Multiple GPUs
Every video wall requires a graphics card but every graphics card also requires something which could hold it and help it in processing the information to the screen and that unit is called the GPU or the graphics processing unit. Every video wall has a GPU with a graphics card inserted into it. A graphics card without a GPU is incomplete. A motherboard is required for all computers to operate Similarly, a GPU is required for the graphics card to operate.
A graphics card is a computerized circuit board which consists of a processor, RAM, and an input/output system chip. RAM is required for storing memory, the chip is required for storing the card’s setting and diagnostics on the memory, and the processor is called the graphics processing unit or the GPU. What a CPU is to computer, a GPU is to a graphics card. The graphics card decides the number of pixels required whereas the GPU performs complex mathematical calculations and analyzing the data for rendering the required resolution. A GPU has a transistor which helps it to work faster thus producing more heat.
Now, all the information about the image that the GPU holds has to be stored somewhere and this is done by the RAM. RAM holds the information, stores data about each pixel, color, and location on the screen. Besides this, RAM also acts as a frame buffer, that is to say that it has the complete image stored in it until the image is displayed on the screens; and all this work is done at very high speeds with a dual ported application which uses the system to read the data and write it simultaneously. The RAM then connects to the DAC or the digital-to-analog converter which translates the images into analog signal for the monitor to read it. Most of the graphics cards consist of RAMDAC for faster processing and improved performance. This RAMDAC sends the finalized image to the monitor through a cable.
The GPU and graphics cards are present in the motherboard of the computer through which the motherboard supplies power to the card. The motherboard is the connecting link between the card and the CPU. Some graphics cards are given direct connection to the CPU for more speed, however; when connecting through the motherboard, one of the three interfaces is used. The most prominently used interface is the PCI or the Peripheral Component Interconnects and its upgraded version is PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect express). This PCI helps in providing faster transfer rates between the graphics card and the motherboard. The PCI has two connectors: the DVI connector, or LCD screen, and the VGA connector for CRT screens (although the CRT screens can connect to DVI ports through an adapter). There are graphics cards with dual head capability which can display the information between the two screens. Sometimes, with more graphics cards, more than two monitors can be supported. Overall, all these connections are essential for a graphics card to operate and display images on a video wall.
LED Versus CCFL
Before you are willing to shell out the extra money on an LED backlit display, you will no doubt wish to understand the advantages of LED backlighting over the standard LCD display which uses cold cathode technology. Here are the primary benefits of using LED technology just like a video wall.
Dynamic Contrast. LED backlit screens have better contrast ratios, especially if your LED screen uses technology that allows the brightness of each LED to be controlled individually.
Screen Width. LED technology allows for ultra thin displays. Some can be less than half an inch thick. Screens like that are perfect for multiple screen applications such as video wall displays.
Color Range. LED displays can show more variety in color. RGB-LED backlighting can display an even greater range of color. Some companies have begun to add yellow to the standard red, green, and blue LED lights. This pushes display capabilities even further.
Environmental Impact. LED displays leave less of an environmental footprint. They use less energy and do not contain mercury.
Expense. While LED screens have a greater initial cost, they can save you money in the long run. There are two reasons that this is the case. First of all, they use 20 to 30 percent less energy and sometimes up to 50 percent less. This means that you will save money on your electric bill each month. The second way LED backlit screens save you money is by being reliable. You can run an LED backlit screen for years on end without maintenance. In part this is because they generate less heat. Heat is a common cause for failure in electrical devices.
Dimming Range. LED screens that allow for individual dimming of the LEDs produces advanced picture quality that can be viewed in almost any lighting. Many screens now have sensors that control lighting automatically.
One thing to keep in mind is that LED backlit LCD displays are not self-illuminating like a pure LED screen. There are several different types of LED backlighting. The most common is the edge type which only has LED lighting around the edges of the screen. A special pane inside the display diffuses the light across the entire screen. Then there is the array type which uses LED lighting behind the entire screen. The third type allows for each individual LED to be activated separately for maximum display potential. Each type has additional advantages.
These are some things to keep in mind when trying to decide if you want to use an LED backlit LCD display verses a CCFL display.
Mobile Video Conferencing
We love for our hand held devices to do everything. We use them to talk, text, email, surf the web, play games, take and send high quality pictures and videos, and run various applications. It was only a matter of time before these hand held devices became our video conferencing hardware. Applications are available to turn your phone or tablet into a mobile video conferencing device. Let’s look at a few reasons that this was the next logical step in video conferencing.
Apple’s mobile devices are often on the cutting edge of technology, and both the iPhone and iPad have high tech video conferencing available through various apps. Android phones and smart phones with other operating systems also have some applications available for this use. These offer full two way capabilities. Some companies offer apps that will allow you to communicate with over two dozen colleagues at once.
Many portable devices are now equipped with HD screens and video recording devices. This allows for a crystal clear picture on both sides of the conversation and allows the users to focus on business rather than the technology.
One important part of video conferencing is the ability to share a presentation or other documents during the conference. Some software allows you to do this with out breaking up the conversation. One user simply shares the material and the other user can easily view it and still communicate.
It is easier than ever to set up a conference call. You can simply email a link to a coworker and it will drop them into the video chat with you. You can even have it set to your calendar allowing you to get a reminder of the conferences and then to automatically call in so that you don’t get sidetracked and forget to join the call. Remember, the whole point of mobile video conferencing is so that you don’t have to stop whatever else you were busy with to go to a certain location for a meeting. Those same activities can distract you from keeping an important appointment, so this is a nice feature. You can also invite users to a video conference by their phone number or physical location within the video wall processor.
Whether you have a mobile broadband system or are on WiFi, this system allows you to stay connected where ever you are. It’s the wave of the future, and while it won’t replace a nice conference room with a video wall, it will allow for more flexibility in the business place.
Multiple Display Graphics Cards
A video wall is an array of screens placed in a tile layout. These arrays may be up to 20 screens and all these screens together provide images with an amalgamation of various components of the same image. In order for the video wall to display the images on these screens to produce the impact of a large screen, it requires software to operate the video wall, and even more important is the use of multiple display graphics cards. Every video wall requires a graphics card to buffer the image into different display screens.
So how does a graphic card work in a video walls? The general information about any image is the pixels. When this image is produced on the single screen, the pixels are reasonably low or of less resolution but are suitable for a single screen. However, when the image has to be scattered to multiple screens like that in a video wall, the pixels are increased and the resolution is higher depending on the number of screens used in a video wall. All this has to be decided by the centralized computer to which the other monitors or displays are connected, and this is only possible if a computer has graphics capability and that is provided by the graphics card.
The graphics card is present in the mother board, and it has the most complex job of deciding the modification of an image and displaying it on the multiple monitors as a viewable image. Its working begins from the CPU, which has the software installed in it. Through this software, the CPU sends information to the graphics card and the graphics card’s work is to use the pixels on the screen to create a larger image. This information is sent to the monitor by the graphic card through a cable connected to the monitor. All this is not so simple because the image on a small single screen does not require much adjustment compared to a higher resolution image. The larger the image, the greater are the modifications and that involves converting the image into 3D. Thus, the graphics card creates a wire frame from straight lines, fills the pixels accordingly, and adds additional lighting, texture, and color to produce the original quality. The same operation is carried out for games also, however; all these extensive procedures seem easy due to the fast-paced process of the software.
The graphics card cannot individually accomplish this entire task. It requires some components which enable the graphics card to carry out this entire process. The main components which are required for a graphics card are the motherboard which provides the card information on the data and power available, a processor which helps the card to decide the pixels, memory to hold information about the data and store it, and ,lastly, a monitor connection to see the final output. All these components are essential for a multiple display graphics card to work out an image in a video wall.
More Ways to Make Your Phone Battery Last
Trust me, you don’t want to be caught in a situation where you really need your phone only to find out that it is dead. I know you understand how stressful that can be. We have all dealt with it before. What can you do to make sure that you are never caught off guard by a dead battery again? Take note.
1. Carry an extra battery- it may cost you a little extra money, but investing in an extra battery can be one of the best decisions to make when it comes to your phone. If you have an extra battery that is fully charged with you, all you have to do is pop it in and off you go.
2. Turn off your wifi- if you have your wifi enable all the time, your battery will quickly drain. You don’t need your wifi all the time. So when you are not using it, turn it off. Yes it will take a bit to turn it back on when you do decide to use it, but the amount of battery power it will save is worth the extra time.
3. Turn vibrate off- if you are using your phone on its normal setting, turn the vibrate function off. Just use the ring tone. Think of how much power is used to make your entire phone vibrate. Do you need it to vibrate if you can hear it ring?
4. Limit your talk time- this is probably one of the best pieces of advice, yet one of the hardest to implement. If you are starting to run low on battery or if you know you will have to go a long time between chargings, limit the amount of time you spend on calls. This also goes for texting, surfing the web, playing games, and running apps just like the video wall software.
5. Use black backgrounds- okay, so this doesn’t sound very interesting. You are right. But if you are trying to conserve battery power you may have to take one for the team. Besides, you can always turn your awesome backgrounds back on at a later time.
These may seem like simple changes, yet they can really help you to save your battery so that you can use your phone for longer periods of time. Remember, when you are in a situation where you need that extra few minutes of phone life, you will be thankful that you did use these battery saving tips.
Sharp PN-E521 Review
You have a lot of choices when selecting high quality screens for video wall usage. What do you require as far as resolution and contrast ratio is concerned? How many screens do you want in your video wall configuration and will they be tiled in portrait or landscape format? Once you have decided on the answers to important questions such as these then it is time to shop around. The Sharp PN-E521 may have many of the features you are looking for. Let’s look at a few.
This 52 inch screen provides an incredible full HD display with a 1920 by 1080 native resolution. An aspect ratio of 5000:1 only adds to the picture by allowing for exceptional black levels.
Fanless architecture results in an extremely quiet display. It is virtually silent and yet still reliable. Plus it has a 3 year parts and labor warranty. It will add to your peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected. Parts, labor, and also the backlight are covered.
This monitor is fully compatible with Sharp’s own video wall software. The screens can be used in either portrait or landscape format, and be set up in displays up to 5 by 5. Sharp can provide the hardware for some of the possible set ups. Others may require some third party hardware. The same thing goes for a video wall controller. While Sharp does make this hardware, it is not equipped to handle all of the various formats.
This is a pretty cutting edge screen. 1080p screens will add up to make an incredible resolution versus the 720p screens. The aspect ratio is much higher than the common 3000:1 ratio. It’s a bright screen with built in audio.
An ultra fine bezel results in a eye pleasing display. There are even built in stereo speakers. Each screen has 10 watt speakers which can eliminate the need for external speakers in certain applications.
These screens can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Low power consumption means that it will also save you money, and it is easy on the environment.
This is a serious screen for serious video wall applications. The display is amazing and is fit for trade shows, conferences, and all sorts of special events. If you need a video wall display then this definitely is one screen you want to check out. Make sure you pair it with the right video wall software and controller to complete the package.
Controlling Video Walls With Software
Video walls have become an indispensable part of almost every sector of society today. This recent development in the technological world has added the spark of advertisement and entertainment world and also a new dimension in presentations. A video wall typically is a bunch of screens arranged together which display different things or parts of the same images.
Video wall software is the main controller for video walls. They usually come with the purchase of the video wall. Sophisticated video walls with larger number of screens contain additional software. Generally, the software controllers could be purchased separately for extra features.
Usually there are two types of video wall software, first for board room meetings and presentations which are simplified and controlled by a single remote control and similar devices which can be used with minimum fuss. These software controllers are equipped with digital signage. Digital signage is the electronic display of menus and lists that you may control through the software controller on the video wall. A single device controls all the screens in video wall unless it has been designed to control specific screens.
The more intensive and heavy work based controllers are used for tight security areas and they are equipped to control several screens at once and issue commands as well. They are structurally more complicated than other models and they require special understanding and training.
Usually there is a main computer controlling all the screens. Features of the video wall software controller may include, lists of display, menus of services and functions, options for scaling, sharpening, zooming, controls for cropping and cutting and media.
You would need to use a lot of other inputs along with this controller, so you would need the controller to be compatible with a lot of formats. One of the basic requirements that is essential in a video wall controller is for it to be simple and least complicated so that you would not have much trouble to operate it. Video wall software controllers enable the user to display a number of media on multiple screens with ease. The bezel or the gap between the simultaneous screens in the video wall provides for lesser control in the software controller and thus they should be kept as minimal as possible.
Few things should be kept in mind while getting you a software controller. The overall system should be least complicated as explained above and should have clear and quick access to the signage. Good and advanced technology is available in the market in affordable prices. Do not settle for an expensive model if it is the first model you are seeing.
In technology news and other technology fairs and conventions, there are a lot of newer companies who take out their products which are yet to be discovered. Learning about all the general and specific features in the is the best way to choose a video wall and software controller for your purpose.
An Elite Conference Room System
Video conferencing is making advancement in two different areas right now. One difference is that video conferencing is becoming accessible on a mobile scale. Whether through a smart phone or a tablet, many are choosing to make video calls on the go. The other area where this field of technology is expanding is in quality. Rooms set up for video conferencing are being designed with large high definition screens capable of making you feel like the rest of your team is on the other side of the board room and not the other side of the country or world. Perhaps the Cadillac of the video conference room world is the SCOPIA XT5000 by RADVISION. Let’s take a look at some of the features and see what makes this conference system so elite with video wall.
Everything about this system is high definition. The screens are full HD 1080p displays with a native resolution of 1920 by 1080. The cameras can transfer live feeds of this quality at a frame rate of 60 frames per second. Plus, the audio is 20 kHz which is just as good as the quality of a CD. Everything about this experience is designed to make you feel like everyone is in the same room, from the way they look to the way they sound.
No other system in it’s class can compete with two full HD 1080p video channels streaming at 60fps. Add that to the fact that you can have 9 way multiparty conferences, and this system leaves the competition behind.
Many video conferencing systems are designed with a company’s IT department in mind. They have to help set up and maintain it. They may even need to be called in to help set up for major conferences. This system was designed to be intuitive and simple. The end user shouldn’t need to call tech support to get a conference up and running.
iPad and iPhone applications make things run even smoother. There is no training required as is often the case with high tech video wall displays. Of course, that training is usually included in the initial set up cost of a video wall.
This system is not only designed for ease of use, but also for appearances which is so necessary in today’s business world. You can just be on top of your game, your company has to look like it’s at the top and this system will help you to convey that impression to clients as well as to employees which will certainly boost morale.
This all in one solution to your video conferencing needs may not be cheap, but it is impressive and practical.
A Video Wall for Security Control Rooms
There are many applications to the use of video walls. One that we perhaps have seen in movies and on TV is in a security control room. Why is it a good idea to set up a video wall for security purposes? Let us consider several reasons.
In the old days, a security officer would sit in a room with a little CRT monitor that was split 4 ways and try to keep an eye on everything that was going on. This isn’t practical. The screen is too small to notice everything. Plus, you have to take into consideration eyestrain from staring at small pictures on a CRT screen for hours. This is where a video wall’s advantages begin.
Large high definition screens mean that if anything gets missed, it is not going to be because of the technology. LED screens can be viewed for hours with minimal eyestrain because of the type of back lighting used as well as the brightness of the screens and the high contrast ratio. Even text appears crystal clear. This gives your security guard the best opportunity to spot and stop potential problems.
Video wall software packages can also help tighten security. One important feature is facial recognition. Is there someone that you want to keep out of your establishment? Perhaps they aren’t banned yet, but you want to know if they come in so that security can keep a special eye on them. This is a great reason to set up a video wall with the proper video wall software.
The video wall controller can also be used to attach several DVRs to the system. The amount of hard drive space on the DVRs will depend on the quality of your video and how long you want to be able to record before swapping out hard drives to file the old feeds.
High definition screens and DVRs work in conjunction to help you prosecute offenders. The guard’s testimony will be more solid if he is looking at a high def screen. Eyestrain can be discounted even at the end of a long shift. And the high quality video backups will prove that he saw what he says he saw.
For these reasons, and many more, a video wall is vital to have in a security control room. Major corporations and business that require high security, like casinos, should be looking into this sort of technology and be keeping up to date with the latest advancements in video wall software.
Video Wall in Public
The sight of a huge public gathering watching a sporting event is a common sight in almost all the major cities of the world. This has been made possible with the help of video walls. A video wall is commonly used in places like a control room, stadium, stock exchange, or any other public venue; and it is aimed at public viewing of materials from a long distance. It is also used at small venues where a passer-by can enjoy and have access to the information put up there both from a closer viewpoint as well as from a distance. Video walls use a complex technology which gives this system a smooth operating display, and this article is aimed at providing an insight to the technology used.
A video wall is a video system which has a huge display screen. Multiple computer monitors, projectors, or television sets are arranged together in an array to provide for multiple viewers at the same time. For the display screen, the technology that is commonly used includes LCD panels, DLP tiles, and projection screens which are the very basic ingredients. Another important ingredient of a video wall is an LED array. The rim that surrounds one display area of a video wall is very thin. This helps to reduce the space between the active areas of display for better clarity and viewing.
Typically, a video wall displays images which are of an extremely high resolution; it has high definition videos or video streams and various other applications. The wall can have multiple feeds simultaneously and, depending on the need of the user, each feed can either be viewed on multiple monitors or on the entire video wall.
A video wall can consist of rear projection display cubes which are arranged one after the other and each cube has a single image or a video to display. The display source of a video wall is capable of providing high resolution, effective contrast and homogeneous brightness to the images or the videos. In addition to the display cubes, a video wall uses two other technologies – a video wall controller and video wall software.
A video wall controller is hardware, sometimes referred to as a computer server, which uses operating systems like Widows XP. This has been specially designed to provide round the clock operation. This works in conjunction with other sources which provide inputs to the video wall controller. These sources are cameras or recorders, DVD players or satellite imageries, or even computers.
As is evident from the above, a video wall has a wide variety of sources sending images to it which are to be displayed simultaneously. The display of the images or the videos is managed by software called the video wall software. This video wall software is designed in such a way that it can control which source of image or video is displayed in which display cube. It also controls the duration of the displays.
The modern world has observed many amazing innovations and inventions and the video wall is one of them. A Video wall is an essential tool for the modern economy and the technology friendly public. It has the potential to do greater good to a greater number of people be it in their personal life or professional life.
