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March 09, 2021

Which Video Wall Controllers Are Best Suited to Mission-Critical Control Rooms?



Working in a mission control room relies on everyone in that room having constant access to ever-changing data. Live video, graphics, and other key information have to be available to everybody in real time, all the time. And the only way to do that is with a video wall.  



It doesn’t matter whether you work in space operations, events management, or traffic control. Either way, your video wall will be at the very center of what you and your organization do, and how successful you are at it. But, when you’re working in a mission-critical environment, it’s not like any old video wall will do. To maximize the productivity, functionality, and reaction time of all involved, only exceptional quality visual information and effective monitoring functions are acceptable. For that, you’ll need a top spec video wall controller.

How Do Video Wall Controllers Work?

Simply put, a video wall controller (also known as a processor) is a device that can split an image over multiple screens on a video wall, and overlay live video and graphics. The types that are used for mission control rooms will be hardware-based. These controllers will be built on a range of processing chipsets, and can be managed remotely or by individuals in a control room.

Different controllers can offer you different functions and features, so it’s worth figuring out what will best suit the needs of your organization.

What Video Wall Controller Do I Need?

When choosing a video wall controller, what you need will probably depend on a range of factors. These might include how vast your operations are, how many screens you have to work with, and how much information you have to have available. Regardless of the specifics, though, the controller you get simply has to be fit for the many challenges that mission control rooms will inevitably face.

Something slow and low-res just won’t be good enough, while systems with extremely limited input, output, and management capabilities are going to limit the scope of your operations. So, in order for your mission control room to function at its best, your video wall controller will need to meet some important requirements.

Performance:

Unsurprisingly, performance is a top priority when choosing a video wall controller. The controller that you get will have to be fast, adaptable, and easy-to-use. Scrimp on the performance aspect of your controller and you could end up compromising on the quality of your work.

Crucially, though, how well a controller performs will depend on a few other key criteria being met, such as customization capabilities, reliability, and compatibility.

Compatibility:

First of all, your video wall controller will need to be able to support data from multiple sources, including video, maps, and infographics. Getting a device that is compatible with the programs that you need is, therefore, a must.

So, get a controller that is designed with ease of use in mind. When trying to find the right one for your organization, it’s a good idea to prioritize looking for one that runs on a recognizable operating system. It’s also crucial that you make sure the controller you get can carry out all of the vital functions that you need it to, from graphics creation to data displays.

Customization:

Every mission control room will be different, because they all rely on different data, displays, and sources. So, it makes sense that you would get a controller capable of adapting to the specific needs of your organization and its goals.

You want easy-to-understand and even-easier-to-use management tools, that allow you to design and recall different layouts and data displays.

However, you might not want just anybody to have to access to certain parts of the display. In that case, a controller with a hierarchical user right system might just be for you. This will allow you to define exactly who can set up and manage the graphics and other pre-defined attributes onscreen.

Reliability:

Your video wall controller needs to be reliable. Mission control rooms rely on the constant delivery of of-the-moment information pulled from different sources. In that sort of environment, a controller that is prone to crashing just will not work.

It’s important that you invest in a device that can cope with multiple outputs and, if possible, one that has a backup system in place that can take over if a problem does arise. Really, you should only invest if reliability can be absolutely guaranteed.

Durability:

You don’t just need your controller to be reliable in the short-term. It’s important that the device you get lasts a long time and doesn’t deteriorate. As such, attention to detail and high-quality materials are a must.

Ongoing tech support from the supplier is similarly crucial. So, look to buy from companies that can promise dedicated support, in case there are any problems with your product. You never want a technical hitch to cause disruption in your mission control room, after all.

How to Choose A Video Wall Controller?

These days, there are quite a few different video wall controllers on the market. So, when it comes to getting the right device for your mission control room, you’ll need to have a good idea of what functions and features will work best for you and your organization.

So, exactly which controllers are best suited to mission-critical environments?

DXN5200 Video Wall Controller

Designed explicitly for use in mission control rooms, the DEXON DXN5200 Video Wall Controller is very much up to the job. With the ability to offer real-time displays of both local and remote input signals over multiple screens, a wide range of customization features that don’t force you to compromise on quality, and comprehensive and reliable software packages, DXN5200 controllers were made to run at their best at all times.

The 19” rack compatible computer chassis can be mounted at either 4U, 7U, or 14U high, depending on the requirements of your workspace. It will drive the display of one large Microsoft (News - Alert) Windows-compatible desktop over multiple screens, which can receive input from a number of local and remote monitors.  

The DEXON DXN5200 is perfect for larger-scale mission-critical operations, because it can support the display and control of multiple video walls at once, regardless of location.

Mitsubishi (News - Alert) Electric (News - Alert) DG-X11K7 Video Wall Controller

Also operating using Windows 10, Mitsubishi Electric’s DG-X11K7 Video Wall Controller offers a seamless user experience. With great customization features and high-quality visuals, this device can display both physical and IP video sources on either single screen or multiple screen layouts.

And, since Mitsubishi Electric’s DG-X11K7 controllers are all powered by either a 7th generation Intel (News - Alert)® Corei7 or high performance dual E5 Xeonn processor, they’re fast, too.

Genetec VuScape Video Wall Controller

If you need a video wall controller for something more specific, for example security supervision purposes, then the Genetec (News - Alert) VuScape Video Wall Controller could be just what you’re after.

Giving you the ability to easily display and customize the content you need on your video wall, you’ll be able to drag-and-drop live camera sequences and playback streams to wherever on your screens that you’d like.

This device can also support input from physical sources, local applications, and control data. With super-simple management features, you can display all of these together across multiple screens, for a neat and tidy end-to-end networked solution.


 
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