XXL Eye-Catcher with a Wow Factor
In Munich’s Parkstadt Schwabing, MEAG’s headquarters is situated in a towering office building that reaches into the white-blue sky, accompanied by an adjacent low-rise structure. The building complex, known as “Münchner Tor,” accommodates around 1,200 employees and features an “impressive LED ensemble” in the lobby.
Visitors enter the building through a spacious lobby, where, since December 2021, a large-format LED wall has been capturing attention. The XXL display showcases a variety of changing content, including information and insights about MEAG, as well as the latest news from various media outlets.
The LED wall is complemented by a surrounding LED band that presents ticker news about the latest stock market developments. The ensemble is both representative and impressive, with a definite wow factor that surely aligns with the intentions of those in charge.
“Previously, the lobby only had three separate screens displaying different news channels,” says Johann Lenker (Project Manager, MEAG Munich Ergo AssetManagement GmbH). “As part of the restructuring project ‘New Work @ MEAG,’ we explored ways to enhance the lobby at the suggestion of our CEO. Our CEO advocated for incorporating a large display area along with a news ticker in the reception area, reflecting our asset management responsibilities.”
The MEAG lobby spans a floor area of 438 square meters. A glass balustrade marks the edge of a mezzanine on the first floor, which surrounds the reception area on three sides.
LED Wall with 0.9-mm Pixel Pitch
The design and implementation of the attention-grabbing LED ensemble, along with the associated media technology, were managed by BPSG Bayrische Planungs- und Softwaregesellschaft (www.bpsg.de), under the leadership of Managing Director Michael Hermann. Datavision Deutschland GmbH (www.datavision.net) served as the integrator, led by Robert Rickert (Head of Office Munich, Solution Sales Manager) and Lutz Wagner (AV Project Manager). The extensive LED technology was supplied by Syscomtec Distribution AG (www.syscomtec.com), with Board Member Manuel Krimmer as the main contact.
The LED wall consists of 7 × 7 rectangular Ledeca cabinets (LDCISP00.9ULQ from the Ultra series) with a pixel pitch of 0.9 mm. The fanless modules are stacked with electrical connections made without external cables. The overall resolution of the 16:9 wall is 4,480 × 2,520 pixels, and the display area measures 4,263 × 2,401 millimeters (W × H). A wide viewing angle of 160 degrees ensures that the image quality remains unaffected, even when viewed from the side.
The high resolution ensures crystal-clear image quality even at close viewing distances. In the MEAG lobby, camera compatibility was not a significant concern.
Content is supplied at a maximum resolution of 4K (4,096 pixels horizontally) or UHD (3,840 × 2,160 pixels). A powerful Novastar H2 controller mainframe, which supports resolutions up to 26 megapixels and is equipped with flexible input and output cards, ensures optimal image quality on the LED wall. Additionally, a Novastar MCTRL600 drives the LED band.
Syscomtec serves as the distributor for Ledeca products in Germany. “The final assembly of the LED modules is carried out at the manufacturer’s facility in Istanbul, which also features a well-equipped metal workshop,” says Manuel Krimmer. “The LED wall for the MEAG project was produced at Ledeca, complete with a perfectly fitting stainless-steel enclosure. After a trial assembly and function test, it was loaded onto a truck and transported to Munich.” According to reports, Ledeca impressed project managers by offering a complete package, including LED technology, substructure, and enclosure.
More Media Technology
The freestanding V2A stainless-steel enclosure of the LED wall, measuring 3,279 mm high, 4,644 mm wide, and 896 mm deep, accommodates not only the display itself but also features five lockable doors (each 1,199 mm high) at its base. Behind these doors are two 19″ racks containing media technology, the electrical distribution, and sandbags for stabilization.
For speeches or events, wireless microphone systems from Shure’s ULXD series, along with associated charging equipment, are available. The antennas are mounted on the enclosure. On the sides of the LED enclosure, there is an HDMI port and a Schuko power socket, allowing for easy connection of laptops. A Barco ClickShare system is also available. The setup is designed for plug-and-play functionality, becoming operational as soon as external devices are connected. If detailed adjustments are necessary, technicians can make the required settings using an AMX Modero G5 MD-1002 color touch panel (10.1″ diagonal) mounted on the side of the enclosure.
Also from AMX is the Enova DVX-3266-4K all-in-one presentation matrix, complete with integrated media control, which is well-suited for the project. A Netgear M4250-26G4XF-PoE+ switch serves as the network hub, connecting to a WLAN access point.
On either side of the LED display, active DSP line array speakers (ZLF5-250 A-DSC) from lb Lautsprecher und Beschallungstechnik GmbH, a Munich-based company, are hidden behind textile coverings. The electronically steerable beams of the speakers are aimed to focus sound on the audience area while minimizing reflections in the acoustically challenging lobby space. The surrounding mezzanine was deliberately excluded from the audio coverage.
Content Management Plan
Johann Lenker explains that MEAG employees from the Communications Department can independently update the lobby content as needed, following a content management plan. The team responsible for the content received training, and a template was created by an external agency to simplify the process.
Digital signage software from Easescreen is used for both the LED wall and the LED band. The content is stored on Easescreen PCs (Giada D67 model with Intel HD Graphics 620) housed in the LED wall enclosure. Updates are sent to the pre-configured player PCs, which can display the content even without a permanent network connection. Live news feeds from sources like the BBC or NTV are accessed via the internet.
For security reasons, all media technology operates independently, without a connection to MEAG’s internal network. Digital signage software signals are sent over the internet and received at the LED wall through a standard AVM Fritz!Box.
Strategic Location
The placement of the large LED wall was carefully chosen in coordination with the “New Work @ MEAG” project leaders. The lobby layout required consideration of two substantial columns, making a central installation impractical. Suspending LED modules from the ceiling was not an option due to weight constraints, and the floor could not be drilled for support structures. Thus, a freestanding setup was selected, distributing weight to avoid floor overloading.
The lighting conditions in the lobby are consistent throughout the day at the LED wall’s location, eliminating the need for automatic brightness adjustments. The wall operates at about half of its maximum brightness capacity. The LED modules primarily dissipate heat forward, making active cooling unnecessary. Warm air rises and escapes through vents in the enclosure. Operating at reduced brightness levels also helps conserve energy. Overnight, the always-on LED wall remains black, further reducing energy consumption.
Installation and Operation
The installation of the LED wall and LED band presented various challenges. To minimize disruption in the reception area, much of the work was carried out in the evenings. For the installation of the LED band, scaffolding had to be set up for several days, as a conventional lift would have placed excessive stress on the floor.
To ensure a quick response in the event of a failure of any front-replaceable LED module, MEAG keeps spare panels on hand, as well as various other electronic components. Continuous operation of the LED wall in the foyer is not as critical as it would be in an event context or TV production studios. To avoid unnecessary budget strain, the LED technology is not powered by redundant power supplies, which Ledeca offers as an optional feature. The manufacturer provides a 24-month warranty on its products.
Surprisingly, there is no protective glass in front of the LED modules, even though the lower section of the wall is within reach. MEAG employees have been informed via the intranet that the wall does not have touch functionality and should not be touched. Cleaning staff have been instructed on how to carefully clean the stainless steel cladding and which cleaning agents to use.
Smart Gallery: Stock Market in View
A “brilliant complement to the LED wall” in the lobby is an LED band mounted high above, which continuously displays the latest stock market news in a ticker format. The white text is set against a subtle green background, which aligns with MEAG’s corporate color.
The continuous band is made up of 146 Ledeca LDSISP02.6 modules with a 2.6-mm pixel pitch, stretching over 34 meters in length and 25 centimeters in height. A unique feature of the installation is the “rounded corners” (eight curved LDCISP02.6FF modules), adding an elegant touch to the design. Given the considerable length, both the manufacturing and installation of the LED band were quite complex: any inaccuracies could have severely disrupted the visual effect. A stainless steel frame provides a clean finish, shielding the view both above and below the band.
Comprehensive Solution Package
Representatives from the media technology companies involved unanimously describe the collaboration on the MEAG project as “straightforward.” Michael Hermann expressed that during the planning phase, “Syscomtec provided exceptional support,” especially concerning the numerous detailed questions regarding the freestanding enclosure.
BPSG and Datavision have a history of successful collaborations, establishing a solid foundation of trust. “This partnership works perfectly!” says Robert Rickert, while Lutz Wagner points to successfully completed projects, such as the media upgrade of Munich Re’s “Saal Europe.”
For Datavision, the MEAG lobby was the first project that extensively utilized LED technology from Ledeca. The “all-inclusive hardware package” delivered from Istanbul, featuring meticulous metal precision work, won over the client. Although Ledeca is not yet widely represented in German-speaking countries, this installation at the MEAG lobby marks the most extensive use of Ledeca products in Germany to date, potentially paving the way for greater future presence.
Form Follows Function
MEAG is more than satisfied with the results of the project: “The feedback on our newly designed lobby has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Johann Lenker. “The representative character of the high-contrast LED displays, combined with their sheer size, creates an impressive effect that undoubtedly aligns perfectly with MEAG and its field of activity.”
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