Chapter 2
VSM Pro User Guide 10
Methods for Increasing Pixel Pitch
Designing a layout with overlapping fixtures is a common technique for increasing pixel pitch. For
example, to create a dense line of nodes, place multiple parallel runs of flexible strands close to
each other vertically, with a slight horizontal offset between the nodes.
Using made-to-order fixtures is another method for increasing pixel pitch. Philips offers custom
lengths and node spacing for certain flexible fixtures, in many cases at no additional cost.
Working with Video Resolutions
The resolution of an LED video display equals the total number of vertical and horizontal nodes
— the greater the node count, the greater the resolution.
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The resolution of VSE digital video is 1024 x 768
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The resolution of PAL video is 704 x 576
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The resolution of NTSC video is 704 x 480
Reproducing a video signal with 1:1 pixel mapping on an LED display requires a substantial node
count. For example, true NTSC video output requires 337,920 nodes, PAL output requires
405,504 nodes, and digital video output requires 786,432 nodes.
However, with VSM Pro, you can use far fewer nodes to display high-quality video. To reduce the
required node count for any video format, VSM Pro samples and distributes pixels from the
source video to match your installation. For additional control of the node count, you can
specify how VSM Pro samples and distributes pixels.
For example, if you retain the horizontal resolution of a digital video source (1024 lines wide),
but sample every tenth line of pixels vertically (76 lines high instead of 768 lines), you can retain
the correct aspect ratio while exponentially reducing the node count. From a distance, even with
only 76 lines of vertical output, the human eye can still discern video images because the
horizontal resolution is dense.
An installation using 1024 x 76 nodes would have a node count of 77,824, yet still display high
quality digital video output. This method is especially effective when creating an installation that
covers a building, which, by necessity, already has spacing between lines of video due to windows
and other architectural features.
