LED displays are everywhere today. You can find them on streets, shopping malls, airports, stadiums, concerts, etc. They use tiny LED lamps to create bright and colorful images. They are clear, energy-efficient, and can last a long time. In this article, we will explore every aspect of LED displays.
What are LED Displays?
LED displays are flat screens made up of many tiny lights called LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). These screens use red, green, and blue LEDs to create a wide range of colors. By combining these three colors, LED displays can show vibrant and rich visuals.
How do LED Displays Work?
First, external devices send images or videos to the LED display control system. After processing these contents, they will be sent to receiving cards. Then these cards and LED display modules manage each LED’s brightness. The control system can produce a wide range of colors by controlling the LED lamps. As a result, these LEDs work simultaneously and create images or videos.
Why Red, Green, and Blue Colors?
We know that LED displays use red, green, and blue LEDs to create so fantastic videos. But do you know why? Here we will discuss several reasons:
- Human vision:
Our eyes have three types of cone cells. They are sensitive to red, green, and blue lights. Our brain can perceive a wide range of colors by stimulating these cones in different combinations.
- Additive mixing:
Red, green, and blue are the primary colors in additive color mixing. Adjusting the brightness of these LEDs can create almost any color in the visible spectrum.
- Color range:
Combining RGB LEDs covers a large color gamut. It allows the LED display to show most colors visible to the human eye.
- Mature technology:
Thanks to the well-developed technology of red, green, and blue LEDs, producing high-quality LEDs is possible.
- Cost-effective:
It is more economical by producing with just three types of LEDs than using multiple types.
- Display quality:
RGB combinations can produce high-contrast images. It can meet most LED display needs.
- Industry standard:
RGB is the standard in display technology.
What are LED Screens Made of?
From the above, we know what LED displays are, and how they work? Now in this part, we will discuss their compositions.
- LED lamps:
They are the core of an LED display. The quality of LED lamps can decide whether this LED display is good or bad. The most famous brand used is Nationstar in China. We can say it is with very stable quality. These LED lamps use red, green, and blue lights to combine together and show different colors.
- PCB:
We put different electronic components on it, including driving IC, capacitor, power and signal socket, and so on. Generally, there are 4 layers and 2 layers.
LED lamps, PCB (including driving ICs and other small components listed above), and base cover form an LED display module.
- Control system:
LED display control system includes sending and receiving cards generally. For sending card or controller, it sends contents, while receiving cards receive signals from external devices like control PCs. The popular brands include Novastar, Linsn, Kystar, Colorlight, etc.
- Power supply:
LED display power supply provides necessary power to LED display modules. The common types used include 5V60A and 5V40A. For the former one, there is cooling fan inside generally, and it is used in most outdoor LED displays projects. The latter type doesn’t have fan inside. It is quieter during the operation. And it is used in indoor LED displays for most projects.
There is efficiency value for LED display power supply. Most have less than 90% efficiency. When we calculate the power, we also take this value into consideration. It can make sure there is enough power to support the whole LED display. As a result, power supplies can be used for a long time.
- Cabinet:
The LED screen cabinet is made up of LED display modules, power supplies, cooling fans, receiving cards, cables, etc. There are different sizes and shapes. For instance, if rental LED screen cabinets, the regular sizes are 500×500 mm and 500×1000 mm. If outdoor fixed LED display, the common cabinet size is 960×960 mm. And it is 640×480 mm for indoor LED video wall cabinets.
- Cooling system:
Since LED displays generate heat, we design heat emission holes and add cooling fans in the cabinets. If the installation environment is hot, more than 30℃ mostly in a year, we suggest to add air conditioner near the LED display. It can ensure the display operate more smoothly. Besides, the LED display lifespan will be also longer.
- Power and signal cables:
We provide all power and signal cables for all projects. The default lengths of main power cable we offer is 5m, and signal cable is 15m. We can also extend their lengths according to your requirements.
LED Display Types:
There are various LED display types. We will discuss them according to the following categories:
- Based on the application environments:
- Indoor LED displays:
As its name suggests, they are mainly used indoors. And they are not waterproof generally. The protection grade can be IP50 if using die-casting cabinet. You can see them widely used in shopping malls, airports, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, etc. The brightness can range from 600 nits to 1,500 nits. Compared to outdoor LED displays, indoor types have a higher resolution. The common pixel pitches include P1.25, P1.538, P1.86, P2, P2.5, and P3. And their standard LED display module size is 320×160 mm.
- Outdoor LED displays:
They are used outdoors. They are IP65 or even IP68 to withstand outside environment. We can find them at plazas, highways, stadiums, schools, and so on. They have high brightness, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 nits. The regular types include P2.5, P3, P4, P5, P6, P8, and P10. Their standard LED display module size is the same as indoor types listed above.
- Semi-outdoor LED displays:
They are used in sheltered outdoor areas, such as bus stops or under canopies. Generally, we use outdoor LED display modules for such projects, as they have high brightness. Their housing may not be as weather-proof as outdoor types. However, it is enough to use for such application.
- Based on the time installed in one place:
- Fixed LED displays:
For the fixed LED display, it is installed in one location permanently. Such locations include buildings, shopping malls, highways, etc. It needs high protection grade (above IP65) and high brightness (above 5,000 nits) for outdoor fixed LED displays. We usually use galvanized iron cabinet for such project.
- Rental LED displays:
We sell rental LED displays to our clients, and they rent them at the local. We call it rental LED display also due to its easy assemble and disassemble. It is for temporary use for various events, such as concerts, trade shows, etc. The common types for rental LED displays include P2.604, P2.976, P3.91, and P4.81.
- Based on the maintenance:
- Front maintenance LED displays:
Nowadays, the front maintenance LED display is very popular. No matter indoor or outdoor LED screens, clients prefer this type. When there is limited space at the back of the installation spot, we can choose this solution. The common outdoor types for front service LED display are P3.91, P4, P5.33, P6.67, and P10.
- Back maintenance LED displays:
As the name says, such displays are back maintenance. Technical people can maintain the display at the back. You can see such displays mostly with pole supported. Common types include P2.5, P3, P4, P5, P10, etc.
What is LED Display Pixel Pitch?
LED display pixel pitch refers to the distance between the centers of adjacent pixels on the screen. It is measured in millimeters (mm). And we generally use P to denote it, such as P5, P10, and so on. It is a crucial technical specification. It can affect the display showing quality.
For a smaller pixel pitch, there are more pixels per unit area. As a result, its resolution is higher. It can also determine the optimal and minimum viewing distance of the display.
What is LED Display Resolution?
LED display resolution refers to the number of pixels in the display. It is typically described by the number of pixels horizontally and vertically. The common LED display resolutions include full HD (1920 x 1080) and 4K (3840 x 2160). Higher resolution means more pixels, and it can result in clearer and more detailed images.
How to Choose Suitable Pixel Pitch Type for Your Project?
Choosing the right pixel pitch type for your project is crucial. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Viewing distance:
As we discussed above, the pixel pitch can determine the LED display viewing distance. For instance, the minimum view distance of P2 is 2 meters, while it is 10 meters for a P10 LED display. So, we can see a smaller pixel pitch is suitable for closer viewing.
- Resolution requirement:
If your project needs high resolution to show more detailed images or videos, you need to choose a smaller pixel pitch. We know the smaller the pixel pitch, the higher the resolution per square meter. This is the reason why we have the above conclusion.
- Budget:
Generally, the smaller pixel pitch, the more expensive per square meter. It is because it requires more LED lamps, and the production cost is also higher. Therefore, when you choose a suitable LED display type, you need to consider the budget.
- Application scenario:
Indoor LED displays usually need a smaller pixel pitch, while outdoor LED displays can use a bigger pixel pitch. It is because the space indoors is generally limited, and the viewing distance is close. For outdoor LED screens, the viewing distance can be very far. So, it is better to choose bigger pixel pitch, such as P10.
What is LED Display Brightness?
The LED display brightness refers to the intensity of light it emits. It is measured in nits or CD/㎡.
For indoor LED displays, the common brightness is 600~1,200 nits, while it is 5,000~10,000 nits for outdoor types. This is decided by the application environments. We don’t need high brightness indoors. It can also avoid being too harsh on the eyes. However, it needs at least 5,000 nits for outdoor LED displays. It can ensure visibility even facing direct sunlight with higher brightness.
What is LED Display Refresh Rate?
The LED display refresh rate refers to how many times per second the image is updated. It is measure in Herts (Hz). A higher refresh rate means more frequent updates and smoother visuals.
The common refresh rate of an LED display is around 1,920Hz. And it is high refresh rate if more than 3,840Hz. Generally, for outdoor LED displays, it is enough to make the refresh rate with 1,920Hz. However, for the rental LED display or small pixel pitch LED display, they need to be more than 3,840Hz. If the LED display is for film shooting, then the refresh rate should be more than 7,680Hz.
We can see from the above that the refresh rate requirements are different according to the projects applications. You can consult from us before making a decision.
What is LED Display IP Protection Grade?
The LED display IP protection grade, or ingress protection, shows its ability to resist external substances like dust and water.
The IP grade has two numbers: the first indicates dust protection, and the second indicates water protection. The higher the number, the better the protection. For example, IP65 means it is completely dust-tight and can withstand low-pressure water jets from any direction. For outdoor LED displays, they need at least IP54, and IP65 is an ideal rating.
How Much Power does an LED Display Use?
Here we will give a brief answer of the LED display maximum power:
Regular outdoor LED displays: 800~1,200 W/㎡.
Common cathode outdoor LED displays: 400~500 W/㎡.
Indoor LED displays: 400~600 W/㎡.
The above values are under the condition of full white color. However, for actual operating power consumptions, they are usually about one-third of these maximum power ratings.
Below, we will talk about the main factors to decide LED display power consumption:
- Screen size:
The bigger LED display consumes more power than a smaller one, based on the same type. For instance, a P5 outdoor LED display maximum power is about 22 KW for 24 square meters, while it is about 11 KW for a 12 square meter display.
- Brightness:
It is easy to understand higher brightness can increase power consumption. This is one reason why outdoor LED display power is much higher than that of indoor types. And for the same type, if you need higher brightness, the power consumption is also more.
What measures can we take to lower down the electric bill?
- Turning off the display if it is not in use.
- Using dark backgrounds. This measure can also ensure the LED display lifespan.
- Adjusting brightness to the optimal level. We will configure the LED display before the delivery to make it optimal.
- Using brightness sensor to adjust the brightness automatically. It is generally used in outdoor LED display projects.
How Long Does an LED Display Last?
The LED display lifespan is typically between 60,000 to 100,000 hours, depending on usage conditions and maintenance. Here are some important factors affecting the lifespan:
- Application conditions:
If the LED display is always operating in high current, its lifespan can get shorter. For instance, if the display is always showing white color, the current will get much higher. As a result, the lifespan can be shortened.
- Environment factors:
Temperature, humidity, and dust can impact the LED display lifespan. If the temperature is always very high all around the year, we suggest to add air conditioners near the LED display. It can ensure the continual operation of the display and its lifespan. If the LED display is installed in a wet environment indoors, it is better to use outdoor LED display solution. There is conformal coating on the outdoor LED display modules. It can prevent from moisture corrosion.
- Components quality:
LED display components include LED lamp, PCB, driving IC, power supply, control card, cabinet, cable, etc. For example, different suppliers LED lamps are with different quality. If the LED is not good, it can cause fast light attenuation, or LED lamps go dead in a short time.
- Maintenance:
After you install an LED display, you need to do regular maintenance. It can extend the LED display lifespan. It is like a car. If you drive your car every day, you need to go to the automobile shop to maintain it one or two times per year.
How to Control an LED Display?
LED display can be controlled in the following methods:
- Synchronous control:
Synchronization means the LED display shows what the control PC shows at the same time. It is suitable for projects which need to show videos or other contents in real-time. And it requires continuous connection to a computer and control system. We can see this control method is widely applied in studio projects, rental LED displays projects, etc.
- Asynchronous control:
Asynchronization allows the LED display to operate independently. It doesn’t need the control computer to be on at the same time. Contents are pre-stored on the control card, and the display will show according to preset programs. It is suitable to display static or periodically updated contents.
- Wireless control:
It refers to wireless communication technologies, such as WiFi or 4G/5G. And you can control the LED display remotely. For this method, it is suitable for projects requiring to update contents from a distance or managing multiple displays. It needs a stable wireless communication environment.
How to Identify the Quality of an LED Display?
We listed some advice of how to identify the LED display quality:
- Brightness:
Check if the brightness can meet the requirement of the application environments. For instance, if the LED display is facing direct sunlight most of the time per day, the brightness needs to be more than 7,000 nits. Otherwise, the viewing experience will be not good, and most contents can’t be seen clearly. In order to achieve this brightness, we need to use LED lamps with gold wire. It can ensure relatively low current, so that the LED display lifespan will not be affected.
- Color performance:
Observe whether the LED display shows pure white color or not. If the LED display is not so good, you can see dark or bright spots easily. It is relevant to the LED lamps.
- Stability:
You can know whether the LED display is good or bad after a period of time operation. If an LED display is with stable quality, it can work over time with a low failure rate. For a bad quality display, you may see there are a lot of defective LED lamps only in few months.
- Safety:
In this aspect, it mainly shows on the fire resistance. You may hear of some accidents of LED displays causing fire. This problem can be caused by various problems. But suppliers need to pay attention on some components of the LED display. Among them, power cable is an important aspect. Some suppliers use copper clad aluminum wire due to lower cost. It is easier to cause fire.
LED Display Advantages:
LED displays have a variety of advantages. It makes them popular in many applications. Here are some key benefits:
- High brightness and adjustability:
LED displays have high brightness. For outdoor types, the brightness can be more than 5,000 nits. If the LED display will play at night, you can add the brightness sensor to adjust the brightness automatically. It can make the brightness lower, so that it is without harm to human eyes.
- Long lifespan:
We know from the above that the LED display lifespan ranges from 60,000 to 100,000 hours. It is longer than traditional display technologies. As a result, it can reduce the frequency of replacements and maintenance costs.
- Lightweight and flexible design:
An LED display panel can be as light as 6 kg, such as die-casting aluminum cabinet. This kind of cabinet is mostly applied in rental event projects and indoor fine pitch LED display projects. Except for the lightweight, we can customize LED displays to different shapes and sizes. For example, we can make the display with concave or convex shape.
- Seamless splicing:
We assemble LED display panels to a large screen without gap. It is unlike LCD, which has gap between each panel. Thanks to the seamless splicing technology, LED displays bring fantastic viewing experience.
- Durability:
LED displays can perform well even in harsh environments. For outdoor LED displays, their IP grade is IP65 or IP68. So it is suitable for outdoor use.
Conclusions:
In this article, we explored many different aspects of LED displays. We hope you can get to know more about this product after reading it. If you are looking for LED display supplier, please contact us.
