New LED Video Wall is first high resolution on-set screen
RTL Netherlands, subsidiary of the media company, RTL Group, has deployed fine pitch LED video wall technology in the studios of its new RTL Z daily television news channel. RTL Netherlands is the first Dutch TV station to install a fine pitch LED video wall, and did so upon seeing the high resolution, image quality and other features of the Planar TVH Series, including its suitability to the constrained space of the studio environment.
RTL Z studios is located south of Amsterdam, where it broadcasts men's-oriented programming – including soccer, auto racing and motorcycle sports – 24 hours per day. The studio chose the Planar TVH Series as an on-set video wall solution that is visible in many camera shots. The left side of the video wall measures 3.2 meters wide by 1.8 meters high and the right, curved section, measures 6.4 meters wide by 0.9 meters high. The display features a slim depth of 93 mm, further defining RTL Z as a high-tech broadcaster.
Planar TVH Series is engineered to accommodate TV studio environment
The Planar TVH Series was recommended to RTL by SIGHT, a systems integration and consulting company. SIGHT evaluated a number of video walls on the market, ultimately choosing the Planar TVH1.6 model with a 1.6mm pixel pitch. Marco Bruines, Managing Director of SIGHT, says the 1.6mm pitch is key, "It is the appropriate solution given the various markets we serve, and it meets unique requirements such as RTL's elongated screen with its 90-degree angle." Bruines adds that the short 1.6 mm distance engineers well with cabinet construction and software, "and that it was all delivered and brought online within our tight timeframe was an added plus." Further, the video wall delivers a 1080p resolution and the deepest level of black, and its advanced calibration provides full color and brightness uniformity. "Altogether, these features produce a bright, crisp and natural image, and that's what the station wants for its viewers." In addition, Planar TVH Series LED video walls feature fanless operation. This makes them ideally suited to the studio environment where equipment noise must be kept to a minimum.
LED Video wall installed easily, enabled quicker uptime and lower costs
The RTL Z video wall is made up of 96 Planar TVH Series LED video wall cabinets, each measuring a compact 400mm by 300mm in size, which allows them to be used in tight-space applications and design curved configurations such as RTL Z's, and makes them easy to handle and mount.
Features such as high contrast ratio, refresh rate and low-noise also make the TVH Series right for the project, as do their light output – in relation to studio camera requirements - and their stable grey values.
Lastly, the Planar TVH Series of LED video walls is available with redundant video and power options and they are driven by two HD-SDI signals in 1080P resolution, which suits the many programs RTL airs. RTL "Also, given the short distance between the presenters and the screen made finding the right solution all the more important. SIGHT provided us concrete and clear advice from that perspective," says Hank van de Loo, Manager Broadcast Technique for RTL.
Accommodating variety of applications
In addition to the 1.6mm model Planar provided to RTL Z, the Planar TVH Series is also available in 1.9mm and 2.5mm pixel pitches. Also, it is optimized for a 16:9 aspect ratio, and can easily scale Full HD content and sources. As a result, the Planar TVH Series can meet the need of virtually any application whether it be in a television studio or almost any other demanding environment.
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.
