How to Build a Video Wall for VFX! (Everything you Need to Know)

Stay Tuned for the next video where we dive into UNREAL ENGINE and how to configure the mesh wall, N-Display and mapping the environment pixel for pixel to the LED Volume.
Check Out VFX Technologies: www.vfxtechnol...
Here Brandon talks through everything someone might need to know in order to construct and build a Video Wall from Scratch. Pros and Cons of different methods, Power Requirements, Panel Sizes, Trussing, Size, etc.
Consultations: [e-mail]
Key Words: VFX, video wall, The Volume, DIY, build from scratch, virtual production, step-by-step, tutorial, guide, how-to, Hollywood tech, visual effects, production design, studio setup, cutting-edge VFX, filmmaking, LED walls, virtual sets, digital backdrop, on-set technology, real-time graphics, immersive visuals, beginner guide, pro tips, film production, behind the scenes, cinematic tools, innovation in VFX, hands-on VFX, virtual filmmaking

[@mylesdb]

Step 1: Convince someone to give you $1,000,000. Step 2: Build LED volume. Step 3. Underpants. Step 4. Profits!

[@DJDXD]

5. Also convince your local electrical company to use 70-80% of their electrical capacity

[@land-man]

@@DJDXD It shouldn't need more than an electronics store or a small company/workshop... It certainly needs strong current (three-phase current or something like that) for the building/the electronics, but that should be easy to implement if you can afford the video wall...

[@catprog]

@@DJDXD 200 amp * 240volts = 48kw

[@squidport_]

Did you think this was a diy for someone’s hobby

[@Litruv]

@@squidport_ would be fun, think I might take it up 😅

[@FortressAtLarge]

Best presentation I’ve seen in years. You made what others would consider complex, and broke it down masterfully. Amazing and impressive. Thank you for this.

[@maelchouteau3712]

I'm not in the industry but i love knowing about all of that pro gear that we can't see in the consumer space. You explain very well how it is done and that's great, loking forward for future videos 👍.

[@RadoslavNedyalkov]

The led panels are relatively affordable for what they do, the config for what you want them to do well that's a nightmare

[@Tom_the_great]

It’s available to consumers

[@gamiensrule]

Step 1 : Get filthy rich Step 2 : Come back to this video to continue

[@TheNitroG1]

I work for an AV installation company, we do LED video walls. Still hoping we get involved in a project like this at some point. Since I program AV systems and am currently learning unreal engine, this seems like the perfect sort of project for me. I could easily spend a few days with something like that as my computer monitor. :D I play with ones that are 16ft by 9ft, pretty regularly but I can't usually pull up unreal engine and start playing around. For anyone wondering those panels run about 1700 a pop retail and the video wall processors are around 7500 each. so 56 panels wide x 10 panels high x 1700 dollars each = 952,000 + (4 x 7500) = 982,000. once you get 8 guys for 8 hours a day for 5 days at 150 an hour that's another 48,000. and the trussing I would have to guess is about 20,000 to 50,000. So 982,000 + 48,000 + 50,000 = 1,080,000. Guessing the budget was a million, as you will get a discount for a project with most manufacturers selling you a bulk amount of hardware. Could probably easily shave 100k off the cost.

[@phebe8866]

Hi, I'm curious to know how much the 16:9 ones you do cost?

[@L-A-M-E-nergy]

If also like to know how much the 16:9 ones you do cost… and do they curve around the subject like this big one does? And can a person actually run unreal engine 5 on it?

[@DaftRebel]

DUDE I cannot be more grateful for this video and your channer in general! I'm planning to build a studio in this fashion and this is an excellent and grounded guideline!

[@liveproductionmastery]

I’m glad it’s helpful! Thank you for supporting!

[@LawnD4rt]

Good to see a channel in our industry.

[@HerrPapa]

What an interesting video, man! I'm a 3D artist who might produce VFX with the help of such a volume in the future. Guys like you desevere much more credit for your knowledge and craftmanship! The VFX of Mandalorien is nothing without the solid foundation you just demonstrated! :)

[@serchenmorris1979]

Well done, similar setup in building video walls in Jamaica, for live events, we run out circuits @ 220v so we get to double the amount of panels per circuit by having the amount of amps per panel running @ the higher voltage... Loving the full explanation on the amount of processors used and the offset of frames... power, modules and the spline thanks much...very appreciated

[@VegasDominic]

This is so cool! The Mandalorian used 2.8mm pixel pitch - yours is 2.6mm pixel pitch which means yours has more pixels and a more high definition wall. Congrats on your wall, looking forward to seeing more content about your system soon. Would love to know the camera tracking system you’ll be picking for your Virtual Production. Glad that the Constellation 2M/E has genlock reference in. Hopefully that’s how we use it. Haven’t tried it either but looks like camera tracking, genlock cameras might be the next step after mastering the Unreal software. 😂 Those 560 panels are awesome! I wonder how many spare modules you bought as ready backup spares to plug / swap them in when needed. So true about the first layer making sure that’s it’s really leveled and so annoying when it’s hard to connect the side connectors being at the 6th row high and then seeing there’s a small line gap specially noticeable when there’s lighting from the back. Imagine having that when you’re at an event, 8am morning setup - then showtime at 5pm. 😂

[@zackhpittman]

Mandalorian was shot on ROE BP2, which has a MUCH better scan/drive rate with its IC's than anything blizzard offers. pixel density become less important the closer to 2mm you get, and more about the quality of the IC and Diode, and how they are driven.

[@leseton]

Every panel had 4 smaller panels you can Exchange

[@thornescapes7707]

This is such a slick setup. Things have come so far, so fast. I can't even imagine where things are going from here.

[@leopixelstudios]

This is now my goto video as I'm planning my VP studio.. not as big.. more in the range of 21 x 12' ... Power requirement was a concern.. but not it's so clear!! thanks for sharing

[@trevilights]

..and I felt proud of myself for connecting four P5 to my Christmas show using FPP.😄

[@stephenpearce3880]

Amazing vid. Tks for sharing. I watched first the Tony Robinson event that used such a wall (after Covid). It was amazing to see thousands of people around the world on Zoom, in mini tiles, all participating. Great vid buddy

[@timchambers5242]

Normally a single phase has active & neutral, when active is off it's safe to touch the neutral (if everything is working correctly). USA 2x 120v phases to make 240v means 2 actives, you can't switch off an active & touch the other⚡(it's not safe). In this case, both actives have to be switched off. Australia, Europe & others have 220~240v 1 phase, active+neutral+earth. Some installations will have ~400v 3phase outlet (3active+neutral+earth) & a plug in distribution board to provide ~230v circuits. Simple maths: if a panel needs 2A & the circuit is 20A (YMMV), then maximum of 10 panels per circuit. Check the panel power needs, quantity & venue supply long before the day to avoid unexpected surprises.

[@Gameplayer55055]

Is 400v better? I've heard that 3 phase can carry more power than 2 actives, and that americans struggle with powerful appliances like electric stoves and HVACs

[@HenryLoenwind]

Careful with that neutral. Even if everything is in top condition, there still is current flowing through you if any device is connected to any circuit on that neutral. The route through you, the ground, and the grounding point to the transformer is in parallel with the neutral wire going to the transformer. This splits the current according to the resistances of the two routes, and while those should be so different that next to nothing flows through you, it can still be enough to become dangerous if you are far away from the transformer, have good ground contact, and there is a high load on that transformer. This usually is no problem if you're in a residential setting with one pole transformer per house, but in an apartment block where dozens of flats are on the same leg of the transformer, or in a 3-phase installation...

[@HenryLoenwind]

​@@Gameplayer55055I think you're mixing two things up: Higher voltage and 3-phase. Higher voltage: The power you get is Volts times Amps. So if you want to run a 1200 Watt space heater on a 120 Volt circuit, you need 10 Amps (10 * 120 = 1200). On a 240 Volt circuit, you only need 5 Amps (5 * 240 = 1200). Just like filling a bucket with water---you can have fast-flowing water and a thin hose, or slow-flowing water and a big hose, the bucket fills at the same speed. However, just like that thinner hose that has to withstand higher water pressure from the fast-flowing water, a wire with a higher voltage needs thicker insulation to keep the electricity in. That big hose needs more space inside, and the same is true for wires---higher Amps need a thicker wire. In the US, with its split-phase system (i.e. 2 hots that have 120V to neutral, but 240 to each other), you get the worst of both worlds. You need a thicker wire and thicker insulation. Not that it really matters; the difference in insulation thickness is virtually non-existent, as the insulation needs a minimum thickness for mechanical reasons anyway. But this now gives you the effect that the exact same wires can transfer double the power if they're run at 240V instead of 120V. The wire thickness limits the Amps, so you can't just double the Amps to compensate for the lower voltage, like in my example at the top. 3-phase, on the other hand, uses a weird little trick to conduct the same amount of power with 3 or 4 wires as 3 pairs of wires could transmit. To explain that, I need to explain AC first. With AC (alternating current), there isn't a constant flow of electricity, but it flows forward and backward like the blade of a jigsaw. Now imagine 2 jigsaw blades that are connected to the two sides of a seesaw---when one goes up, the other goes down. The pivot point of the seesaw never moves up or down. The same also works with 3 jigsaws and a triangular seesaw. Or with electricity, where the 3 phases are the jigsaws and the neutral is the pivot point. If the load on all 3 phases is identical, there is no current flowing on the neutral---there isn't even a neutral wire (that's why I wrote "3 or 4" above). The neutral is only needed when the loads are not balanced, for example, when they are broken out into single phases to connect normal devices. Now, where do those 400 Volts come into play? In a 3-phase system, there are two ways to measure voltage: Between any of the phases and neutral, or between any two phases. If you get 400V from the latter, it means the former is 230V. If you have 120V phase-to-neutral, you have 208V between the phases. Or you can have 480V/277V, or 415V/240V. You might have heard of those voltages before... Oh my, did I slip into lecture mode? Oops, sorry.

[@Gameplayer55055]

@@HenryLoenwind your explanation is great, I've enjoyed your analogy with water plumbing. Electricity is almost identical to water plumbing in functioning. My biggest question is why america has chosen not so great way to distribute power, while europe has both higher voltage and 3 phase. Makes more sense because you have more power & electric motors are very easy to drive with 3 phase without the need of pesky capacitors. But I think electroboom would get killed with 220v either lol

[@Gameplayer55055]

@@HenryLoenwind mentioning neutral, some clever assholes are getting power from neutral and earth(using water pipes), and getting a "free" energy this way. This works with soviet systems where earthing isn't a thing

[@BlondieSL]

So, if that has the ability of 120Hz, then with the right trigger and active shutter glasses, you COULD run full, Stereoscopic 3D content, right? It would be amazing to see some full 3D surround movie on that thing.

[@victorvillacis6764]

Dam this is insane you def leveled up. We need LTT to double it.

[@timchambers5242]

I wouldn't let Linus (from LTT) anywhere near these panels & assembled screens. Something is typically pushed/dropped.. and broken. Unless you intend to test if it's Linus proof.

[@alexp7274]

Fantastic engineering on those panels. Well thought out.

[@godsgirl1977]

I'm ready to cry....I've been looking for something like this....now I just need to implement

[@quppyqup]

best racing sim

[@CamdenAvenue]

Dude this is crazy.... I am blown away....

[@pieman3141]

Don't think I've ever seen an in-depth look at how one of these walls were put together. Thanks for the explanation

[@a2azuero]

Finally I find you guys again

[@Impactsounds]

Always wanted to learn about this. Thx for the video!

[@technosworld2]

This is cool, I wonder if there could be a more automated way for a camera to look at all of the panels and adjust the pixel temp/color of each panel.

[@Walaby50]

This Video: Americans realizing why 240V is the better standard 😂 Sorry for that! Love your videos and this was supper interesting to see! Keep it up!

[@FortisFilmsChannel]

Nice tech presentation.

[@Justin_Allen]

Great video with lots of details. I know it depends on the size of the order, put can you tell us an approximate price per panel? I am assuming you went with their 2.6 pixel pitch panel. Also, does that processor allow for a second camera, or is that a Brompton's only thing?

[@ireteman1]

KID, You are good. :)

[@YvanHarvey]

Wow, I wish my company wow give instructions like the ones you are giving in this video. Awesome work!

[@ramrodalia]

i like you tools its the best and make the life easy

[@monstarpaisley]

WOW!

[@Dylan-kw8pz]

This video applies to like 6 people but we gone watch it anyway

[@Tagraff]

I think all Headquarter, cafeterias, or factories should have this as their dashboard, place of entertainment, or anything relevant on the video wall.

[@Chijn]

Very nice video, everything is clear and easy to understand. I learned a lot from this ! Thanks mate

[@byrondubois_za]

Super interesting, one thing I'm seeing is the panel "banding" as it bends around its corner. How does that look when one is shooting a 3D scene for VFX for a motion picture.

[@BartBarlow]

Wow amazing timelapse and scale !!! Thanks fr sharing :)

[@gamersplaygroundliquidm3th526]

love to see how those panel with 200amp service running in them got approved to be located on not even a temp structural wall...?

[@kinggimped]

This was awesome, so informative. It's cool to see how these things work. Completely irrelevant for anything I'll ever do, but so interesting. Great video

[@spencercollins7676]

Great video. I shoot and produce on a virtual wall in Canada and found your video in hopes to address an issue we have been having. We seem to get horizontal scan lines on video whenever trying to add movement to our camera. If the camera is static, we can sync the LED wall to the frame rate of the camera and don't get scan lines - but when trying to do jib moves or gimbal moves - it always produces scan lines. I'm guessing because of the rolling shutter. Do you have any tips or tricks that you have used? Or anyone in the comments? Thank you

[@lincolnkarim1]

I thought the Wall I work on was wide. Who does your repairs? I would like to familiarize with this manufacturer. I repair Unilumin Upanels 1.5mm Pitch. Driven by Analog Way Helios Processors and Aquilon Scalers using Watchout. Would love to repair those. Do you just RMA them or do you do repairs local to your operation?

[@sannyassi73]

My dream Sim Rig Screen!

[@alangfp]

Subbed because of the Taylor Swift stage!

[@mrpmj00]

Easy, just get the Apple Vision Pro and it makes a virtual 100ft wide screen!

[@JT-ir6vw]

Great tutorial, cant wait to do this DIY in my mansion.

[@zachmoyer1849]

this is why i love youtube comments you get people from all walks of life and success levels congrats on the mansion buddy.

[@Gameplayer55055]

I am curious about the software and commutation part. These cables must be very wideband, and with low latency, additing up processors and the software it's a complicated topic too

[@astral-online]

This is so incredible , I wish to have such studio ^_^ ! ))))

[@bradkoerner1]

Great video! Nicely produced. Thanks.

[@gargoylekingGWO]

Great job what a beauty keep up the great work

[@informativt]

Precise title. Zero uninteresting seconds.

[@Matt-Holdren]

Why do you not run 4 wire 240 to each panel? (Hot hot neutral and ground)

[@LWRC]

Great explanation! I think you just took out charging capacity for 10,000 Tesla battery cars!!! 👍👍👍

[@froges5422]

The resolution of this is 1920 x 17280 which would be equal to having 16 1080p monitors in a row... that is insanely wide

[@ladjkaoz]

awsome, if want to reach or project 4k how many panels and procesdors would you need, I have 2 nova star 400 and 32 P3.9 1000x500 panels...

[@L-A-M-E-nergy]

Real Talk! What’s the brass tax? How much was all of that to build and run? (Including what the monthly rent is and electricity cost for the facility?) Just trying to figure out how much money I need to build a smaller wall but similar layout?

[@SONIC535]

Maybe your guys know, all these LED panels are made in China, and I am working at one of the LED display factories in Shenzhen China, we do OEM production for various companies in America and Europe, so anyone wants to buy from the source, cut all the middle man, I am happy to help:)

[@williampaul8874]

9:59 It do be like that at least once during every project lol

[@MatthewJohnson8]

are you lighting the taylor swift show on the video wall in the video?

[@NicosLeben]

@LinusTechTips definitely would game on this.

[@RamboNisse]

How many panels do you think you can you run on one bromtom SX40? I am afraid we have too few. We are bulding with 600 panels and want to run 10-bit.

[@michaeltinglin7062]

This is amazing - thank you for the behind the scenes insight. If you don't mind could you tell us round figure of cost?

[@dprssd9313]

bro nailed this video!!!

[@fullbars]

This is awesome, thanks for these videos.

[@ourladyofdoloursparish]

Nice vid. Loved the detailed explanation of the install

[@raymondharrisoncomposer]

I’m going to build my video wall in my recording studio room to showcase my musical performances and film Gospel music videos! Awesome work! My question is what is the name of the video screens and who makes them? I want to place my order for my recording studio space please?

[@liveproductionmastery]

Blizzard icon panels. Hit up VFX technologies in the description of you want to buy some panels. Thanks!

[@mikeo5657]

How much heat does that throw?

[@jonowadesign6791]

how do you link all the screen to have one input source like HDMI.?

[@bzakie2]

My head just exploded.

[@UnrealVideoDuke]

With everything going digital too bad movie theatres are not doing this but sticking to projectors especially with the polarized 3D content

[@MiniFido]

i just start useing the new novastar H series. omg i can do it all in one box. it is crasy.. and easy to use.

[@derespektan3980]

Wowww what an investment

[@Suzuki_Akira]

The big question is what is actual cost of this system as shown? Amazing demonstration!

[@tahmaskenchers1782]

10:35 Do you have a video on painting the LEDS?

[@keonjones1763]

Great Video Boss man.

[@aam50]

I can only think there are lots of zeroes at the end of the price for something like this. Awesome.

[@mark21034]

thats great but how do i put it on my roof for the best xmas light display ever?

[@BenRaddatz]

you should always run your video wall at 100% because if you calibrate your camera and Unreal Engine properly, UE will control the brightness of your scene for ICVFX

[@jeffreylang4318]

Incredible video mate! Liked, and subbed

[@SuburbanBeard]

*i just want this for my christmas light display*

[@timbarnett1818]

Hi Brandon, looks awesome! I've already had some experience using volumes with Unreal Engine etc and it's the way of the future if not now. One question I have is "What size pixel spacing are your panels?" We've used 2.9 and 2.1 which worked OK but tighter pixels stop moray issues. Love your videos by the way. Cheers Tim

[@BPHoldfire]

I can help briefly, a 192 x 192 panel that is 500mm x 500mm indicates a 2.6mm pixel pitch. @10:45

[@nemesis851_]

Looks like a better system then the Crestron system used at the (former) Microsoft store , I used to service

[@TheGoodContent37]

Awesome! Now I have to reborn rich :D

[@BAdams138]

Thanks for the education and the video.

[@marek.nlmedia]

The panels are 240 V compatible?

[@TheLEDscientist]

While you were talking about the power, i was thinking, oh wait, this is USA. Overhere in Europe, 230V is standard, for extra power we go to 3 phase power :D

[@TheLEDscientist]

also, i hear you talk about building this wall in a week... I have seen these be perfectly build at festivals in less dan a couple of hours even

[@theaterdesignco]

Great Video

[@drayko-okamidirewytch5542]

They spared no expense just like Jurassic park...lol

[@Jerry-ko9pi]

I want one!!!

[@dongraparesh]

Noob quastion hear,. Its for finaly output from unreal engine,or output just for refrence ,after will needl postprosesing..please make some video about what camera gear using front of ledwall ,please

[@moe85moe85]

Amazing equipment, what’s it cost to do a setup like that

[@benjaminaburns]

It looks like they are using Blizzard IRiS Icon 2.6, maybe $1,400 each (without bulk discount). 56 panels wide x 10 panels tall = $784,000 . Not sure on the video processor units, maybe cheaper, but probably $75,000 for the 4 hubs + 4 processor units. Add another 15k for smaller things: metal rigging, electric equipment like panels, miles of cabling, storage for everything. Total: Probably a bit under $900,000 on just materials, without any spare parts.

[@GGHBK953]

is this simlar to what WWE uses for the stage sets?

[@viveksuryanarendrula]

can some please tell me the name of that lazer light? cant find it

[@Htoon2008]

Great!

[@victorwarner319]

are these roe panels?

[@lcruz2783]

Amazing work! It very impressive and you real take pride in your work. How can someone get started with a smaller wall?

[@FuzeEdits]

i honestly wanna see games being played like ats or ets2, or any driving sim game in general.

[@berndeckenfels]

What protocol are those Ethernet panel connectors running? NDI?

[@deanhome1]

Thanks for the video I one day hope to work with a wall been using unreal for awhile and trying to expand pass the iphone and ipad , planning on getting a mars soon and a decklink

[@ericsantiago2199]

Looking to build a simple 10 x 8 wall to fit a studio (22 x 20 - 12 height). Am I crazy to think the panels used here are overkill or ....

[@PepijnHazelhof]

curious how you use Unreal engine in this setup combined with camera's

[@mixitloud]

What Frame did you use to support the wall?