How to Minimize Latency in Video Wall Systems: Key Strategies for System Integrators
No matter your industry, a video wall can only serve you well if it’s lag-free and can guarantee a seamless, well-integrated experience. In this post, we’ll show you the main causes of latency in video walls and strategies and tools to help mitigate it.
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What Is Latency and Why Does It Matter in Video Wall Systems?
Latency or lag is any delay between sending a signal and your display responding. When using a video wall, this extends to one screen being as little as milliseconds ahead of another. Even a slight delay is often immediately noticeable.
Latency is very disruptive for video walls, whether the display takes a few seconds to register an input or the picture isn’t synchronized. For example, your security team can’t respond as well to a developing situation if the wall isn’t live.
Main Causes of Latency in AV Installations
Audiovisual installations, especially video walls, are vulnerable to latency even if you use one of the latest models. It all comes down to your setup and infrastructure. Here are the main reasons companies encounter lag after installing AV equipment:
● Inefficient routers or switchers add to signal processing time
● Scaling and deinterlacing (if applicable) also cause slight delays
● Compression codecs such as H.265 on low-CPU hardware
● Slow overall bandwidth can also affect networked video feeds
● No “genlock” to guarantee synchronous video processing
● Some displays focus on picture quality over response time
● Aligning multiple screens takes time on less-powerful processors
Ultimately, any weak link in your AV setup can cause lag elsewhere. It’s not enough to have the latest screen or even the latest processors and controllers.
Every part of your tech solution must work together. This is especially true if your video wall’s in 4K or even 8K — you need hardware that can handle this, or you’ll face endless lag.
Latency Optimization Strategies for System Integrators
Integrators must build a cohesive AV system that’s free of latency, tearing, and other significant issues. Here are a few ways they can reduce lag while still delivering a high-quality setup.
1. Use Low-Latency Technology
Choose displays and components with low-latency modes. These will ideally avoid unnecessary conversions and keep your workflows end-to-end. Unless necessary, you should also use only light compression standards.
2. Build an AV-Only Network
Use a dedicated network for your firm’s AV tech. Isolating its traffic with a separate VLAN helps you avoid interference with other signals. Too much “noise” could otherwise slow it down — your switches should also prioritize AV packets.
3. Turn Off Processing Features
Many display systems have features you won’t need, but will still slow down processing, such as motion smoothing or frame interpolation. If your display has a special low-lag “game mode,” you should enable this.
4. Update Software and Firmware
Update every device as soon as a new patch becomes available. This includes new drivers and firmware for your monitors, encoders, control systems, and more. These updates could address performance and compatibility issues.
5. Test Your Setup
Set clear pre-deployment benchmarks that your audiovisual setup must meet before being put into active operation. Make sure you test the whole system’s signal chain to show any otherwise invisible latency issues.
Tools & Equipment That Help Minimize Latency
While hardware isn’t everything, it’s still a vital piece of the puzzle. Strong video wall architecture is often the key to a smoother AV experience. For example, you’ll need low-latency video wall controllers with support for at least four real-time picture-in-picture (PIP) instances.
You’ll also require efficient encoders and decoders, especially if you use AV-over-IP. These will ideally use SDVoE (Software Defined Video-over Ethernet), a standard that removes lag over all seven OSI layers. They also often use intra-frame compression, which lowers file sizes without adding extra latency.
High-quality network infrastructure (such as fiber-optic transceivers) is also essential if you’re transmitting AV signals via your network. Above all else, however, you need commercial-grade display panels that can handle 4K/8K video without a worry.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even experienced integrators working with high-quality hardware can run into issues. Here are a few latency-inducing problems you might run into and how to get around them:
● Overusing conversions, which adds encoding, decoding, and buffering time. Avoid this by minimizing transitions and keeping signals native wherever possible.
● Using consumer displays, which often include features that only slow the image down. Avoid this by prioritizing commercial-grade screens.
● Relying on compression, which can add more latency than a high-bitrate picture. You can avoid this by choosing low-compression formats.
● Enabling all processor features, which might add latency frames or even rerender the whole image. Avoid this by disabling all but the essential features.
● Defaulting to high–end displays, which place picture quality above lag. Consider only investing in tools with low-latency or “game” modes.
If you run into any other problems, talking to an experienced AV team can help.
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Final Thoughts
Video wall systems can get quite complex, especially with substandard equipment. The newest and most efficient tools, alongside an attentive integrator, guarantee that everything runs without noticeable latency.
If you need more detailed AV answers, contact DEXON Systems. We’ll be happy to show you and your company how to build a cohesive, comprehensive video wall setup.