Following the introduction of the Modular Matrix at ISE 2017, Lindy has added another key device for sophisticated AV installations to their product portfolio in the form of a new Flexible Video Wall Scaler. The Flexible Video Wall Scaler can split, scale and output 4K signals across regular and irregular video wall installations made up of different displays. With several cascaded Scalers, video walls of up to 6×6 or 10×4 displays can be created and arranged in any order. The Scaler features bezel correction, zoom and align settings to create video walls with a variety of layouts, both regular and irregular, for maximum impact in retail or digital signage applications. A loop-through feature also provides instantaneous switching between configurations as required.
One Image Across Many Displays
“To understand how the Flexible Video Wall Scaler works, it’s best to think of several differently sized white projection screens placed side by side. An image is subsequently projected over all the screens from a sufficient distance” explains Owen Haigh, Head of Global Product Management at Lindy. “No matter how the screens are arranged, or if there is still a gap between them or if a few screens are larger or smaller, when I project an image onto them, I see it everywhere where a screen is present, and the rest of the image is cut off. In terms of results, the Flexible Video Wall Scaler does exactly the same thing – only with displays instead of projection screens. To achieve this, the Scaler must know the arrangement, size, orientation, position and bezel width of the used display; it then generates a separate signal for each connected display containing the section of the image that should be shown on each display.”
One Image Across Many Displays
A key feature of the Flexible Video Wall Scaler is the ability to connect multiple Scalers in series. The original 4K input signal of the first Scaler is output, unchanged, via a looped output and can serve as an input signal to another Scaler. Four inputs are provided per Scaler and by cascading the corresponding number of Scalers installations can be created that use up to 40 displays. Each Scaler will then output part of the original signal to four connected screens.
Numerous Additional Features for Individual Solutions
For many standard installations, such as a 2×2 or basic 4 display irregular video, the Video Scaler offers pre-configured output modes for layout selection. However, as installations become more complex and no longer conform to a standard grid, traditional video scalers quickly reach their limits.
The Flexible Video Wall Scaler surpasses these limitations to create complex installations with the following advanced features:
Zoom: The input signal can be zoomed in and out so that it is either larger than the video wall, which effectively cuts off unused sections of the input video, or is smaller than the video wall, which only displays the image on a part of the video wall.
Rotation: For each connected monitor, the displayed image can be rotated 90/180/270 degrees to accommodate landscape, portrait and upside-down display.
GAlign: GAlign can be used to align the image, from an input signal, with the edges of the displays. Also, the position of the displays relative to one another can be easily determined using GAlign.
PiP (picture-in-picture) and PoP (picture-outside-of-picture): The Scaler is capable of displaying two signal inputs at the same time, either overlapped as a preview window (PiP) or arranged to the side as a tile (PoP).
Bezel Correction: Interruption of content by display frames often leads to disjointed images that are not continuous across all displays. Bezel correction hides part of the image behind the display bezel so that it appears to be part of the content, producing a continuous image across all displays.
Auto Image Shift: To prevent display burn-in caused by static picture elements, auto image shift allows users to subtly change the position of image content.
Manual Image Settings: To adjust the input signal to environmental influences such as exposure/light incidence, or to the general surroundings, all image settings including colour saturation, colour matching, gamma, brightness, contrast and sharpness can be manually adjusted.
Freely Configurable Presets: In addition to the presets delivered in the factory settings, the user can create five of their own, save them and recall them at the touch of a button. Each of the five user configurations can contain up to ten different display modes allowing the visual elements to be adjusted.
Input Switching: The Video Scaler has three signal inputs, which can be switched allowing multiple signage players to be connected for redundancy.
Technical Details
The Flexible Video Wall Scaler has 4 HDMI outputs for four video wall displays and an additional HDMI loop output to pass the input signal to another Flexible Video Wall Scaler. In addition, it has an HDMI, DP and DVI input, which can be switched between without any delay. The DVI input also accepts digital DVI and HDMI signals, as well as analogue VGA signal with the appropriate adapter cable. Two of the three inputs can be displayed simultaneously with PiP or PoP. The connected video wall displays must support Full HD as their native resolution.
The input signal can be 4K 3840×2160@30Hz, 4K1K 3840×1080@60Hz or Full HD 1920×1080@60Hz. HDCP and 2-channel audio are supported. The Flexible Video Wall Scaler is controlled either via DIP switches, remote control (with OSD) or remotely via RS232.
Price and Availability
The Flexible Video Wall Scaler (Part number 38161) is now available from specialist retailers or via the Lindy online shop. Lindy offers comprehensive signal extenders, cables, signal feed matrices and switches as accessories. The price of the Scaler is £1,799.99 Incl. VAT.
Lindy at ISE 2018
Lindy will be showcasing the Flexible Video Wall Scaler at Integrated Systems Europe (Hall 8, Stand G200), which takes place in Amsterdam from 6th to 9th February 2018. Lindy will be bringing the concept “Do More”. This concept embodies Lindy’s promise to help their customers Do more using Lindy’s diverse and powerful range of combined connectivity solutions.
For more information on Lindy’s presence at ISE 2018 please visit: https://ise2018.lindy.com