Commercial Integrator April 2023 - 18

Large-Format Displays
buying agent is somewhat constrained
to project budgets, but the integrator
wants the sale, so they [just] design within
the project constraints. " He articulates
an alternative approach, saying, " It takes
having conversations with shareholders to
truly explain why the budgets need to be
increased to get a more worthwhile return
on investment. " Those conversations,
Parker says, often evolve into discussions
of DVLED and its benefits.
DVLED in Ascendance
Clearly, our SMEs see DVLED technology
as having the power to push the envelope
of end users' video experiences. But what
about the technology makes its value
proposition so compelling? According to
Sharon, " The last few years have brought
tremendous technological and manufacturing
improvement, which has quickly
moved the market share of this technology. "
In particular, he points to the lack of
bezels, sizing and aspect-ratio flexibility,
longer service life and lower sensitivity to
ambient light. Because of these differentiators,
Sharon adds, DVLED is " ...quickly
moving into the mainstream. "
Vinklarek zeroes in on the basic functionality
that corporate settings require.
He says, " In large boardrooms, large
conferencing spaces and lobbies, most
clients will want to walk in front of the
displays and possibly even touch them.
Watchfire on Meeting and
Exceeding Customers' Display Needs
What does it take to stand out in the ever-evolving digital landscape? Watchfire's
commitment to service and innovation has helped answer this question with its
direct-view LED (DVLED) displays.
Watchfire is an American company, offering an end-to-end DVLED solution
designed with the user in mind. From modular interior displays to pre-assembled
videowalls, Watchfire displays are easy to install and can be counted on to perform.
High-contrast LEDs provide optimal visibility, color and brightness, delivering a rich
color palette. Choose the optimum pixel pitch for your application and work with
Watchfire's sales and design teams to create an ideal custom videowall for your
space. Sleek panels can be installed in multiple configurations, including on curved
walls and with 90-degree mitered edges, and are guaranteed to impress.
Watchfire has a history of excellence within the digital signage world and is using
the same philosophy to expand its pro AV and indoor displays division. With over
90 years of experience in manufacturing and designing electronic signs in its east
central Illinois location, and over 65,000 digital displays operating nationwide,
Watchfire has been part of the evolution of the sign and LED display markets. The
Watchfire team understands what it takes to meet and exceed customers' needs by
focusing on top priorities: service, design, performance and innovation.
Visit WatchfireSigns.com/indoor-Pro-AV to learn more.
Historically, projection systems required
large spaces behind the displays for rear
projection to accommodate this type of
design. " DVLED, by contrast, Vinklarek
continues, can do this without needing
significant depth. Adding further texture,
Flynn says that, increasingly, manufacturers
are releasing 119-inch and 135-inch DVLED
videowall " bundles " that perfectly suit
boardrooms and conference rooms. " And
Apantac on its 'Smart' SDM Interfaces
Apantac has partnered with Intel (gold partner) and has
built a series of " Smart " SDM Interfaces based on the Intel
Smart Display Module (SDM) platform. These modules plug
directly into a designated slot on SDM-compatible displays
and projectors, eliminating the need for external converters,
extenders, quad-splits, adapter boxes, power supplies and
mounting hardware.
Apantac SDM Interface cards simplify display and videowall
installations, save space, reduce costs, reduce components
and cabling, provide format flexibility and futureproof format
support, and improve reliability. Since these cards slot directly
into SDM-capable displays and projectors, they are powered
directly from the display.
The SDM modules take HDMI 2.0 over HDBaseT, NDI,
SDVoE (over copper or fiber) and 12G SDI formats and convert
them into an HDMI 2.0 signal usable by a monitor equipped
18
Commercial Integrator APRIL 2023
with an Intel SDM slot. The current series of Apantac SDM
Interfaces supports resolutions up to 4K, but the standard is
already designed for 8K compatibility.
The benefits of choosing SDM Interface cards that slot
right into an SDM-capable display or projector, versus having
external hardware devices, include:
› Space savings
› Reduced components and cabling
› Format flexibility
› Futureproof format support
› Improved reliability
So, if you're looking for a clutter-free display or videowall
setup that removes potential points of failure that may occur
with additional modules that are connected to the display
infrastructure, as well as maximum flexibility, then the Apantac
SDM Interfaces for SDM-enabled displays are for you.
commercialintegrator.com
the 'preconfigured' price point, " he observes,
" while higher than an LCD equivalent,
is not out-of-this-world expensive. "
Coxon is especially bullish on DVLED in
the 1.2mm, 1.5mm and 1.9mm ranges. He
opines, " DVLED is gaining market share,
as 1mm- to 2mm-pixel-pitch products
decrease in price, due to brightness and
contrast advantages over projection, as
well as the lack of visible bezel structure
http://www.WatchfireSigns.com/indoor-Pro-AV http://www.commercialintegrator.com
Commercial Integrator April 2023

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