Large-scale LED signage display walls have been a boon for retailers, sports broadcasts, and live events, providing clear viewing and immediate content updates. The LED volume walls used for OSVP (On-Set Virtual Production) take these massive displays a step further, upping multiple specs to produce stunningly lifelike, high-resolution video that serves as an immersive backdrop for capturing live talent and creating ICVFX (in-camera visual effects).
OSVP Requirements
While digital signage panels may have characteristics similar to OSVP volume wall panels, there are some key parameters that make a panel OSVP-ready. Panels and receiver cards require compatibility with an OSVP-friendly image processor like the Visual Processor Brompton Tessera S8. To create ICVFX, a key factor for OSVP panel selection is the ability to tie your volume wall into compositing and image-based lighting software like Assimilate Live FX, tracking software like ZEISS CinCraft Scenario, processing systems like Unreal Engine, and dedicated media servers such as the disguise vx 4+. Support for PQ (SMPTE ST 2084) EOTF HDR encoding, P3, Rec 2020, and custom color gamuts, and camera-to-wall calibration ensure the optimal imaging required for professional OSVP.
Pixel Pitch
Describes the density of pixels making up the display—the higher the density, the better the resolution, producing finer details and smoother borders. Note that since pixel pitch is the measurement between the centers of two adjacent pixels, greater density is indicated by a lower pixel-pitch value with 3mm (P3) or less suitable for OSVP. The higher resolution of an LED volume wall is needed for the closer distances used in OSVP capture compared to viewing the action from half a football field away.
These PIXREAL HIRO Pro, Fabulux LED Alpha Wall Kit, and ROE Visual LED volume panels and LED cabinets provide pixel pitches of 1.56 to 2.84mm. In a larger space, the further away from the wall you can shoot can enable you to use less expensive panels with lower density. Signage displays like these American DJ and LG LED display panels are more apt to have pixel pitches of 3.91mm or higher.
Brightness
Can be divided into two standards for volume displays, one for the background screen and one for the ceiling to more closely imitate a sky effect. The background brightness of an LED volume display should ideally be somewhere between 1200 and 1500 cd/m² as found in the Absen PR2.5 modular panel and Fabulux LED Alpha 1.9mm hanging volume wall setup. LED signage displays for outdoor use may offer high brightness but many high-end interior displays produce just 500 or 600 cd/m². Alfalite’s SKYPIX ceiling panel series outputs a massive 9000 cd/m² of brightness to simulate sunny skies and more. The DVS VR-Series Touring and Lite models output up to 5000 and 4500 cd/m², respectively.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate is a count of how often a display’s image is updated per second. While a rate of 7640 Hz is viewed as standard for OSVP, displays like the PIXREAL HIRO offer a whopping 15,360 Hz. Higher refresh rates like this produce ultrasmooth movement, eliminate flicker, and enable you to shoot at higher camera frame rates.
High Camera Frame Rate Support
Many OSVP volume wall displays support higher camera frame rates which mean less blur, smoother movements, and increased detail when capturing the fast-paced moves of action sequences. Aim for a minimum of 60 fps all the way up to 250 fps in the case of the PIXREAL HIRO Pro series.
Antireflective Displays
OSVP-ready panels like those in PIXREAL’s ENZO, ROE’s Obsidian, Sony’s VP-Series , and additional lines have more highly-antireflective displays, dramatically reducing on-set camera and lighting reflections and greatly improving contrast ratios.
Viewing Angle
The wider your panel’s viewing angle, the greater the flexibility in camera positioning. Most pro OSVP displays have viewing angles of at least 160˚ with a range of 140-180˚ common in high-spec models.
Modularity
Professional LED volume displays consist of modular panels available in multiple sizes and in flat and curved options - enabling you to create both straight and wraparound walls that let your talent interact with immersive scenery and video content. Many panels are designed to mount on modular cabinet units for easier assembly and operation.
If you’d like to learn more about professional OSVP LED volume walls, check out our other guides and articles on the B&H Explora page.
