PEERLESS SUPPORT

Making the right support choices as early as possible in every project pays dividends says Tom Fenton, Senior Business Development Manager - EMEA, Peerless-AV.

When it comes to mounting systems, it is important that the products are safe, secure, and as intuitive to install and easy to maintain as possible. Selecting the right mount, with the required functionality, will very often save time and effort on site and lead to a more productive and profitable installation. Choosing the correct support solution adds value by increasing the client’s ROI, drives additional engagement, enables the use of larger displays and allows bigger arrays of different shapes and configurations to be created in locations that were previously not considered possible.

Looking at dvLED developments over the past few years especially, we have seen all manner of installations and witnessed how technology and content requirements are evolving first-hand. The accessibility of dvLED, as a viable alternative to LCD in the video wall market, has come on leaps and bounds. The world of standard VESA mounting points still does not exist in dvLED technology. However, the cost is decreasing, OEMs are investing, ultra-narrow pixel pitch is increasing, lifespans are improving, and LED is now more available in the channel. From a mounting perspective, the game is changing.

In the case of larger, more complex dvLED video wall installations, the mounting system often needs to be custom designed and precision engineered to address all manner of challenges such as wall imperfections, building construction and room layout. Firstly, there’s no such thing as a flat wall. Secondly, the mounts don’t hang themselves. A substructure is often needed to provide a completely flat and level surface to hang the mount. It then takes time and patience using technology and hand tools to ensure the mount solution is hung level and plumb. We’re seeing demand for substructures that support suspended, curved, pedestal, pivoting video walls, moving doors and much more, which all need to be custom designed and built. This demand requires superior experience, and we are able to support every step of the way through our SEAMLESS dvLED Integration Program; coordinating stakeholders, consultants, general contractors, structural engineers, site contractors, installation teams and manufacturers with end users.

In terms of how and where our products are used; basically, any professional application where the end customer has a creative vision and wants to make maximum impact, whether for wayfinding, communication, entertainment or advertising revenue purposes. For example, stadiums and arenas, hotels and hospitality venues, corporate offices, car showrooms, museums, universities, retail shopping centres, casinos and sportsbooks.

An example of a recent unique dvLED install is the Savoy Auto Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, USA (pictured below). In addition to memorialising the history of the automobile with exhibits and events, the new 65,000-square-foot institution leverages the latest dvLED display technology from LG and mounting innovations from Peerless-AV to deliver captivating video content and provide digital canvases for private events or sponsors to display messages and films. Three custom-built 2.5mm pixel pitch dvLED video walls are installed at the museum, with project management from Southern Digital Design. The first is a concave curved 18-by-31ft (5.4 x 9.4m) screen in the main theater that wraps around the rear of the rotating stage. The second convex curved 10-by-24ft (3 x 7.3m) screen is in the main hall and is tiled down 8° to provide greater visibility for guests. The third is a flat to wall 4-by-24ft (1.2 x 7.3m) marquee display mounted above the theatre entrance to invite guests inside and promote films and exhibits. To ensure that each dvLED display seamlessly blends in with the building’s architecture, LG and Savoy worked with Peerless-AV to design and install custom mounts. Through the SEAMLESS by Peerless-AV dvLED Video Wall Integration Program, PeerlessAV delivered start to finish project support. The team meticulously calculated the radius and the Z-adjustment on the mounting system for the giant concave display. For the custom convex video wall, the tilt made this even more complex. Again, the adjustment on the mounting system made this install a straightforward success, resulting in breathtaking digital canvases that are perfectly aligned without visible seams.