AV & Display Technology Glossary
Clear definitions for audiovisual, display, and digital signage industry terminology.
A
AV (Audiovisual)
Technology that combines audio and visual components for communication, presentation, or entertainment. AV systems include displays, speakers, microphones, video conferencing equipment, and control systems used in commercial, educational, and hospitality environments.
AV over IP
The transmission of audiovisual signals over an IP (Internet Protocol) network, replacing traditional dedicated AV cabling with standard network infrastructure. AV over IP enables flexible signal routing, long-distance transmission, and scalable system architectures.
B
Bezel
The frame or border surrounding a display panel. In video wall applications, narrow-bezel or bezel-less displays minimize the visible gap between adjacent screens, creating a more seamless visual surface. Bezel widths for video wall panels typically range from 0.88mm to 3.5mm.
BOQ (Bill of Quantities)
A document listing all products, quantities, and specifications required for an AV project. Used in project quoting, procurement, and vendor comparison to ensure consistent scope evaluation.
Building Automation System (BAS)
A centralized system that controls and monitors building infrastructure including HVAC, lighting, security, and AV systems. Siemens is a leading BAS provider, with solutions distributed by VTL.
Brightness (Nits)
A measure of display luminance in candelas per square meter (cd/m2), also referred to as nits. Indoor displays typically operate at 350-1,500 nits, while outdoor displays require 5,000-10,000+ nits for sunlight readability.
C
CMS (Content Management System)
Software used to create, manage, schedule, and distribute content to digital signage displays. CMS platforms may be cloud-based or on-premise, with features including scheduling, multi-zone layouts, remote monitoring, and analytics.
COB LED (Chip-on-Board LED)
An LED packaging technology where multiple LED chips are mounted directly onto a substrate and encapsulated with a protective layer. COB LEDs offer better durability, improved viewing angles, and enable smaller pixel pitches for fine-pitch video walls.
Commercial Display
A professional-grade display designed for business use (retail, hospitality, corporate) with features including extended operating hours (16-24 hours daily), higher brightness, remote management capability, and commercial warranty coverage. Samsung and LG are leading commercial display manufacturers.
D
Digital Signage
The use of electronic displays to present information, advertising, or other content in public or commercial spaces. Digital signage encompasses standalone screens, video walls, interactive kiosks, menu boards, and wayfinding displays managed through CMS software.
Direct View LED
A display technology where LED modules directly form the image, as opposed to LCD panels using LED backlighting. Direct view LED is used for large-format video walls and outdoor displays. Planar specializes in direct view LED solutions.
DMP (Digital Media Player)
A hardware device that drives content to a digital signage display. DMPs receive content from a CMS platform and render it on the connected display. NGX manufactures commercial-grade digital media players distributed by VTL.
E
Edge Computing
Processing data at or near the source rather than in a centralized data center. In digital signage, edge computing enables local content processing on media players or SoC displays, providing offline capability and reduced latency.
F
Fine Pixel Pitch
LED displays with pixel pitch below 2.5mm, enabling closer viewing distances and higher resolution per unit area. Used in control rooms, corporate lobbies, boardrooms, and broadcast applications where viewers are positioned close to the display.
H
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
A standard interface for transmitting uncompressed video and audio from a source device to a display. HDMI is the most common connectivity standard in commercial AV installations. Current versions support 4K and 8K resolution.
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
A display technology that provides a wider range of contrast and color brightness, delivering more lifelike and vivid images. HDR is available on Samsung and LG commercial displays and is increasingly expected in premium AV installations.
Hospitality TV
A commercial-grade television designed specifically for hotel guest rooms. Features include hotel mode (settings lockout), DRM content protection, welcome screens, channel management, remote management, and tamper-proof settings. Samsung and LG are primary hospitality TV brands distributed by VTL.
I
IFPD (Interactive Flat Panel Display)
A large-format touchscreen display (55-98 inches) used for collaboration, presentations, and interactive learning. IFPDs combine a display, whiteboard, speakers, and computing in a single device, replacing projectors and traditional whiteboards. MAXHUB is VTL's primary IFPD brand.
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)
Television content delivered over IP networks rather than traditional broadcast or coaxial cable. Widely used in hospitality for interactive in-room entertainment, guest information, on-demand content, and personalized welcome screens.
IR (Infrared) Touch
A touch detection technology using infrared light beams across the display surface. When a finger or stylus breaks the beam, the touch position is calculated. IR touch is the most common technology in large interactive displays and IFPDs, supporting 20-40 simultaneous touch points.
K
Kiosk
A freestanding interactive terminal with a display and input mechanism (typically a touchscreen) used for self-service check-in, wayfinding, information delivery, and customer engagement in retail, hospitality, and public spaces.
L
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
A flat-panel display technology using liquid crystals modulated by electric current to produce images. LCD is the most common commercial display technology, used in signage, hospitality TVs, interactive panels, and video walls.
LED (Light Emitting Diode)
A semiconductor light source used in displays. In the display industry, LED refers to either LED-backlit LCD panels (the majority of commercial flat-panel displays) or direct-view LED displays (used for video walls and outdoor signage).
M
MagicINFO
Samsung's proprietary digital signage CMS platform for content creation, scheduling, and remote device management. Available on Samsung commercial displays with Tizen SoC. MagicINFO Lite is free for basic scheduling; MagicINFO Premium offers advanced enterprise features.
N
Narrow Bezel
A display with a very thin frame (typically under 3.5mm), designed for video wall applications where minimal visible gap between adjacent screens is critical for seamless visual continuity.
O
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
The original manufacturer of a product. VTL is an authorized distributor for 6 OEMs: Samsung, LG, MAXHUB, Siemens, Planar, and NGX. Authorized distribution ensures genuine products, full manufacturer warranty, and factory-level support.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)
A display technology using organic compounds that emit light when electric current is applied. OLED delivers perfect blacks (each pixel can turn completely off), wide viewing angles, and ultra-thin form factors. LG is a leading OLED manufacturer with hospitality and commercial models.
P
Pixel Pitch
The distance in millimeters between the center of one pixel and the center of the adjacent pixel on an LED display. Smaller pixel pitch means higher resolution at closer viewing distances but higher cost. Pixel pitch is the most important specification when selecting an LED video wall.
Pro:Centric
LG's hospitality platform that enables hotel TV management, guest-facing interactive applications, content management, and system integration. Pro:Centric Smart provides a full interactive guest portal on webOS-based hospitality TVs.
R
Resolution
The number of pixels in a display, expressed as width x height. Common resolutions include Full HD (1920x1080), 4K UHD (3840x2160), and 8K UHD (7680x4320). Higher resolution enables sharper images and text, particularly important at close viewing distances.
S
SI (System Integrator)
A company that designs, deploys, and supports AV and IT systems for end clients. SIs assess requirements, specify technology, manage procurement, handle installation and configuration, and provide ongoing support. VTL's primary channel partners are system integrators.
SoC (System on Chip)
An integrated circuit that combines a processor, memory, and I/O on a single chip. In commercial displays, SoC enables built-in content playback and signage management without an external media player. Samsung Tizen and LG webOS commercial displays feature SoC capability.
T
Tizen OS
Samsung's operating system used on its Smart Signage platform and hospitality TVs. Tizen supports signage applications, remote management, and content scheduling directly on the display without external computing hardware.
U
UHD (Ultra High Definition)
A display resolution of 3840x2160 pixels (4K UHD) or higher, offering four times the resolution of Full HD. 4K UHD is now standard on IFPDs, commercial displays, and premium hospitality TVs.
V
Video Wall
A multi-display installation where multiple screens are tiled together to form a single large visual surface. Video walls can be built with LCD panels (narrow bezel) or direct-view LED modules. Planar specializes in video wall solutions distributed by VTL.
Video Wall Controller
A hardware or software system that manages content distribution across multiple displays in a video wall. Controllers handle content splitting, scaling, source management, windowing, and bezel compensation.
W
Wayfinding
A digital signage application that helps people navigate physical spaces using interactive maps, directories, and directional content on displays or kiosks. Common in hotels, hospitals, corporate campuses, and shopping centers.
webOS
LG's operating system used on its commercial and hospitality displays. webOS supports signage applications, Pro:Centric hospitality features, and remote management, providing SoC capability without external media players.
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This glossary is regularly updated. If you need a definition or have a question about a specific AV term, contact our team.