How to Execute Successful Video Wall Projects
We’ve all seen great video walls. In airports, stations, on the side of buildings. They’re placed in high-visibility locations, primed for maximum engagement. Indeed, it isn’t easy to walk past a successful video wall without subliminally engaging in the content.
Digital signs are super-versatile and make essential advertising windows for businesses of all sizes.
Touch screen kiosks, point-of-sale displays, digital signs, and 4K displays are all appealing. But none offer the impact of an eye-catching video wall installation.
From billboards that spring to life as you pass and content that exceeds the viewing distance of traditional print media, we’re going to explore everything you’ll need to know for a successful video wall solution.
Ready? Let’s go.
The Power of Video Walls
Video walls serve as an artistic centerpiece. They attract viewers from across the street, communicating a powerful brand message. Offering an immersive experience, they engage the passer-by persuasively, inviting the audience to play and interact.
Successful interactive video walls are widely seen in airports all around the world. They provide essential flight information and large-scale, high-resolution magazine-quality adverts. Real-time schedule changes appear instantly, keeping passengers updated (and spending in the Duty-Free lounge).
You see passengers interacting with smaller touchscreen digital displays in check-in halls, offering automated flight confirmation and interactive site maps.
And while a single digital display provides excellent visual impact, a video wall matrix does it on a grander scale while maintaining screen resolution. Using video, still images, and animated text, video wall content successfully broadcasts persuasive messages across vast spaces.
Please your sponsors with stunning image quality that frames the brand message better than any traditional billboard.
But:
For maximum impact, you need to plan your video wall installation carefully.
Planning your high resolution/high brightness video wall system
When planning your video wall, there’s more to think about than just dimensions, pixel pitch (or pixel density), and high-quality visuals.
Consider the following:
- Location – choose a spot with maximum viewing distance where most eyes will fall upon the installation.
- Potential audience – who is your target audience? This can affect your chosen location.
- Components – what level of functionality do you require? Do you need a relatively simple matrix display, or do you want to future-proof your installation?
- Accessibility – how easy is it to update the content?
Designing a State-of-the-Art Wall
Video wall displays are only as effective as the pro-AV devices you choose to invest in. Each part of the system plays a crucial role.
Software
Software controls the video, images, and audio displayed from your video wall. Consider whether you need to access your software from a permanent office base or whether you need to update your video wall content on the fly, or by using a mobile device.
Think about how you’re going to use the software and what you want from it.
Hardware
Your hardware is the digital display itself. When you’re putting together an LED video wall, consider the ambient conditions.
Are you placing your screen in a well-lit space? In which case, you’ll need a high brightness display that performs well in direct light.
Or do you need something for lower light settings, like a nightclub? Nightclubs may well require lower-light output. Otherwise, you could blind your customers!
Content
And finally, you need to consider your content. There’s no point investing in a state-of-the-art video wall system if you’re not going to maximize its potential with powerful, high-quality creative content.
Think about content that’s going to influence the audience. Always think about your Call To Action (CTA) if you’re using your video wall for advertising.
Before investing in your video wall system, deployers and integrators should consider what’s likely to work best for each specific space and its consumers.
Budget
We’ve been talking about your project requirements, and these considerations should really drive the budget.
Think about:
- How will the video wall function for the company?
- Who will be involved with its day-to-day operation?
The budget will need to cover hardware and software, installation, ongoing costs, future maintenance, and content.
Location
Considering the location of your video wall is crucial because it determines the hardware you’ll need for the best outcomes.
- Consider foot traffic, viewing impact, and the overall aesthetic.
- Identify how much space is needed for the entire system.
- Assess accessibility to power and ventilation within your facilities? Your wall needs both of these to function.
- Think about how your installation might affect your chosen space. While video walls should catch the eye and engage, they shouldn’t dominate and overwhelm a space.
Installation
We always recommend a professional installation. Video wall systems can be complex, and they’re too financially valuable to botch the installation.
Companies should expect a thorough site survey before installation day. And it’s essential to use the correct mounting equipment.
Professional installation also covers system setup, calibration, and physical alignment.
Components
Components aren’t just the video wall controller but the number of monitors and the software. Your component devices should be able to communicate.
Consider how large the matrix of monitors should be for your space. And make sure you use professional software to convert your creative content into the necessary tessellation for accurate visual translation.
Determine your content sources—for example, social media, integration with proprietary software, live feeds, etc.
Content
The crowning jewel of the video wall is the content. It’s not always as simple as throwing a bunch of images together or playlisting videos from streaming sites.
It’s about curating content that speaks to the consumer. And ensure that you display your content at the correct resolution and aspect ratio. Remember, image proportions look awful if your motion graphics are created for the wrong screen size.
Keys to Successful Content
When considering content, businesses should:
- Consider the source – Will the content be created in-house or from an outside source?
- Offer a solution – Consumers respond well to solutions or answers to questions they might have.
- Make your text big – Video walls need impact, and small text won’t cut it.
- Keep it precise and concise – Don’t make messages long and drawn out. Thirty seconds for an entire story is the recommended time.
- Include a brand – Take the opportunity to familiarize consumers with your company’s branding; in other words, elevate brand awareness
- Catch the eye – Incorporate colors and motion that will attract viewers, and encourage message retention
- Test it – Periodically perform test runs with different content to gauge engagement
A Look at Successful Video Wall Projects
Consider how other successful brands reinforce their marketing strategy with video walls.
For example, Starbucks uses compelling digital display content for maximum impact. The Seattle coffee giant’s enormous lobby video wall got a tremendous amount of interest from digital signage enthusiasts.
West Virginia University, home to the media innovation center, has its own video wall that acts as a recruitment tool for future students.
And, of course, Samsung consistently pushes the envelope for uniqueness. It’s impossible to overlook their stunning multi-monitor displays.
For Integrators, Playing Your Part in a Video Wall Project
Ultimately, a trustworthy collaboration with professionals makes a successful video wall project tick.
Each element of a video wall design, installation, and execution needs an experienced professional pushing for high-quality outcomes.
We’re always here, at Mvix, to help. Our professional team can help you develop your project plan and execute it for fabulous results.
Ask for a personalized software demo today.
