This article will guide you through using the Datapath Hx4 video wall controller to distribute 4K content across a four-display video wall, significantly enhancing your Signagelive platform experience.
Please Note
We have chosen to use a four-display video wall in this example; however, you can use fewer than four displays with each Hx4, and you can combine multiple Hx4 devices to create larger or smaller video walls.
What is a Datapath Video Wall Controller?
The Datapath Hx4 is a flexible video wall controller designed to make setting up and configuring multi-display video walls easier. It allows you to take a single video input (up to 4K resolution) and seamlessly distribute it across four separate displays.
Basically, the Hx4 functions as a bridge, dividing your content into manageable segments for each screen. This is especially helpful for creating immersive visual experiences, whether for digital signage, corporate lobbies, or control rooms.
You can find out more about Datapath and their complete range of products by visiting www.datapath.co.uk.
What do I need to connect my Hx4?
To get your Hx4 video wall up and running, gather the following components:
A PC or Mac: This will be used for initial setup and configuration. It requires a USB port and, preferably, an HDMI output.
A Signagelive Media Player: Any Signagelive-compatible device with an HDMI output will work.
A Datapath Hx4 Video Wall Controller: The core of your video wall system.
4 Displays: Each display should have an HDMI input.
USB Cable: To connect your PC/Mac to the Hx4.
HDMI Cables:
One to connect your Signagelive Player to the Hx4's HDMI Input.
Four additional HDMI cables, one for connecting each display to the Hx4's HDMI Outputs.
Wall Designer Software: The latest version is crucial for configuring your Hx4.
Initial Setup and Configuration
Follow these steps to connect and configure your Datapath Hx4 using the Wall Designer software:
Install Wall Designer: Download and install the latest version of Wall Designer software on your PC or Mac.
Connect Your Hardware:
Connect your Signagelive Player to the HDMI Input on the back of the Hx4.
Connect your four displays to the HDMI Outputs on the back of the Hx4 (Outputs 1-4).
Connect your PC/Mac to the Hx4 using the USB cable.
(Optional) Connect the Hx4 to your local network via its Ethernet port. See the "Network Configuration" section below for more details.
Power On: Plug in and power on your Hx4 controller.
Open Wall Designer: Launch the Wall Designer application on your PC/Mac.
Configuring Your Displays in Wall Designer
Select the "Monitors" Tab: At the top of the Wall Designer window, click the Monitors tab.
Add Your Displays:
Select your Manufacturer from the left-hand dropdown menu.
Select your display model from the right-hand dropdown.
If your model isn't listed, choose a similar screen and manually adjust the Monitor Properties in the section below to match your specific display's specifications (e.g., resolution, refresh rate).
Click Add monitors.
Click on the grid to place your screens in the desired pattern and orientation for your video wall.
Click the Add Monitors to Wall button.
Your screens should now appear in Wall Designer. You can fine-tune their placement by dragging them on the grid.
Configuring Your Input Source
Select the "INPUTS" Tab: Once you're happy with your display layout, click the INPUTS tab at the top of the screen.
Create an Input Source:
Click the Create button.
You can select a Sample Source to help fine-tune your video wall setup during this stage. This will display a test pattern.
You'll see a blue outline in the Wall Designer canvas. This represents your input source. You can now move and resize it to fit your video wall design, ensuring it covers the entire area you want your content to span.
Associating Devices and Applying Settings
Select the "Devices" Tab: Once your input is placed, click the Devices tab.
Auto-Configure Hx4: In the "Auto-Configure" section, click Hx4.
Associate Device:
You should now see an image of your Hx4 device in the center of the screen.
Right-click on the Hx4 box and select Associate Device.
You should see the USB connection to your Hx4 listed; select it.
Connect Inputs and Outputs:
You'll see your input highlighted in blue with a grey rectangle beneath it. Drag this grey box to the input (the HDMI symbol) at the top of the Hx4 image.
Do the same for your screens (the green highlighted boxes). Drag them to the corresponding outputs on the Hx4 image, matching your physical cable connections (e.g., Display 1 to Output 1, Display 2 to Output 2, etc.).
Apply Settings: Once all connections are visually represented correctly, click the Apply Settings button in the top right corner.
Your video wall is now configured! If you need to make any adjustments later, just change the settings in the relevant section of Wall Designer and click Apply Settings again.
Your Datapath Hx4 will now take the content published to your Signagelive Player and intelligently split it across your video wall, ensuring each display shows the correct segment.
Can I Configure My Hx4 Using a Web Browser?
Yes, absolutely! Once you've completed the initial USB and Wall Designer configuration, you can reconfigure your Hx4 over your local network using a web browser. Here's how to enable this:
Network Connection: Ensure your Hx4 is connected to your local network via its Ethernet port.
Configure Network Settings in Wall Designer:
After the initial setup (and while still connected via USB), open the Devices tab in the Wall Designer application.
Click on the image of your Hx4.
On the left-hand side, you'll see the device and network properties. Input your desired network configuration (e.g., static IP address, DHCP).
Set a password for web access (highly recommended for security).
Once complete, click Apply Settings in the top left to update the Hx4.
Access via Browser: Now, you can open a web browser on any device connected to the same network and navigate to your Hx4's IP address. You'll be prompted for the password you set.
This allows for convenient remote management of your video wall settings without physically reconnecting the USB cable to your control PC/Mac.
What's Next?
Now that your Hx4 is configured to display content on your video wall correctly, the hard work is done! Simply publish your content through your Signagelive Player, and the Hx4 will automatically handle the splitting and distribution to your displays.
When using this setup, your content will be intelligently split into four parts and distributed evenly across your video wall, with each landscape display showing a 1920x1080 segment. We highly recommend using 4K resolution content as your input source to maximize the visual quality across your entire video wall.