Article

Digital signage as architectural wall coverings (Video)

Digital signage displays are continuing their expansion into the architectural realm.

February 17, 2012

What about using digital signage as art? Or decoration?

Digital signage displays aren't just for branding, promotion or advertising, and the market for their use as architectural adornments appears to be growing. And at least one digital signage display firm is making its play for a share of that market.

Expanding on the success of its Planar Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall, Planar has introduced Mosaic, a video wall system aimed at the burgeoning architectural wall coverings market and featuring three different LCD display tiles, including a truly square tile. Tiles can be mounted in any position relative to each other, or individually – at almost any angle.

Planar said the Mosaic was designed specifically for the fast-growing global architectural wall coverings market, expected to be $26 billion in 2015, according to the Global Industry Analysts.

A large-scale prototype exhibit of the Planar Mosaic video wall system debuted yesteday, Feb. 16, and will run through March 30 at the Cristin Tierney Gallery in New York City in conjunction with video artist Yorgo Alexopoulos. And Planar will unveil Mosaic at the Digital Signage Expo 2012, March 7 – 8 in Las Vegas.

Designed in response to the growing demand for the use of display technology for creative expression in interior spaces, Planar said Mosaic will open up new avenues for system integrators and resellers to expand their digital signage efforts with a video wall solution that can be used to deliver displays of art and information or build a unique brand experience in environments like corporate lobbies or conference rooms, retail, hospitality, museums or other public spaces such as airports and sports venues.

"The new Planar Mosaic elevates video from the realm of information to one of inspiration ... creating a new category of thin architecture video displays," said Jennifer Davis, vice president of marketing at Planar Systems, in the announcement.

This new digital signage video wall technology from Planar includes the key features for specialty and architectural uses:

• Planar Mosaic allows deployers to integrate three different LCD tile sizes (all with LED-backlight technology) and shapes, including Planar Salvador, atruly square LCD tile at 21.6 inches (1:1 square); Planar Pablo, a 46-inch rectangle tile (16:9 rectangle); and Planar Vincent, a 55-inch rectangle tile (16:9 rectangle).
• Mosaic mounting hardware - an ultra-slim, no-nonsense mounting solution for foolproof mounting. Features an installation depth of less than 4 inches — compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Mosaic "Project Designer" software – a Windows application that allows anyone to create a layout of Mosaic tiles, choose an image/video and preview the result.

Systems integrator Video Visions President Mary Ellen Milanese-DiStasio said the Planar Mosaic opens up significant growth opportunities in new markets and applications.

"We admire the cutting-edge system architecture, the flexibility and slim profile, and Planar's perfectly-square LCD video tile," she said in the announcement.

Watch a video showing some of the possibilities for digital signage in architecture deployments (no audio) below:

Read more about display technology.