Output 16:9 content to ultrawide or ultralong video walls?

[aznphatb0i]

Hello!

I was wondering if any videowall controllers exist that can take a 16:9 input like 720P or 1080P and then scale the image to be displayed across a video wall configuration like 4x1, 1x4, or 4x2

I have noticed that consumer televisions have a feature to 'stretch' the image in a few ways such as stretching the sides of the image more than the middle - and was curious if any standalone videowall controller can do this.

Currently, my solution for such odd aspect ratio video wall configurations is to use a Windows PC with a very pricey and powerful GPU.

I want to know if I have a device like an Android box that can only output 1080P -- is there a piece of hardware I can plug it into that will scale the image across non 16:9 display video walls.

I really appreciate your input, thanks!

[manono]

I really appreciate your input, thanks!

Maybe not. 'Stretching' in any way, shape or form is an abomination. So is cutting from top and bottom to achieve the desired aspect ratio. The only way to show a 1.78:1 video on a 4:1 display is to add black bars onto the sides.

[Cornucopia]

All dedicated videowall controller hardware that I know of can do something very similar (or exactly) to what you are wanting to do, but hardware VW controllers make your "very pricey & powerful GPU/CPU" seem like a bargain basement discount option. Note that most professionals prep their material to fit the intended layout matrix so that bad stretching, of the sort manono is warning against, is avoided.

Scott

[aznphatb0i]

Thanks for the info!

Scott, by any chance do you have an example/recommended model # or even better a link to a video wall controller documentation/manual that describes that functionality?

What kind of cost are you talking about? Out of the box Windows racks with AMD FirePro cards to run 8 displays are around $2k-2.5k USD or more

[aedipuss]

if you are using 4 - 1980x1080 monitors and a 1920x1080 video to display there shouldn't be any problems. it's the same aspect ratio just spread across 4 monitors. you will most likely just need 2 video cards to connect to the 4 monitors.

[aznphatb0i]

I know that if i have 4 monitors arranged in an even 'square' the aspect ratio is the same;

I want to know if I have something like an Android TV box that can only output 1080P, and I have a video wall configuration like 2x4 or 4x4 1080P displays

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Is there a video wall controller or special display solution that will take the 1080P output from the box and do dynamic scaling of the content to a non 16:9 aspect ratio like this


The cost of an out of the box Windows PC that can drive 8 displays is $2.6k+ eg; http://naplestech.com/shopcart/QS8_Professional.asp#gsc.tab=0

[aedipuss]

NO. there is no way to make 16/9 or any other aspect ratio look ok on wrong sized monitors. it will look like crap with heads cut off, people too fat, or other nasty things.

[Cornucopia]

Thanks for the info!

Scott, by any chance do you have an example/recommended model # or even better a link to a video wall controller documentation/manual that describes that functionality?

What kind of cost are you talking about? Out of the box Windows racks with AMD FirePro cards to run 8 displays are around $2k-2.5k USD or more

Crestron, Vaddio, tvOne, and the like. $4k-$15k and much more (esp. when you add in mounting, cabling, accessories, etc).

Scott