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108-screen digital signage video wall unveils fall lineup for CTV

A 108-screen digital signage video wall helped a Canadian TV network unveil its new fall lineup at its recent 'Upfront' showcase.

December 9, 2015

According to a recent announcement from APG Displays, when Canadian television network Bell Media/CTV unveils its new fall lineup, the network hosts a glitzy and glamorous affair with VIP guests in attendance. Each year, the network's objective is to impress an audience that is used to being entertained. That's why, in 2015, when two event design agencies were tasked with the job of staging Bell Media/CTV's "Upfront" showcase, they wanted to incorporate a visually impactful digital signage video wall to entertain all 1,000 people at the three-hour event.

To do the job, the agencies called on video wall distributor and sub-rental specialist APG Displays to design and construct a 108-panel NEC 55-inch modular LCD video wall.

"This is without a doubt one of the biggest single LCD video walls ever constructed in North America," APG Displays President David Weatherhead said in the announcement. "A spectacular video wall is a great way for any television network to highlight their upcoming programs at a glamorous event. It's large, high-definition and easy-to-use."

According to the announcement, when the design event agencies toured APG Displays' Toronto showroom, they set out to find a high-resolution video wall that would "wow" the audience. So APG Displays suggested that they build a video wall with 108 of NEC Display Solutions' 55-inch modular LCD panels. "The size of the video wall is unparalleled, and so is NEC's display quality," Weatherhead said. "The image is fantastic, especially when built to this scale. Plus, there's absolutely no pixelation."

The displays' ultra-narrow bezel delivered a gap of just 5.7 mm, so the audience reveled in a seamless presentation in full HD resolution with direct LED backlighting built into the panels to ensure visual uniformity.

The agencies also had another specific request: They needed the video wall to be easily movable so that it could be physically maneuvered on stage during the event. The presentation included the opening and closing of the video wall on cue to accommodate the night's presenters with a dramatic effect. To make this possible, APG Displays installed hydraulics at the top of the wall. "The wall was hung and supported at the top and hydraulics were mounted," APG Displays General Manager Dan Ayerst said. "This enabled the video wall to move from side-to-side. Presenters could walk right through it. It was remarkable."

In addition to the video wall on stage, APG Displays also worked to construct a smaller replica for the VIP cocktail reception area, creating a small-scale replica of twelve 46-inch panels (NEC's X464UN model), designed as a synergetic aesthetic to the massive on-stage screen.

"The event was an 11 out of 10 in terms of success," Ayerst said. "If television networks aren't using video walls at their 'Upfront' showcases already, they should be. It's the perfect medium to broadcast content in an entertaining way to a large audience."