Quick summary: The right AV display setup depends primarily on the room’s purpose and how people will view and use the information. In some cases, one large display is enough; in others, multiple independent screens or a video wall work better. Plan not only the number of displays but also their placement, mounting method, cable management, and access for maintenance.
AV installations are used in meeting rooms, conference halls, classrooms, and commercial spaces. But more screens do not always make a system more practical. Here is when one display is enough, when multiple screens make sense, and how to arrange them.
One Large Display or Several Smaller Screens?
The first question when planning an AV installation is how many screens you actually need.
If meeting participants are viewing the same presentation or joining a video conference, one large display is often enough. Choose a screen size that suits the viewing distance and keeps text and small details readable from the farthest seat.
Multiple screens make sense when you need to show different materials simultaneously, serve several viewing areas, or present different information to different groups. In a meeting room, for example, one display can show video call participants while another shows the presentation. In a control room, multiple screens can keep data from different sources visible without switching between them.
However, adding displays makes connections, controls, and maintenance more complex. Choose the configuration around specific tasks rather than available space alone.
One Display: Choosing a Mounting Method
Small meeting rooms, classrooms, and presentation areas often need only one screen. In these spaces, its placement deserves particular attention.
If the display will always be used in the same location, wall mounting may be suitable. In multipurpose rooms where furniture layouts change, a rolling TV stand may be more practical. Shelves can hold a laptop, media player, or other AV equipment, but check shelf availability and weight capacity for the specific model.
For example, the ONKRON TS1871-B rolling TV stand lets you move the screen between areas of a room. It is also available in Graphite and Champagne, allowing you to consider the interior design when planning a meeting room, showroom, or presentation area.
Mounting height also matters for large interactive displays. In educational spaces, the screen may be used both to present materials and for hands-on work at the display. For these applications, consider a motorized stand such as the ONKRON TS2811E-B, which adjusts the display’s position using an electric motor.
In some spaces, a floor stand may not be suitable. You may want to keep a wall clear or put the screen away after use. A motorized ceiling TV mount, such as the ONKRON N3LE-B, can lower the TV for viewing and fold it up toward the ceiling afterward.
Two Displays: When You Need to Show Different Content
Two screens are particularly useful when viewers need to follow several sources of information at once.
In a meeting room, one display can show video call participants while the other shows documents or a presentation. In a classroom, one screen can present theory while the other shows a practical example. Two displays can also face different directions when the information needs to be visible to separate groups.
Decide in advance whether the screens will show the same content or different content. This determines how the video signals will be connected and managed.
For a permanent dual-display setup, choose a stationary stand designed for two screens. If you need to move the equipment, a rolling dual-display stand can be more practical, provided it is compatible with both screens.
The mounting structure supports the displays but does not distribute the video signal. Showing one image across several screens may require separate equipment or suitable built-in display features.
Video Walls: When You Need a Larger Display Area
A 2×2 video wall consists of four displays arranged in two rows of two. These systems are used for advertising, dashboards, presentations, and event visuals. Unlike multiple independent screens, a video wall can show one image spread across its panels.
For temporary events and exhibition spaces, a mobile stand designed for a 2×2 video wall lets you arrange four displays into a large viewing area without permanent wall mounting.
Pay particular attention to AV equipment placement. Media players, signal distribution devices, and other components should remain accessible for maintenance and should not interfere with moving the stand. Shelves and other equipment supports provided by the stand’s design can help organize these components.
Cable management is equally important. Organize the cables from all four displays neatly, prevent tension, and keep connections accessible.
If the video wall will always remain in one place, a wall-mounted system is an alternative.
Wall-Mounted Video Walls: Planning a Permanent Installation
Video walls are often installed permanently in shopping malls, control rooms, conference halls, and other commercial spaces. Layouts can include 2×2, 3×2, and other configurations. The choice depends on the room’s dimensions, the amount of information displayed, and where viewers will be positioned.
For wall mounting, align the screens precisely in height and depth, maintain the required gaps between panels, and provide ventilation according to the display manufacturers’ requirements. Even small alignment errors can make the seams more noticeable.
Maintenance access is just as important. When displays sit close together, reaching the cables and ports behind the central screens can be difficult. Professional video walls therefore use mounts with an extending mechanism. For example, the ONKRON PRO7M-B and PRO7G-B let you pull an individual screen forward to access the equipment behind it. This design helps service individual displays without dismantling the entire video wall.
During planning, also check the supporting structure’s load capacity, compatibility between the mounts and displays, and suitable cable routing.
The displays’ rated operating hours also matter in commercial AV installations. Equipment in retail spaces, control rooms, and information systems may run for many hours each day or around the clock. Choose displays designed for the required operating schedule. A standard consumer TV may not be suitable for these conditions.
Choosing a Display Configuration for Your Space
To avoid making an AV system unnecessarily complex, consider the room type, the content, and how the displays will be mounted.
| Application | Suitable configuration | What to plan for |
| Small meeting room | One large display | Readable text from every seat |
| Meeting room used for video conferencing | Two independent displays | Showing participants and documents simultaneously |
| Classroom | One display or two screens | Viewer positions and clear presentation of materials |
| Educational space with an interactive display | Display on a height-adjustable stand | Access to the working surface and height adjustment |
| Conference hall | One large display or multiple screens | Viewing distance and the number of viewing areas |
| Trade show booth | Mobile displays or a 2×2 video wall | Mobility, equipment shelves, and cable management |
| Retail space | Permanently installed video wall | Operating hours, ventilation, and maintenance |
| Control room | Multiple screens or a video wall | Simultaneous data display and extended operating hours |
This table helps identify a starting configuration, but the final choice depends on the specific space. For more on screen placement based on seating and meeting formats, see “Conference Room TV Placement: Best Screen Position for Meetings.”
What to Check Before Planning an AV Installation
System purpose. Decide what the screens will show: presentations, video conferences, advertising, working documents, or data from multiple sources.
Audience size and seating layout. Check that text and small details are readable from the farthest seats and from the sides, especially in meeting rooms and classrooms.
Display size and resolution. Consider not only screen size but also image detail, the size of interface elements, and viewing distance.
Operating hours. For extended daily use or around-the-clock operation, choose displays rated by the manufacturer for that schedule.
Mounting method. Wall mounts suit permanent installations, rolling stands work in rooms with changing layouts, and motorized solutions suit applications that require screen position adjustments.
Additional equipment placement. Decide where laptops, media players, signal distribution devices, and other components will go. For floor stands, check whether shelves are included or can be added, along with their weight capacities.
Cable management. Plan power and signal cable routes, secure the cables, and leave enough slack. Cables should not become taut during screen adjustment, interfere with moving mechanisms, or obstruct walkways.
Equipment connections. Determine whether the displays will show independent content, the same image, or separate parts of one larger image. This determines how the video signals need to be transmitted and processed.
Maintenance access. Plan access to ports, cables, and individual panels before installation.
Checking these points helps prevent problems that are often discovered only after the equipment is installed.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Display Configuration
Choosing by screen size alone. Account for viewing distance, the size of the displayed elements, and viewer positions. For presentations and working documents, it is especially important to check readability from the farthest seats.
Confusing independent displays with a video wall. Multiple screens can show different materials, but displaying one image across them requires a suitable video signal management system.
Overlooking clearance around the equipment. A rolling stand needs room to move, and a ceiling-mounted display needs clearance for its mechanism.
Failing to plan space for additional equipment. Without a designated location for a media player, laptop, or other device, you may need extra shelves or mounts after installation.
Overlooking cable management. Disorganized cables make maintenance harder. They can also become taut or interfere with mechanisms when screens are moved or adjusted.
Forgetting about maintenance. If the backs of the displays are difficult to reach, replacing a cable or an individual screen may require extensive disassembly.
FAQ
Which is better for a meeting room: one large display or two smaller screens?
If the main task is showing presentations, one large screen may be enough. If participants need to see both video call participants and working materials at the same time, two displays are often more convenient.
Can I use regular TVs for a video wall?
You can technically place several TVs side by side, but a complete video wall requires consideration of bezel width, equipment compatibility, operating hours, and the ability to distribute an image across the screens.
Does a video wall have to be wall-mounted?
No. Floor stands are available for multiple displays, including mobile designs. The choice depends on the room and whether the equipment needs to move.
Where should additional AV equipment go?
You can use shelves on floor stands, separate AV cabinets, or other locations included in the installation plan. The key is to provide access to the devices, ventilation, and convenient cable connections.
How should I manage cables in a mobile AV setup?
Secure cables to the stand, leave enough slack for screen adjustments, and keep them clear of moving mechanisms. When moving the stand, follow the requirements for equipment connections and safe transport.
Final Thoughts
The number of displays in an AV installation should follow the room’s needs. One display is often enough for presentations and video conferences. Two screens let you show different materials simultaneously, while video walls suit large-scale information and advertising systems.
How you mount the equipment is equally important: permanent wall mounting, a rolling stand, or a ceiling mount. Plan space for additional devices, equipment shelves, and cable management in advance. Browse the ONKRON catalog to find a mounting solution for your chosen configuration.
