Planar LED Video Wall Welcomes and Educates Capitol Visitors
The United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) is a beautifully designed space that serves as the main public entry point to the Capitol. More than just an entrance, however, the CVC is an experiential gathering space — reflecting the style of the Capitol — that welcomes, educates and entertains visitors as they wait for their Capitol tours to commence. Emancipation Hall — which is part of the visitor center — plays a key educational role. It is a space that immediately immerses visitors in all things relevant to the Capitol. Those who explore it can experience compelling exhibits and artifacts, as well as stay informed about their visit by virtue of highly advanced display technology installed on either side of the iconic clock that is centered above the nearby check-in desks.
The new LED video wall displays provide a big, bright platform on which visitors can obtain information about tickets and tour times, see sales and promotional messages from the café and gift shop. They also enable visitors to learn interesting facts about many aspects of Emancipation Hall and the Capitol itself.
Key display selection factors
The LED video wall displays – specifically, the Planar® DirectLight® LED Video Wall System – feature a pixel pitch of 2.5 millimeters and are installed in two seven-wide-by-two-high (7 x 2) arrays on either side of the clock, measuring 72 square feet in total. A key aspect
of these displays is their low reflectance surfaces which ensure that displayed content is bright and clear and highly readable. It's an especially important factor given both displays are situated directly below massive skylights that bathe the interior space with natural light.
"The Planar DirectLight LED video wall solution readily accommodates the existing millwork and has the ability to operate beautifully even with the bright sunlight coming in from above," says Jeff Koenig, AV Supervisor for the Capitol Visitor Center. "Planar DirectLight is also notable for its thin, seamless profile, low energy consumption, front-serviceability, and its ability to handle a wide range of content."
The systems integration firm LED3 took the lead in hardware and software integration. "We've had excellent success working with Jeff and his team on a number of other CVC projects, and similarly with Planar," says Bruce Neff, President of LED3, which is headquartered in Canfield, Ohio. "We're proud of the capabilities LED3 brought to the project, ranging from engineering and integration through installation and repair."
Display capabilities deliver bottom-line benefits
The excellent image quality of Planar DirectLight displays owes to several factors including its black resin LEDs and Planar® MicroGrid Shader™, which produce the deepest levels of black and higher contrast.
Planar DirectLight displays offer front access via the Planar® EasyAlign™ Mounting System. This six-axis adjustment system, along with the Planar® DirectLight Control Software, allows for ultra-fine image tuning and calibration. "These features combine to give us stunning and uniform pictures," the CVC's Jeff Koenig says.
Koenig calls Planar DirectLight a very efficient LED video wall system. "We see this in factors such as its low power consumption (19 watts per square foot), and its off-board electronics design, which allows power supplies and certain other components to be remotely located. With this design, we can manage any power problems more easily, install software updates and manage overall system performance more effectively."
And much can be said about the reliability of Planar DirectLight. This display is designed for 24x7 operation and has a typical lifetime of 100,000 hours to half brightness. "It all adds up to a system that delivers an exceptional picture, has a lower cost-of-ownership, stands up to our demanding usage requirements and integrates really well with our architecture," Koenig adds.
.png)
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
