What video resolution is needed for Teams Rooms?
What are the display needs in hybrid spaces?
The whole 4K (or UHD, to be accurate) thing has been overplayed in pro AV displays as usually there's at least one part of the signal chain, if not the source itself, that's not 4K UHD, rendering the display's full resolution unused.
On the one hand, static content like Excel and PowerPoint are fine at HD and video camera feed is often poor - so current systems can be perfectly adequate at HD or WUXGA.
Human visual acuity for moving items is cumulative. As an object moves on a video screen, our visual processing system adds detail. If you think how it's so noticeable when high frame rate video is used, losing otherwise filmic viewing properties, this gives a clue to the speed and complexity of what's going on.
To futureproof Teams Room and hybrid systems, and working on the safe bet that quality of video feeds will improve, then 4K UHD is therefore necessary.
However, using DISCAS to apply to the main content window - so that Excel sheet can be seen at the back, leads many displays choices to projection. If the main content window occupies, say, 80% of the screen height, then the 6 : 1 rule becomes 4.8 : 1 (6 x 0.8).
This means that rooms from 6m deep are firmly in 100” + display size category. This means projection - but projection done properly, namely using the correct ALR (Ambient Light Rejection) projection surface technology.
Currently, unless the budget is large, the realistic option is to use pixel-shifted 4K UHD projectors. They work well in hybrid spaces and are good commercial and tech choice.
Projection is a futureproof option. Like the axe that lasts decades, with the benefit of two replacement handles and three new heads, as projection technology moves to native 4K, 8K etc, they can be swapped in easily. If the room configuration, including screen size and type are good enough, these systems can last for as many years as needed.
Posted: 11th February 2022