What is a video wall controller?

To understand the video wall controller, first you need to know the video wall. Literally, a video wall is a wall or an area where content can be displayed. The common video walls on the market now consist of LCD splicing screens/LED/DLP. Video wall solutions have been well received in government, energy, finance, real estate and other industries.

Why do you need a video wall?

Display systems are not normally bigger than 70 to 80 inches diagonally. However, video wall can be scaled to much larger sizes than another display unit. Video wall with standard form factor can be made as large as 20 feet, which only a few rooms can handle. These video walls can also be incorporated as microtiles which operate on the same architecture as a standard video wall. Incredible size options make video walls the best options for city centres, airports and sports stadiums.

What is a video wall controller?

The video wall controller is a device that can manage the aforementioned video wall (output) and all connected signal sources (input).Hardware for visualizing various information and data.

The video wall controller is used to manage and control the display and operation of the video wall system. It can be operated according to the needs of customers and the display requirements of the video wall （It is widely used in monitoring centers, conference rooms, advertising displays, stage performances and other places that require large-screen high-definition display and data visualization.）

Video wall controllers are roughly divided into two categories, distributed architecture (AV OVER IP) and traditional hardware-based centralized controllers.

（AV OVER IP）

(FPGA Centralized controllers)

When we have multiple different signal sources or different images displayed on the same display or multiple display groups. We can use the video wall controller to combine, split, switch, zoom and other processing signals to meet the display requirements of the video wall.

As shown in the picture, on the left are different signal input sources input to the VKL video wall controller, and then transcoded and decoded by the controller. output to each display. We can connect PC to control via LAN, or use WiFi to control.

Video wall controllers usually connect multiple input devices (PC, player, Server) and centrally manage content.

Using the video wall controller device, you can zoom the image on the entire video wall, or spread multiple images on the entire video wall, or even stretch/roam/signal cropping...

Check out our related latest products

In traditional AV systems, most of them are button-type or local control devices. Operations such as signal source switching can only be performed manually on the hardware. Of course, this prevents the system from being attacked by remote hackers, but it is undeniable that This greatly limits the convenience and functionality of the system.

Whether it is a traditional AV or an IP-based AV, the most useful AV products should have a command and control port that can remotely control the operation of the box, such as opening and closing or switching signal sources. For example, when it comes to touch panels or AV processors, a certain way can be used for remote command and control.

The signaling control layer can be protected by measures such as permissions, passwords or encryption. Whether it is a traditional AV product or AV Over IP product, it should bear the same security protection responsibility.

Video and audio content security

Will private assets like streaming media cameras be intercepted artificially? of course. Any video or audio input may face such problems, whether the video or audio is based on circuit-based analog or digital wiring, or based on the form of data packets on the IP network, in both cases, the audio and video signal source is possible Be cracked and accessed.

In terms of protecting video and audio, there is no substitute for rich expertise and responsible deployment. In fact, some people believe that the ability to encrypt packetized video and audio is better than traditional baseband video if they are worried that someone might try to invade and spy on these sources. It is worth noting that IP security issues have existed for a long time, and IP data and telephony have undergone multiple generations of continuous iterative improvements. In addition to information about IP network security and content encryption, there are many well-known consultants and experts in the security field who can help you-whether your requirements are complex or simple.

Cyber security

How to deploy an IPAV system is a question worth exploring. IP-based AV systems can be deployed on completely independent and isolated networks. Such networks will never coexist with data packets from other companies' data networks or communication networks. Or, deploy on the existing network infrastructure. Whether using a proprietary network or existing network facilities, the implementation and deployment of the AV system can be completed without affecting the security of the IT network. Nowadays, in many enterprises, the ability to integrate data, communication and AV use has often become a driving factor for the reinstallation or deployment of AV systems and promotes the development of the AV industry.

iSEMC AV Over IP equipment (NP Pro/NP Lite) supports H.265 and H.264 across the board.

So, What is H.264?

Currently, the codec standards on the market are more complicated. The International Organization for Standardization and Internet giants have published their own codec standards. However, we usually think that H.264 is the leading codec standard, and has been adopted by many mainstream software and hardware products, and supported by many peripheral devices. At the same time, its successor H.265 has also been placed countless hopes.

H.264, also the tenth part of MPEG-4, is a highly compressed digital video codec standard proposed by the Joint Video Group (JVT), which is the ITU-T Video Coding Expert Group (VCEG) and ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). This standard is usually called H.264/AVC (or AVC/H.264 or H.264/MPEG-4AVC or MPEG-4/H.264 AVC).

The biggest advantage of H.264 is its high data compression rate. Under the same image quality, the compression rate of H.264 is more than 2 times that of MPEG-2 and 1.5 to 2 times that of MPEG-4. H.264 compression technology greatly saves users' download time and data traffic costs. While ensuring a high compression rate, H.264 also has higher video quality. Therefore, H.264 has been recognized by people and is widely used in network streaming data, various high-definition TV and satellite TV broadcasts. Except for dedicated hardware encoders and decoders, almost all IP cameras support H.264 encoding. Streaming programs on PCs and mobile phones usually also support it, and many web-based players or streaming platforms also support H.264 decoding. From signal encoding to decoding, the ecology of the use of H.264 is very complete.

What is H.265？How is it different from H.264?

H.265 is also called HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), which is a new video coding standard formulated by ITU-TVCEG after H.264. H.265 is mainly based on the existing video coding standard H.264. In addition to retaining some of the original technology, it also adds correlation to improve the relationship between code flow, encoding quality, delay and algorithm complexity. H.265 is designed to transmit high-quality network video under limited bandwidth, and only spends half of the H.264 bandwidth when playing the same quality video. The H.265 standard also supports 4K (4096x2160) and 8K (8192x4320) ultra HD video. It can be said that the H.265 standard enables network video to keep up with the "high resolution" of the display. But in some respects, compared with H.264, the H.265 encoding standard still needs to create a more complete ecosystem. Many platforms that support RTMP streaming do not yet support H.265 decoding, so users who want to use H.265 for streaming must purchase dedicated decoding equipment.

AV over IP continues to attract more and more attention among integrators in the AV industry, but there are still many people who question whether they should start implementing this technology. In fact, 45% of respondents in the 2019 industry survey said that they either did not accept or were unwilling to adopt AV-over-IP as a viable AV distribution solution-close to half. So, why hesitate, why is now the right time to use AV-over-IP?

Ultra-high flexibility and compatibility will make AV over IP products more and more popular.

The following is advantages based on the Surveillance and Security project.

For the advantages and future of AV over IP and traditional video wall controllers, please check ,

The security industry is an integrated video surveillance, network transmission, signal analysis and processing, data exchange, and security linkage to achieve various business system platforms, and it needs to be equipped with multi-level dispatch management to help commanders at all levels to make rapid decisions and real-time dispatch and emergency treatment.

Remote network control and display

Compared with the distance limitation of traditional servers, AV Over IP supports arbitrary control and display worldwide. Relying on the Internet connection, users can manage multiple surveillance rooms in different cities at the same time, and view all connected input devices in real time, including web cameras, storage servers, NVR...

Real-time deployment

The operator will receive the alarm information of the camera in real time, and can immediately issue commands through the network to achieve rapid command and dispatch in the face of emergencies.

Information storage and recall

It is indispensable to store video surveillance content. AV Over IP can arbitrarily match the corresponding network storage server through the network, and support the storage of the camera's screen as planned. The operator can view the recorded content at any time and anywhere and can export them.

Many large-scale performances require strong support from the audio and video industries. The distance between multiple sets of screens in a venue is much greater than the transmission distance of a conventional HDMI cable, so AV Over IP is a good solution.

For example, in the hot E-sports industry in recent years, it needs to transmit the athlete's reaction ability, thinking ability and coordination ability to the eyes of all the audience in front of the screen in real time through the screen. With excellent scalability and simple wiring, AV Over IP has become a leading solution.

Ultra-low latency with visually lossless compression

Decodes and Encodes professional-grade video with ultra-low latency, and the output delay is less than 60ms, guaranteeing exceptional user experience and response time in mission critical applications. Give viewers real-time visual enjoyment.

The system is stable and reliable

with mature project experience. The system is stable and reliable because of adopting mature technologies, not infected with the virus; Will not let the audience miss any beautiful moments.

Multi Control Protocols and Modes

The system can support multiple control protocols, and the required equipment control can be seamlessly connected with the iSEMC integrated intelligent control system with related control protocols. The system uses IO, infrared, and serial ports (RS232/RS485) to control various devices, such as lights in the stadium, lifting platforms, etc., to enhance the overall atmosphere effect

IP over AV is booming

IP-based AV has appeared in the audio and video industry as early as, but it has been particularly popular in the past three years. In 2017 and 2018, IP video and audio products grew by nearly 130% for two consecutive years, attracting all audio and video professionals. IP over AV has become the most eye-catching focus in every major professional exhibition including ISE and InfoComm. Some professionals in the audio and video industry pointed out bluntly that IP audio and video have become the future trend of the audio and video industry. It is expected that from 2019 to 2025, its compound annual growth rate will reach an astonishing 60%.

What is the difference between traditional A/V and AV over IP?

The traditional A/V architecture is similar to the basic elements and main architecture of the IP over AV architecture. From a simple architecture diagram, AV on IP uses an encoder to replace the traditional A/V transmitter (Tx), and a decoder to replace the signal receiver (Rx). The audio and video matrix switcher has been replaced by a standard Ethernet IP switcher. IP switches are the same as those commonly used in every enterprise. As long as your organization has an IT infrastructure, it must have at least one IP switcher.

In IP AV, the structure, although the two architects look very similar, has two important differences:

Transmission: No matter how the system is connected, no matter what kind of signal and analog signal (such as S-Video or composite signal) or digital signal (such as HDMI, HDBaseT, SDI, etc.), traditional AV uses "physical cables" to transmit video signals Transmission via cable and matrix switcher. On the other hand, IP-based AV uses conventional cables (such as Cat5e or Cat6) to connect to the IP switch and transmit via Ethernet, WAN, LAN or WiFi.

Data format: Traditional A/V does not require any data compression, splitting or encoding to keep the data from the AV source intact, and then transmit the data to the AV destination through a series of physical cables and switch boxes. On the contrary, in the AV over IP architecture, the data of the AV source is encoded into network data packets by the encoder, and each data packet contains a part of the original data, the target IP and the original data sequence. The IP switcher sends the data packet to the target decoder, and then decodes and reassembles the data packet into a data format acceptable to the AV target for display or control functions.

Switching method: In traditional A/V, the matrix switcher plays an important role in transmitting the signal from the signal source to the designated target. Except for some extended models, most matrix switchers have a fixed number of ports, which are distinguished by input and output ports. Generally, matrix switchers are hardware-based point-to-point technology. Common products include 4×4, 8×8, 16×16, or 64×64 matrix switchers. Take a 4×4 (4 inputs and 4 outputs) matrix switcher as an example, which can transmit 4CH AV source signals and switch to 4 arbitrary destination devices for display, playback or control. The difference is that the switching mode of AV over IP is to provide an IP address for all endpoints and broadcast the IP switcher broadcast data packet to the destination. The switch path is performed by specifying the source and destination IP addresses defined by the software. Since the port of the IP switcher can be connected to multiple IP switches for expansion, the number of source and destination endpoint devices is no longer limited by the number of matrix switcher ports. Most importantly, the number of endpoint devices can be It is arbitrarily expanded and adjusted.

Click NP Pro to learn more AV OVER IP product information.