Multi-screen technology is at the cutting edge of communication innovation and aims to help us simplify how we interact with our colleagues and manage our business. But, what is multi-screen technology and how does this technology work?
Well, that’s where we come in. At DEXON, we appreciate how important it is to understand your technology before you reach for your wallet. That’s why we create comprehensive guides to all the technology you can find on our website, so you can invest with confidence.
To help you appreciate the value of multi-screen technology and the environments in which we use them, we’ve created this guide to all things multi-screen technology.
Today, we’ll be discussing the definition of multi-screen, the environments where we use this, why we use this and how this operates.
So, if you’re a tech enthusiast who wants to know how multi-screen technology can change their life, keep reading!
What Is Multi-Screen Technology?
Before we get into the specifics, it’s important to first define multi-screen technology. Multi-screen technology, mostly known as video walls, refers to a large screen made of multiple monitors.
These screens typically act as a single surface, ranging in sizes from 2×2, 3×3, 3×2, 4×4 and up to 144 x 72. Depending on the user’s preferences, we can use the surface as a single display, displaying a single impact over multiple screens. Alternatively, we can use video walls to display multiple bits of information by isolating screens with multi-screen video wall controllers, processors and matrixes.
The quality of a video wall display depends on multiple factors, including the resolution of individual monitors and the type of video wall you choose. There are three main kinds of video wall you can choose from. These include:
LCD: LCD screens are typically the most popular video wall on the market due to their low up-front cost. These consist of multiple LCD panels that work to provide a single image over a large surface.
Rear-projected cube walls: Rear-projected cube walls are an integrated solution that projects the image through the screen rather than onto the screen. With this, users can minimize the effects of shadows and improve image quality. LED: LED walls provide a bright and quality display by using many LED lights. These walls are typically used for advertising or in-shop displays to provide vibrant and eye-catching visuals to consumers.
Where Do We Use This?
One of the best things about multi-screen technology is that users have the freedom to decide where they want to situate their video wall. However, there are some environments that benefit significantly from adopting multi-screen technology due to their need for clear and concise communication at a quick pace. Here’s a guide to where you might benefit from using multi-screen technology:
Control rooms
Control rooms are a hub of productivity, and many industries rely on control rooms to function. Take the security and surveillance industry, for example. This industry relies on the rapid distribution of information to respond to security threats.
To ensure they can complete their daily tasks, security personnel need constant access and a bird’s eye view of their surveillance systems, such as security cameras, at all times.
With a video wall, users can connect to a remote network and display all of their surveillance footage from a single source. This gives security control room personnel constant access to their vital systems, enabling a quick response to security threats at a moment’s notice.
Education settings
Educating settings are integral for nurturing the minds of the future. But, you can’t do this without clear communication. With the help of multi-screen technology, users can distribute information at pace, utilizing different screens to focus on conflicting topics. Through this, education professionals create more engaging displays that are bound to keep everyone in-tune with your lesson.
Business conferencing
Business conferencing is an important feature of many industries. Conferences allow business to communicate important updates, new products and much more in a single meeting. However, these can sometimes leave your attendants feeling bored or disengaged.
Using a video wall can help you streamline your conferencing and improve engagement. By using multiple screens, you can stop relying on tedious slideshows to convey information. You can stream web-based content, incorporate remote guests and transform a standard meeting into a high-production value experience!
Why Do We Use Multi-Screen Technology?
There are so many benefits to using multi-screen technology. It’s also important to note that multi-screen displays and their benefits can be very subjective, so you’re likely to experience so many more benefits than just the ones listed below. With that said, here’s a guide to some of the benefits you’ll experience when using multi-screen technology:
Better communication: By using multi-screen technology, you can stop relying on word of mouth to carry your message. You can begin displaying information from a single source, providing important updates and instructions from a single point in your office in the same format for everyone. Doing this minimizes miscommunication and improves productivity for all! Impressive: Keeping one step ahead of your competitors at all times is an important part of succeeding as a business. Using a video wall in your office can impress your competitors and show your potential investors or business partners that you take communication seriously in your business!
Integrated and simplified systems: Typically, system integrators will be able to provide you with integrated solutions when installing a video wall. This provides you with a user-friendly interface and can help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of your video wall, and its uses, improving operation and helping you enhance your video wall.
How Does This Work?
Video walls don’t operate by magic. This system uses a host of impressive technology that helps you manage each facet of your display. Here’s a guide to how this works:
Video wall controller
Video wall controllers are a 19” rack-compatible computer chassis. This technology manages multiple input and output signals through HDMI, DVI, SDI, LAN and other cables.
The video wall controller allows users to overlay their windows from multiple inputs and scale these to their preferences. This system also provides a user-friendly interface called DXWallControl that facilitates many different operators.
Video wall processor
Video wall processors are control boxes that process and transform video signals into viewable content. This processes signals from HDMI cables from media players, PC screens and satellite receivers.
From this, processors display this information on the video wall regardless of any boundary (bezels) on the wall. Users can manage layout and collaboration with a processor, providing more seamless operation.
Matrix switcher
Matrix switchers are a must-have for all types of multi-screen displays. This control box provides a multitude of services, including seamlessly switching between different input signals, scaling, cropping, converting formats, and so much more. That means users can control most of their video wall operations with a single piece of technology.
The matrix switchers that DEXON Systems offers are highly modular, meaning that you can use them for most video wall sizes. There are a few different DIMAX switchers that can serve differing video wall sizes. These include 4RU for 4×4 to 16×16 projects, 7RU for 16×16 to 32×32 and 14U for 32×32 to 144×72.
We hope you now feel confident in your multi-screen technology knowledge and know which equipment to use to operate this impressive technology in future.