Modern Direct View LED is the most disruptive video technology to come along since the flat panel TV.
Although the technology has been around for years in large pixel formats (think orange road signs or jumbotrons), with newer ways of manufacturing the LEDs such as SMD, IMD, and COB (more on this later) and the cost to build the technology decreasing exponentially, we are seeing this incredible eye-catching and dynamic video technology become more pervasive in our lives.
It’s no longer just in Sports Arenas, or on Outdoor Billboards that we are seeing Direct View LED. We are now starting to see everywhere in applications such as Houses of Worship, Higher Education, Lecture Halls, Hotels, Ballrooms, Retail, Casinos, Night Clubs and even in high-end homes.
In this blog, we’ll do our best to explain in simple terms some of the most common questions we get when talking about Direct View LED.
What Is Direct View LED?
It is a video display technology that is sometimes abbreviated as dvLED and uses Light Emitting Diodes to produce the red, blue and green colors typically found in a full color video display.
What Are The Parts Of A Direct View LED Installation?
Support Structure is the mounting hardware that holds the LED wall in position in the physical installation. This structure is put in place to ensure we can install each LED cabinet to the wall. Size, weight and location are all considerations that come into play on what support structure will be used. Not all are created equal.
Controller The controller is the hardware component that sends your video source(s) to the LED video wall . The controller is also responsible for controlling the configuration of each cabinet, so that instead of being sent to several individual cabinets, the video appears to occupy one seamless video display. The controller is also responsible for scaling the video image to fit the wall. In short, it does all the hard work to take your video source(s) and make them show up the way you want on one large LED Video Wall.
Video Sources are the pieces of content (images, videos, live TV, websites, etc.) that will be shown on your LED Video Wall.
Direct View LED Video Wall is the end result of the sum of all parts including the video source, controller, support structure and Direct View LED cabinets.
What Are The Differences Between Different Direct View LED Technologies Like DIP, SMD And COB?
DIP (Direct Inline Package) In a DIP display, the LED diodes are separated from each other and are clearly visible on a single ‘chip’. This is used mostly for outdoor applications.
Advantages of DIP
- Very bright (up to 12,000 nits)
- Less expensive than other Direct View LED technologies
- Robust
Disadvantages of DIP
- Pixels are far part
- Poor resolution
- Poor for close viewing
SMD (Surface Mounted Diode) utilizes a process of mounting each LED chip (pixel) directly on a printed circuit board. The result is a display module that is significantly smaller and thinner than DIP.
Advantages of SMD
- Great for Indoor
- Up to 8000 nits
- High Resolution
- Many pixel pitches (distance in mm between the middle of one pixel to the next)
Disadvantages of SMD
- Graded on Quality
- High Quality, will be more expensive and last longer.
- Low Quality will look good initially and be less expensive but will deteriorate much quicker.
- Best quality is more expensive
COB (Chip on Board) Utilizes surface bonded solid-state diodes encapsulated in a durable anti-reflective epoxy resin coating creating a high level of physical impact protection. The result is a flat LED surface which allows for pixel pitches less than 1 mm. (see MicroLED)
Advantages of COB
- Ultra fine pixel pitch (less than 1mm)
- Super High Resolution
- Superior Thermal Performance
- Ability to clean with water
Disadvantages of COB
- More expensive than SMD
What Is The Ideal View Distance For Direct View LED?
While there are a number of different calculators available from each Direct View LED Manufacturers a general rule of thumb is take your pixel pitch and multiply it by 8 to get the minimum optimal viewing distance in feet. For example:
The pixel pitch (again this is the distance from the middle of one pixel to the next measured in mm) is 3mm
3mm pixel pitch x 8 (the multiplier) = 24 feet
Your viewing distance from 24’ and back is ideal. Any closer and you will see small imperfections in your dvLED Video Wall such as lines or pixels.
Note: Pixel pitch must be measured in mm, and convert to feet for this to work.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A DvLED Video Wall?
Most Direct View LED Companies rate their LED for between 80 000 – 120 000 hours which is about 9 – 13 years of use before the brightness will be 50% of brand new. That’s a long time, but even more, when they calculate those numbers it is with the LED turned up to 100% brightness. Most indoor applications of dvLED are set to about 30% as they are already very bright. If you treat your dvLED Video Wall well and don’t physically damage it, you can expect it to last a very long time.
What About LCD Video Walls Vs. Direct View LED Video Walls
LCD Video Walls are great in some applications, but as the cost of dvLED comes down, you can expect to see LCD Video Walls get phased out. There are far too many advantages of dvLED over LCD Video Walls such as much more brightness, longer life, deeper color contrast and the list goes on.
Still not sure what to do? We are always happy to have a no-strings-attached conversation with you to help you make an informed decision.
Most Frequently Asked Questions:
Direct view LED (also known as LED video walls) is a display technology that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to create bright, high-resolution images. The LEDs are arranged in a matrix or grid pattern and emit light directly from the front of the panel, without the need for a backlight like LCD displays. Each LED can produce its own color, allowing for a wide range of color combinations and high color accuracy. The LEDs are controlled by a video processor that sends signals to each individual LED to create the desired image.
“Dvled” is an abbreviation for “Direct View LED,” which is a display technology that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to create bright, high-resolution images. Direct view LED displays are also known as LED video walls, and they offer several benefits over other display technologies, including higher brightness levels, wider viewing angles, and better color accuracy. Direct view LED displays can be used for a wide range of applications, including digital signage, video walls, and large-scale installations. The term “dvled” is often used as a shorthand or abbreviation for direct view LED displays in the audiovisual industry.
Direct view LED displays offer several benefits over other display technologies, including higher brightness levels, wider viewing angles, and better color accuracy. They also have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance compared to other display technologies. Direct view LED displays are also highly customizable and can be built to fit almost any size or shape, making them ideal for large-scale installations.
Choosing the right direct view LED display depends on several factors, including the intended use, viewing distance, and available space. Factors to consider when choosing a direct view LED display include pixel pitch, brightness, color accuracy, and viewing angle. Working with an experienced audiovisual integrator can help ensure that you choose the right display for your specific application and needs.
Pixel pitch refers to the distance between the center of one LED and the center of the adjacent LED. A smaller pixel pitch means the LEDs are closer together, resulting in a higher pixel density and better image quality. However, a smaller pixel pitch also means a higher cost, so choosing the right pixel pitch depends on the viewing distance and budget for the installation.
The brightness required for an outdoor direct view LED display depends on several factors, including the ambient light conditions and the distance between the viewer and the display. Generally, outdoor direct view LED displays need to be much brighter than indoor displays to ensure visibility in direct sunlight. Working with an experienced audiovisual integrator can help determine the right brightness level for your specific outdoor installation.
Yes, direct view LED displays can be curved or shaped to fit almost any installation. The flexibility of direct view LED displays makes them ideal for creating unique shapes and designs, and they can be installed in almost any orientation.
The lifespan of a direct view LED display depends on several factors, including the quality of the components and the operating conditions. On average, a direct view LED display can last up to 100,000 hours or more. Routine maintenance is required to ensure optimal performance, including cleaning the display and checking for any damaged or malfunctioning components.
Direct view LED displays offer wider viewing angles compared to other display technologies like LCD or plasma. This means that viewers can see the image clearly from almost any angle, making them ideal for large-scale installations where viewers may be positioned at different angles.
Yes, direct view LED displays can be used for touch applications using special touch overlays or sensors. This makes them ideal for interactive kiosks, digital signage, and other interactive installations where users can engage with the content on the display.
The cost of a direct view LED display depends on several factors, including the size, resolution, pixel pitch, and other features. In general, direct view LED displays can be more expensive compared to other display technologies like LCD or plasma, especially for high-resolution displays with small pixel pitches. However, the cost of direct view LED displays has been decreasing in recent years, making them a more affordable option for a wider range of applications.
Installing and setting up a direct view LED display requires expertise in audiovisual integration and may involve several steps, including designing the display layout, mounting the panels, connecting the video processor, and calibrating the display settings. Working with an experienced audiovisual integrator can help ensure a smooth and successful installation, as well as ongoing support and maintenance for the display.
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