As companies continue to look toward AV innovations, multiviewers are becoming an invaluable part of their technology strategies. In this post, we’ll show you what makes these special screen systems so popular and how they streamline workplace operations.
What are Multiviewers?
Multiviewers are AV solutions that combine multiple video feeds into a single overlay, and with a layout of your choosing. You can even spread this across several screens for added flexibility.
These systems are mainly popular in broadcasting and security settings, but they’re now also a common fixture in corporate environments.
Why Multiviewers are Great for Digital Operations
These tools have much to offer virtually any business that regularly uses screens. On top of this, they do a lot more than just put everything on one display; they also let users control the content themselves. The right multiviewer model even acts as a digital control hub.
Here’s how a multiviewer complements your existing digital AV setup:
- Lower hardware burden: With a multiviewer, you can add up to nine inputs at a time to a single screen. Your company can then reduce its number of displays and save money in the process.
- Scalability: A multiviewer is similarly a great way for companies to scale up if they need to manage more feeds. Companies can embrace the added complexity without making it too much for their teams.
- Interoperability: The right multiviewer can handle a range of formats and resolutions. At a minimum, it should be able to take HDMI connections — and, if possible, it should also display 4K video.
- Decision-making: Switching between feeds or even glancing between screens can take valuable time. A multiviewer shows everything relevant at once, helping you make better decisions.
How Multiviewers Help With Multitasking
Perhaps the biggest benefit of multiviewers, however, is that they can simplify work for anybody. In the above example of decision-making, this works because multiviewers lower cognitive load. Your brain will find one screen much easier to process than a bunch of different windows.
Here are a few ways that different industries use multiviewers to stay focused:
- Broadcasting relies on these tools to switch from one feed to another while live
- Security centers need to scan for unusual activity across many feeds at once
- Traders and analysts use multiviewers to track stocks from several companies
- Office leaders can enjoy more seamless presentations with everything on-screen
- Telemedicine hubs can showcase X-rays, scans, and other data simultaneously
Operators can also make sure their multiviewer reflects what they need to work at their best. For example, someone might prioritize live feeds on their screen, while somebody else might focus more on incoming data streams.
Extra Features in Premium Multiviewers
High-end multiviewers include more than just a basic multi-screen setup. The right model could give you everything you need to revolutionize your displays and embrace the digital world. Here are some standout features to look out for:
Integrated Web Processors
Some multiviewers let you display web pages, even without a direct video feed. You won’t need a separate browser screen; you can simply integrate it alongside the other feeds.
Video Effects
Presentation is everything, and a high-quality multiviewer lets you add effects to certain screens. You might even schedule a fade-in or fade-out as new screens enter or leave.
On-Screen Display
Similarly, you could also include overlays, such as text, timecodes, and even graphics. This lets you “label” individual feeds, see which feeds are live, and get all the extra context you need.
IP Camera
With this feature, a multiviewer can “collect” streams from IP-based sources — including ONVIF, HTTP, and RTSP. You won’t need an extra decoder, and you can pair them with HDMI feeds.
Virtual Network Computing Display
This allows a multiviewer to display a remote computer screen, letting operators closely monitor ongoing tasks. Broadcasters, for example, may use this to their track scheduling software.
Read More: How AI Video Tools Are Reshaping Digital Marketing for Brands & Creators
Final Thoughts
Multiviewers can be a great addition to any thriving company’s AV strategy, but you’ll only reap the benefits if you get the right model. With a truly modern multiviewer, your team can multitask better than ever, make more decisions, and even customize their displays.
