Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan has set its sights on simplifying digital
display maintenance while creating a maximum video impact with the recent
installation of two large NanoLumens® Nixel Series® LED displays. According to Musa
Balogun, Director of Gaming Maintenance, the NanoLumens displays were needed to
replace two nine-year-old multi-panel LCD videowalls with a solution that would
simplify maintenance and video distribution and ensure optimal operation for years to
come.
“When we contacted NanoLumens, we quickly realised that ease of maintenance and
spectacular performance were their strengths,’ Balogun said. “From experience, I
know that multi-panel videowalls create operational and display challenges. After
learning about the engineering behind NanoLumens displays, and the simple
maintenance processes and help we would get from their support staff, their value
proposition became crystal clear.’
As Balogun researched different display manufacturers, it became obvious that
NanoLumens is a large format display manufacturer that provides concierge-level
support, an industry-best six-year warranty, a design that allows for modular
maintenance, so the whole display doesn’t have to be replaced if a small issue occurs,
and a willingness to train casino staff to perform basic maintenance themselves.
“If minor problems occur, we can now fix them quickly and easily ourselves, because
NanoLumens staff trained us to do some maintenance,’ he added. “And if for any
reason we have issues between the display and the media server, we can get
immediate support. A problem with a single panel in our old system often meant it
needed to be replaced, and then because of the different ages, even identical models
might appear different in brightness or colour. Eventually, the manufacturer stopped
supporting the older models, so if they broke, we had challenges replacing them. At
that point, we knew we needed a better solution.’
Another major advantage of the NanoLumens LED displays is that they eliminate the
bezels and grid lines that can interrupt content and distract viewers. Using a single
large display also simplifies video delivery, eliminating the need for additional
hardware or software to ensure that each panel receives the correct portion of the full
image. This means that there are fewer components that can malfunction and
updating content automatically becomes faster and easier.
“When we considered the cost of constant maintenance, the difficulty in creating and
delivering content across multiple panels, and the inescapable grid lines that cut
through and distract from our content, a single, large, long-lasting, easily maintained
display made the most sense,’ Balogun continued. “I can’t imagine a good reason to
install a new multi-panel videowall today, since NanoLumens displays are better in
every way.’
Because NanoLumens custom manufactures every display to meet any requirements
for size, shape, pixel pitch and even curve, there was virtually no construction
required to mount the two new Nixel Series displays. They were designed and built
specifically to fit in the existing wall recesses, so the only “construction’ necessary was
to mount plywood in the recesses so the Nixels could be easily attached. Nixels are
NanoLumens’ patented 12′ by 6′ LED panels that combine to form displays of all
shapes and sizes, and part of what makes maintenance so easy – if one Nixel
malfunctions, a new one can be swapped in.
With one 3mm pixel pitch display located near the main entrance and the other in
front of the event centre, they are prime advertising vehicles for the casino to
announce upcoming events, sales and special promotions, according to Frank
Kennedy, senior vice president of Casino Operations.
