REPORT Integration & Installation
“We presented CNN with the most innovative displays on the market, and Leyard instantly captured their attention,” Weatherhead continued. “Together, we proceeded to conduct a wide array of camera tests to ensure that Leyard’s display technology looked nothing short of stunning on the screen.” Proving just how vivid Leyard’s resolution is, Advanced positioned two camera feeds next to each other with one direct graphic feed and the other with the Leyard display’s image of the graphic feed. “No one could tell the difference between the source and the display of the source,” Weatherhead said. “This certainly demonstrated that these displays offer unprecedented imagery never before used on live television.” After CNN selected Leyard, Advanced Vice President of Engineering Kevin Linton conducted extensive testing at its factory in Beijing, as Advanced does with all large LED projects. “The pre-
installation testing is crucial to make sure that the videowalls deliver the quality required by the client,” Linton emphasised. “We had a very small window of time for the actual installation, so every element had to be perfect before it began.” The deconstruction of CNN’s old system and the installation of the new system took two weeks in total. Since the newsroom never sleeps, the installation was well underway at CNN’s studio while shows were still broadcast live, meaning that the Advanced team had to be efficient and extremely quiet. “It was an interesting experience for our crew,” Linton said. “But our team is equipped with experts that work quickly and carefully, so we were able to do it.” With Leyard’s LED 1.2mm and 1.6mm pixel pitch displays, CNN is now able to achieve excellent image uniformity and no challenges with moiré on television. Additionally, since the new LED technology has no bezels, there are no distracting black-lines on the videowalls. Unlike modular LCD displays, Leyard’s videowalls allow the production team to easily manipulate color balancing, calibrating, and brightness levels. Advanced helped to train the team so that they could easily control the videowall after the project’s completion. “Leyard’s 1.2mm and 1.6mm pixel pitch displays allow CNN’s production team to control the displays in a way that LCD products cannot,” Weatherhead explained. “Beyond the visually arresting element, Leyard’s displays also offer the team an easy-to-use software so they can easily control what appears on screen.” To maximise on-site use, Advanced designed the large 1.6mm videowall with the capability to split it into two and flip over to be used in either Studio A or Studio B, both of which are set back-toback. To do so, they used a Christie Spyder X20 video processor that evenly divides the screen into two separate content streams. Now, CNN can visually divide the video wall in half, and use it in either Studio A and Studio B. To physically divide the studio, a retractable and movable wall was installed into the ceiling. The video walls are also extensively protected in case of a malfunction or power outage. “The last thing that CNN wants is for their graphic display to black out on air,” Weatherhead explained. “To prevent this from happening, we designed a backup system for every single component for each videowall. If one power supply dies, another power supply kicks in automatically with no delay. This is the most resilient piece of equipment you can have, and it’s necessary in this particular application.” At the project’s conclusion, CNN was extremely satisfied with the final result. “We’re so proud to be a part of this televised broadcasting revolution that CNN has started,” Weatherhead said. “These innovative displays will assist them in delivering the most comprehensive and compelling news imagery, now and in the future.”
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