Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
When Canadian television network Bell Media/CTV annually unveils their new fall lineup, they host a glitzy and glamorous affair in Toronto with VIP guests in attendance.
Each year, the network’s objective is to impress an audience that is used to being entertained. This year, when two event design agencies were tasked with the job of staging Bell Media/CTV’s ‘Upfront’ showcase, they wanted to incorporate a visually impacting video wall that could entertain all 1,000 people at the three-hour event. To do the job, they called upon APG Displays, North American video wall distributor and sub-rental specialist, to design and construct a 108-paneled NEC 55” modular LCD video wall.
“This is without a doubt one of the biggest single LCD video walls ever constructed in North America,” says David Weatherhead, APG Displays president. “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.”
When the design event agencies toured APG Displays’ Toronto showroom, they set out to find a high-resolution video wall that was bound to ‘wow’ the audience. That’s when APG Displays suggested that they build a video wall with 108 of NEC’s 55” modular LCD panels.
“The size of the video wall is unparalleled, and so is NEC’s display quality,” says Weatherhead. “The image is fantastic, especially when built to this scale. Plus, there’s absolutely no pixilation.”
Despite the enormity of the project with 108 video panels, the ultra-narrow bezel delivered a gap of just 5.7mm, so the audience enjoyed 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,” says Dan Ayerst, APG Displays general manager. “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. The small-scale replica of 12 46” panels was designed as a synergetic aesthetic to the massive on-stage screen, garnering many comments during the cocktail reception.
“The event was an ’11 out of 10′ in terms of success,” says Ayerst. “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.”
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