With all the time and effort it takes to set up a virtual production volume, it’s vitally important to schedule regular maintenance on your LED panels to ensure they stay clean, calibrated, and ready to be used at a moment’s notice. Knowing how best to repair, store, and transport cabinets is also an important part of lengthening the lifespan of these hefty investments. The number one resource is always going to be the documentation that came with your OSVP panels, whether that be a manual, an online database, manufacturer best practices, or some combination of the three. If you’re looking for a more general place to start though, here’s some advice that carries across most VP offerings.
Calibration
Far from a one-time task, regularly calibrating your panels is a key step in any virtual production workflow. Calibration will adjust the brightness, color, contrast, coverage, and other key settings so that each cabinet matches the ones around it and creates a cohesive image. Many panels require additional hardware and software for this process, and third-party options like MadMapper also exist. Small changes in the lighting or layout of a space can require recalibrating all of the modules, so it’s best to run a calibration at the start of each shoot day. Calibrating panels will often be done in tandem with checking the processor and media server and can include weekly or monthly firmware updates as well.
Cleaning
Daily cleaning is an important but delicate process, as you don’t want to use any tools that might damage the cabinets. Typically, you can use a dry microfiber cloth or anti-static brush for a basic wipe while panels are powered off. Depending on the panel’s IP rating, it’s possible some liquid cleaning can be done, but consult your documentation and air on the side of caution. Double check cable connections too and make sure the cabinets are still snug against each other so no dust or debris can get between them. Make sure to also clean out any cooling systems that are part of the panels or installed around them.
Repairing
Many cabinets ship with a limited set of replacement parts for small repairs you can do yourself. If your setup didn’t come with them, or you need additional pieces, contact the manufacturer. Dead, stuck, or discolored pixels can be replaced, and worn-out diodes can be swapped for new ones, though it’s important in both circumstances to try to use replacement parts produced in the same batch as the originals so that color and detail match. Double check the terms of your warranty and ensure any parts are OEM-certified. Larger damage, moisture exposure, or other severe issues might require hiring dedicated repair staff or replacing the affected cabinets entirely.
Transporting and Storing
If your cabinets didn’t come with custom-cut road cases or flight cases, that should be your first investment. Even if you don’t plan on moving the panels to new locations, having the ability to store them securely is important for times when you might need to reconfigure your space or move in elements that are too large to get around an assembled wall (think getting a car into a volume). Processors, cabling, and rigging materials will likely be packed separately from the panels. For short-term in-studio moves, a transport dolly is a lighter alternative to a full flight case, but dust and debris will be more of a concern. OSVP LED panels are incredibly delicate, so when in doubt, double down on protection. Also be sure to properly store and even label any spare parts you receive during installation, as you never know when the need for them might arise.
If you’d like to learn more about Virtual Production, check out our other guides and articles on the B&H Explora page!
