experienced rapid growth and in 2022 designed and built a new national headquarters in Mesa, AZ. They wanted something stunning for their main lobby that would reflect their AV expertise and passion for technology. CCS enlisted its proud manufacturing partner, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America to design the lobby’s main feature, a breathtaking 90-degree wraparound dvLED wall. With a detailed vision in mind, Sharp got to work, collaborating with CCS and design agency, OpenEye Global, to bring the lobby to life using two LED walls and stunning imagery.

[CCS Presentation Systems Turns 30]

Tasked with creating a compelling, wrap-around display wall that would serve as the focal point of the CCS lobby, OpenEye, and Sharp brainstormed how to best captivate visitors and provide the best possible visual experience as soon as individuals walked through the doors. It was imperative that the technology operated perfectly and had aesthetics to match. The team knew a traditional corporate lobby design wouldn’t work. It was critical that the outcome represent CCS’ audio and visual capabilities while also boasting longevity and reliability.

The dvLED Wall

The team used two direct-view LED walls featuring the NEC LED-FE-015i2 1.5mm pixel pitch modules to make an extraordinary 90-degree, wrap-around corner unit, which answered CCS’ requirement for a captivating lobby scene. “We were really aiming for a ‘wow’ factor,” said CCS’ chief marketing officer, Julie Solomon. “The standard corporate lobby just wasn’t for us. In our line of business, visuals are key. It was incredible to work with Sharp and OpenEye Global to make this happen.”

Capitalizing on immersive technology OpenEye Global’s senior creative producer, Douglas Dowson, shared that NEC’s dvLED displays, “renders content beautifully.” Dowson was pleased with how OpenEye Global’s content appeared seamlessly and clearly across the technology. 

“From epic nature scenes to a forced perspective brand highlight, this 90-degree design completely invigorated the space,” said Dowson. 

“As soon as people walk into the building, it’s the first thing they see, and the first thing they compliment,” noted Solomon. “It’s just so incredibly striking.” 

The CCS and OpenEye Global teams also noted that they experienced smooth planning, configuration and collaboration during the process with Sharp team members and products. Through the celebration of an artistic-industrial vibe and gleaming technology, the three teams found success and created the ultimate, dynamic lobby scene. 

With its stunning front entrance, CCS employees, customers, and visitors are captivated the moment they step foot in the building. From beautiful nature scenes to AV product highlight reels, the massive, wrap-around LED screen is seen by all, providing a positive view for office goers, from the first one in, to the last one out.

The new CCS headquarters’ environment offers the perfect setting for hosting events and seminars with highly collaborative and modern features, including a two-story lobby opening out to a multi-functional indoor/outdoor café event space and training center. Large glass movable walls and an oversized garage door led to an outdoor amenity patio that can quickly transform the area into an event space large enough for more than 250 guests. The installation of the Sharp dvLED video wall accentuates the company’s passion for technology that delivers impressive results.

The Las Vegas Strip shined bright during the 2023 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix—but not solely from the race car lights zipping around the track. In partnership with Liberty Media and the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc., Samsung Display technologies were featured throughout the highly anticipated race’s pit building, including three extra-large grandstand screens with a total of 3.8 million pixels, and a dynamic tight-pitch display that serves as a backdrop for the entry escalator. The star of the race was an LED display in the form of the F1 logo, acting as a new “star” in the sky sitting atop the 1,000-foot-long pit building rooftop—so bright that it may even be visible from outer space. 

“As F1’s viewership skyrockets in the U.S., Liberty Media and the Las Vegas Grand Prix are focused on delivering the most memorable experiences for fans in attendance as well as viewing the broadcast around the world,” James Fishler, senior vice president of the Display and Home Entertainment Divisions, Samsung Electronics America said. “The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix is a turning point for the sport of racing, as the installation of these best-in-class Samsung displays dramatically adorns the Las Vegas Grand Prix pit building and revolutionizes how fans in the grandstands watch this race.”

[Samsung to Light Up the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium]

With over 500 million F1 fans worldwide, technology must evolve to drive fan engagement to ensure the experience does not go stale. With the cost of sports entertainment rising for fans watching in person and at home, organizations have to evaluate how their venues and events are televised, with the home viewer top of mind. Over-the-top, innovative experiences are going to make or break the cost-to-benefit analysis for fans. 

The 28,166-square-foot 10mm LED display with over 22 million pixels spans 481 feet––longer than a football field––and mirrors the shape of the F1 logo, exciting viewers watching from home as broadcasters use the sign to provide more immersive and close-up views of the race. Additionally, a 1,480-square-foot 3.9mm LED escalator display is designed to create a “wow” moment as it presents stunning content using over 9 million pixels. 

Grandstanding

The grandstands are outfitted with three 941-square-foot Samsung 8mm LED displays, with over 1.2 million pixels to enhance the viewing experience for all in-person attendees, ensuring that a moment of the action is not missed. The displays used for the race feature Samsung’s latest and most advanced HDR10+ technology, with over 8,000-nit brightness, to provide the most dynamic image quality even on the sunniest of days. 

The F1 rooftop logo, escalator trapezoid, and three grandstand displays feature more than 33 million Samsung LED pixels and over 32,000 square feet. When combined, the displays are long enough to lap the Las Vegas Strip Circuit two and a half times, and bright enough to light up the sky and turbocharge the viewing experience for professional racing fans. 

“Las Vegas is primed to host an F1 Grand Prix event of the most impressive magnitude, and we are excited to deliver heightened experiences for our fans,” Renee Wilm, chief executive officer of Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc said. “Through our partnership, we are achieving this goal with the innovative technology that Samsung has brought to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.”

Is it just me, or have you also noticed an explosion of visually captivating digital walls of moving and engaging content?

I live 10 miles north of Boston, where I grew up, and like all cities, some areas are unrecognizable from 15 years ago. During the past decade and accelerating in the past five years, there has been an unrelenting building boom in the greater Boston area, including office and retail space, condos, museums, and university buildings.

The projects have been massive and bold. In December 2022, Boston University (BU) opened the doors to its Center of Computing & Data Science. It’s an architectural masterpiece overlooking the Charles River, which some liken to Jenga on steroids.

It’s wonderful to finally see that digital visualization is incorporated when new spaces are designed. BU’s TechWeb site explains, “Digital signage provides a modern, manageable way to deliver news, information, emergency alerts, and media to displays in common areas, entryways, lobbies, and more.” The site states the benefits, “Digital signage allows departments to display rich, engaging content to various audiences. By displaying content digitally, departments can reduce the time, cost, and environmental impact associated with traditional print media.”

In the planning stages since 2010, with a rolling opening since 2017, the Boston Seaport district has become one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods with hotels, bars and restaurants, retail stores, and condominiums. It is home to the Institute of Contemporary Art. At the Boston Seaport, massive outdoor video walls display art and events, and there’s hardly a store that doesn’t have a digital display to entice and engage.

In 2017, one of the AV industry’s workplace transformation consultants, Red Thread, opened its spectacular 13,000-square-foot WorkLife space at 101 Seaport Boulevard.

“With increasing resolutions, brightness, and flexibility in management, digital signage is reaching new standards,” said Datapath’s director of sales, Mark Bohs. “Content can now be sent seamlessly across multiple displays, allowing for some truly spectacular and creative projects. We’ve seen examples of this with virtual ceilings and waterfalls in universities, offices, and shopping centers.”

“Integrators and end users are able to fine-tune the systems to be more purposeful, flexible, and efficient based on use-case, environment, or needs,” said Mark Bonifacio, director of Business Management, Professional Display Solutions at Sony Electronics. “If a corporation, school, or church has displays in conference rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, or collaboration spaces that are only used for limited sharing of content, they can re-activate those same displays to share digital signage materials promoting internal messaging and events or socializing important news.

In Somerville, Massachusetts, Boynton Yards is a life science and innovation community near Cambridge’s Kendall Square and a hub where science and culture mix. The first purpose-built lab building in the mixed-use development is a 289,000-square-foot, nine-story facility developed by Leggat McCall Properties that features state-of-the-art research and development lab space, offices, and amenities.

In the elevator lobby of the building, a digital art installation combining physical and digital media invites tenants and visitors to explore a series of ever-changing animations representing various patterns found in nature. Created by experiential design firm SOSO, the multimedia piece named “Observer Effect” was constructed using five vertically mounted Planar MGP Series 1.5mm pixel pitch LED video walls with custom fabricated acrylic lenses positioned over parts of the displays. As viewers move and look at the artwork from different angles, the lenses work to amplify, distort, and deconstruct the visuals. 

Creating a Theme

According to SOSO, the acrylic lenses are meant to resemble the optical instruments that scientists use to observe the natural world and the artwork itself is a reflection of the act of scientific observation. The piece also thematically ties in with the work occurring in the building, according to SOSO founding partner John Rothenberg. “These are scientists who look closely at small things and make observations that lead to all kinds of exciting discoveries,” he said. “But then they’re zooming out and seeing how it affects things at a more global scale. We took that as a metaphor and dived into the process of ‘observing the act of observing.’ The underlying theme of the artwork is a simulation of natural phenomena discovered through close observation.”

The artwork’s animation is driven by a simulation algorithm called reaction-diffusion—a mathematical model corresponding to a wide variety of patterns that occur in the natural world. “It’s a well-published algorithm that can be used to mimic patterns like you would see with sand dunes, cuttlefish skin, sea coral, or zebra stripes,” Rothenberg explained.

[ On Displays: Planar ]

Embrace the Material

Contrary to most LED display applications, where the intent is to minimize pixelation, SOSO designed the artwork to embrace the materiality of the display. “In our case, we wanted to play with the pixelation as part of the layers of observation,” SOSO designer and creative technologist Dalma Földesi said. “That was our playful approach with the displays and the use of the lenses—as you look at the artwork from different angles, you can see the pixels split into their individual components.”

Rothenberg noted that the lensing is very kinetic and responsive to human movement. “Even subtle shifts in your position, like a tilt of the head, will produce a dramatic ripple with what you see in the graphics,” he said.

Planar MGP Series LED displays were very effective for SOSO’s purposes and offered the perfect scale for the vertical columns they used. “We had unique mounting requirements for this project; instead of a sixteen by nine screen, we wanted thin bands, high resolution, great visual characteristics, and also a reasonable price,” Rothenberg said. “The Planar MGP Series was great on all those fronts. It made for a really fun canvas for artwork, especially when you get to play with it outside of the typical form factor.” 

Leggat McCall project manager Rola Idris said, “We wanted to create an experience that inspires and energizes our tenants who pass through the lobby every day. The artwork is never the same at any two moments. The patterns and colors of the piece perpetually change and recombine to make new visuals.”

[ Planar Studios Aims to Expand AV and IT Knowledge on Virtual Production ]

Two days of InfoComm 2023 are in the books. Form factor, sustainable, simplified experience, and "wow, did that really do that?" These have been just a few of the buzz words overheard in many conversations. As you prepare to navigate the floor on one final day, here are a few things that have stood out so far.

[Take a Trip to InfoComm Through the Twitterverse]

Easy Like Sunday Morning

It seems like not long ago, technology was all about the bells and whistles, and the product or solution that was packed with the most features and coolest look was the thing to have. Funny how quickly a pandemic changes things.

Anywhere you look, whether it is audio or videoconferencing, today's Pro AV is all about ease of use. It's about easy installation and simplified experiences for end users. And when it comes to audio, manufacturers better makes sure their speakers can be compact and practically invisible. 

From all-in-one video bars like the Bose Professional: Videobar VB-S to innovative solutions like the Airtame Hub (both winners of an SCN Installation Product Award 2023), hybrid work is being made easier, to the point where BYOD or simply clicking a button can get a meeting started and facilitated. 

It Ain't Easy Being Green... Until It Is

Sustainability has been a hot topic for quite awhile, and it was on full display at InfoComm 2023. From digital signage to low-power displays to simple packaging changes, it's refreshing to see an industry come together to make improvements for the future. 

 [Sustainability in Pro AV: Here's What Industry Leaders Are Doing for a Greener Tomorrow] 

The topic is so much in the forefront, that the SCN Installation Product Awards added a new category for 2023: Most Innovative Sustainable Product Strategy. The Samsung Environmental Strategy and PPDS Philips Tableaux solution were the first winners, and let me tell you, the Philips Tableaux is pretty darn cool (read more about it here). The full-size and full-color ‘zero power’ advanced color ePaper signage displays are capable of delivering 24/7 vivid content, while running entirely unplugged and without using a single kilowatt of electricity. Talk about saving power.

The Barco ClickShare CX-50 seconnd generation was on display and boasts to be one of the first carbon-neutral wireless conferencing solutions in the market, significantly reducing the carbon dioxide emissions throughout the product lifecycle of the CX-50 2nd generation. 

[Get to Know SAVe]

Of course, LG's massive booth (more on them in a second) and others all had areas dedicated to a better environment for tomorrow. There is no doubt that everyone is playing their part. 

Pro AV Is Flat-Out Cool

Look, there was plenty of fun to be had at InfoComm 2023 everywhere you looked or listened. There were 22 audio demo rooms that put on a show, including SPACE by CODA which is so loud and intense that it melts your face off. Derek Wiley, content producer of our sister publication, SVC, and myself took an off-road VR adventure with Vú and Unilumins (you can watch the final cut here). 

But nothing catches my eye like a mind-blowing LED display. And there were plenty on the show floor that got the job done.

Dan Smith joined Exertis Almo in January as executive vice president and COO, replacing the retiring Sam Taylor. Although he had been a vice president of sales at LG for almost 13 years, he said the distribution side of the business isn’t much different from the sales side.

[Exertis Almo Acquires Caddrillion]

"The major pieces of the channel—manufacturers, distributors, and integrators—are all focused on the same key success factors of achieving the best results for end users, optimizing their investment, and simplifying the deployment and usage of products and services," he explained. "All three groups must work together to achieve end user satisfaction. In a well-functioning channel, we are collaborating on the same actions and goals."

Smith said people often think of distributors as "pick, pack, and ship," but the Exertis Almo business model extends to what he called "market enablement." The company's goal is not just to sell products and move on, but to help its integration partners thrive. Specifically, he said value-added services are critical for system integrators to help fill in service gaps, as well as offer new and ongoing revenue streams.

"We are there to provide standard and customized support from start to finish for every AV installation," Smith offered. "We are an integrator’s one-stop-shop for product, design, and installation support for every AV project. For us, it’s simple: Value-added services help deepen our relationship with customers."

Exertis Almo has had to navigate supply chain issues, too, and Smith said the problem simply needs to be managed at this point. "From a logistics aspect, there is plenty of capacity in the industry, on the seas and on trucks," he explained. "However, because there are labor challenges, the in-country logistics system does not have the same reliability we saw pre-pandemic."

[Editorial: Are You E4 Experienced?]

Smith said Exertis Almo puts a lot of effort into offering a carefully selected range of Pro AV technologies and brands, which allows the company to cover each segment and provide multiple options. So, what are the hottest products in inventory? "Currently, meeting space [corporate and education] solutions for collaboration are flying off the shelves," he noted, "along with cloud-based systems and anything with LED technology."

To that end, Smith expects hybrid meeting spaces to continue to grow and evolve. "As for technology," he added, "LED continues its evolution as it keeps getting bigger and better at an extraordinary pace. IT bandwidth and storage capacities continue to grow and drop in cost, too, which enables some really interesting solutions for our digital content management for collaboration, file transport, device management, digital signage, and installation."

E4 Experience Continues in April

After a successful show in Dallas in March, the next stop for the Exertis Almo E4 Experience is April 25 in Santa Clara, CA. Two additional stops are scheduled for 2024: Teaneck, NJ, on Sept. 20 and Phoenix on Oct. 18. Registration is open for all three events. The Exertis Almo E4 Experience is a free event that features a showroom packed with Pro AV gear in use, along with a lineup of AVIXA CTS-certified business, technical, and trend sessions.

“The best part about an E4 Experience is that it’s an individual experience," said Melody Craigmyle, vice president of marketing and communications for Almo Corporation. "Attendees create their own paths, which often lead to new connections and business, additional knowledge and credentials, and inspiration that guides them to the next level in their careers.”

"Single-day, regional events offer a simple solution to the proximity challenge for travel," added Dan Smith, executive vice president and COO of Exertis Almo. "Attendees can talk to all the major product and service manufacturers in a relaxed environment. The E4 showroom is gorgeous, with all the latest technology on display, so it’s the perfect place for integrators to bring their customers.”

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Amber Ward, Director of Marketing of Carousel Digital Signage

Before you begin your digital signage journey, the first question to ask yourself is: “What content will I share?” If you don’t know the answer to this question, then you shouldn’t be installing digital signage. It is easy to get excited about technology, but people tend to let that excitement overtake the reality, which is that content matters most. To communicate effectively, you must know your target audience, and the message you are trying to communicate. This is where many digital signage systems fail—emphasizing technology and excitement over effective use and messaging.

After you have determined your target audience, you can start thinking about where that audience congregates. In which locations will your digital signage perform best? The break room is a great place to put innovation and success on display for all employees to see; the conference room is a wonderful space to remind teams of upcoming events; and the lobby works wonders for interactive displays that help visitors navigate your building. 

We have always said that updating signage needs to be easier than sending an email. If everyone can create and contribute content with ease of use, the likelihood of success vastly improves. With an expanded team of content creators, a broader team can collaborate on messaging to ensure your digital signage network is populated with diverse, fresh content that offers different perspectives. Be sure your system allows for easy collaboration with content approval. 

Choose a system that integrates with other data sources so that the information is automatically updated without manual intervention. This means your content is always fresh. For example, lunch menus and event calendars are probably already being entered somewhere else; grab that information and display it. This is simply an extension of collaboration. If you want displays that pack a punch, start here and your journey will prove successful.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Ben Hardy, Senior Product Manager, Large Format Displays at Sharp/NEC

The focus for decision-makers here should be to hone in on the customer’s unique needs before choosing the right digital signage display—whether projection, LCD, or dvLED technologies. Choosing the correct display system is going to be dependent on the needs and goals of the customer and the environment that the product is going to be functioning in. 

Here are some key questions to ask beforehand—all of which will help identify what type of display technology will suffice: Does the environment require 24/7 run times? Will the display be placed in a high-ambient-light environment? Are there plans to control the displays via some type of third-party control system? What will be the viewing distance? What is the budget? Are there any other installation conditions that come into play when choosing the correct display for a digital signage project? (Keep in mind that this is not necessarily restricted to just LCD panels). 

Once you have established the unique needs of the customer, we can then use this information to offer the correct display for the application in order to ensure that all needs are being met. 

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Debbie Dewitt, Marketing Communications Manager at Visix

No one considers PowerPoint an IT job, but clients often concentrate on the hardware size because it’s networked. Just like PowerPoint, digital signage is about the presentation—not what it’s presented on.

Let’s consider the fundamentals. There first needs to be an understanding of the audience that will consume the content, including demographics and interests. That base knowledge will help the user create and deliver relevant content that drives audience engagement. The ability to target content to different groups across many locations takes that effectiveness to the next level. Users can then create effective schedules that rotate specific messages during certain time slots. Dayparting will give people time to view, absorb, and react to a reasonable number of messages. We suggest rotating seven to ten key messages a day to optimize effectiveness.

High-impact displays are of course reliant on compelling design. Digital signage is a visual medium that benefits from users who understand design principles, necessitating effective graphic design skills that bring compelling visuals, graphics, and videos to the screen. Speaking of screens, the content should match the specific display. Understand what themes and visuals best work across the mix of endpoints on your network, from interactive touchscreens and kiosks to large, immersive video walls

Users will find that matching content to displays is far easier with a powerful CMS that lacks complication. Few businesses and organizations have the resources for dedicated design experts assigned to digital signage. Make sure the CMS you choose is easy to learn for multiple contributors, able to pull in data from external sources, and capable of advanced applications. That includes leveraging analytics within the CMS to keep tabs on what content plays where and when, who is contributing content, and who might need additional inspiration and training to ensure displays remain impactful and bring value to your communications strategy.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Phong Phanel, Senior Marketing Manager at ViewSonic

There are many choices out in the marketplace for great digital signage displays to fit any environment. ProAV installers make daily recommendations to ensure that the right display fits their client’s business. After that, it’s up to the client to create the content that will be on the screen.

What can make a digital signage display stand out and be “high impact?” Content. Content plays a vital role in messaging and communications, whether wayfinding or promotional materials. This is when the desktop work monitor comes in.

For the content creator, a premium desktop monitor is the starting point. These monitors should be calibrated for a variety of color spaces, including sRGB for standard broadcast and web distribution, Adobe RGB for commercial art and print, and DCI-P3 for digital cinema and video editing work. The resolution of the digital signage display and the monitor should match to ensure consistency in the content. 

It’s also important for the content creator to be able to visualize the message and context of what they want on the display. They need to translate the information into a real image and understand how it will be articulated on a digital signage display. If any colors are off or the brightness doesn’t work, it can mean that the viewer may not experience the message as it was intended. 

Many digital signage displays are available with HDR support, and the communications and messaging images/visuals will want to take advantage of this. Almost all images and video will have more image data than what is on screen. With HDR displays, these details can be captured and saved, even if it’s not shown on the screen. Such details can be transferred to when video is captured and shown later, whether printed or on another medium.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Jim Vasgaard, National Sales Manager, AV Sales Channel at Daktronics

High-impact displays are something everyone is looking for today, but the deployment of such an impactful system starts with planning and preparation. As a display owner, you need to define the product and impact you desire along with the budget and space you have available. Are you looking for one large display or multiple smaller displays at many locations? 

After this step, you need to determine your content management system and plans for personnel. Having someone with the time, skills, and technical savvy is crucial to making your audiovisual presentation successful. You don’t want to end up with a large screen saver on your wall. Get the right pieces in place to make an impact and optimize your presentation. 

The trend we’re seeing today includes businesses of all different types exploring how they can change the vibe or feeling of their venue, whether it’s in the lobby, gathering areas, or meeting rooms. Let’s face it, people today are extremely accustomed to smartphones and tablets that deliver cool graphics, as well as intuitive presentations that entertain and inform; that’s what we have come to expect from a digital display experience. Corporate environments are catering to today’s culture that craves digital engagement as the norm, and not as the exception. 

As such, more and more venues are using digital signage as art that can be changed quickly and updated easily. This content can also catch peoples’ eyes with movement and depth. Many businesses are looking to implement this type of ambiance—an environment that engages with people and leverages the versatility of digital signage to deliver this experience. To make it all happen, future display owners should partner with a company whose skills align with their vision, and then they can collaborate for a successful presentation.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Jordan Feil, Director of Marketing at Navori Labs

As an industry, we often become fixated on the visual when we discuss how to create high-impact displays. We focus on resolution, pixel pitch, and similar technical elements. I would argue that display placement is equally important. The impact of digital signage is more often than not tied directly to display locations. Inside a shopping mall, for example, we suggest installing displays that invite consistent dwell times, such as within a food court, on an escalator, or inside an elevator. There is little benefit in creating content of exceptional quality if your audiences don’t have an opportunity to consume it.

Make no mistake, however: Users still need to create and deliver high-quality content. Content teams can take full advantage of the latest visual technologies in high-resolution LED screens, multi-display video walls, and other widescreen displays by producing 4K or even 8K content. It makes little sense to invest in the latest high-resolution display technology if the quality and resolution of your content is still created in 1080i or 1080p.

Content curation is another important component, as emphasizing personalized content based on audience demographics and behaviors will only strengthen the overall impact. Navori’s Aquaji marketing analytics platform is one option that can help content teams enhance content personalization and relevance.

Display manufacturers continue to bring more technologically advanced products to market with clearer and cleaner pictures. There are also some downsides, and that includes balancing the power consumption of modern displays with escalating energy costs. This is where choosing the right digital signage software can bring added benefits, such as creating a daily schedule that automates on-off functions. Whether driven by an organization’s green initiative or compliance with local energy-saving regulations, the digital signage software responsible for bringing high-impact content to your displays can also make a strong impact on reducing energy consumption across your display network.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Aaron Leiker, Vice President, Operation Centers at Haivision

As video walls gain popularity due to their visual storytelling abilities, more organizations are recognizing the value of digital signage and display technology. With so many different options, it can be difficult to navigate the various choices and understand which display system will best fit the needs of projects. But before making any big purchases, it’s important to first develop a content strategy.

Knowing what content will be displayed will help in identifying which technology solution will fit the project. Choosing the display system first can leave organizations in a situation where content and creativity is limited to the capabilities of the technology. It’s also crucial to have an updated cadence in place. Without a plan to periodically update the content on display, the digital signage can quickly become outdated and irrelevant. 

Once a content strategy is established, decision-makers should consider what environment the display will live in and how it’s meant to be consumed. Display environments can single-handedly eliminate certain technology if the environment demands a large amount of space or an unobstructed line of sight. For example, LCD and LED video walls are quite slim, whereas a projection system is larger and requires more room for the display. The environment will also have an impact on the way the display is consumed. If the display is operating at nighttime or in a dark setting, brightness will be a key factor. Brightness is also essential for displays meant to be seen from a distance, while signage that needs to be read up close must prioritize resolution. 

Understanding these key factors and the different features of each potential display system will enable decision-makers to choose the best video wall or digital signage for their organization. 

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Tomer Mann, Chief Revenue Officer at 22Miles

We’ve all heard that “content is king,” but kings require massive investments of time, money, and service for their upkeep. Content should be your servant—always immediately available to accomplish new goals with a few simple instructions and ready to make your life easier instead of creating work for you.

Creating engaging, interactive digital signage content doesn’t require special skills or dedicated staff with a modern content management system (CMS). With little to no coding, you can automate your signage design and connect your CMS to sources including calendars, directory databases, room management systems, and social media channels to populate your signs with dynamic content. 

Today’s advanced CMS systems can instantly skin their templates with your organization’s logo and branding, simplifying template selection and formatting. Adding interactivity should be just as fast and user friendly. In our latest CMS, you can add interactive widgets from connected platforms, like room booking software, via a simple drag-and-drop.

Crucially, with the right CMS, you don’t have to wait for hardware upgrades to roll out new content. If your CMS allows mobile control and experiences, you can offer dynamic, interactive visual experiences without a touchscreen. Users can control interactive signage from their mobile devices, or even scan an on-screen or static sign QR code and access the whole experience as an HTML5 or native app.

To put all this content at your beck and call, look for a CMS that can serve as a truly universal backend—able to send content to any sign, mobile device, video wall, or desktop. Working from a single system like this keeps your content unified and updated while letting you reach your audience through a myriad of channels. Whatever you need—even as your use cases, goals, and audiences evolve—the system will be at your service.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Martin Waverley, Senior Director of Sales, Americas at Christie

To create a high-impact display, start by determining which display technology works best for your environment, how it will be used, and your budget. LCD displays are a great solution for public spaces, lounges, and applications including digital signage; and LCD displays have a much lower initial investment compared to LED. LED is optimal for creating large canvases where visual acuity is of utmost importance. LEDs, at a premium price, are best suited for applications including critical viewing, control room, and premium corporate spaces. Now, and in the not-so-distant future, as we watch direct-view LED prices drop, you will see this technology being used and designed into more applications as they are becoming more palatable to the overall budget and ROI. 

Next, think about how content will be delivered to the display, whether it’s through a computer or a media server. Look for displays that provide flexible and built-in image processing, which will allow you to visualize and manage content directly on the display. For larger, more advanced displays, including video walls, or for content that has different resolutions or formats—choosing a content management system or image processing solution that is flexible, integrated into the display, and that has a broad feature set is key to ensuring impeccable-looking content.

Networking and distribution is another key aspect of the display to consider, as the infrastructure can become very complex quickly, especially in venues that have multiple displays or video walls that show synchronized or layered content. SDVoE systems, like Christie Terra, allow for the design of simple, flexible, and scalable system architectures based on off-the-shelf 10G Ethernet components for uncompressed, zero-frame-latency content. Displays that support software for installation and servicing, and are compatible with a control system, are adaptable to the widest variety of applications.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Ramzi Shakra, Senior Product Manager, Large Venue Projectors at Epson America

In recent years, we’ve seen a shift in how consumers engage with content, resulting in changes around how displays are designed and content is delivered. As integrators, business owners, and technology professionals focus on high-impact displays, it’s crucial that current media delivery systems cut through the noise of a saturated market. 

At Epson, we’ve seen display technology rapidly innovate to meet today’s demand for bigger, more elaborate displays. It’s important to understand where the audience will be in relation to the display. Up-close viewing, especially for highly detailed content, will benefit from a high-resolution display. Projection can create large, cost-effective displays, while panel-shifting technology such as Epson’s 4K enhancement can provide on-screen resolution beyond HD video. To take advantage of high-resolution displays, source content should be at, or near, 4K resolution. While the benefit of high-pixel-resolution content is clear, it can be impacted by not tracking video compression during the production workflow; excessive compression on stills or moving video can lead to visible artifacts and negate the benefits of a high-resolution display.

Creating high-impact displays that are clear, easy to consume, and engaging involves a complete display ecosystem. This includes pairing the right content with the right delivery system. Helpful features included in select commercial projectors and other display solutions are remote network management and built-in media playback for easier content loading and playlist control—simplifying installation and minimizing possible points of failure.

The demand for high-impact displays is poised for growth as consumers crave more experiential moments, and projector advancements aren’t slowing down in this ever-changing market. In an industry which often involves easily distracted audiences, projectors offer novel experiences that drive higher engagement, such as wayfinding on floors, mapping 3D objects, and illuminating existing walls across environments.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Parrish Chapman, Director, Enterprise Retail Sales Key Accounts at Samsung Electronics America

In retail, it is critical to deliver timely and relevant content on dynamic displays. Today, the online and in-store shopping experiences must be cohesive; retailers should treat their brick-and-mortar stores like their website, and vice versa. This is where retailers can lean into outdoor LED displays and a variety of digital tools such as LED signage, self-service kiosks, and on-shelf displays—underpinned by a robust content management system (CMS). 

The first consideration I regularly share with customers is that a variety of digital tools such as LED signage, self-service kiosks, and interactive displays can be tremendously beneficial to retailers looking to provide a unique customer journey—but it is the CMS that takes these tools to the next level. 

Second, a CMS can make or break a business’ ability to fully benefit from its digital signage investments. An effective CMS allows users to develop, organize, target, schedule, and distribute content more quickly and easily. This information is a key component of creating an interactive journey.

Third, in addition to photos, slideshows, and playlists, a cloud-based CMS can pull in content from social media, providing powerful, in-the-moment testimonials as customers shop inside a brick-and-mortar store.

Fourth, automation and AI can help guide content management even further. For example, Panico Salon—a full-service salon and medical spa in Ridgewood, New Jersey—uses heat mapping to track foot traffic. This data is used to help management determine how and when to deliver content that keeps customers engaged as they move throughout the salon.

And finally, avoid being too targeted with data or sending too many marketing messages, as they can make customers wary of interacting with a brand.

The use cases are myriad: We see QSRs, the hospitality industry, and many more embracing content and digital displays to deliver better customer experiences and increased engagement. 

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Dana Corey, Senior Vice President of Avocor

An interactive display forms part of an ecosystem: It requires high-performance speakers, cameras, and software to optimize the experience. It’s a bit like trying to drive a car without a steering wheel, wherein each element works together to make it work at its best.

The popularity of hybrid working has made team collaboration the foundation of ongoing business success. Having a meeting room equipped to deliver a great experience for remote and in-person attendees is essential for full participant engagement.

At Avocor, we take a collaborative approach to providing the best solutions. We are excellent at what we do, and that’s making interactive displays. So, we team up with partners that are equally excellent at what they do. 

For example, our new CollabTouch solution combines the power of Avocor’s interactive displays with the collaborative strength of highly popular Logitech meeting room solutions such as the Rally Bar and Rally Bar Mini. It’s an out-of-the-box solution that means customers can get up and running with high-quality meetings right away.

This should be a new best practice for AV companies. Our success has been built on a strategic partnership program, working with leading collaboration brands including Logitech, HP/Poly, T1V, Miro, and Lenovo to create a comprehensive ecosystem that seamlessly integrates Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, or RingCentral into meetings. 

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

Located in the central business district in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, KPMG Center is a boutique, 28-story LEED-Platinum certified building that includes over 600,000 square feet of Class-A office space. KPMG Center owners Morgan Stanley and LBA Realty recently partnered with global design and architecture firm Gensler on renovations to the building’s two-story lobby, tenant lounge, conference center, and outdoor terrace. 

The updated lobby features several design improvements including a new coffee kiosk, elegant seating areas, and new interior landscaping. The grand centerpiece is a massive digital art canvas covering one of the walls. Measuring nearly 74 feet wide and 11 feet high, the installation is a Planar TVF Series LED video wall with a 2.5mm pixel pitch (TVF2.5) in a 37-by-10 configuration.

[ On Displays: Planar ]

Digital signage agency Grandview Digital designed the LED video wall and will be managing, creating, and curating content for the display. For assistance with the project, Grandview partnered with MediaCentric for the installation, commissioning, and programming. 

Grandview founder James Ravenel was initially approached by LBA Reality during the design phase, when the project team became interested in supplementing the lobby with a digital experience—something that would work well with the architecture and support their vision for the reimagined space. “Over a two-year period, we worked closely with Gensler and the owners on the concept and design and developed several versions,” Ravenel explained. “Ultimately, we settled on a giant panoramic canvas.” 

The biggest challenge to the project involved installing such a massive LED display across an irregular wall surface marked by three elevator foyer openings. “Most video walls are built from the bottom up, but in this case, we had to take a custom approach to cope with the three elevator walkways,” said MediaCentric president and CEO David Lopez. “We had to uniquely build up, over, and down each opening, and then level every row across the gaps.” 

“For a video wall this big, the design flexibility of the Planar TVF Series modules was a useful feature,” said Eric Broyles, regional manager and technical specialist with MediaCentric. “Adjustments on the cabinet corners made it easy to fine-tune as we went along to ensure that no seams were visible and that the video wall was completely straight.” 

[ Planar Displays Power the New Global Headquarters for Thunderbird School ]

Content for the large Planar TVF Series LED video wall has been carefully selected and will include a combination of thematic scenery and custom digital artwork. “It’s a beautiful, breathtaking lobby and the intention of the LED canvas is to create an immersive, calming atmosphere—a place that will draw people to come and unwind,” Ravenel said. 

For sourcing artistic content, local artists will be engaged to create digital murals specifically tailored to the LED video wall. “We will add after-effect animation to the murals to give them movement,” Ravenel said. “Integrating animation into a digital landscape is something you can only do with LED. It’s a very interesting way to embrace digital art in a physical environment.”

To keep content fresh, Grandview will make bi-monthly updates, bringing in new scenes from new curated playlists and showcasing work from different artists. “What’s really exciting is that the LED video wall is not used to push a brand or sell a product,” Ravenel said. “Rather, it’s about using technology to create something meaningful.”

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Clément Plombin, Product Marketing Manager at Jupiter

Content being displayed at the wrong resolution, stretched, or at a low quality does more harm than good, and catches the eye for only the wrong reasons! The key to success in a digital installation is to balance this part of the equation—of using the proper content with the proper signage display. A perfect balance and communication synchronization of all three parts will make any signage stand out from the common: who is ordering content, who creates it, and who is doing the deployment.

Content development and testing must be completed before any digital signage installations go live. Most often, the AV integrator is not providing the content and is not thinking about what is on the screen(s) when they make the sale or do an installation. Having a solid relationship between the AV integrator, customer, and display manufacturer account manager is critical. Sharing specs and requirements about how the content will be delivered; what the hardware and transport protocols will be; and what the limits are in terms of display resolution, viewing angle limit, and brightness will all impact the end result. 

On the other hand, if the project is content driven since its genesis, then that discussion needs to happen even earlier for the AV integrator to source, test, and validate the proper receptacle for king content. After all, now more than ever, the choices available in the marketplace can be overwhelming—selecting the proper quantity of video processors, IP players, and image/video transport of all kinds with appropriate management, security, and supervision layers, et cetera.

The last time you walked on a high street, at an airport, or in a shopping mall and got your eyes glued on some signage even for a few seconds—this simply means the project was a success, thanks to good coordination and communication harmony.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Derek Myers, CEO and President of Neoti

The old saying goes: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Well, the same can be said for effective content.

Therefore, while planning and operating digital displays or signage, the top priorities should be the beholder, objective, and goal—from aimless artistic reflection meant to fuel elements of the human condition, to targeted calls to action focused on driving consumer habits.

How do these priorities relate to the type of display being used, whether or not it’s connected to the internet, or the type of software being used to play the content?

The different types of displays available provide a wide range of visual perspectives, and are important to how your beholder is influenced. Direct-view LED displays are bright, nonreflective, and can be made for the indoors or outdoors at nearly any size. LCD displays are high resolution, providing deep contrast and more intimate experiences. Projection displays have the ability to do image mapping onto buildings or objects and also can be made at varying sizes. All these displays should be selected with the beholder in mind, which will maximize the intended objective and goal in mind.

How often the message changes, as well as the location of the displays, will drive the decision of connectivity. The question of which software to use is complicated. The answer is not only related to message changes and location, but also how dynamic the content will be and whether real-time variables will change the content.

There are currently very few, if any, industry standards in digital signage, and therefore keeping the beholder, objective, and goal at the forefront during planning and operation will certainly aid success.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Robert Detwiler, Director of LED Products at Planar

When it comes to pairing content with display technology, keep in mind that not every display features a 16:9 form factor, yet viewers will expect content in native resolution. This also applies to all devices in the system such as the media player and processors. Without native resolution on an LED display, you run the risk of content looking stretched or squashed. Higher resolutions and finer pixel pitch can also help improve the quality of content, especially in cases when text and media are combined.

More customers are deploying displays in public spaces. Whether it’s a single display installed as a centerpiece or several throughout the entire facility, the distance from which audiences will be observing the content, along with the type of content they’ll be viewing, should be key considerations. Will they be close or far? Are they observing text, video, or both? This can also be a driving factor in choosing the display. If the display is intended to run continuously, rotating content that moves and changes color over time will keep viewers engaged and content fresh. The same can be said for changing content based on the time of day to better connect with audiences and adapt to changing lighting conditions. For example, content showcasing a lot of black can be impacted by nearby sunlight coming through windows or reflectivity of the display, and should also factor in the black levels of the display. Added structures or protective layers can also influence a display’s contrast, reflection, and brightness.

We’re also seeing a stronger focus on displays being designed to match a building’s structure or construction. This results in more corner installations and video walls with facets, curves, or flexibility to conform to spaces such as doorways and stairs. Choosing content that’s as eye-catching as the installation itself will help foster more memorable experiences for viewers.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.

A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Megan Zeller, Senior Director of Business Development at Peerless-AV

Direct-view LED (dvLED) video wall installations make up a significant portion of integrators’ total business, bringing high-quality content to life and engaging consumers in new, interesting ways. With that comes high expectations to create memorable, impactful first impressions and seamless configuration. Whether it’s a hotel lobby, conference room, retail store, restaurant, museum, or entertainment venue, it’s important to keep best practices in mind to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your installation while prioritizing safety and efficiency.

Your video wall might serve one or many purposes. For example, a museum installation might present exhibit information or wayfinding. In general, video walls are a large canvas for messages or stories and it’s important to make sure your content is making an impact. If you employ a large video wall, don’t overdo it with content. Busy screens with too many images or scrolling feeds can easily overwhelm viewers and distract them from your overall message. If you plan to install a video wall that serves as a directory in a hotel lobby, ensure that the text sizes are readable and that any scrolling provides enough time for viewers to get information as needed. 

When it comes to installing these displays, our team always recommends defaulting to professionals from the beginning. Taking accurate measurements is paramount when it comes to installing a dvLED video wall. Peerless-AV has an experienced team of highly trained professionals who have overcome a variety of hurdles and can accurately troubleshoot any situation. Through Peerless-AV’s SEAMLESS Integration Program, partners and installers benefit from expert engineering, custom project managers, full installation services, and dedicated dvLED mounting solutions to assure a safe, efficient, and effortless installation.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience. A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Luke Westin, Senior Product Manager at Chief 

The first thing to think about when planning a display or content is the experience you want to deliver: Is it collaboration, wayfinding, branding, interaction, or decoration? All of that feeds into the system in different ways. An interactive experience, for example, should have a mounting solution stable enough for the touch screen to perform at its full potential. One must-have item in every situation is installing the right cable to handle the tough requirements of digital signage. 

Second, you want to look at the space—indoor versus outdoor, audience size, viewing distance, ambient light, and so on. When it comes to content being delivered outside, there are more outdoor-rated displays than outdoor-rated media players. If some of the equipment isn’t outdoor rated, you want to be sure to have an IP-rated enclosure to safeguard that equipment. 

And finally, an often-overlooked advantage of dvLED for digital signage is the large amount of customization you can do with the configuration. You can tailor the content to a particular shape to really catch attention. Look for a modular mounting system that can support the most creative dvLED configurations.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience. A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

AVT Question: Please share your insights on display trends and best practices that can help deliver the best high-impact experience. 

Thought Leader: Joe Drury, Manager, Business Management, B2B Professional Display at Sony Electronics 

Displays have evolved over the last few years to become more powerful and integrated, and the use cases have progressed to adapt to new ways of working and learning. Throughout all of this, flexibility remains key. More and more, this is being achieved through the integration of control and access systems; the adoption of System on a Chip (SoC) platforms; as well as cloud capabilities and accommodations for remote, hybrid, and in-person environments. In order to best address these new forms of flexibility and provide customers with options, strategic alignment with other significant players in the industry is critical. 

By leveraging the strengths of our community and partnering with other leaders in the space, we’re in a place to offer robust, smart, interconnected ecosystems, as opposed to a singular piece of technology. This customer-first and integrator-minded approach focuses on users’ needs and the benefits are apparent. Flexible solutions are enabling users to accomplish their goals—often with more ease, productivity, unification, and for less cost. The resulting solutions offer immense value to customers and address many of the concerns that users and integrators have faced in the past.

Another critical component to take advantage of is the abundance of data collected by digital signage and CMS systems, which allow us to learn, grow, and be more purpose driven. Data contributes to informed business decisions that help drive meaningful outcomes, which benefit all parties. There’s so much important and impactful knowledge that can be obtained from the data users can extract from their systems, which enables the ability to affect change, promote flexibility, and analyze efficiency.

AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what other industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience. A full list with links can be found at the bottom of the On Displays intro article

18 AV Technology's Thought Leaders On Displays: See the end of this article for the full list and links. 

I’m a big fan of my hometown WNBA team, the Connecticut Sun. Something I’m not a fan of? Loud, startling noises like balloons, fireworks, et cetera.

And so when the Sun started incorporating exploding pyrotechnics into the beginning of each game this past season, I found myself headed out to the concession stand while my favorite players were being introduced.

Sometime in the middle of the season, however, a shift occurred. Instead of blinding, balcony-level indoor fireworks, a brilliant explosion displayed on the arena’s four center-hung LED screens—in perfect time with the music—conveyed the drama of the moment. The team logo appeared, the crowd was hyped up, and the game began.

And I got to stay in my seat. It was a win for everyone.

In any environment, the right digital signage display with engaging content that is mindful of its audience can be just as good as (and in my case, better than) the real thing.

From a glittering panorama of NYC in a corporate lobby to large-scale LED artwork suspended over a museum courtyard—the projects completed by this group of contributors display that same considered approach, with an eye toward aesthetic pleasure and an impactful experience.

During and immediately after the pandemic, many of the most important digital signage installations we saw rolled out were focused almost exclusively on function; content helped with social distancing, wayfinding, and disseminating vital public safety information. Storytelling was, largely, put on the backburner; we needed to keep people moving, after all.

Since people have started fully engaging with public spaces again, however, there has been a renewed emphasis on form—with digital signage content offering total immersion in beautiful, thoughtfully planned experiences and limited only by the imagination.

Even where information is being conveyed—as in the case of a massive dvLED video wall used for marketing in a Swedish grocery store—the execution is such that the viewer still leaves with a sense of awe and entertainment.

Time and again, our contributors and their collaborators prove the endless versatility of digital signage—that it can be not only practical, but beautiful and (just maybe) an upgrade to reality. Another win for everyone.

18 AV Technology's Thought Leader Series: On Displays

Check out what these industry thought leaders have to say about trends and best practices to help deliver the best high-impact experience.
Article links will become active as we post them over the coming days. 

22 Miles

Avocor

Carousel Digital Signage

Chief

Christie

Daktronics

Epson

Jupiter

Haivision

Navori Labs

Neoti

Peerless-AV

Planar

Samsung

Sharp/NEC

Sony

ViewSonic

Visix

During the past several years, organizations have faced immense pressure to not only compete with others in their industries but to meet ever-changing customer needs. Often, that means layering in new technologies to create a more seamless experience for all. But how should your organization determine if the business would benefit from new display technology?

Across the board, three technologies reign supreme—liquid crystal display (LCD), dvLED, and projectors. All are incredibly versatile and work to create engaging, functional environments in the hybrid era.

Digital signage technology, such as LCD, has been around for quite some time and is one of the most versatile options available. Generally speaking, though, LCD displays are best for companies looking to add interactive and engaging elements to their current roster of technology. Direct view LED is great for creating an immersive experience on a seamless screen with high contrast and unmatched brightness. The modularity allows it to be scaled to nearly any size, and the availability of fine pixel pitch options allows for detail to be seen at nearly any viewing distance. This also allows for unique and creative screens to be created, such as curves.

Typically, modern LCD displays are lit by LED backlights. A transmissive panel converts light to the images that are seen on the screen. DvLED will use individual light-emitting diodes that convert electricity into visible light to create an image. Meanwhile, projectors use a lamp or laser to deliver an image to a screen or other surface.

However, projectors are well-versed in creating jaw-dropping displays and reimagining spaces in order to educate, attract, and engage consumers. Traditional displays and dvLED will require paying attention to specific factors such as fixed aspect ratios. Projection technology though, can completely transform various walls, doors, objects, and floor spaces as well as be transferable from room to room in a building. Museums, artists, schools, and businesses can all benefit from the countless advertising opportunities, art installations, and other immersive initiatives.

[ Sharp/NEC to Launch New M Series Extra-Large Format Displays ]

There are a few important factors to consider before making an investment in any of these display technologies. While LCD, dvLED digital displays, and projectors can enhance nearly any space, they each offer distinct feature ranges and unique benefits.

Although there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to making display technology decisions, the six aforementioned factors will help you select the best option for your business’s needs. With the technological advances made in projectors, LCDs and dvLED displays in recent years, you really can’t go wrong with either. The three technologies offer excellent functionality, lifespans, and benefits that will enhance any space.

Indoor v. Outdoor Spaces

LCD displays, dvLEDs and projectors can all be used effectively in indoor environments with options available for nearly any lighting situation. All technologies typically offer the ability to adjust brightness and resolution as needed.

This is not true, however, for outdoor environments. LCD displays with high-brightness panels can be modified for use in outdoor environments. This comes in handy for educational campuses and shopping districts where individuals need to access wayfinding tools, among other things. Because of the nature of projector technology, they are more appropriately used outdoors at night.

On the other hand, dvLEDs offering high brightness along with the availability of IP65 ratings make LEDs a great choice for outdoor environments. Weather elements or bright sunlight will not damage or diminish the effectiveness of the display.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting, natural light or indirect lighting, can take many forms, including ceiling-mounted or recessed light fixtures. Configuration of ambient lighting in your space can mitigate the effectiveness of both LCD displays and projectors.

Large amounts of ambient light in a space, especially natural light, require a high level of brightness from projectors in order for their images to be seen. However, nearly any digital display with high-brightness options will function just fine in spaces with lots of ambient light. In addition, high haze (anti-reflective) panels are an equally important feature to consider when choosing a display as they help scatter incidental light as opposed to reflecting it.

Spatial Constraints

Not every room is built for every type of technology. Projectors are available in nearly every size and shape imaginable, which makes them easy to adapt to small or oddly-shaped spaces. They also tend to be scalable, and installation can often be tailored to a business’s unique needs. Additionally, high-resolution projectors are well-equipped to project high-quality images from both very close and very far distances.

While LCD display sizing varies widely, the technology is best suited to close-up, highly detailed images and graphics. Keep in mind, this level of detail is directly correlated to viewing distance and content.

Traditionally, direct view LED was limited to extremely large displays, like the kind you might find in major sports stadiums. However, as the technology has improved, finer pixel pitches are more readily available allowing it to be a more viable option for smaller scale, up close applications, with increasing popularity in boardroom and corporate applications. 

[ Sharp/NEC Delivers Stunning Visuals with New dvLED Display Series ]

Content

Projectors are wonderful for videos, still images, branding, and promotional opportunities. Floor projection, logo displays, and simple slideshows are all extremely effective. LCD displays will also show excellent quality videos and still images, but they are also the best choice for content that contains fine detail. LED is also great for creating immersive experiences with videos and stills. It’s important to keep in mind that a key factor to consider when choosing LED is optimal viewing distance for the video wall, since pixel pitch directly impacts price—the smaller the pixel pitch, the higher the cost of the unit.

Budget

Projectors tend to offer the largest images at the lowest costs. If your budget is tight, projectors will get nearly any job done at a more attractive price point. LCD displays, on the other hand, offer the best resolution for the value. If money is no object and your main objective is to display high-quality, high-detail graphics, then LED will be a better choice.

Lifetime

The typical life of a projector is 20,000 hours. By contrast, the typical life of a LCD can reach up to 50,000 hours, while LED displays range up to 100,000 hours. If your business is comfortably settled in a permanent location and has a clear vision for its future needs, LCD or LED digital displays may be a more convenient investment in the future. If your business tends to move locations or shift priorities often, a projector will allow you to reassess your options more frequently.

Christie has launched two new pixel pitches to its MicroTiles LED family.  The new 0.75mm and 1.0mm models add to the existing line-up of 1.25 and 1.5mm pixel pitches, and offer increased reliability, efficiency, and enhanced durability.

Shown in technology previews at ISE 2022 and InfoComm 2022, the two new models continue the tradition of the original MicroTiles LED by combining innovative mechanical design with the development of the most advanced LED technology available.

[Christie's Latest Projectors Deliver Bright, Bold Visuals—Here's What to Know]

“Attendees to ISE and InfoComm were able to get up close to our new models and see what a difference the finer pixel pitch makes in resolution, color saturation and seamlessness,” said Chris Kee, executive director of product management, Christie. “MicroTiles LED can be configured in near-limitless ways—from curves and corners to architectural displays—and these new models are especially ideal for up-close and highly-detailed viewing with brightness up to 2000 nits.” 

Reliability of the new models has been improved with flip-chip technology, which is easier to maintain and increases the life of the LEDs by dissipating heat more efficiently, and common cathode technology reduces power consumption resulting in Christie’s most energy efficient MicroTiles design to date.

The new 1.0mm model features LED encapsulation, which provides a protective surface that improves optical performance for improved black level performance and perceived contrast, and protects the display from dust, dirt and scratches. The increased durability gives the option to design an interactive touch wall.

[AV Network's top stories, product news, and expert insights] 

Christie MicroTiles LED deliver superior visual performance with powerful processing including 12-bit input sources, 4K@60Hz, and HDR10 compatibility. The proprietary QuickMount system reduces installation complexity, while the proprietary cabinet-free Click-n-Go LED tiles can be arranged in near unlimited configurations. MicroTiles LED are ideal for environments including mission critical control rooms, corporate lobbies and meeting rooms, auditoriums and event spaces, and premium hospitality and retail applications.

Sponsored content by Hall Technologies

ProAV USB workflows might seem like a new phenomenon accelerated by COVID’s work/learn from home reality. But the trend was solidifying long before the pandemic shook the globe. Manufacturers large and small have been adding USB ports into their products for years, to connect laptops, mice, microphones, and web cameras. As demand grew, AV pros realized they could optimize USB and do a whole lot more than mere one-to-one connections.

Meet the USB. A ubiquitous standard with immense potential. USB (Universal Serial Bus) is one of those underreported yet massively relevant technologies. It doesn’t get the glamor or glory of hot-ticket items, but USB ports, cables, and workflows are changing how installers design rooms and how end-users collaborate. 

USB for Group Collaboration

What’s a ProAV USB workflow? How AV operations flow through connected USB-enabled devices, from inception to completion of a task.

What if users aren’t in the same room together? They can't access the same USB device because it only plugs into one laptop. How do we widely share USB devices?

“The USB workflow evolved because we wanted to put USB in the room for multiple people to utilize,” Ken Eagle, Vice President of Technology, Hall Technologies, said.

With the new USB workflow, there is no need to disconnect. Hall Technologies’ switching solution allows users to “make the switch” as easily as changing inputs during presentations. USB devices change inputs while the video changes input. This is the shift and promise of USB workflows as they graduated from personal devices to shared, corporate devices on a larger AV network of products.

Check out this video where Eagle explains in detail what a USB workflow looks like in various meeting spaces and how your organization can benefit.

About Hall Technologies

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the right technology can prove essential to staying in touch with the outside world. For more than three decades Hall Technologies has been a leader in the Pro AV industry with a longstanding reputation for providing top-quality, highly reliable end-to-end solutions.

From video distribution and switchers/scalers to completely integrated audio, video, and control systems, we aim to strengthen human connection – whether that be in the home, office, or classroom. Hall Technologies: reimagining the way we live, work and play.

Sponsored content by Vanguard

Michael Wiener, CEO and founder of Vanguard LED Displays, shares what sets his company apart from its competition and highlights two products that have recently won numerous AV industry awards. 

"We are committed to the pursuit of excellence, both in the handling of our customers and in the development of leading-edge technology," Wiener said. "Although customer priority is number one—it's very important to stress the fact that we are American-based and American. Our business has been based on stellar service and responsiveness." 

Vanguard's Axion Acuity LED Series with a virtual P 0.48-pixel pitch and its XR Studio Series recently won numerous AV industry awards. Wiener explained what sets these products apart from its competitors. "The Virtual Acuity Series is based on an algorithm that allows us to connect an existing LED or pixel to two adjoining pixels," he said. "The effect is that we need to use only half the number of lamps to create a pixel pitch. This, in turn, allows us to keep our prices very, very competitive for very, very low pixel pitches." 

The DCI-P3 (Digital Cinema Initiative) defines the color space standard used in digital theatrical motion picture distribution. Wiener said that using Brompton or Novastar technology, Vanguard's XR Studio Series can achieve those standards. Not only can it achieve the standard, but in a laboratory test with its competitors, it exceeded the standard. "That is a big feather in our cap, where for the broadcast and film industries, they can hit standards set by their industry," he added. 

Check out the video interview as Wiener explains the technical details behind Vanguard's award-winning Axion Acuity LED Series with a virtual P 0.48-pixel pitch and its XR Studio Series.

About Vanguard

Vanguard is an American owned company, headquartered in Lakeland, Florida.

Their mission statement is: complete customer satisfaction, defined by our core values of integrity, service, responsiveness and communication.

Their core values take many practical forms including: Industry leading new technology, expert design advice at the outset of a project, timely quotes, the quickest lead times in the industry, helpful CADs and electrical drawings, professional commissioning, proficient on-site training and stellar after sales services.

To see what innovations Vanguard LED will deliver next, visit vanguardled.com 

Motivated by the rapidly decreasing availability and forecasted discontinuation of most fluorescent components, Brightline is now offering a new all-in-one retrofit package to upgrade its existing S1.2 and S1.4 fluorescent fixtures to energy-efficient LED lighting. With the DIY kit's simple design, it takes just minutes to start enjoying the energy savings offered by LED technology. A quick “How To” video guides the customer through a simple, step-by-step process.

The upgrade kit costs 25% of the purchase price of a new LED fixture. Brightline offers a disposal program for the old fixtures and a $75 refund for each unit. Given the extended life of an LED fixture, maintenance savings are another key benefit.

[Brightline's New Lighting Fixture Ideal for the Hybrid World: Facts and Features]

“Brightline’s LED upgrade solution helps fulfill our core principle of providing the best economic and technical solutions to our partners, with minimal impact on the growing energy demands of our global environment,” explained Brightline co-founder Kathy Katz. “Upgrading to LED brings with it a full spectrum of benefits including reduced energy consumption, extended lifetime, lower operations and maintenance costs, and enhanced aesthetics. Brightline is proud to offer this kit which enables our video lighting partners to easily make the move to LED.” 

The easy-to-use DIY kit contains everything needed to upgrade Brightline fluorescent fixtures—regardless of age, type of dimming or control – to the latest in LED technology. Each kit covers all the bases with a new fixture back, front cartridge, diffusion, mounting bracket, and all necessary screws. The user merely needs to supply a Phillips screwdriver and wire cutters.

[AV Network's top stories, product news, and expert insights] 

The upgraded LED fixtures deliver improved performance, with a richer color saturation of 97 CRI (color rendering index) at 5600K color temperature. Onboard DMX dimming control is standard, and users can even continue to use existing accessories such as a mounting yoke and hardware, power and DMX cables with pass-through connectors, light intensifier, and control screen, so there’s no need to buy replacements if accessories are already in place.

Franck Racapé, vice president EMEA - Philips professional displays at PPDS sat down with AVNetwork to discuss everything from supply chain, what to expect in the future, and reflects on the past year. 

AVNetwork: How would you describe the response to the rebrand, both internally and externally?

Franck Racapé: We were delighted with the response across the industry to the launch of our new brand identity. Internally of course, it was something we had been discussing and developing for more than a year prior. We’d actually been setting the scene, as a natural progression of our business, during that period through our external communications to help the transition from a brand perspective. As a part of this brand transition, we moved from referring to ourselves as Philips Professional Display Solutions to Philips PDS, paving the way for our new name—PPDS.

The switch to PPDS was far from just a new name and logo on our business cards, though. It marked an evolution of the business and a fundamental shift in our strategy and our position in the marketplace in terms of what we stand for and the value we bring. Our company is built on incredibly strong foundations, bringing together the strength of TPV [TP Vision]—the biggest supplier of displays globally—and the rich heritage of Philips, proven for quality-assured products. And from a value point of view, we wanted to emphasise on three main directions. First, our Global approach, to facilitate global project roll out. Second is sustainability—to become a leader in ESG [Environmental, Social, and Governance] and sustainability commitment. And third is Total Solutions, to move to offering our partners support that goes well beyond just a display. To do that, we implemented our ‘total solutions’ strategy, inspiring and enabling our customers with a more joined-up approach.

 We also launched a brand-new website , a platform bringing our Philips professional displays together with our partner solutions, as well as inspiration across the industries, and global thought leadership.

[ PPDS Upgrades Luxury German Hotel and Spa with 183 Philips MediaSuite TVs ]

AVN: Tell us more about the ‘total Solutions’ strategy? What does it actually mean?

FR: We are and will always remain a hardware manufacturer, this is what customers know us for and we will continue leveraging our manufacturing strengths to become a global leader. But due to our unique position in terms of technology (Android, open standard, high performance engine), we aim to bring Total Solutions developed around our hardware with our ecosystem of partners. We are here to provide complete digital signage, interactive, direct view LED display and professional TV solutions, together with our partners, bringing more value around our displays, including hardware and software.

This allows us to support our partners and their customers—whatever vertical they operate in—in a way that meets their creative needs and unique requirements. 

AVN: Can you give us some examples of solutions formed as part of this strategy?

FR: The strategy includes developing solutions in-house—such as Guest Connect, CMND (Create, Control, Deploy and Reception), our upcoming cloud-based platform, and our Air Quality Sensor—and through strategic partnerships with selected third-party companies. Partners can come to us for a display and build their own solution around it, or they can count on us for a ready-to-roll out, proven total solution.

That’s a fundamental difference. It helps our partners reduce time and expense sourcing the right solutions, knowing that everything has been tested, is already compatible and can be fully calibrated to meet the needs of the end customer before leaving our warehouses.

AVN: And after the rebrand?

FR: It’s a short question with a long answer. Since the unveiling of our new identity, we’ve really accelerated that strategy and put the pedal to the metal—a phrase that has even more meaning with our new partnership as Team Supplier with Red Bull Racing! We have formed and announced partnerships with some of the world’s biggest and most successful hardware and software providers to bring ground-breaking, innovative and, importantly, dedicated solutions to market in order support all major verticals.

Examples include Logitech, bringing world class camera technology to our displays for greater collaboration and opportunities for our education and corporate solutions.

We’re a strategic and certified partner of Crestron, offering one of the deepest joined-up relationships in the industry for its products and solutions, such as XiO Cloud for display management, with its technology now built into our displays. And of course, we are currently out with them on the Crestron Next Road Trip.

[ PPDS Brings Control and Management to Philips Displays with Crestron XiO Cloud Certification ]

We also introduced our AI driven ‘Intelligent Signage Solution for Retail’, bringing once unimaginable insights and targeted marketing opportunities inside stores, through a partnership with Intel, Advantech and Navori Labs.

And we introduced our ‘Air Quality Sensor’ designed to help businesses and schools monitor the air quality inside their workplaces, for healthier and more productive environments.

These are just a handful of joined up, deeply integrated partnerships for specific products and verticals. What we have achieved in a year is nothing short of incredible and we’re only just getting started.

AVN: How did this strategy impact the performance of the business in 2021?

FR: 2021 was undoubtedly a challenging year for us, our partners, their customers, and the global market as a whole. However, one of my favourite quotes is from Sun Tzu, who famously said that “in the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” That’s how I would describe 2020 and 2021. While some opted to shelter themselves and wait for the storm to clear, we, as a business, took some very bold decisions to meet the challenges head-on, with our full team of people all continually employed. The impact of those decisions resulted in us achieving one of our most successful years to date.

AVN: How so?

FR: During 2021, we saw significant rises in our professional TV business, which may surprise many given the hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit as a result of the pandemic. In this period PPDS achieved market leadership in a number of regions, including the Nordics, Benelux and DACH, for our Chromecast built-in Philips MediaSuite professional TVs.

We also saw some impressive growth in our digital signage and LED businesses, with Spain and Italy experiencing record rises. This wasn’t through luck. This was a direct result of our decision to embrace challenges, not only to support our own business, but as a part of our commitment to supporting our partners and, by extension, their customers.

AVN: What were some of these ‘bold‘ decisions you took?

FR: Back in March 2020, there was no contingency plan in place for how to successfully manage the business during a global pandemic. Whatever we decided, we had to get right, not only for the sake of our own business but for our partners, too.

So, we had to react fast, bring our global teams and their expertise together, and write and introduce new policies and methods. During the height of the pandemic, as a business, we took the decision to ensure we were supporting the market as much as we could. We’re proud that we retained all members of staff throughout, with no cuts, no reduction in hours or furlough schemes. In fact, we expanded our team, filling gaps we felt needed reinforcing—including the creation and expansion of our new IKAM team.

We also, from the moment the first lockdowns arrived, created new partnership programs to support our partners and their customers, helping to ensure projects were able to continue and to reduce some of the financial burdens. We did this, in part, by redirected our budgets reserved for events like ISE.

For many industries, notably hospitality, the pandemic meant complete shutdowns. We saw opportunities to ensure that we and our partners were able to remain active. This meant our partners could continue, while hotels, for example, were able to upgrade and future-proof their premises ready to welcome back guests. 

We all needed to come together and work our way through this. The results we have seen all are a credit to our teams and to our partners.

AVN: Tell us more about the IKAM team.

FR: The creation of our IKAM team (International Key Account Management) was part of our approach to offering global consistency with local expertise. This approach provides a single point of contact for global brands and enterprises to ensure fast, tailored, reliable, and fully optimised solutions with direct support at all times.

Crucially, for organisations with multiple national or international locations, whether offices or retail stores, we’re able to ensure a seamless and consistent approach, providing complete support from pre- to post-sales, encompassing strategy, pricing, contracting, operations, and services. We understand the pains and frustrations that can accompany installation projects, and with IKAM, we’re streamlining everything, so our partners and their customers can focus on what you do best, while our team take care of the finer details. It’s been a tremendous success in 2021 and we’ll continue to evolve and enhance this approach this year and in years to come.

AVN: What verticals will you be most focused on in 2022?

FR: Our general business approach will continue, with interactive touch screens, direct view LED displays, digital signage and professional TVs supporting all core verticals (hospitality, retail, corporate, education, healthcare) all remaining key products and focus areas. As a business, we’ve always prided ourselves on being able to react quickly to changing market needs, whatever they happen to be. 

One of the biggest differences for us compared with some in the market, is that we have products and teams dedicated to each of the verticals I have mentioned. We don’t believe in a one size fits all approach and our displays, whether digital signage, professional TVs, our interactive displays have been designed and built with the vertical in mind, equipped with the right hardware and software.

To achieve that, we leverage our own expertise as well as feedback from our customers and leading providers in the field. We don’t simply build a display, load on some software and call it, for example, an education display. That’s not how PPDS does business and that will never change.

AVN: How have the global component shortages impacted PPDS?

FR: It’s been a challenging period and there’s no denying the entire industry has been impacted, some, sadly, more than others. Collectively we have all been hit by six key shortages. These include a lack of panels, lack of IC, lack of containers, lack of wharf, lack of electricity, and lack of manpower.

For us, with our own factories as a part of TPV, though, we have been able to weather the storm more effectively than most, and we were still able to fulfil the majority of orders and demand thanks to a combination of our manufacturing scale and forward planning.

With all our teams continuing to work as normal throughout the pandemic, delays around new products have not been impacted and all the new products and solutions for 2022, and even those being developed for 2023, are on track to be unveiled and launched within the timescales we have always planned.

We don’t know what will happen in the future but we have a duty and a responsibility to be ready. At PPDS, we have shown that we have the scale, the organisation, the people and the experience to support the needs and demands from the market. The pandemic was an opportunity to test our own resolve and we’re satisfied we’ve taken the right approach and, in turn, we feel closer than ever to our customers as a result.

AVN: What are your plans for ISE 2022?

FR: ISE 2022 will remain one of our biggest events of the year in Europe. With the postponement, it does mean that some of our new solutions have now been announced away from the show, such as our updated range of Philips MediaSuite models. These will go on display for the first time at the show in Barcelona. We will still have plenty of key announcements to make, with solutions for education, corporate and hospitality among many, some big news around our direct view LED display portfolio and some exciting Cloud platform news. I’d love to tell you more but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until May 10-13, in Barcelona.

[ PPDS Confirms ISE 2022 Attendance in Barcelona, Tease March Online Event ]

AVN: Finally, what can we expect from PPDS throughout 2022?

FR: 2022 has already become an historic year for the company, proudly becoming a Team Supplier for Red Bull Racing (RBR) Formula One team, announced in February. This includes providing displays for their world class VIP trackside hospitality services to guests, including  LED technology, especially designed for the fast-paced, always on-the-move world of F1. As with our total solutions strategy, working with companies that are driven by performance, such as RBR, is positively challenging and we keep on pushing our limits, which our partners will also benefit from.

Overall, 2022 will be another busy year in the market for PPDS, with the results of our teams’ work, market insights and continued feedback forming and then evolving our product roadmaps. We will continue to support all key verticals with dedicated displays—as opposed to a one display fits all approach—we are always mindful of changing needs and requirements, and indeed unique challenges faced by every industry.

Hybrid working and learning will continue to be a major area of focus and development, with interactive displays, and the ability to collaborate an important area for us. We will also continue to evolve our products and our product offerings via strategic partners, to complement our displays.

We want to continue to break the silos between hardware and software provision to ensure all major verticals are supported and can have complete, fully provisioned, and highly innovative solutions when doing business with PPDS. This allows our customers to be truly creative with the solutions they add to our displays. 

[ Interoperability & Innovation Make PPDS North America the Display Company to Watch ]

SCN: How long have you been with Brightline, and what are your responsibilities?

Kathy Katz: As a founding partner, I’ve been on the Brightline since its inception in October 1997. Today, thanks to the growth and talent of our employees, I’m able to focus most of my time on company strategy and messaging.

SCN: How has your background prepared you for your role?

KK: My TV and film production background helped to train me for a tireless approach to accomplishing goals. One example: As a young commercial producer with damaged reels of film from a leak in the camera's video assist, I walked from post house to post house in a New York City snowstorm. Each time I was told the film was ruined. Late at night, I arrived at my last option—an edit suite with a DaVinci color corrector.

Hope manifested as the team rebuilt the images pixel by pixel. While they couldn’t rebuild the commercial in full color, they were able to provide “sepia-toned” images that I used to build the commercial for Cadillac. The ad won first place at the local Addy Awards. The judges said that their decision was based on the “creativity and appropriateness of the sepia-toned imagery choice.” Lesson learned. Don’t give up. Find the right help. Realize that mistakes can lead to innovative solutions.

Also, after traveling the world for decades to develop Brightline sales, I’m more enlightened as to the products the market needs and the most efficient paths needed to delivering them. 

SCN: What are some of the common lighting mistakes you find on corporate campuses?

KK: Video lighting principles don’t change, regardless of the venue location. The lighting level requirements and control to produce optimized video are consistent. All-hands training and meeting spaces, for example, need high-quality lighting for proper content retention and engagement. And basic human nature dictates that the better we look on-camera, the more comfortable we’ll be. This directly translates to increased videoconferencing adoption rates that are proportional to the quality of personal imaging.

[SCN Stocking Stuffer: Brightline ZELo]

Professional lighting provides higher color rendering for truer, richer color. Adequate light levels enhance video clarity. Fortunately, good lighting comes in many shapes and sizes, from products that suspend from a grid, to those that recess in a ceiling, to those that mount on a desktop or light stand.

Providing consistent lighting within conference rooms and remote videoconferences creates virtual equality, where all participants feel valued and engaged. Many of today’s lighting products provide variable color temperature, so lighting can be adjusted as environments change due to ambient and outdoor light shifts. 

SCN: How can companies proactively help improve the appearance of remote or at-home workers during videoconferences?

KK: Providing a technology budget to remote workers is gaining popularity. Most remote workers need a monitor, camera, and microphone/headsets (or an all-inclusive video bar), video lighting, an ergonomic chair, desk, and either a physical backdrop or virtual background. Blinds to control daylight entering a room are also advisable. While most companies don’t mandate specific technology within the home AV sphere, doing so could contribute to a consistent company identity that extends to remote workers. 

SCN: Why is LED technology the best choice for corporate video lighting?

KK: Currently LED technology is the safest, most efficient, and best-performing light source available for video. With recent developments, video lighting can now effectively be PoE-controlled, which enhances efficiencies and simplifies installations. 

SCN: What are the short and long-term goals for your company?

KK: Over the last two years, Brightline has focused development on remote desktop lighting (ZELo) and our control app (Brightline Smart), and will continue to respond to its clients’ needs with innovative solutions. Our next product release, the cMe3, addresses the increased need for high-performance, low-profile, huddle room lighting. With the new hybrid work model, the ability to be spontaneous across video through small meeting spaces has become critical to collaboration.

SCN: Where do you see the Pro AV industry heading?

KK: A few years back, everyone was correctly talking sports growth and gaming for the Pro AV industry.

[Proper Lighting Absolutely Matters During Meetings, Videoconferencing and More]

Recently, we’ve experienced exciting developments in the medical and medical home care arenas, where AV technology enables safer environments for independent rehabilitative living. AV will continue to play a critical role in the development of effective AI technologies for everything from entertainment to health care. For Brightline, the advancements in areas of light therapy for Alzheimer’s, SAD, and cell regeneration are vastly rewarding.

More and more services are now being conducted virtually, from medical appointments to job interviews. Each industry currently adopting video is realizing the necessity of investment in Pro AV technology. As to the project facilitation side of the AV business, we anticipate more involvement in software-based specification and design boards.

SCN: What new initiatives are we likely to see from your company?

KK: Brightline recently expanded its own videoconferencing capabilities and streamlined its communications to offer a stronger and more consistent video training program to its partners.

SCN: How can systems contractors better position themselves to profit from products and/or services you have to offer?

KK: If system contractors remember to embrace the “lights, camera, action” adage versus making the common mistake of assuming adequate light is in place, they can enhance the performance of every component in the integrated AV package (and the final video). They will also improve the clients’ adoption rate, while increasing their profitability on every AV project. In addition to hardware and software lighting solutions, Brightline provides lighting direction and commissioning services, both virtually and on site.

With its partnership with Desay Optoelectronic LED for North America, CrimsonAV is adding LED distribution to better serve the integrator community. They intend to provide a one-stop source beyond display mounts, weather-proof displays, kiosks, and custom design/build projects.  

Douglas Wang, CEO of Desay Optoelectronic LED adds, “We believe the combined strengths of Desay’s strong R&D and cutting-edge manufacturing capability and CrimsonAV’s North America based engineering and customer support will provide world class client engagement and deliver unparalleled visual experiences. We look forward to expanding our reach with innovative LED displays and creating lasting value for customers by partnering with CrimsonAV.”

William Bear the Crimson AV VP of Sales states, “We recognize the expanding market and demand for LED displays. We also understand that the missing link in purchasing LED has been trust in the quality of the finished product as well as an absence of personalized service and support for the integration community in the process of buying, installation, and service after the sale. By partnering with Desay Optoelectronic LED, we will provide a brand you can trust that dates back to the turn of the century with a broad product line and unsurpassed quality in the LED display industry.”

When asked about why CrimsonAV, Bear responds, “Couple Desay Optoelectronic LED quality with CrimsonAV attention to personalized service, and you have a combination of value that bridges their product and price with our service and support. That is hard to beat.”  

To set itself apart from the competition in the global display marketplace, Vanguard LED takes a customer centric approach, being very responsive to the needs of every customer. 

“Our role is to act as a partner to our customer, who in turn has a customer—the end user,” said Michael Wiener, CEO/Founder of Vanguard LED. “We then work together to make sure the end user is totally satisfied with the service, and the products we deliver.”

Vanguard knows it has stay “on the leading edge of products,” Wiener explained. “We must give our customers a reason to buy.” 

What are those reasons? Start with Vanguard’s award-winning line of Axion fine-pitch LED solutions. 

Fine Pixel Pitch: Axion

The Axion LED Video Display Series cabinets have a native aspect ratio of 16:9. Available in pixel pitches of P0.94, P1.2, P1.3, P1.6, P1.8, and P2.5, it’s no surprise that Axion LED line has become a popular choice among military clients and stakeholders requiring LED walls with flawless performance, vivid brightness, and fine pitch.

Very Fine Pixel Pitch: Axion Invictus

The tremendous success of the Axion LED line inspired the development of Vanguard’s new Axion Invictus which leverages the revolutionary new ChipFlip technology. With ChipFlip, Axion Invictus achieves a staggeringly low failure rate and ultra-fine pixel pitch range of P0.7- P1.5. 

Axion Invictus is also gaining traction because it utilizes the best possible components to achieve its ultra-low pixel-pitch range. There are no external cables to worry about. It’s also flat back makes it ideal for wall mounting. With no internal ribbons, a front serviceable design, and pre-threaded mounting locations, installation is streamlined, quick, and easy.  

ChipFlip: A Bold New Approach

“ChipFlip is our version of chip-on-board, and it reduces the failure rate to five parts per million (5/PPM),” Wiener said.

ChipFlip-enabled Vanguard LED displays consist of encapsulating fine-pixel-pitch SMD 1010 LED chips directly to PCB boards. There is no soldering in the ChipFlip process. The chip and substrate are electrically and mechanically interconnected by solder paste bonding. The strength of the solder used in the ChipFlip process is 100 times stronger that that normally used in the SMD process. As a result, Vanguard guarantees a failure rate of 5/PPM or less in the first year. The accepted failure rate for SMD displays in the first year is 50-100 PPM. 

The performance guarantee is another way Vanguard LED enhances the value proposition for clients.   

Sourcing & Service

Rooted in the core values of superior service, responsiveness, and communication, Vanguard stands out among the vast field of display manufacturers. The company works closely with its partners, offering design advice, electrical and installation drawings, a five-year warranty, and five percent spare parts.

Vanguard’s approach to sourcing is distinct. “Every single one of our competitors is the factory,” said Wiener. “Our approach has been one of selecting the best OEM factory in each sector of the market. By us selecting individual OEM factories who specialize only in that particular product makes quality control attainable.”  

Shape of Innovation: LED Dome & LED Cylinder

In 2019, Vanguard introduced another game changer, its LED Dome, which is ideally suited for simulation, TV/Film, aerospace, and military applications. “No one has ever done an LED dome before,” said Wiener. 

Similarly, Vanguard offers its Cerium LED Cylinder. Projectors cause many frustrating problems. They require edge blending and are susceptible to ambient light which washes out projected images. Vanguard LED Cylinders and LED Domes are contiguous LED displays that produce seamless images and produce exceptionally bright, intense colors including black. 

To see what innovations Vanguard LED will deliver next, visit vanguardled.com 

Joe Ness isn’t your typical technology manager. As the executive director of entertainment for Peppermill Casinos, he’s not only responsible for overseeing the staggering array of screens throughout the company’s six properties, he also gathers the content displayed on them: 8K footage that transforms the resorts’ interiors into grand vistas.

“We’ve created a Windows of the World thing that makes us unique,” Ness said. “We travel around the world and create our own content. We’ve spent $35 million on LED screens for our properties—probably even more than that now—and display all this content as part of our architectural trademark.” And, when he’s not globetrotting to capture shots of exotic places, he’s designing and managing the premium technology deployments that bolster the company’s allure as a travel destination in its own right.

A Sound Start

Like many in the industry, Ness’ road to AV began with music tech. “I’ve always been kind of a gear head,” he said. “It started back in the ‘80s when I was in college and playing in a band and DJing, and was attracted to the technical side even more than the performance side of things.” After graduation, he moved to Reno, NV from the Midwest and worked as a sound engineer, and later went on tour with a company contracted by MTV and began doing camera work as well. “I traveled all around and started to get involved with bigger systems, bigger technologies,” he said.

This led to work for AV contractors, and eventually, starting his own integration firm, Quantum Audio Video. By the mid-2000s, his company was the main AV contractor for Peppermill’s flagship property in Reno, the city’s top-of-market resort. “We were doing all of Peppermill’s work, from the sportsbooks to the showrooms, to the cabarets,” he said. “It culminated with having the Peppermill Corporation purchase my business back during the recession of the late 2000s, and they brought on all my guys.”

Since then, he’s been in charge of AV for the company, which in addition to the 1,600-room, AAA Four-Diamond Reno resort, also includes five other Nevada properties, including one in Las Vegas.

Smooth Upgrade

Ness said that Peppermill’s owner fosters a culture in which great ideas can thrive. “To stay up with technology, we’re lucky enough that the owner really puts his money where his mouth is on the AV side,” he said. “Part of our motto here is ‘Don’t be afraid to swing and miss.’ We give a lot of power to the AV team to come up with ideas. I get a lot of my ideas, technology wise, from the guys who work under me. They see something, and then I pitch it to the owner to decide whether or not that’s technology that works for us.”

And so far, Ness and his team have made mostly the right calls on cutting-edge tech decisions. “We never adopted 3D, and I’m glad we didn’t,” he said. “We went 4K everywhere, and that is the deal.”

When it comes to designing system upgrades, Ness has a number of industry contacts to call on. When the Reno resort was planning its sportsbook upgrade, Ness visited the Wynn in Las Vegas to see the technical aspects of their installation. “There’s a pretty good camaraderie with guys in the business,” he said. “I was able to see what they did and then we put our own twist on it.” Part of the twist was meticulous preparation and execution: unlike the Wynn, which closed its sportsbook for three months during its overhaul, the Peppermill continued operating throughout the duration of its installation. “And it only took us ten days to integrate the whole thing, including AV, touchscreens, booths, and everything because we had it so well organized.”

Central to Ness’ design philosophy is a focus on the complete solution, and not the individual technology pieces. “The key is trying to understand what your end product is, and not get all wrapped up in any product or brand,” he said. “It’s being aware of what’s happening and engineering around a solution and an end result, rather than around any one product."

Strong Teamwork

To drive the ever-expanding audio and video deployment at the resorts, Peppermill employs a robust IT backbone. “We have a campus of fiber optic networks and switch gear and IT rooms that connect everything right now, including our content management and our content creation,” Ness said. Networked technologies include the sportsbook screens, which run on Crestron DM NVX solutions; the editing station for the Windows of the World content, which features a half-petabyte NAS server for all of the 8K footage; and hundreds of BrightSign players that play out content on more than 115 LED video walls at the Reno location alone.

None of this would be possible without a solid relationship with the IT department, and Ness is very close with Peppermill’s director of network systems, Nate Estes. “I speak with Nate probably daily,” he said. Currently, the casino is working to upgrade its overhead music and paging to a QSC Q-SYS system. “When we’re in the process of shopping out a system like that, I’ll bring Nate into the picture, tell him what we’re doing, what we already have, the network we’re already using, what we’ll be changing with this new system being implemented. Then he’ll see what we need: what kind of switches, what bandwidth, what kind of control access, what kind of overlay.”

Locked Down

As in most any technology deployment running on a network, security is critical. “One of our competitors in California was hit and they got into the POS system, and they had to shut down for a week,” he said. “It was a $200 million hit. So you have to have a strong relationship with all of the departments, especially your IT department. They’re the ones who manage our backbone, we tell them what we need, and they manage the security points everywhere. I’m lucky in this respect that I get to leave the security end of things to IT and I don’t have to worry about that.”

Sometimes the need to keep things locked down can be a bit of a burden. “I can’t always have my best wishes because of security,” Ness said. “There’s extra steps that make things a little more cumbersome because of security, and that’s just how everything is in the world. If you want things to be perfectly easy to use, then you’re probably more than likely in a security risk situation.” For example, IT has eliminated removable media from all of the AV stations, except for the content editing systems, which run on a separate network. “That’s a pain in the butt, but you have to know what our IT guys are dealing with, and the possible huge problems that could happen in the event of an IT breach,” Ness said.

Connected Systems

However inconvenient the restrictions, Peppermill’s IT department maintains a system that enables Ness and his team to deploy technology with peace of mind. “We have hundreds of BrightSign players that are all on the network and we push content to all of our properties all around the state,” he said. “So if we travel to Morocco and I get 500 new clips edited and titled, we’ll push those to the different formats: panoramic, column, horizontal, vertical. We put them in, put them in a watch folder, and all of that content gets pushed to all of our properties via IP.”

Besides the Windows of the World content, Ness operates an extensive informative signage system including menu and touchscreen systems driven by Scala software. “We have hundreds and hundreds of Scala licenses and we’re constantly pushing content,” he said. “Especially with COVID, we were pushing a new message every day. With our Scala network, you can push certain messages to certain screens at certain times of day,” enabling him to do things like direct large crowds exiting concerts to the proper escalators and exits.

There’s even networked tech in the rooms: according to Ness, Peppermill was the first large casino in Northern Nevada to put Chromecast systems into the guestrooms. “It’s complicated because everything has to be addressed and you have to have a crazy robust wireless network,” he said. “We have access points for every two rooms in our hotel here in Reno, and we have 1,600 rooms."

Daily Grind

Ness’ job is about as multifaceted as work gets for AV/IT directors. Half of his time is spent overseeing the casinos’ systems and working to improve them. “We’re constantly upgrading, and I’m involved in a ton of projects,” he said. “We’re constantly going through the construction phase of things.” On the operations side, Ness manages a group of 25 AV techs, 15 full-time TV techs that provide 24/7 support for guest room televisions, and half a dozen senior techs to handle more advanced work like Crestron and Q-SYS programming and video wall maintenance and troubleshooting. “It’s a bit of a triage every day; it’s fast paced,” he said. “It isn’t always as road-mapped as you’d like; a lot of times you’re chasing problems, and a good chunk of my day is devoted to just doing what has to be done.”

The remainder of his time is devoted to the creative side of things: producing media for the Windows of the World displays and menu touchscreens. “I travel all around the world: I’ve been to Everest, I’ve been to Patagonia, I’ve been to Antarctica, all over China, Australia, New Zealand,” he said. “We have a library of tens of thousands of 4K, 6K, and 8K images that we display. They’re basically locked-down video shots of like a waterfall, and it looks like a picture, but the waterfall’s moving.”

Ness and his department are also involved in producing content for Peppermill’s website. For example, when the casino was permitted to reopen after COVID shutdown last June, the team immediately shot and edited footage of the sanitary measures the resort had invested in to ensure public safety.

Related: Vegas’ Westgate Resort & Casino Overhauls AV Distribution

The Road Ahead

While much of the world is still making the transition from analog to AV over IP, Ness is already imagining a landscape beyond that. “I don’t know what the future is, but I completely envision wireless everywhere, streaming everywhere,” he said. “The Cat-5 cables [will start] to go away, even in professional AV at some point. We still have it, but I see it starting to go away, because it’s happening in homes. And the homes are where the technology is starting now.”

Whatever innovations are around the corner, you can be sure to find the finest of them in Peppermill’s properties. “We like to think we’re unique in what we do here at the Peppermill when it comes to AV,” Ness said. “We’ve got an owner who trusts us and gives us an open book on what we want to do, and he writes the checks. It’s really cool to be part of making something successful, even in tough times.”

Join AVNation’s Tim Albright and Eric Ewing, sales engineer for Barco, as they discuss what companies will need as people return to offices, including best practices for a “technology refresh” and how to use AV technology to create safe, effective customer-facing spaces.