Altitude LED Air Panels: Versatile Digital Signage for Your Church
If you’ve been looking for a flexible LED solution that can work as lobby signage, stage backdrop, or even a main display, the Altitude LED Air Panels might be exactly what you need. These panels are incredibly versatile, and I want to walk you through how they work and some practical ways you can use them in your church.
What Makes These Panels Different?
The Altitude Air Panels are designed with portability and flexibility in mind. Each panel contains four modules that fold down the middle, allowing them to store in a compact road case. This makes them perfect for churches that need to move equipment between venues or store panels when not in use.
Here’s what you need to know about the specs: each module is 344 pixels wide by 258 pixels tall. When you unfold the full panel, you’re looking at 344 by 1032 pixels. But here’s where it gets interesting—these panels aren’t meant to work alone.
Multiple Configuration Options
One of the coolest features of these panels is how they can be configured. While they work great as individual standup banners, you can remove the side pieces and bolt up to five panels together to create a larger display. When you connect multiple panels, they take a single HDMI signal and automatically distribute the image across all connected units.
At Rock Harbor Church, we set up six panels—three on each side of the stage. Since you can only connect up to five panels per HDMI signal, we split them into two groups of three. This creates two 1032 by 1032 pixel squares (one on each side of the stage), which works perfectly for their stage design.
Quick Setup with the Mobile App
If you need to throw up some quick signage in your lobby or greeting area, the Altitude panels make it incredibly easy. You can control them directly from your smartphone using the Vplex Handy app (that’s V-I-P-L-E-X Handy).
Here’s how simple it is:
- Download the Vplex Handy app
- Add your device by selecting it from the local network
- Choose your layout based on how many panels you have connected
- Create slides right from your phone or upload images
The app lets you create graphics on the fly and send them directly to the panels. This is perfect for last-minute updates to lobby signage or event information. You can switch between different slides using the playback control, making it easy to rotate through multiple messages throughout the day.
Professional Control with ProPresenter
For more advanced applications like stage backdrops, you’ll want to integrate these panels with your existing presentation software. At Rock Harbor, we’re using ProPresenter to send video content to all six panels, and the workflow is pretty slick.
The setup uses ProPresenter’s grouped screen feature, which lets you stretch content across multiple displays. We created two screen groups—one for the left LED panels (1032 x 1032) and one for the right LED panels (1032 x 1032). This allows us to send coordinated graphics to both sides of the stage or different content to each side when needed.
The NDI Solution
One challenge we faced at Rock Harbor was the lack of available SDI runs to feed video to these panels. However, they do have a robust network infrastructure. Our solution? NDI video distribution using Kiloview N5/N6 decoders.
Here’s how the signal flow works:
- ProPresenter outputs NDI video over the network
- A Kiloview decoder on each side of the stage receives the NDI signal
- The decoder converts it to HDMI and feeds the first panel in each group
- HDMI cables daisy-chain between panels in each group
This setup gives us the flexibility to send video anywhere we have network access, without being limited by physical cable runs. The Kiloview decoders are straightforward to configure—you simply log into their web interface and select which NDI source you want to decode.
Advanced Workflow: Dual ProPresenter Setup
Rock Harbor is actually running two instances of ProPresenter, which opens up some really creative possibilities. The main computer graphics machine generates content, and a second ProPresenter machine specifically handles the LED panels.
The second ProPresenter instance receives NDI video from the main machine as an input layer. This means they can either pass through the same graphics being sent to the main screens and projectors, or they can send completely different content to the LED panels for sermon illustrations or special moments.
Software Configuration with NovaLCT
Behind the scenes, these panels use NovaStar’s NovaLCT software for configuration. I’ll be honest—the interface looks like it was designed in 1997, but it works. You’ll use this software to set up how your panels are arranged and configure the screen connections.
One quirk I’ve noticed: when you open the software and see your panels listed, wait a few seconds for them to reload before logging into one. It’s a small thing, but it’ll save you some frustration.
Real-World Applications
Pastor Kevin at Rock Harbor has been creating some really creative graphics for these panels. Because they’re separated on either side of the stage, he designs graphics that work as split images:
- Science-themed graphics for kids’ lessons
- Walls of Jericho imagery that visually “falls” during the message
- Vintage “TripTik” maps for sermons about journeys
The separated panel design adds depth and interest to the stage without overwhelming the space. Plus, because they’re on wheels, the team can easily roll them into different positions or remove them entirely for different service styles.
Practical Considerations
These panels are designed to be user-friendly. The wheels make repositioning easy, and the connection process is straightforward—one HDMI cable into the first panel, then daisy-chain HDMI from panel to panel. The panels automatically configure the video image across connected units.
For churches considering these panels, think about these use cases:
- Lobby signage: Roll one or two panels into your lobby for wayfinding, announcements, or welcome messages
- Stage backdrop: Create dynamic stage designs with moving graphics or coordinated imagery
- Temporary main screen: Connect up to five panels for a larger display when needed
- Event signage: Easy to transport and set up for off-site events or special services
Pricing and Next Steps
Currently, Altitude LED Air Panels range from approximately $2,500 to $4,000 per panel, depending on which model you choose. For the most accurate pricing for your specific situation, head over to altitudeLED.com and click “Get Started” to speak with one of their representatives.
The versatility of these panels makes them a solid investment for churches that need flexible display solutions. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your lobby experience, add depth to your stage design, or create a portable solution for multiple venues, these panels are worth considering.
Have questions about LED panels or other church production technology? Drop a comment below or reach out to our team at Churchfront. We’d love to help you find the right solution for your space.
