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Connecting healthcare professionals with pixel perfect performance

Video processors are used in a wide range of clinical healthcare environments including operating rooms, diagnostic areas for clinical monitoring, and teaching facilities. Whether the processor is being used for simultaneously displaying multiple sources or for managing complex signal management, reliability is key. Additionally, any visual equipment must work at ultra-low latencies and with perfect color rendition while always functioning perfectly, as any downtime or other technical issues will have a real-time impact on human life.

Is the solution proven for medical applications?

Video processors for use in high pressure clinical environments such as Operating Rooms must have proven reliability as well as being intuitive to operate and safe to use. If you do experience issues, you want quick support direct from the manufacturer and a support agent who understands the specific challenges you face day-to-day.

Just like a fine piece of art you must reassure yourself of the provenance of your chosen solution. Does the development team truly understand your workflows, what is the reasonable lifetime of the equipment and what does the warranty and support package look like.

Also, ask where the solution will be manufactured and whether this will be achieved by an in-house team where full control can be guaranteed. This will also inform you of expected delivery times from order to delivery. To reassure yourself, ask to speak to the healthcare specialist from your chosen vendor and, if you are looking to achieve a custom solution, engage with the company’s Product Management team directly

How do I ensure artefact-free processing?

Unrestrained video quality is essential for any solution being used in a critical healthcare environment. Check the display with a full screen image for quality, looking at all areas across the screen for issues such as video banding or processing artefacts, including image banding, moiré patterns or edge issues. Repeat this test with all the different types of sources you plan to display as some processors have a tendency for over processing.

Also consider any sources that may be either downscaled, reduced in size, or alternatively, upscaled to check how well the video processor handles the processing. Common rescaling artefacts on lower end scalers include banding, pixilation, and compression effects. Ask for a demo to check out the performance for yourself.

How life-like is the color reproduction?

Color performance depends on the color space (4:4:4 or 4:2:2 or 4:2:0) you utilize on the input and how it is processed and displayed on the output, especially when using LED walls. Some manufacturers can deliver high quality color reproduction even with 4:2:0 even surpassing what some other solutions claim to deliver with a 4:4:4 color space.

While checking scaling quality, also look for how the video processor handles color space conversion. Even if this is supported from input to output, you will often be using 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 sources, so also check how it is converted as the best solutions can convert these to display as 4:4:4 on the output. While this up conversion will not be as good as displaying 4:4:4 end-to-end, you should still see a visible enhancement to color reproduction.

How collaborative is the user experience?

The “Zoom Generation” increasingly demands collaborative, multi-window environments as standard. This even extends to healthcare, where displaying multiple sources together enhances decision making in both the operating room, collaborative consultations, and interactive medical student training.

Before choosing a solution, check the actual number of windows are available, including the scaling quality and the video latency. Also consider how the various windows transition between preset and source changes. As a minimum, you should demand a “clean” cut or fade to black when you switch to another source even if the resolution/frame rate changes or if there are HDCP or EDID factors to consider.When working in multi-window environments, it is
best to start planning this early in the project, even when creating storyboards. Designing each of the custom window presets in advance will in turn lead to superior results and save time on-site.

How low is the source to display latency?

Medical solutions demand the lowest video latency performance possible; as low as one or two frames delay. Anything longer will seriously hamper the usability of the system. To check latency, try filming yourself clapping; anything more than two frames of latency is obvious to see. The alternative is to film both the source and display together using your smart phone and then replay the video frame by frame.

How reliable is the gear and what is the support package?

Medical solutions demand ultimate reliability, as system downtime must be avoided at all costs. Ask how long the standard warranty lasts and what is covered, but more importantly ask for a statement of “MTBF” (Mean Time Before Failure). For medical applications, a 5-year parts and labor warranty is preferred while a MTBF of at least 50,000 hours (approx. 6 years) or longer should give you confidence on system reliability.

Next, ask where the processor is manufactured, where spares are held (including how quickly they can be shipped to you), and what time zones the customer support teams operate in. Finally, ask what help can be given remotely including access to system operating parameters and configuration files.

Finding the right solution

Download the full version of this blog in order to learn about the solutions tvONE and Green Hippo can offer:

  • Video Wall Processing

    Eye-catching visual experiences for LED, projection and displays.

  • Video Scaling & Switching

    Experience ultra-flexible, feature rich scalers and switchers.

  • Multi-Window Processing

    Processing for multi-window environments.

  • Signal Distribution

    Ultra-reliable, stress free signal management.

  • Racking & Power

    Innovative, hassle-free racking products.

Markets

With more than 30 years of experience in the AV industry, tvONE has a proven track record for DEVELOPING innovative solutions that deliver exceptional experiences, MANUFACTURING high quality, ingenious products for video processing, signal management and racking and DELIVERING world class customer service in a wide range of vertical markets

Government

Corporate

Education

Healthcare

Broadcast

House of Worship

Rentals and Staging

Live Events

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