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White paper

Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

How to select the Right Technology for a


Control Room display?

Abstract

Nowadays anybody interested in information displays, from home flat-panel-TV users to


professional markets, knows the terms brightness, contrast , and resolution and knows that
these should be as high as possible for the display to be any good.
Also, in a video wall setup, users normally look for bezel size to be as small as possible.
Naturally, brightness, contrast, resolution and bezel size values are regular marketing material
and sometimes a sole selling point between different products!
We, in the display industry, know better of course, though not all manufacturers are willing to
admit it. There are many more things that make the display what it is, and many things depend
on the application and the ambient conditions present.
This white paper intents to explain some basic terms, concepts, and confusions frequently
encountered in the display world and provides a general guide for technology and product
selection. That said, this paper does not cover all aspects of video wall design, which is a far
more extensive subject; this is simply a guide to assist you understanding the primary product
options and their differences for consideration early in the video wall requirements or design
process. We will talk in general about displays, encompassing LCDs, projection and specify the
display technology only where needed.
In todays new technologies, there are two primary product types 1 which are typically deployed
for control room video walls:
LED-lit DLP projection cubes and
LED lit LCD flat panel displays.
Although both are excellent candidates for use in control room video walls, determining which
type is most appropriate for the application largely depends on many key factors and
considerations.

Some other technologies are available but cubes and LCD panels are the most commonly used.
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Table of Contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Video wall display requirements and considerations ............................................................................................ 3
Visual performance and human factors. .......................................................................................................... 3
Screen seams, gaps and bezels. ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.

Real Seamless screen projector based cubes ....................................................................................... 4

high quality video wall display without the interruption of any seam or a bezel ......................................... 4
2.

Seamless screen projector based cubes ............................................................................................... 4

3.

Near Seamless projector based cubes, ................................................................................................. 4

4.

LCD based video walls small bezel, ....................................................................................................... 4

The Operational Application. ................................................................................................................................. 5


Mission Critical applications ............................................................................................................................. 5
Non - Mission Critical applications ................................................................................................................... 6
Summary comparison between LCD and Projector based Control Room technologies: ...................................... 7
Summary .............................................................................................................................................................. 10
Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................ 10
APPENDIX 1: Barco video wall display solutions .............................................................................. 11
APPENDIX 2: Barco LCD based video wall solutions....................................................................... 15
APPENDIX 3: Barco Video wall display - Controllers ..................................................................... 18

Author: Barco NV Dubai team, December 2014

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Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

Video wall display requirements and considerations


Visual performance and human factors.
In a typical control room and/or office environment the prevailing ambient luminance level is
around 100 cd/m2

(office walls, white paper etc.) while laptop screens and computer monitors

are around 150 cd/m2. It is clear that a video wall may not have a much higher
luminance compared to all the rest, otherwise our eyes will adapt to it and will get tired as we
constantly adapt to lower levels around us. This would be the same effect as going out from
an office to an unlit hallway. Hence, it is best to have all objects in your control room with a
luminance as homogeneous as possible.
When the human eye is adapted to a prevalent ambient luminance level, it can see comfortably
(meaning: reading, perceiving contrast, colors etc.) within a range of around 102 cd/m2 of
ambient luminance without the need of eye re-adaptation. Any luminance outside this range
requires frequent eye adaptation and will cause eye fatigue.
Therefore the selection of a suitable display technology with the right luminance is a key factor
for comfortable working conditions.

To avoid human eye fatigue in a control room work environment, all sources of light shall fall
within the recommended relative luminance boundaries.

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Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

Screen seams, gaps and bezels.


Homogeneity of the screen is an important aspect for the human brain when processing the
image. Therefore discontinuities such as seams and gaps should be avoided as much as
possible, especially if the user wants to show images on the wall with dimensions passing its
building blocks.
Barco is the sole video wall manufacturer providing up to 3 options of control room display
technologies for video wall applications. Each technology has its own seams, gaps and bezel
constraints.

1. Real Seamless screen projector based cubes


high quality video wall display without the interruption of any seam or a bezel
2. Seamless screen projector based cubes
high quality video wall display without the interruption of a seam or a bezel. Hence,
there is a 0 (zero!) gap between adjacent screens.

3. Near Seamless projector based cubes,


high quality video wall display with as little as 0.015 screen gap between adjacent
screens (modular@30 C)

4. LCD based video walls small bezel,


high quality video wall display with the smallest bezel in the industry available today
(3.5mm)

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Barco Real Seamless


( No gap or seam at all )

Barco Seamless
(Zero gap)

Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

Barco near seamless


( 0.015 mm gap)

Barco LCD
( 3.5mm Bezel)

The Operational Application.


Video wall displays are utilized in a variety of application areas which can be categorized in two
main categories, including:

Mission Critical applications


In applications where life and mission critical situations are monitored, the technology is driven
by the specific professional and industrial markets (such as: surveillance, crisis management,
emergency operations, utilities management, process control, traffic management, network operations
etc.)and their related requirements

Although these applications seem to be very diverging, the overall display requirements are very
similar. For instance:
-

The video wall is in most cases required to work in a 24/7 operations while staff are situated
in front of the display wall for an entire working shift.

The ergonomic considerations such as wall brightness and viewing angles will be carefully
looked at during the design phase (e.g. the operators shall be able to look at and
comfortably see the content for 8 hours a shift, every day , all year!)

The reliability, and expected lifetime and overall appearance and quality of the display wall
are important and where the display quality degradation over time need to be minimum.

The frequency, duration and ease of service, in addition to future spare parts availability are
key.

The redundancy on the display and controller levels is required.

Dust and/or noise are an issue on site.

The system total cost of ownership (e.g. cost of operation and maintenance on top of
equipment initial cost) need to be reasonable.

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Many standards already exist to guide the designer through these aspects. The selection criteria
of the suitable video wall technology shall take into account the above requirements and
considerations.
Please refer to appendix 1 for more details about what makes Barco projector based video wall
displays a perfect fit for mission critical 24/7 applications.

Non - Mission Critical applications


In such applications the technology trends are normally driven by the consumer market demands
(such as Digital Signage, retail advertising & leisure activities, corporate branding / lobbies,
meeting rooms and remote small control rooms or action rooms etc.)
Also, here, the overall display requirements are typically similar as most of these applications
has no requirements for 24/7 operations. For instance:
-

The video wall has no requirement for 24/7 operation , it can be switched off after normal
working hours , also operators and viewers dont need to look at the display for long hours
during work shifts.

The ambient environment light levels are considerably higher than normal office
environment ambient light, this creates a need for a brighter display wall than what is
required for mission critical applications where ambient light is comparable to office ambient
environment light levels.

The redundancy is not a must requirement.

Dust and/or noise are not an issue on site.

The frequency, duration and ease of service are not an issue since work interruption is
allowed and/or service can be done during normal operation or after normal work hours.

The initial Capex investment is more relevant than total cost of ownership including service
and operational costs, since the display wall is normally completely replaced every 3 to 5
years to cope with interior design changes.

Please refer to appendix 2 for more details about Barco LCD based video wall displays and their
features , also explaining the limitations of LCD technology in general if used in mission critical
24/7 applications.
The next few pages show a table with an appreciation per technology (LCD versus Cube) for a
list of the most important requirements and considerations.

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Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

Summary comparison between LCD and Projector based Control Room


technologies:
Requirements and Considerations

50 LCD Based

Projector
50 Cube Based

Viewing Angles

Contrast

+++
( Better black levels)

Colors

+++
( True Colors)

Brightness

+++

( higher brightness
( less bright but more
for high ambient light suitable for human eye
environment)
comfort in 24/7
applications )

Brightness & Color uniformity over the full


screen

Brightness & Color uniformity over time

+++

( calibration is
possible with Barco
LCD technology)

(Automatic and
continuous without work
interruption , also unnoticable)

+++

(Quality degradation
(Automatic and
over time)
continuous without work
interruption , also unnoticable)
Auto brightness & color calibration

Technology Lifetime

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++

+++

(needs operator
intervention, some
work interruption
needed)

(Automatic and
continuous without work
interruption , also unnoticable)

+++

3 years typical on
LCD panel

10 years typical ( 5 years


tyipical for consumable
LED light and cooling
pump )

White paper
Requirements and Considerations

Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

50 LCD Based

Projector
50 Cube Based

Availability of spares over time

+++

Short life cycle of


LCD panels

Easy to upgrade
projectors in the
future

(typical 3 years
only)
Gaps/Seems/Bezels between the screens

Image retention

Image degradation

Video wall footprint

Initial system price

Total Cost of ownership

+++

Barco LCD bezel is


the smallest in the
LCD market

Smaller than LCD

---

+++

Due to a limitation
of LCD technology,
a previous picture
might remain
visible on the
screen

No Image retention

---

+++

limitation of LCD
technology

No image drgradation
with time

Slightly smaller
than 50 Cubes

Slightly bigger than


50 LCD

++

Lower initial cost

Higher initial cost

++

More or equal over Less or equal over 5


5 years
years
Redundancy during normal operation

+++

only power supply Fully auto redundant


redundancy
on several items (LED,
PS, I/P,
Controlleretc.)
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Requirements and Considerations

50 LCD Based

Projector
50 Cube Based

Attraction of dust

Solution against dust

---

+++

attracts more dust

attracts less dust

---

+++
liquid cooled engine

Automatic input switching in case of input failier

---

+++

not available
Noise levels

+++
liquid cooled (silent
operation)

Serviceability

---

+++

Whole screen need Module Level for Entire


to be removed for
Cube, Easily
service (except
Accessible From the
remote power
Front & Back
supply option)
Upgradability

---

+++
The Building Blocks
can be upgraded to
newer technology.
The Mechanical
Structure can be
reused & Redeployed

Designed for large video walls in Mission


Critical 24/7 applications

---

+++

Used world-wide in large video walls for Mission


Critical 24/7 Applications

---

+++

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Summary
We have seen throughout this white paper that the technical display specs are not always
reflecting real demand, and that there are many other important factors to take into
consideration when building a good information display.
The design decisions are not only about the technology part, it is the combination of several
as important factors, such as :
-

Human factors and ergonomics.

Application of use and which technology is a better fit for this application and for the
operators looking at the display wall.

Corporate branding and prestige for large projects (being the best and having the best
technology)

Mission Critical or not.

Redundancy requirements on the display and controller levels

Modularity and serviceability during normal operation.

Ability to maintain an excellent image quality for many years.

Initial Capital Expenditure versus total operational Cost of Ownership.

Upgradeability versus compatibility with future technology trends.

Technologies available, and which technology fits the requirements best.

Conclusion
Taken into account the reliability requirements, the ambient luminance, ergonomic
factors of a 24/7 operation, the Projection Cube technology gets a plus versus the LCD
technology. LCD technology is technically speaking acceptable but is to our findings
not really suited to be heavily used in critical environments. Nevertheless, LCDs will
do the job but with less reliability and operators satisfaction.

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Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

APPENDIX 1: Barco video wall display solutions


a.

Barco Projector based video wall solutions (Cubes)

Barco projector based cubes are designed for and intenssively tested in 24/7 applications, it is a proven
technology suitable for mission critical application in many ways:
-

Innovative structure design


o

Most shallow cube available


- 450mm for OL-521
- 622mm for OL-721

o
o

Super lightweight materials


Eco-friendly Green product

The small footprint is also a small carbon footprint


Low weight and shallow design makes also transportation more eco-friendly

o
o
o

Wall fixations for higher walls available


Easy motorized alignment remotely from front side with the laptop
Flexible curved setup in steps of 1 degree

Sense6 with spectrometer.

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Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

Automatic, Accurate, Real - time and no user intervention .


o
o
o

Fully Automated color spectrum and brightness adjustment.


Works seemlessly without affecting normal display operation.
Color correction algorithms that:
Give better color matching
Dont throw away light (and thus energy)
Barco uses real spectrometer and not color sensor, a 3 color sensor
sees 3 values only while Barco spectrometer sees and controls the full color spectrum which
results in a superp color and brightness uniformity all over the display wall at all times.

Six redundant LEDs for each primary color


o
o
o
o
o

Drasticly reduces the risk of loosing image on the display wall incase one LED is becoming faulty.
Easy replacement of the LEDs in minutes. Prefilled and sealed cooling cycle.
Sixfold redundant LEDs per color
Sixfold redundant LED driver per color
End to end redundancy concept for additional operational safety

Liquid cooling extends lifetime of electronics and improves qulaity


o Active liquid cooled LEDs for extreme long lifetime and better color stability
o Liquid cooling is necessary and is industry standard
Graphical cards
CPU
Cars
o Experience from CRT and Digital Cinema
Any digital cinema manufacturer will use liquid cooling!!!
o Pumps are rated beyond 5 years 24/7
Accelerated testing
o Tubing is rated for virtually no permeation
Pump has small reservoir is compensate
o All tubing connections are leak tested before leaving factory
o Coolant liquid is not harmful
o Liquid cooling guarantees long life time of LED
o Drastically reduces the effect of dust due to the absence of heat pipe fan cooling

Motorized DMD for a pre-aligned geometry

SNMP for health management & API for higher applications

Barco low temperature design


o

Direct backside cooling of the LEDs

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o
o
o

Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

Constant temperature means little color shifts


Lower LED temperature means longer lifetime
10deg
uble
the lifetime
less, do
Build-in spectrometer self calibrates the colors over the lifetime for maximum display uniformity

Networked solution - Full loop through and dual source support


o
o
o
o
o
o
o

2x dual link DVI in/out up to 300MHz


Two sources connected to one display
Redundant controllers for maximum operational safety
Configurable auto-switch-over
Loops signals up to 8 cubes
Integrated scaling and cropping
Genlocking for synchronized videos

Additional dust protection / filtering


o To reduce dust effects in higher dusty conditions.

FXS screen gives larger half gain angles


o FXS screen replaces old Cross Prism screen

No color break up through 24x speed pulsed LED

Minimal latency mode < 1 frame

Front access possible

Most shallow cube

Easy replacement of LED chain after 5-6 years

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-

Projection Cube Spare Parts

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APPENDIX 2: Barco LCD based video wall solutions.


Barco LCD based display wall solutions are designed for quality image reproduction compared to others
available display solutions in the market.
The LCD based displays in general are more suitable for corporate branding, digital signage, retail advertising
& leisure activities, lobbies, meeting rooms. Although it is technically possible to build large video wall
displays using LCD screen technology, LCD technology is commonly used in smaller size control rooms in less
mission critical applications due to the limitations of LCD technology and the fast developments (especially
panel sizes ) , and also due to ergonomic factors related to human eye response to LCD higher light output
(than cubes) which can cause eye fatigue. Also, the technology of LCD panels industry is driven by the huge
demand from consumer market, this makes the lifetime of LCD technology relatively short since consumers
are always demanding for new ideas.
For the professional market of LCD based video wall displays , Barco is addressing this market seriously and is
coming up with innovative LCD display wall technologies ( OVD and KVD series )
-

SMALLEST BEZEL 3.5mm

AUTOMATIC COLOR AND BRIGHTNESS CALIBRATION FOR THE ENTIRE WALL


o INTEGRATED SENSORS TO MEASURE COLOR AND BRIGHTNESS
o FEW MINUTES TO RECALIBRATE AN ENTIRE WALL

Calibration SW (running on internal processor) allows to automatically maintain colour and brightness
uniformity among screens in a video wall
The TRADITIONAL way to resolve the problem is to use an EXTERNAL sensors to measure each screen
behavior and set each screens with different parameters in order to ensure that the visual behaviour of the
screens are back similar.
BARCO WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM is SenseX . This is an UNIQUE BARCO FEATURE where the sensors is
located inside the LCD that can measure brightness and color of the screen and pass the information to the
SenseX software running on the BCMC box.

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Each screen is having the same parameters, but


different aging (age difference is only few months)

Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

Result after calibration using Barco SenseX, all


screens are looking similar.

OPTIONAL (REDUNDANT) EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY


o
o
o
o
o
o

The external supply boards will reside in a standard 19 rack.


It allows doing wall maintenance not in front of the wall, hence no wall usage interruption.
Allow reduction of installation costs in certain countries
Reduces screen heating when necessary
No degradation if long cables (number of external SPMS in function of the distance)
Lower Noise and Heat Levels

Limitations of LCD technology in Control Room work environment:


-

Image retention
o Within LCD type displays, image retention is caused by impurities inside the liquid crystal
material, this phenomena results from the prolonged exposure of the liquid crystal material to
the same static image ( e.g. which can be some text, a logo, a frame around video camera
image, a structural item such as a door or a floor photographed by a security cameraetc.)

24/7 operation.
o ALL LCD panels use organic materials, therefore no matter what measures are taken image

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Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

retention remains an issue and the LCD screens need to be switched off frequently from time to
time ( depending of the type of content displayed ) in order to reduce the image retention
issues.
Although some manufacturers claim that LCD technology is good for a 100% 24/7 operation with
no image retention, this claim may be made as typically these companies come from the world
of digital signage, where content continuously changes.
Using an LCD in a true 24/7 control room operation ( where some static images are part of the
content ) will cause any brand of LCD panel to suffer from Image Retention.

Dust issues.
o LCD panels attracts dust due to electrostatic nature of the LCD panel.
o The panels are fan cooled , this allows dust to get inside the LCD screen through the backside
ventilation air inlets, and when the inlets are blocked with dust the failure risk becomes
considerably high due to improper ventilation and overheating.

Technology life time .


o The average life time of an LCD panel in a 24/7 operation is typically about 3 years , then a full
replacement will be required.
o The LCD panel technology and sizes keeps developing and changing due to the high demands
from the consumer market, this creates a problem in the availability of the same technology
after few years of operation ( e.g. long term availability of spare parts can be an issue )

Service and spare parts


o Most failures in LCD screens are either in power supply or the LCD panel, repairing a faulty panel
will require the removal of the complete screen from the video wall (except when the option of
remote redundant power supply is foreseen ) this process will cause interruption of normal
video wall operation.
o When the LCD panel itself fails, it needs to be completely replaced, the challenge is to have the
same panel size and specifications after a couple of years of operation since the LCD panels
technology is continuously changing.
o After several months of operation, and when static and bright images are continuously displayed
for long hours in a 24/7 operation, due to the organic nature of LCD panels, all brands of LCD
screens will tend to have image retention and burning effects, also dark hot spots can start
showing on the LCD panel.

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APPENDIX 3: Barco Video wall display - Controllers


a.

NGP200 as Output Node Loop through

One NGP200 can drive 4 cubes with only 2 cables between the controller and the projector inputs
(loop through) , reducing the number of cables required.

b.
o
o

NGP200 Mounting
Pedestal mount (cube structures)
For OL/OVL and MVL

Pedestal mount of the controller will reduce the cable distance between cubes and controllers,
and will eliminate the need for additional active components to drive signal over longer cables .

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Barco Control Room- Display Technology Selection

N+1 Redundancy Perfect match cubes-controllers

N + 1 Redundancy concept only works with Cube technology ( not with LCD ) since the cubes have a second
input which is intelligent enough to detect input signals failure and automatically switches to the second input
in case of input 1 failure.
N+ 1 Redundancy concept helps reducing redundant system cost substantially by decreasing the number of
needed spare controllers to only one controller per video wall. This is only possible with cubes solution (not
LCD)

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