Experience of managing major emergency situations such as terror attacks and natural disasters means has put more focus than ever before on improving efficiency and response times, writes Steve Murphy, Managing Director of Eyevis UK.
They say that good comes out of all adversity and in this case it is that research and development teams have been focussed on tackling this issue, which after all can save lives.
The new kid on the block which in some circumstances can now save you money and make you more efficient is de-centralised video wall processing, where the video wall control intelligence is in the display itself.
The system is based on a very simple operating concept that reduces response times and hence makes the operation of large display systems even more effective and efficient.
Command and control rooms have been traditionally based around one central control room with a video wall as the focal point for all key data and information being displayed to operators. The first sign of change came with the introduction of ‘breakout’ areas where specialist teams of people can deal with specific issues and incidents – but they all need access to the same central control room data to review and keep up-to-date with the ever changing situation. But the hybrid option now available means a display can simply be installed and connected to the client’s network and be controlled and fed with the same sources as if it were connected to a ‘traditional’ video wall controller.
Any source input to an existing video wall controller can be encoded to become an IP source and made available to these new displays via the network. All the ‘video wall’ control functionality provided by the traditional video wall controller and control software, for example multiple images per display, analogue video, IP video and PC graphic data displayed side by side, is now provided for these ‘auxiliary’ displays with the displays simply connected to the network and not directly connected to the video wall controller.
This has significant benefits, particularly when displays have large physical installation distances between them, they could be on different continents and providing there is a network connection between them there is no issue. And in situations where teams need to focus on separate issue quickly and at the same time the benefits can be massive.
About the writer: Steve Murphy is Managing director of Eyevis UK Ltd, a provider of video display/audio visual products.
