World-leading engineers of visual solutions, Datapath, has launched its next-generation offer for multi-display video wall applications for Live Events and Broadcast.
Unique to the market, the high-quality Fx4-SDI display wall controller is fully SDI compatible, removing need for external conversion and reducing the margin for errors or faults when long cabling systems are deployed.
The unit offers a choice of SDI/DP/HDMI inputs for flexible connectivity, and delivers true 4K resolution at 60 fps through the DisplayPort input.
Live event applications might include concerts and festivals, sporting event “fan zones” or temporary video walls in shopping centres or museums, while a typical broadcast application would be a backdrop in a news studio. Both frequently require the significant processing capability found on modern PC-based graphics cards, which are optimised for an IT-based environment and typically output DisplayPort signals. DisplayPort cables are often too short for Live Events or Broadcast applications and are not compatible with existing equipment. For this reason, the Fx4-SDI has been designed to ingest a 4K 60 fps DisplayPort 1.2 signal from a media server and output that signal as four 3G-SDI HD signals.
From a creativity perspective, each output monitor on the Datapath Fx4-SDI can take its input from any region of the input image. All of the required cropping, scaling, rotation and frame-rate conversion is handled by the Fx4-SDI hardware. Regions can be overlapped to allow any output to replicate another, or be configured to support any creative splice of the source material. Many non-rectangular screen arrangements, as well as any mix of monitor orientations can be supported, allowing users to create an almost unlimited multi-monitor canvas.
Datapath’s intuitive Wall Designer software has been specifically updated to incorporate the Datapath Fx4-SDI for functions that include overlapping, mirroring and bezel-correction requirements. Supplied free-of-charge, Wall Designer allows users to add displays from the ever-expanding database of monitors. Users can visualise their content by adding inputs, adjust display regions, and finally instantly program all Datapath Fx4-SDI controllers either via USB or the network ports.
Low latency – important for live video streaming applications – is achieved using Datapath’s image capture technology. In the event that the signal drops unexpectedly, a pre-loaded and customizable image will be displayed immediately, helping to maintain professional integrity.
Fast transmission speeds are paramount in live events and broadcast projects, where vast networks of SDI cables often need to cover large distances. The Datapath Fx4-SDI offers four SDI outputs and the ability to loop multiple units together, making it suitable for large and/or complex video wall installations. The Fx4-SDI has dual Ethernet ports so that users can easily add the device to their networks. Only one Datapath Fx4-SDI in the chain requires connection to the physical LAN as Ethernet loop-through is supported on the second port. This means that multiple devices can be connected, quickly and simply.
