Visual communication specialists, Clear VC, went through a design consultation process and chose Optoma’s 4m x 2.2m 1080p 2mm pixel pitch LED display (FHD20422) to be the main focal point for the space. Because the panels have an ultra thin profile of just 56mm, the display could be recessed into the wall to create a streamlined clean design which takes up less space and blends into the room.
With support from Optoma’s ProDesign team, it took Clear VC just two days to mount the LED display and half a day for commissioning. Made up from 128 LED tiles, the LED display’s ingenious mounting solution means it does not need a frame and can mounted directly onto wood or plasterboard.
Adrian Hancock, Managing Director at Clear VC, said: “The panels were mounted directly onto the wall using wood screws with no cabling required to connect each tile. This makes installation and future servicing quick, clean and efficient. Each panel has 3-axis adjustments to mitigate the impact on the display from uneven walls – this fine precision adjustments allowed us to get micro-millimetre accuracy to achieve the perfect seamless image.”
Ross Noonan, Technical Product Specialist at Optoma, added: “Calibration of the screen was quick and simple. Black and white line calibration takes a matter of minutes. As Serif showcases artists’ work we took extra care to colour match the display with the iPad and Affinity software to achieve a perfect representation of the artwork. This did not take long as the LED panels in our displays come from the same production run to ensure consistency in colour performance and brightness across the whole display.”
Adrian added: “Looking at future servicing, because the tiles that make up the LED displays are front serviceable, it means if one panel gets damaged, it can be simply swapped out without having to dismantle the entire display. It is easier and cheaper to change this single panel within an LED display than for a LFD or videowall.”
All Optoma LED displays come as standalone solutions with preconfigured software, fixings, scaler switchers and all cabling. The team installed the MCTRL660 LED display controller which has four outputs dividing the 1080p screen into four signal runs.
Ross said: “We worked closely with the team at Clear VC on this installation to provide additional technical support and expertise. Not all AV experts have experience in complex techniques such as blending, warping and mapping and installation of LED displays. This is why we offer our ProDesign service to dealers and installers. This includes consultation and technical advice, design assistance, technical drawings, training and direct line support, on site commissioning, site surveys and projector placement drawings.
“On this project we supported Clear VC right from the start with the site survey and specifying the LED display, through to install, calibration, commissioning and even being on hand at the launch event.”
Adrian said: “We choose the Optoma display because of the long-standing relationship we have with them. They have a really good support network and we have used a lot of their products in the past – so we know they are reliable. On the rare occasions when things have gone wrong in the past, they are quick to resolve the problem – that is important to us and our reputation with our clients.
“No other manufacturer gives this level of service. It gives us an extra level on confidence when developing and installing new products and services. We have a single point of contact that we can call on when we need support and advice.”
Clear VC installed all of the AV within the refurbishment at Serif including the LED display, lighting, audio setup, rack and controllers and the bespoke iPad to control it all. Ashley said: “We spoke to quite a few companies about the AV solution. Clear VC simply understood what we were after.”
A Crestron Digital Media Matrix Switcher allows the team to use a number of sources and outputs and send video to other displays around the building. It can send the same image shown on the LED display through to its studio which can be broadcast live around the world. A Crestron video processor allows up to four possible inputs to be displayed on the screen at one time – whether that is a live webcam feed, live news feed or a simple iPad or Mac input – all of these can be displayed simultaneously.
The whole solution is controlled by a Crestron AV3 control processor. Clear VC created a bespoke iPad app interface so Serif can choose from a variety of input sources to display on the screen as well as control the lighting, electronic blinds and audio. Three iPads are configured and each can control all elements but can also all work independently.
RGBA lighting gives Serif the ability to choose from 256 million wall wash colours across the space using amBX lighting server and Studio Due light fittings. Adrian explained: “Each Affinity product has its own branded colour scheme. The lighting allows the team to match the colours in the room to the product being shown on the display to reinforce the brand. This colour can be consistent across the strip lights and the cut-out logo within the wall.”
Tannoy VLS30 speakers and a Tannoy subwoofer were embedded into the wall beside the display and eight Crestron multi-directional speakers were hung from the ceiling. The microphones are reinforced through the audio to achieve a nice level audio with good sound quality.
Cameras were installed at front and back giving Serif the ability to film presentations and events without needing to hire additional resources.
Serif has a variety of source devices for the display including a Sky box, Playstation and Mac in the control room. They can switch sources using the iPad controller to do a screen cast live demo.