When discussing an LED video wall, one specification often dominates the conversation: pixel pitch.
And understandably so. Pixel pitch has a significant impact on image detail, appropriate viewing distance and ultimately the cost of an LED display.
But it is only one part of the equation.
A successful DVLED installation isn’t simply the screen with the smallest pixel pitch or the highest specification on paper. It is a display that has been properly designed around the space, the audience, the content and the way it will be used throughout its lifetime.
So, before deciding that a 0.9mm display must be better than a 1.5mm alternative, there are several other questions worth asking.
Start With the Application
One of the most important questions when specifying an LED display is also one of the simplest:
What does the screen actually need to do?
The requirements of a corporate boardroom are very different from those of a retail store, university lecture theatre, broadcast studio or large public space.
A screen displaying detailed spreadsheets and presentation content at close range may require a significantly finer pixel pitch than a large-format display designed to show branding and video content to an audience several metres away.
That’s why specification should start with the application rather than the product.
Understanding the environment, audience and content first allows the technology to be selected around the project, rather than trying to make the project fit a particular display.
Consider the Viewing Distance
Pixel pitch and viewing distance are closely connected.
As viewers get closer to an LED display, the physical distance between individual LED pixels becomes increasingly important. At greater distances, a larger pixel pitch can often provide an excellent visual result without unnecessarily increasing the resolution or cost of the system.
This is one reason why simply selecting the finest available pixel pitch isn’t always the right approach.
The objective should be to achieve the required visual performance at the actual viewing distances within the space.
For projects with multiple viewing positions, this can require careful consideration of where people will stand or sit, the type of content being displayed and how much fine detail needs to remain visible.
Brightness: More Isn’t Always Better
Brightness is another specification where bigger numbers can look impressive on a datasheet but don’t necessarily result in a better installation.
An outdoor LED display competing with direct sunlight requires very different brightness levels from a fine-pitch display installed in a meeting room.
A display that is unnecessarily bright indoors can be uncomfortable to view and may consume more power than required.
Ambient lighting, windows, reflections and the position of the display should all be considered before determining the appropriate brightness level.
The goal isn’t to specify the brightest screen possible. It’s to specify the right brightness for the environment.
Resolution and Aspect Ratio Matter
LED is inherently modular, which gives designers enormous flexibility.
Rather than being restricted to conventional display sizes, an LED wall can be created to suit the dimensions and architecture of a space.
But that flexibility also introduces additional considerations.
The cabinet configuration determines the physical dimensions and native resolution of the finished display. If those decisions aren’t considered alongside the intended content, you can end up with unusual resolutions or aspect ratios that create unnecessary challenges for content creators and AV teams.
Understanding what will actually be displayed. Whether that’s 16:9 presentations, digital signage, dashboards, live video or bespoke creative content should therefore form part of the design process from the beginning.
An LED wall doesn’t exist in isolation.
Behind the finished screen are mounting structures, power distribution, data connections, processing equipment and potentially ventilation or cooling requirements.
The physical environment can therefore have a major influence on the correct product.
Questions worth considering include:
- How will the display be mounted?
- Is the supporting structure suitable for the weight?
- Where will power and data enter the system?
- Is front or rear service access available?
- How will the display be aligned and calibrated?
- Does the space provide sufficient ventilation?
How will individual modules or components be accessed if maintenance is required?
Considering these elements during the design stage can prevent expensive compromises once installation has begun.
Don’t Forget Processing and the Wider LED Ecosystem
The LED panels may be the most visible part of a video wall, but they are only one part of the complete system.
Processing, control, power distribution, cabling, mounting and content delivery all contribute to the performance and reliability of the installation.
For example, the correct LED controller needs to be selected according to the resolution and configuration of the wall. More complex installations may also require additional video processing, signal distribution or redundancy.
These decisions are much easier to make when the complete system is considered during the specification stage rather than treating each component separately.
Plan for Maintenance From Day One
LED displays are modular by nature, which can make them highly serviceable.
But that doesn’t mean maintenance should be an afterthought.
Access to modules, power supplies and receiving cards should be considered when the wall is designed. Spare components should also form part of the long-term support strategy, particularly for installations where downtime needs to be kept to an absolute minimum.
Product availability and consistency are important too.
LED characteristics can vary between manufacturing batches, making an appropriate spares strategy valuable for displays expected to remain operational for many years.
A slightly cheaper display at the point of purchase may not represent better value if maintaining it becomes difficult later.
Look Beyond the Initial Purchase Price
The purchase price of the LED hardware represents only part of the overall investment.
Installation, structural requirements, power consumption, processing, maintenance and expected product lifetime all contribute to the total cost of ownership.
This is particularly important for displays operating for long periods every day.
Energy consumption that appears relatively insignificant during specification can become substantial when considered across several years of operation.
Likewise, a system designed for easy front access may significantly reduce the time and disruption required for future servicing.
Good specification therefore isn’t simply about achieving the lowest initial cost. It’s about achieving the right balance between performance, reliability, efficiency and long-term value.
Better LED Projects Start With Better Specification
As DVLED becomes increasingly accessible, specifying an LED wall should become simpler, not more complicated.
That’s one of the reasons we developed LED Architect.
Our free LED wall planning tool allows consultants, integrators and end users to configure LED walls and see key information update in real time.
Cabinet dimensions, resolution and aspect ratio can be evaluated during the design process, while the platform can also assist with wider considerations including suitable controllers, power requirements, brightness, HVAC and estimated running costs.
Instead of discovering potential issues once a system reaches site, these factors can be considered much earlier in the project.
Because ultimately, the best LED wall isn’t necessarily the one with the smallest pixel pitch.
It’s the one that has been properly designed for the application.
Need Help Specifying Your Next LED Wall?
At Direct View Solutions, we support LED projects from initial concept and design through to hardware supply, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance.
Whether you’re working on a corporate display, retail installation, education project, control environment or something completely bespoke, our team can help identify the right solution for the application.
You can also use LED Architect to start designing and specifying your next LED wall online.
Start your LED wall design with LED Architect, or speak to the Direct View Solutions team about your next project.
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