Spectacular shows, involving dazzling lighting, multiple big-screen displays (or video walls), and compelling audio, are now an established part of our cultural landscape. For instance, some 17 million people tuned in to the X-factor final in December 2010, nearly 30 per cent of the UK’s population.
These viewers will have experienced a flawless display of the latest hardware that underpins such large-scale public entertainment events. Of-course, not all public events are on such a vast scale. However, in all cases, the entertainment would not be so rich, colourful, synchronised, and immediate without making use of powerful video and manipulation hardware, as well as software to pull it all together, and help controllers get the best out of their cherished kit.
Take for example display wall controllers. These devices enable a single broadcast feed to be projected out on to multiple large screens. The screens can be joined together to create a video wall, or perhaps strategically placed around a large auditorium to give audience members a better view, and more immersive experience. Industry-standard wall controllers, such as those produced here at Datapath, can output to multiple screens at a consistent resolution, and even upscale image quality to give a consistently clear impression around the whole auditorium.
Another example of such technology is dual link video: our devices support “dual link” cables which enable an even higher quality of high definition video display than on, for instance, a domestic HD TV.
Such devices and technologies, whilst not featuring regularly in the gossip pages of our daily newspapers, are at the very heart of the modern entertainment industry.
