Battlecard : MAXHUB Raptor vs LCD Video Walls
When quoting MAXHUB Raptor all-in-one LED Wall, you may be competing against LCD Video Walls. This battlecard gives an overview of LCD Video Wall technology and how to position Raptor to win the business.
LCD Video Walls
LCD Video Walls are an established technology. It makes use of (relatively) low cost screens which are linked together to create a single display.
Whilst some LCD screens are designed specifically to operate in a video wall and will therefore have video scalers and distributors built-in, the most common solution will require a 3rd party video processor to ensure that the images are correctly scaled across the display.
LCD Video Walls can be created in a variety of sizes and aspect ratios. However, the most common would be 2x2, 3x3, 4x4 etc. But it is possible to do long, narrow walls (6x1 etc); or very tall, thin walls (1x6 etc). However, anything that is not a regular aspect ratio will either have to be driven as individual screens, or have custom processors to spread the image over the display. Normally, content would have to be produced specifically for the unusual display size.
Installation and View
When buying a LCD Video Wall, think about how it's going to be mounted. Normally, vendors will offer mounts and an overframe kit for standard sizes, but for non-standard displays, the custom bracketry will be required. Mounting multiple large panels and ensuring they are all aligned can be challenging and takes a lot of time to get perfect.
All LCD panels will have a surrounding bezel. Where you join panels together, the bezels form a 'crosshatch' throughout the display. Where viewers are a long way from the screen, this isn't an issue, however closer viewers will find this cross hatch very distracting.
Other potential issues may include the difficulty in getting a consistent picture across the entire display. Each individual screen will have slight variations in colour and brightness and matching all of the screens to give a consistent image quality can be very challenging.
In addition, if one panel fails, then a large proportion of the overall screen will be out of operation. Depending on the application (think of a video conference where you can't see the persons face), then this may mean the entire video wall is unusable until the replacement panel is sourced and installed. And then you have the issue of colour / brightness matching a new screen with all the other panels that have been used (and degrading) over time.
Many vendors offer LCD Video Wall solutions, so there are a lot of options to choose from in a competitive market, which means prices are typically quite aggressive.
LCD Technology
LCD technology is robust. It works on the principle that a liquid crystal can modulate light. As liquid crystals do not directly emit light, then a backlight is required. As the light source is always on, this has implications on the contrast ratio of the LCD display (contrast ratio being a measure of the scales between the blackest black and the whitest white that the screen is capable of producing). If a light is always on, then you cannot get a 'true' black.
A backlight means that LCD screens use more power than other technologies and the extra weight of the backlight and the glass that encapsulates the liquid crystals makes LCD screens considerably heavier than other solutions.
| Pros of LCD VIdeo Walls | Cons of LCD Video Walls |
| Inexpensive - lots of competition drives down pricing | Custom solutions will also need custom brackets, video distribution and bespoke graphics |
| Versatile - can be installed in standard configurations or as a custom sized solution | Requires specialist installation - drive up the overall cost of the project |
| High brightness, high resolution | Poor contrast ratio, high power consumption |
| | Liquid crystal is encased in glass - heavy, fragile and will reflect light |
How to Position MAXHUB Raptor Against LCD Video Walls
The MAXHUB Raptor series of All In One LED Video Walls resolve a number of the challenges facing LCD Video Walls.
Unlike the MAXHUB Raptor series LCD technology is heavy, making it more challenging to install and that the majority of walls will need to be reinforced to hold a large LCD Video Wall. Raptor is approx 40% lighter for equivalent sized displays, making installation considerably easier.
One contributing factor to the weight of the LCD display is that LCD technology requires a backlight. Not only is this heavy, it also constantly uses power, making the total cost of ownership for LCD much higher than a LED video wall.
The other factor in the weight of LCD wall is that the liquid crystal is encased in glass. The glass also makes it more fragile and liable to be damaged during transit and installation. Raptor uses LED which has no glass, making it more robust, lighter and easier to install.
And because LCD screens have a glass front, you need to consider the installation location. If the display is going to be near or in front of a window then the glass is likely to reflect the light, meaning that users will have a poor experience. In this instance, the dynamic brightness adjustment on the Raptor is a killer feature as it will automatically increase the brightness when the sun is shining, and reduce the brightness as required to save power and reduce strain on viewers.
Where is the video wall being installed? Will the 'cross hatch' of the LCD bezels be a distraction. For meeting rooms, or public areas where viewers will be close to the screen (less than 5m), then LED is definitely the right solution.
Cost
Think about the overall cost of the project, not just the costs of the Video Wall. As Raptor is an all-in-one solution, the customer does not need to think about power distribution, signal switching, in room audio, in room PC (content can be stored on the internal Android player). Plus, the Raptor can be installed in a few hours, whereas even a simple video wall generally takes at least a couple of days to install, calibrate and test.
Ease of use
Consider the ease of use. A LCD Video Wall may require a number of individual components to operate. If you want to change the use of the screen - switch between full screen and multi-screen modes - then you may have to change settings on multiple devices. The alternative is a separate control system (which increases the cost further). Raptor has a simple menu which can be driven by a remote control or wireless mouse, making it quick and easy to change the settings for any users.
Finally
Consider the costs of ownership.
- LCD Video Walls use twice as much power as Raptor.
- If a panel fails on a LCD Video Wall, you need an engineer to source a replacement panel, deliver it to site and install it. All of which will take several days, during which a large part (or all) of your display is out of use.
- If a panel needs replacing on the Raptor, simply use the supplied magnetic tool to remove the faulty panel and click in a new one.
- With the MAXHUB Raptor Series the screen is never out of commission and is fully operational in a few minutes. And the faulty panel can be sent off for repair.
Summary
LCD Video Walls are a good solution for :
- Non-standard sizes where the viewers will be some distance from the screen (5m+)
- Where they are not 'always on' (the power bill will be huge)
- Where very high native resolution is required
- Where the ambient light is controlled and no harsh direct light can be reflected
MAXHUB Raptor is a better solution where :
- Viewers will be close to the screen (meeting rooms / communal office areas)
- The display is 'always on'
- Where flexibility and simplicity of use is key
- In changeable lighting conditions (automatic ambient light adjustment)
