In this video, we dive into the custom pixel wall setup here at Generations Church. The wall spans approximately 50 feet wide by 17.5 feet tall and contains over 11,540 individual pixels. We’re joined by Phil Nelson, the production director at Generations Church, who will walk us through the system’s hardware, software, and how content from Resum and ProPresenter is driving this impressive visual display.
Inspiration and Starting the Pixel Wall Project
Phil Nelson first encountered pixel mapping at Philo 2023 in Willow Creek’s auditorium, where he admired their pixel grid backdrop. The pixel wall at Willow didn’t distract from the service but added significant impact. After starting his role at Generations Church, Phil wanted to create a similar backdrop for his first set design.
Without prior experience in pixel mapping, Phil turned to Willow Creek’s documentation, YouTube, Resum guides, and Facebook groups to learn. After three months of research and collaboration with residents at the church, they completed the pixel wall for a total cost of under $15,000—a high-impact solution on a tight budget.
Technical Specs: The Hardware Behind the Pixel Wall
The wall itself features LED lights from Holiday Coral, a company specializing in lighting for holiday decorations. While Willow Creek used a wider pixel pitch of one foot, Phil chose a tighter three-inch pixel pitch for Generations Church’s setup. The pixel grid is composed of 29 sections of four-foot by eight-foot plastic sheets, creating a Lego-like modular structure.
Each LED comes in a string of 100 lights, and Phil and his team painstakingly installed over 11,500 LEDs by hand. Keeping the installation organized was no small feat—Phil used a detailed spreadsheet to track each cable’s subnet, lumaverse, DMX address, and universe number, making pixel mapping and maintenance easier.
How It All Works: ARTNET Nodes, Cables, and Software
Each section of the pixel wall is driven by ARTNET nodes, which convert data into pixel mapping outputs. The system uses the 2811 pixel protocol, and cables from the ARTNET nodes run into a network switch connected to a Mac Studio at front-of-house. This powerful Mac Studio handles both Resum and ProPresenter, which control the visuals on the wall.
The entire system is waterproof and weatherproof, with Holiday Coral’s products designed for outdoor use. Impressively, despite over a year of use, none of the LEDs have burned out.
Building and Installing the Pixel Wall: A Three-Month Journey
The pixel wall installation was no small task. Phil and his team worked on it for about three months, and Phil cautions that this type of project requires careful planning and a lot of hands-on time. Trying to complete this project in one week would be nearly impossible.
To make the build easier, the team created the wall in horizontal thirds—top, middle, and bottom sections—before assembling them in the worship center. This modular approach made it easier to manage the LEDs and cable organization.
Visuals and Content: Driving the Pixel Wall
Resum handles most of the pixel mapping, while ProPresenter controls the actual content. Phil often uses abstract graphics with soft edges to create striking visual effects. The pixel wall isn’t meant to replace an LED wall, but it serves as a dynamic, changeable backdrop that enhances the worship environment.
Phil added wings to the main wall to give the illusion of a wider screen. By flipping the image in Resum and ProPresenter, the wings create an expansive visual effect without the need for extra graphics.
Final Thoughts on the Pixel Wall Project
Phil notes that while the pixel wall is incredibly powerful at full brightness, they often dial it back to avoid overwhelming the space. The wall looks fantastic on camera, with no RF interference or scaling issues commonly seen in cheaper LED walls. The tight camera shots used in the church’s live stream also soften the pixel grid, creating a subtle yet impactful backdrop.
With the project complete, Phil is excited about future possibilities, including transitioning to a full LED wall. For now, this pixel wall has been a cost-effective and highly impactful addition to Generations Church’s worship experience.
Conclusion
The pixel wall at Generations Church is a great example of how churches can create a visually stunning and highly customizable backdrop on a budget. While the project requires significant planning and installation time, the results are well worth it. If your church is considering a pixel wall, be sure to plan carefully and budget the necessary time to build it.
If you’re inspired by this setup and want to learn more about the products used, check the links below. While Churchfront has no affiliation with the manufacturers, we’re impressed by their durability and performance. Thanks for watching, and we hope you found this video helpful!
