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2.2 Display Management: Devices
Video Walls
Getting Started with Digital Signage Video Walls
Getting Started with Digital Signage Video Walls

A guide to getting your digital signage video wall setup with TelemetryTV

Kelli avatar
Written by Kelli
Updated over a week ago

TelemetryTV natively supports video walls and lets you do creative and interesting
things with several implementation methods. 

In this article, you'll learn:

  • The best devices to use for your video wall

  • 3 different methods to implement a video wall

❗️ Please note: TelemetryTV's software is compatible with video walls of any size, as long as the hardware is capable of running a single app across multiple screens and we support the device's operating system. We cannot help troubleshoot video wall setup issues as there are a wide variety of ways you might set this up. Please consult an AV specialist or your hardware reseller for any setup questions or issues.

What device should I use?

One of TelemetryTV’s most powerful features is the ability to run any resolution you choose. You are only bound by your hardware and displays. As long as you have capable hardware, you can make your digital signage video walls as high-definition as possible.

Depending on the number of screens you will be powering, the device you should use will differ.

  • You can use an Intel NUC device running either Windows 10 or Linux to power video walls from 2 screens and up. The more screens you are deploying, the more powerful your device will need to be. For video walls with 4 or more screens, we suggest going with something like the Video Wall Intel NUC. The Intel devices allow you to configure your layout in a much more flexible way compared to Chrome. See our recommended Intel NUC devices here, and view Intel's instructions on merging displays here.

  • You can use a Chromebox to easily deploy a video wall consisting of 2 screens. We recommend the CBX1 device. Please note that ChromeOS can only support video walls where the screens are beside each other and oriented horizontally. Check out our guides on how to set up a 1x2 video wall and 1x3 video wall on ChromeOS.

☝️ Important note: Choosing a device, screens, and setup method for your video wall can be complicated and require advanced technical knowledge. We always recommend contacting a technology reseller that can help you choose the right products for the size of video wall you want and can help recommend a setup. You'll just need to ensure that the device you use supports the TelemetryTV Media Player App. Click here to view a list of our supported device types.

Display Implementation Methods

Here, we will explain three different methods you may use to implement your video wall signage:

  1. Native

  2. Daisy Chaining

  3. Matrix

Native

Using a Native setup refers to employing a signal directly from your device to your respective display monitors. 

To set it up, you'll need a compatible device and multiple HDMI cables (depending on the number of screens you'd like to power). You'll connect each HDMI cable from the device to each display screen.

Then, you'll need to configure your device to recognize the layout of the displays. Depending on your operating system the instructions will differ, so you'll need to check your device's guide. Typically, you can do this in the device's Display Settings. 

An example of a Native Solution

The resolution of the signal being emitted needs to be multiple times the resolution capacity of each screen in order to display as full resolution. For example, in order to maintain a 1080p resolution across 2 screens, a 4k signal would be needed. Once the video wall grows in display numbers, there are a lot of pixels for the device to drive. 

Due to this limitation, we recommend using the Native method for video walls of up to 3 screens.

Daisy Chaining

Employing a series of interconnected display monitors from a single device is known as “Daisy Chaining”.

The signal is sent from the device directly into first display monitor, another cable from the first monitor to the second, the second to the third, the third to the fourth etc.  This method is usually only available on Professional Display devices, which are more expensive than standard display monitors. 

To set this up, you'll need a compatible device, displays that are compatible with the Daisy Chaining technique, and cables to connect the devices. The connection types can differ based on displays, so we'd suggest asking your display vendor for assistance when purchasing your hardware to ensure you get the right equipment!

An example of a Daisy Chaining implementation

While 'chaining' your devices may prove more efficient in terms of less hardware requirements i.e. Matrix or Video Wall Processor (See 'Matrix' setup below), it is worth noting that Professional displays with Daisy Chain interlinking capability tend to be multiple times more expensive than a standard display monitor.

For a setup of between 4 and 6 screens we would advise using a Video Wall Intel Nuc device.

Matrix

A display which uses a Video Wall Processor to mediate and distribute a single signal from your device to multiple display monitors is known as a ‘Matrix’ setup. 

Other terms for the Video Wall Processors include "splitters", “matrix switchers”, “video wall controllers”, “signal switches”, or some other combination. These devices take in several inputs and then output them to displays in a controlled way. This allows you to split one signal, or organize many signals, among displays how you choose.

An example of a Matrix Implementation for a Video Wall

While this gives you a lot of control over how your content will be displayed, video splitters can be expensive. $200-300 can be expected for a 4-input HDMI splitter, and $500-600 for an 8-input splitter or small 4K splitter.

As the processing of the signal takes place in the Matrix device it is not necessary to avail of a high powered Graphics card on a device with the appropriate CPU to run it (unlike using a Native or Daisy Chaining implementation). This means that a lower CPU device can be used. 

However, you must make sure that the outputs/inputs of your video splitter match those of your device and displays. You can only display the maximum output resolution of your device. So if you are outputting a 1920x1080 signal from a device onto 4 screens, each screen will only display 480x270. Keep this in mind, as it can make your content look unintentionally blurry.

Multi-Stream Transport Hubs

A multi-stream transport hub functions similarly to a Matrix Video Wall Splitter. An MST hub connects via display port or usb-c to your device gives you 2-4 screens as if you had 2-4 screens plugged in to the computer. MST typically mimics multiple outputs from one device with a centralized output source used for more efficient cable management. MST supports 4 outputs max meaning that it is not optimal for larger video wall setups

However, Video wall processors take a single output (typically HDMI) and then provide multiple outputs to distribute your single 1080p/4k signal over multiple screens. A Video wall processor take a single signal and split and or stretch it to multiple screens. An MST, on the other hand, takes multiple signal outputs from your device and connects them to screens as if each were connected directly to your device (i.e. as if you were using multiple HDMI ports from your PC).

Here's an example of an MST we used to create a 1x3 screen video wall with a Chromebox CBX1 device! Always make sure your device has the right connection, or you may need to purchase another adapter (for this particular setup, your device would need a USB-C port).

For more information on digital signage video walls, check out our blog post here.

Creating Playlists for your Digital Signage Video Wall

Once your video wall is set up, the next step is to create the content you'd like to display! 

Read this article to learn how to configure your playlist for your video wall.


Once your screens are set up, our awesome support team at TelemetryTV can help you get your device connected to your TelemetryTV account so you can start displaying beautiful content in no time!

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