A video wall can be a big investment. And in mission critical applications, it’s an important one. The video wall in an operations center serves as the central focus to disseminate data and promote collaboration among operators. With so much weighing on what you choose for video wall technology, there are a few key considerations to take into account.
1. Image Quality
Quick access to key information allows personnel to make informed decisions. In operations centers, that real time data is displayed on the video wall. Because of the important data displayed on the video wall, the image quality provided by that video wall is paramount.
In a command and control environment each operator should be able to view the details of the data displayed on the operation center video wall as clearly as possible.
Factors such as brightness, resolution, contrast, and color will all affect the visibility of your data and should be key to your technology decision-making. These factors directly affect the legibility of the information on the video wall.
Modern video walls are all much brighter than past technology, but what’s important for a mission critical application is consistent color and brightness across the entire wall over a long period of time. The data needs to be visible to all operators in the space at all times, and not all displays are necessarily up to that task. Are the brightness and color consistent across the entire wall? Is the balance of color, contrast, and brightness internally consistent? Can it be relied upon to remain consistent over several years?
When displaying large or detailed images, resolution is also a key consideration. In a command and control environment each operator must be able to view the details of the data displayed on the operation center video wall as clearly as possible. Even the operators positioned closest to the command center video wall should not see visible pixel structure.
An experienced integrator can help you select display technology with the right image quality for your application.
2. Content you plan to display
The content displayed on a video wall affects which type of technology is the best choice.
Will there be multiple windows ‘boxed” within the individual displays? Or will a single application be spread across the entire video wall?
This information will determine whether you need a truly seamless display or whether the content will be negatively impacted by bezels. LED screens are the only type of display that can provide a truly seamless video wall, but commercial grade LCD screens will have very narrow bezels.
Another relevant piece consideration is if the displayed information and graphics will be constantly changing or largely static. If the imagery will be static, you should communicate this to your integrator to be sure that the technology selected is not likely to burn-in images.
The content that will be displayed on your video wall plays a vital role in determining the display technology you should choose. Your content choices all contribute to decisions about the video wall, from ideal size and viewing distance to requirements for the resolution and pixel pitch of the displays.
It’s also important to establish what content you plan to display as it will affect other technology in your video wall system as well, such as your display wall processor and control system.
3. Ergonomics
As you create your video wall, ergonomic decisions should be at the forefront. The angle and positioning of the screen should ensure that all operators have a consistent view of the data displayed with little to no drop in quality. An ideal angle for a video wall ensures all operators can view the screen with minimal to no loss of brightness. The proper balance can be achieved with careful video wall screen selection as well as informed positioning.
In addition to allowing for optimal intake of data, ergonomics are important for video walls because operators in command centers often work long shifts. Mission critical AV integrators like Constant take this into account and conduct a sight line analysis when designing video walls for operations centers. A sight line analysis is a detailed ergonomic examination of operator placement and viewing capabilities to reduce strain on the eyes and neck.
The goal of a sight line analysis is to make sure that operators will have no more than 25 degrees maximum eye rotation so that they don’t have to bend their heads back to look at the data displayed on the wall. It also takes into account what would be in the field of vision to the right and left for someone sitting at a desk.
4. Longevity/ Reliability
Video walls within operations centers serve to provide 24/7 data monitoring so operators can respond to critical events efficiently and effectively. In these spaces that run continuously, downtime is not an option. From critical events and financial crises to bad publicity, even the briefest of system failures could lead to devastating issues.
The display technology for mission critical video walls should be high quality and resilient, and the system should be designed to have redundancies in place. Not every display screen is designed to withstand 24/7 usage, so technology choices for mission critical need to be informed.
Displays should not only be designed for longevity with 24/7 operation, they should also be easily serviceable so that any issues can be fixed as quickly as possible. Mission critical video wall display technology should include modular design for fast and easy service. Constant Technologies also offers long-term service plans to ensure that we can attend to any problems that may come up with your display technology as soon as possible.
5. Total cost of ownership
When it comes to video walls for mission critical installations, it’s important to consider not only the initial cost of purchase but also the other associated costs. Video wall technologies can require varying levels of operating costs, driven by factors such as: longevity, cooling requirements, power consumption, and serviceability.
Video wall technology created for mission critical is built to a different standard which ultimately means your investment is more secure.
Choosing the right video wall technology for your operations center with Constant
Working with a mission critical expert is key to having a successful integration for mission critical. When choosing an integrator for 24/7 environments, the best indicator of expertise is proven experience. Constant’s client list speaks for itself. Our work with firms like CVSHealth, Akamai Technologies, Carnival Cruise, Facebook, Lockheed Martin, and more as well as with government agencies such as the Department of Defense, United States Coast Guard and Air Force proves that we are widely trusted with the most sensitive and vital environments.
With a project as important as mission critical, you need an integrator you know you can trust to help you make the right choices. For over 30 years, Constant has built our expertise in operations center environments, creating a depth of knowledge that’s unmatched in the industry. We offer a wealth of experience as well as custom design services and long-term service contracts, and we are dedicated to ensuring your mission critical space operates at peak performance.
If you are ready to install a video wall in your command and control center, contact us today for a free design and budget consultation.
About Constant:
Constant Technologies, Inc. provides AV integration for 24/7 video walls and custom operation center furniture. With 30+ years of experience, we can work with sensitive environments in the public and private sectors. Constant designs and installs projects of all scopes and sizes around the world. We also offer long-term service and support. We create solutions with the highest levels of security, aesthetics and functionality in mind.
