Interview: Mike Kilian of Mvix Talks Video Walls

TD: What should an end user expect as far as the process goes when researching, purchasing, and installing a video wall?

MK: The biggest tip that I give to my clients when they’re considering a video wall solution is to do it right. There are several components that comprise a video wall implementation. First off is the screen itself – you have to consider the bezels, especially in a video wall. Mvix provides zero display bezels on our screens when we implement a video wall solution. Any time you have a visible bezel on a screen, you have to think that the surface area of the bezel is actually doubled when you’re putting it next to another display. A poorly executed video wall will have medium-sized or even larger bezels on it, and you now have a large gap in content which hinders effective content delivery.

Secondly, the types of mounts that you work with on a video wall are important. Video wall mounts differ from standard mounts in terms of implementation. Video walls have to be serviceable – screens are not a flawless technology just like anything else, and they do have to be serviced. If you have a scenario where you have four, six, twelve screens and you have to get to one of the middle displays, the mounts must be set up properly to allow for service.

The final thing to consider is the content itself. When you’re talking about multiple displays that have a 1080p resolution, you’re talking about designing content that’s built for that level of resolution. To take a basic video that’s designed in 480 or a 720 and to stretch it across displays that have the capability to do much more is really a waste of the user’s time. What you want to be doing on the back end is ensuring that you’re also creating and designing content for that level of resolution so that you’re maximizing your digital real estate.

 

TD: What kinds of services are offered to end users to enhance video wall implementation?

MK: This is an area where Mvix truly differentiates ourselves from the rest of the industry. A lot of video wall solutions nowadays are becoming more and more commoditized. The services that a provider like us bring to the market is really what sets us apart, and ultimately the deciding factor between a decent looking video wall and a well-executed solution that gets the company’s message across.

The most basic is an installation service which coordinates and manages the entire project lifecycle. From design and layout of the screens, to selection of components, to ultimately a site survey and the physical installation itself, a project manager is constantly monitoring and assisting.  We also offer content creation services for clients that may not have a large dedicated marketing staff or may not have the HR in place for taking up a project like this. We can work with that company or that team to create content for them – whether it’s images, or more dynamic content like videos, widgets, and social media.

The third service we offer is an implementation assistance service. Some companies may have the content they need, it may be well designed, they may even have the screens installed.  However, the last step is to progress from pieces of content floating around on their server to different types of layouts, templates, and branding elements which are getting the messaging across.

The fourth step when implementing a video wall is to have a support service on the back end. When you have a solution like a video wall, any issue on one of the screens or the media player itself essentially brings down the entire solution. We offer our Signature Support service which is designed to give the highest level of white glove service that we can provide to a client. It allows them access to the full spectrum of resources that we can provide on the support side, as well as an unlimited warranty on the solution long term.  It even provides a tech refresh, or device replacement every three years on the hardware components.  A successful implementation is really only halfway there – we support our clients throughout the entire project lifecycle.

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