PixelFLEX™ becomes a focal-point of engagement for Hino Trucks USA HQ

Award-winning LED video manufacturer installs two high-definition LED video displays designed to create a dynamic and memorable corporate environment

Nashville, TN (2/26/2019) – Recognized globally as one of the premier work truck manufacturers around the world, Hino Motors, Ltd. is now also one of the fastest growing manufacturers in the United States as well. Needing a new national headquarters that could bring together all of their US corporate operations into one facility, the company recently unveiled their state-of-the-art corporate headquarters in Novi, Michigan. Wanting the 124,000-square foot facility to be a shining example of how innovative technology can impact the work environment, Hino Trucks worked with Nashville-based PixelFLEX™ to create two dynamic and memorable displays using FLEXUltra 2.5mm and FLEXTour 2.8mm LED video.

“Previously, Hino Trucks and Hino Motors Manufacturing were separated in two different locations, and while we had common goals, we were operating as individual entities,” began Dominik Beckman, Director of Marketing and Dealer Operations, Hino Trucks. “With the new building, we set out to drive as much synergy as possible between the two companies and to also demonstrate a true sense of what we are all about in value added ways. From a purpose standpoint, we utilize state-of-the-art technology in everything we do, so we wanted to express this in our building and provide a unique experience for both our team and customers.”

“We now have two environments in which we are taking advantage of PixelFLEX LED technology,” continued Beckman. “The first is our Insight Diagnostic Center where we are using the high-definition FLEXUltra LED video wall to provide real-time status for 40,000 Hino trucks running throughout the United States that are reporting location, vehicle health, and performance. This is a daily operational focal point for our team that also clearly conveys to our customers that we are doing everything we can to support them.”

View The Full Hino Project

A dynamic, high definition and curve-able LED display, the FLEXUltra allows boundless opportunities to create an unforgettable video experience with each frame manufactured specifically for the installation. Utilizing the ideal tile size for deployment of both 16:9 and 4:3 video ratios, FLEXUltra has a 160° horizontal and vertical viewing angle which offers one of the highest off-axis viewing angles in the industry, and the fully front-serviceable panels allow for quick and easy onsite installation and maintenance. With a 3869Hz refresh rate, FLEXUltra panels are available in 1.2mm, 1.6mm, 1.9mm and 2.5mm pixel pitch options.

“The Insight Diagnostic Center video screen measures approximately 26-feet wide and 9-feet high, and is communicating through a control module provided by PixelFLEX that can accept multiple inputs,” added Beckman. “We then have an online CMS solution that manages the display and the different content areas.”

Turning their attention to the next location, the new facility would also house a corporate auditorium which would host a variety of company events. Wanting to continue using the latest in technology innovation in order to create an impactful event environment, the team at PixelFLEX installed two high-definition FLEXTour LED video displays.

“The second location is our Auditorium which is a large classroom where we conduct our employee meetings, customer events, and award ceremonies,” explained Beckman. “This is really an all-purpose room with a capacity of about 250 people, and we have two LED screens that measure approximately 14-feet long and 6-feet high. Our goal for this multi-purpose space was to create HD presentation displays that would be as simple as possible from a user standpoint.”

A robust, high-definition and curve-able LED video display, FLEXTour is designed specifically for the high demands of live entertainment productions. With its unique rigging capabilities that allow for traditional and off-set configurations, each 500mmx1000mm tile is fully front-serviceable and its integrated climbing ladder allows for quick access to displays flown high overhead. Built with the highest standard in components including the new NovaStar A8s receiving card, FLEXTour is completely flicker-free making it one of the premier LED video design solutions available today. 

“PixelFLEX has been a strategic partner for a number of years,” acclaimed Beckman. “They truly make us better and by this I mean, more effective communicators, which is accomplished by collaborating with PixelFLEX from the start of projects.”

Now complete, the new Hino Trucks USA headquarters has been attracting attention for its modern design and inventive technology showcase. Knowing the impact that can be created by a dynamic LED display in a corporate environment, the new facility stands ready to leave a lasting impression on all who walk through its doors. 

“For someone who is considering LED video integration for a new building or office, you really have to think about the payback in the end,” concluded Beckman. “You have to look at the value it brings from a first impression and memorability standpoint, and the return on investment that comes with it. Having a dynamic and custom workplace experience energizes both our employees and visitors. It may be hard to quantify up front, but remarkably apparent after experiencing the end result.”

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

LEDTalk: What’s In Store For LED in 2019?

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From 2017 to 2019, there was a 50% increase in fine or narrow pixel pitch products, which most would say is undeniable growth. The business-owner is demanding this crisper technology and so is the market; the real challenge is how to create these high-res products and still make them affordable to the end user, while also making a stable product that has traditionally been unstable.

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LED Walls, LED Screens, Video Walls, and Direct View LED: What’s The Difference?

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Shopping around for a new display can be confusing. At first glance, it may seem as though there are tons of different kinds of video wall displays, let alone brands. How are you supposed to choose between Direct View LED, LED Wall, LED Screen, or a standard Video Wall? Well the truth is, these are all different names for the same thing. Rather than getting hung up on the name for the overall display, what’s important is understanding the parts behind these screens, so that you can get the best bang for your buck. At PixelFLEX, we have experts that can walk you through the entire process to find a dynamic display that fits your exact needs. To make things a little, easier, however, we’ve put together a run-down on what exactly makes up a “video-wall,” regardless of what name you use for it.

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4K LED Video Displays Offer Advantages Over Other Display Screens

With countless displays types available on the market today, finding the right one for your unique application can be challenging, to say the least. From LEDs to LCDs to plasma, the choice in technology options can leave your head spinning. And now, there’s a new player on the field garnering much attention—4K. To help you find the right display, let’s explore exactly what 4K means and what it offers over other screen types.

4K Equals More Pixels

The resolution of any given screen is based on its pixel pitch. Pixel pitch describes the number of pixels within a display, measured by the distance in millimeters from the center of one pixel to the center of an adjacent pixel. A smaller pixel pitch indicates a higher density of pixels clusters with less distance between each individual pixel, translating to significantly improved resolution.

4K, or Ultra High Definition (UHD) as it’s also known, alludes to any display with a resolution of 3840 pixels by 2160 pixels. With a width that comes in just under 4,000 pixels, these displays have been dubbed 4K, boasting four times the pixels both horizontally and vertically than that of 1080p HD screens. This is the true differentiator between 4K and HD displays, as resolution reaped from more pixels encompassed within the same size screen delivers sharper, crisper imagery minus the pixelating effect.

4K Benefits Versus Other Displays

Several factors make 4K superior to other options, including:

  • Resolving details: With enough pixels to fill four Full HD 1080p screens, 4K screens can display four times the level of detail with higher contrast, particularly evident in fine images like hair or feathers which may look blurry in non-4K screens.
  • Closer viewing: When seen in close proximity, individual pixels within lower pixel count screens become evident, isolating imagery into sections that distort the viewer’s perception of the whole display. The multitude of pixels encompassed in a 4K screen allows for up-close viewing without pixelating, to deliver fine, detailed resolution regardless of distance.
  • Scaling down: Often a video needs to be scaled down to a lower resolution. 4K videos downscaled to a 2K high definition output typically result in better final video quality than videos originally recorded in 2K.

Resolving details: With enough pixels to fill four Full HD 1080p screens, 4K screens can display four times the level of detail with higher contrast, particularly evident in fine images like hair or feathers which may look blurry in non-4K screens.

Closer viewing: When seen in close proximity, individual pixels within lower pixel count screens become evident, isolating imagery into sections that distort the viewer’s perception of the whole display. The multitude of pixels encompassed in a 4K screen allows for up-close viewing without pixelating, to deliver fine, detailed resolution regardless of distance.

Scaling down: Often a video needs to be scaled down to a lower resolution. 4K videos downscaled to a 2K high definition output typically result in better final video quality than videos originally recorded in 2K.

Why 4K is Ideal for Video Walls

With advances in fine pixel pitch LED displays, the ability to create displays at a 4k resolution has become much easier. In the past with pixel pitchs in the 5-8mm range screens would have to be extremely large, which in most applications is unrealistic for most people. Who has a 90ft + wide blank wall in a space?

Video walls enhance the ambiance of a space, creating a positive impact while providing the ideal medium to connect with team members, visitors, clients and the public. From providing vital informational messaging or streaming live events, to marketing your brand or creating eye-catching vibrant imagery that stimulates the senses, it’s easy to grasp why video walls are gaining in popularity at such an exponential rate.

Because beautiful, stunning imagery is the focus of your video wall, 4K technology is the perfect companion for these dynamic displays. 4K provides viewing experiences that far outshine standard HD capabilities, as seen in the 500 x 500 LED panel resolution examples below:

Pitch Panel Resolution Wall Width 4K Resolution
1.2mm 480 15 ft. 3840
1.5mm 384 19 ft. 3840
1.9mm 262 24.5 ft. 3930
2.8mm 172 38 ft. 3956
3.9mm 128 49 ft. 3938
4.8mm 104 61 ft. 3848
6.9mm 72 88.5 ft. 3880

In recent weeks we saw a major player release a commercial 4K television display that is 189” diagonal. The advances in pixel pitch has allowed LED screen displays to be an afforabadle and comparable replacement for these types of large format screens and tv walls.

4K Video Wall Panels that Deliver High Resolution from PixelFLEX®

At PixelFLEX®, our process begins with your vision, offering industry-leading LED display technology and solutions to create a one-of-a-kind design that transforms your unique space into a digital world. With a wide variety of award-winning displays, PixelFLEX can create nearly any size and shape screen to meet your needs, ranging from 1-100mm in indoor, outdoor, and curvable configurations. Our FLEXUltra fine pixel pitch display is one of the highest resolution screens on the market, featuring flicker-free patented anti-moire mask technology, cable-free easy installation and maintenance, seamless, secure tile interlock, and more, making it the superlative 4K video wall partner. Further, PixelShield™ technology is an added protective coating which ensures maximum impact and scratch resistance, providing a significant decrease in pixel failure over the lifecycle of your FLEXUltra display.

Explore all the benefits of the FLEXUltra™ screen or learn more about why PixelFLEX has been selected as the design/deployment partner in a variety of industries for some of the most creative and innovative visual projects on display today.

PixelFLEX™ helps define outdoor luxury living at 414 Light Street in Baltimore

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Premier community developer Questar Properties unveils their latest downtown living experience with a luxury amenity deck centered around two FLEXStorm LED video displays

Nashville, TN (2/13/2019) – Dedicated to making every project better than their last, Questar Properties has been developing vibrant and award-winning residential communities for over four generations. With the unveiling of their newest 44-story tower, the property at 414 Light Street is a luxurious and amenity-driven living space designed by the architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz, with an interior design by Kari Whitman. Wanting to create a completely unique experience unlike anything Baltimore had ever seen, the development team also created an extravagant rooftop deck on the exterior of the 7th floor using two, high-definition FLEXStorm 8mm LED video displays from Nashville-based PixelFLEX™.

“This was a new construction project, built on a little over one acre of what used to be a parking lot,” began Justin Kennell, Development Manager, Questar Properties. “The building itself stands just under 500 feet and has 394 luxury apartment units, with over 12,000 square feet of retail space and a 469-space parking garage.  On our 7th floor, we have an amenity area that is roughly an acre in size, with two-thirds of that space on the exterior of the building where we placed the two FLEXStorm LED video screens.”

Built to withstand the challenges of adverse weather conditions while still providing a breathtaking visual experience, the IP-65 rated FLEXStorm LED was designed to create a dynamic outdoor environment. Utilizing adjustable sensors that communicate directly with the cabinets control system, FLEXStorm has variable brightness offerings to make sure it looks its best, day or night. Additionally, using a cloud-based content management system, updating the FLEXStorm is simple and easy, and the fully front-serviceable panels allow for quick access to the electronics and data control for any onsite service.

“With the construction of the property at 414 Light Street, we were ultimately looking to set ourselves apart from other apartment communities in the Baltimore area,” continued Kennell. “We wanted to do something truly unique to the market, so we focused on activation and engagement on our amenity deck. Our goal was to activate the living experience at 414 Light Street and create a place where residents could actively engage with one another.”

As the development team began to research the right technology that could provide the dynamic, outdoor visual experience desired, they knew they would have to compete with ambient daylight. Looking to see what real-world solutions others had found successful, they soon discovered one of the primary advantages of LED video.

“We looked at a couple of different technologies for use on the amenity deck,” added Kennell. “The first was a large television that would be visible against sunlight, and the second was a projection system set-up. Since we had a very specific vision for what we wanted it to accomplish, neither of these were actually ideal. As we looked around for what else might be available, we took inspiration from a community on the West Coast using PixelFLEX LED video in a similar application”

Ready to move forward with the installation of the LED video walls, the physical placement would be key to the atmosphere on the amenity deck. Wanting to establish a signature design element that would draw residents together, two FLEXStorm video displays were installed back-to-back to create one seamless visual experience.

“The 16-panel LED video walls are mounted inside a structured wall that ties into the concrete slab underneath using a steel frame which attaches directly to the panels,” explained Kennell. “We surrounded the structure with decorative tile, and each screen measures approximately 16-feet wide and 9-feet high. One screen faces a multi-purpose lawn area and the other screen faces the pool deck, so it essentially looks as if there is one, dual-sided LED screen. With it being in a central location, we think of it as the entertainment anchor to the amenity deck, giving our residents a unique opportunity to connect with one another over community-sponsored events.”

Turning their attention to the control aspects of the LED video screens, the development team wanted to provide both a user-friendly and comprehensive content management system. Knowing that the onsite staff would have a number of different display needs, they created a simple yet expansive design with multiple inputs for the daily operation.

“For the everyday use, we wanted the most flexibility out of the control for the video content,” said Kennell. “More than just showing movies or sporting events, we also wanted to use the system to inform residents about different events in the building; such as fitness classes or cooking classes. We also have the amenity deck audio system paired with the LED video so that we have full surround-sound capabilities for the multiple video inputs from either a cable box, Blu-Ray player, Apple TV system, or a BrightSign custom content player as well.” 

As time approached for the grand opening of 414 Light Street, there was a great sense of exhilaration surrounding the introduction Baltimore’s newest downtown living experience. With residents ready to begin their new life as part of unique community, Kennell is pleased to acknowledge the partnerships behind the scenes that helped make the project a complete success.   

“There was a lot of anticipation surrounding the debut of the LED video system,” concluded Kennell. “When we premiered the first movie, there was excitement from both our team and the residents, and everyone couldn’t help but to stare at the screens. Knowing that we were creating something truly unique in the Baltimore apartment living community, it was very important that we pick the right partners on the project, and PixelFLEX was excellent in all regards.”

Learn more about Outdoor LED video screen and displays from PixelFLEX by clicking HERE.

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Outdoor LED Decision: Financial vs. Philosophical

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For a country that prides itself on pushing the envelope, technologically, we haven’t really been bold with the deployment of outdoor LED displays outside of Times Square or the Vegas Strip. Globally, the market is telling a different story.

“In 2016, it was roughly a $4 billion dollar industry, globally. It’s projected to reach somewhere in the $14-$16 billion dollar range by 2023, so, you’re talking 6 years, 7 years. That’s a lot of growth and it’s something that definitely needs to be looked at. Especially if it’s not in your strategy as a company,” David Venus, Chief Marketing Officer for PixelFLEX said.

Venus, and the industry as a whole, have spoken; outdoor LED screens are here to stay. The applications are continuing to vary and grow in scope, too: they’re powering residential living facilities, sports facilities, commercial building displays, you name it. On today’s podcast, Venus discusses the growth of the technology, the future expansion of use cases for outdoor solutions, and how the integration of these displays into architecture can open up a new world of functionality.

Listen to the entire podcast below.

Learn More About Outdoor LED

LED Screens Offer Dynamic Displays That Outshine the Competition

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All too often, companies spend large amounts on production and editing of high-quality videos, without thinking about how they will actually be seen. The result is that, instead of a bright, engaging and visually grabbing display, important videos are shown using low-resolution projectors, or even a simple screen that is too small to be anything more than an afterthought to customers. For this reason, video walls are becoming key to companies looking to make a strong impression. From creative LED screen entrances, to auditorium viewing screens or even artistic structures incorporating the video itself, video walls have emerged as a versatile and unique alternative to help companies stand out.

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PixelFLEX™ introduces EF Series economical and efficient LED video display

Nashville, TN (1/16/2019) – Created to meet the high demands of budget-friendly, indoor video installations, the award-winning LED video manufacturer PixelFLEX™ is proud to announce the new EF Series. With its economical and efficient design, the EF Series meets all the PixelFLEX standards for quality performance and reliability, while offering an innovative simplicity to installation and serviceability.

“As a company, we strive to develop products that we know we can stand behind, and that our customers can trust,” said David Venus, PixelFLEX Chief Marketing Officer. “Our goal with the new EF Series was to offer an economical solution, without affecting the performance quality that our customers have come to expect in our innovative LED video product lines.”

In addition to its straight-forward design, EF Series tiles are fully front serviceable making it an ideal wall-mount solution for your house of worship, entertainment venue, corporate facility, and more. The EF Series also offers custom upgrade capabilities to meet the specifications for right-angle and curved displays, and is available in a 3.9mm, 5.2mm or 6.25mm pixel pitch. With multiple cabinet sizes and built-in alignment pins to guarantee proper alignment of panels, the EF Series is complete with standard power and data connectors, as well as pass through channels, making wiring quick and easy.

“Understanding the fine line between quality and affordable LED video solutions, our talented engineering team developed a high-resolution and creative product line which reduces the manufacturing and installation costs, and allows us to pass those savings on to the end user,” added Venus.

To find out more about new PixelFLEX EF Series, visit the product page at www.pixelflexled.com, watch the EF Series product video on Vimeo, or contact PixelFLEX at sales@pixel-flex.com.

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Video Blog: Church Stage Design – Incorporating Dynamic LED Video Walls into Your Worship

When it comes to church service, modern times have encouraged us to think outside the pew.

While some still prefer the traditional hymnals, pulpit, and big church choir, most churches are modernizing in various ways. The use of dynamic LED screens is one example. And the options are plentiful!

Learn more about LED screen options in the house of worship at pixelflexled.com/house-of-worship/

PixelFLEX™ takes the court at the Carolina Basketball Museum

Experiential design firm Advent renovates the story behind the University of North Carolina basketball program using a FLEXTour 2.8mm LED video display

Nashville, TN (1/7/2019) – Located on the campus of the University of North Carolina, the Carolina Basketball Museum originally opened in 2008 and chronicles the history of the UNC basketball program. Highlighting Carolina’s numerous NCAA and ACC Championships, along with the players, coaches and staff members that made it all possible, the interactive museum recently underwent a renovation on the heels of its 7th National Championship. Working with the experiential brand specialists at Advent, the museum wanted to update their main video display as part of the branding refresh, and they did so using a 2.8mm FLEXTour LED video solution from PixelFLEX™.

“We had previously worked with the University of North Carolina on an update for the Smith Center locker room that went really well, so they asked us to come back and take a look at the Carolina Basketball Museum,” began Davy Fisher, Advent Design Principal. “It was a great project because they were fresh off the excitement of their latest National Championship and they wanted us to update the storytelling, freshen up the branding, and reframe the experience through the use of more current technology.”

A robust, high-definition and curve-able LED video display, FLEXTour is designed specifically for the high demands of live entertainment productions. With its unique rigging capabilities that allow for traditional and off-set configurations, each 500mmx1000mm tile is fully front-serviceable and its integrated climbing ladder allows for quick access to displays flown high overhead. Built with the highest standard in components including the new NovaStar A8s receiving card, FLEXTour is completely flicker-free making it one of the premier LED video design solutions available today.

Fisher continued, “The old space was a little bit off-brand with different blues and varying signage headers over elements that were needing to be related to each other. Our main goal was to make it a cleaner branding experience and simplify the story, so a good portion of the project was replacing and upgrading all of the digital surfaces and get it on-brand, through color and language consistency.”

Turning their attention to the digital surfaces on the museum, one of the main displays was an LCD projection system which hung at the entrance. Needing a feature to capture the attention of guests from the moment they arrive, the previous projection system proved difficult to format and never seemed to measure up to the task.

“The initial installation that we replaced was a strange, concave screen that had an image projection-mapped onto it, but it never really worked the way they wanted it to,” explained John Downie, VP of Digital Experience, Advent. “It’s a rather large space and the display is the first element you see when you walk in. With the original system, they found it hard to update and it required a lot of post-production to format correctly. Knowing this was an issue, we decided to give them an LED video solution that was easy-to-update in a 16:9 ratio, so they could easily drop in high-resolution, wide-screen footage without any post-production needed.”

Ready to begin the installation of the FLEXTour LED video display, the video panels where easily connected to a header bar which hangs from the ceiling using aircraft cable. Measuring 16-feet wide by 9-feet tall, the system was quickly ready for content which would be driven by the proprietary Advent content management system.

“For the control, we are using our Advent web-based CMS that allows the client to quickly update content through the simple upload of a media file, while also giving them options for various modes of operation,” continued Downie. “During the build-out process, the first reaction upon turning it on was absolute amazement. With the previous projection image, the colors were never quite right, and it just didn’t look like a quality display. For that to be replaced with a beautiful, high-resolution, tight pixel-pitch FLEXTour LED screen, it really blew their minds.”

Now complete, the Carolina Basketball Museum reopened its doors for the start of the 2017-18 season ready to showcase a completely new fan experience. Greeted by the FLEXTour LED display from the moment they enter, the museum has become a better reflection of a successful program.

“When fans now walk through the doors of the Carolina Basketball Museum there is an immediate feeling that you are about to have a great experience.” concluded Fisher. “The old projection system had a lot of light-loss which translated into a diminished experience. With a feature that needs to be so bright and so vibrant, the FLEXTour LED video is a significant upgrade. Being the first thing you see when you walk into the space, it presents as a wonderful showcase for the UNC athletes and the quality of their program.”

An American-based LED manufacturer, PixelFLEX™ offers creative solutions, reliable products, and dependable service for our industry-leading LED display technologies and solutions. Driven towards excellence to meet your standards, PixelFLEX™ offers a one-of-a-kind design for your tour, event or installation through our award-winning line of LED video walls and video screens. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX™ is proud to develop custom LED solutions for each and every customer while also providing top-tier customer support throughout the entire experience. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX™ LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX™ at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.