What are LED video walls used to do?
How do LED walls differ from billboards and other traditional signage?
Choosing the Right Video Wall for Your Business
Customize your LED video wall with Unilumin
The concept of a video display has evolved from a wall of TVs connected together to large-scale projections on screens that can be viewed by attendees in the back of a auditorium. Historically, the main issue with these displays were resolution, image quality, and size. All of this was changed with the introduction of the LED wall that displays videos in bright and saturated colors, and at any scale.
The invention of the video wall greatly expanded the options for displaying videos and moving images in a variety of settings. Advances in their technology have vastly improved their quality and ease of use, making them the go-to for all types of LED displays. Here's a look at what goes into LED walls for video displays.
An LED video wall is a large video screen that's made up of LED panels. These panels are connected together to create a wall of LEDs that are capable of producing a seamless, full color and dynamic display. The use of individual LED panels makes it easy to create an LED wall of various sizes that range from a large TV to a billboard.
An LED wall works in much the same way as an LED TV but is used to broadcast live images such as a concert, or a static image that changes, such as a billboard. They also use LEDs and pixel pitches that are designed for specific use, such as indoors or outdoors, and for backgrounds. The intended use of the wall dictates the pitch and type of LED to overcome issues such as lighting and viewer distance.
Below are the most critical factors that explain the working of the LED walls.
LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are wired onto a board that's then connected to other LED panels in a series. When the panels are connected together, it's then connected to a power supply, an input port for receiving a signal, and a computer for running image files.
LEDs use something known as pixel pitch or a set space between the pixels. The pitch is determined by the distance from the center or one LED cluster to the next one on all axis.
Today, the standard LED pixel pitches for LED pitches like the one you would find in a church range between 3-6mm. Outdoor LED video walls mostly have a wider pixel pitch because the viewing distance is longer, and the difficulty distinguishing the individual LED from a distance. While large displays are expensive because of the smooth pixel pitches, the sizeable space allows more room for a wide space in between with no interference with the image.
It all translates to, as seen above, the pixel density. When close, a numerically lower pixel pitch is required. Therefore, the pixel pitch you choose is a crucial factor in determining its cost. You calculate pixel density depending on how close the audience is. Consequently, you need a finer pitch if they are closer and a bigger one if the audience is at a distance.
They make LED video walls of multiple panels. Other smaller modules have RGB light on them. Typically, the panel size is about 500*500mm four panels make a square meter. The LEDs directly emit the light out while surrounded by a black plastic housing. Therefore, it has a high contrast ratio. It makes them suitable for outdoor advertising where there is high ambient light.
The images in an LED wall are split. Either a software PC, video card, or hardware controller controls them. Both methods of operating have merits and demerits.
While the hardware controller has high performance and reliability, it does not provide room for flexibility. It has limited pixel resolution. Therefore, displaying multiple input sources using a hardware-controlled LED video wall is not possible.
Conversely, they equip the software controller with multiple output cards, with some having video capture inputs. Therefore, they support various input sources and allow for full pixel resolution.
LED walls are used for a variety of purposes. They're used in retail stores to play videos that show how products are used, in large arenas so more people can see the action, and to support a news anchor during a broadcast. This type of video display is versatile and easy to set up, which makes it ideal for almost any type of use that requires playing live or recorded video. Below are some uses of LED video walls.
Perhaps the most prominent application of LED walls is in advertising. We have applied them in both indoor and outdoor advertising services. Outdoor LED video walls capture the attention of prospective customers. They can work under any amount of light by tweaking their pitch. Since they do not have bezels, there is a smooth transition between frames. The advertising using the LED walls can be indoor or outdoor.
LED walls are a darling to music artists. They are used to give captivating visual flashes during night concerts. In addition, to allow the audience to view the artist, they stream the artists' movements and dances, engaging the audience with a next-level experience.
The other area the LED video walls have found enormous uses nowadays is within the church. You can fit them in strategic locations where everyone can view and access them. LED video walls provide visual communication for the hymn that congregants are singing, the verse they are reading, and other notifications within a place of worship.
LED walls can provide clear graphics with seamless transitions. They are used to providing an exhilarating moment in amusements parks. You can use them as video displays to the public who have gathered to have fun. It can be through counting the laps covered by a person, delivering visual messages, and many more uses.
LED walls are an advanced form of digital signage compared to billboards and other traditional signages. Below are the differences:
While billboards and other traditional signages provide static signs, the LED video walls have a technology that helps you give your audience an interactive experience. LED walls leave a lasting impression of the brand in a user's mind.
You cannot change your message in traditional signages and static billboards. Conversely, you can vary the message in an LED video wall depending on the audience's needs.
Because they are captivating and they can change the messages, LED walls are effective in advertising. You can use the graphics to show how to do something or use a product. In contrast, because the billboards are static, their messages often become outdated and irrelevant. You also have to part with some money, replacing the billboard frequently.
You can adjust software-controlled LED video walls easily to cater to situations like the time of the day. It does not affect their illumination beauty. The message in billboards and other forms of traditional signage does not allow for such accommodations.
There are a variety of video walls that are designed for different purposes. You can get an LED wall that uses low-pixel LEDs for displaying text and numbers only and install it for use as a sign. If you need higher resolution and color, an LED wall that uses high-pixel count LEDs with the capability of displaying a range of colors and movement. The most common types of LED walls include:
This type of LED wall is the most common type, and one that just about everyone is familiar with. These have high enough resolution for displaying images and videos, and don't wash out in direct light. Viewers can see the image from most angles, making them perfect for use in concerts and billboards.
A direct view LED wall typically has a fine pitch, or a space of 1.5mm between pixels. This results in a wall that's viewable close up without being able to detect the pixels. In contrast, a wall with a 3mm pitch looks great from a distance, but the pixels become more visible the closer the viewer gets.
An indoor video wall typically features a lower pixel pitch due to the fact it doesn't have to overcome sunlight, and is usually viewed from a distance. However, an LED wall is also used as a background for people and objects, which means that the pixel pitch needs to be higher to create a seamless image.
A good example of a high quality indoor LED wall is the ULWIII(Pro) from Unilumin. The unit is designed to deliver a high-quality image in an indoor setting, provides reliable and stable operation, and is easy to use. Another product, the UslimII, offers a high-quality viewing experience, and is also easy to control while adding creative shapes to the list of options.
An outdoor LED wall works in the same way as an indoor LED wall, but the wall gets weatherproofed to protect against the elements. Walls that are intended for use as a billboard or sign tend to have a lower pixel pitch as the distance from the viewer to the wall closes the gaps between the pixels.
Prices for LED walls start at around $10,000 and go up from there. The factors that go into the cost of purchase include the intended use, quality of the LEDs, panel size, and controls. LED walls at the low end of the price range deliver a reasonable quality image, while more expensive units produce vivid colors and images.
Rental pricing averages around $1,200, with the cost increasing in relation to the size of the unit and the amount of time it's needed. A general rule of thumb for renting is 10% of the cost of the unit per day.
In order to spend the right amount of money to get what you need from an LED wall, you need to have a solid idea of its ultimate use. If you need an LED wall for a short duration, renting makes the most sense. For a permanent installation, consider the size of the space you need to fill in, the intended use, and amount of control you need over the unit.
Maintaining an LED wall is straightforward and easy. All that's required to keep a wall in good condition is a regular dusting and keeping the ambient temperature stable to prevent overheating. At no time should water be used to clean the wall as this can cause the electronics to short. The manufacturer of your video wall will tell you the proper cleaning and maintenance of their product to ensure its longevity.
The lifespan of a video wall is measured in hours, with the average lifespan being anywhere between 60,000 to 100,000 hours. However, if a wall receives proper maintenance, it has the potential to last longer than the stated lifespan.
Getting the right video wall for your business and its needs is key to getting a unit that meets your needs and delivers the imagery you're seeking. Start by asking yourself these key questions:
Your business may need an LED wall for simple displays with limited graphics, which means a wall with lower resolution, pixel pitch, and basic functionality is best. If you need more resolution and functionality from a wall, you can step up to the next level of video wall that's designed and built for mid-range quality. Not all businesses need the best and greatest, but for those who do, a custom-built video wall from Unilumin delivers everything you're looking for and is easy to use on top of the excellent image quality.
At Unilumin, we manufacture video walls for indoor and outdoor use, and for a wide variety of applications. Our video walls are used in sports arenas, museums, newsrooms and businesses of all kinds. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our products and how we can build a custom LED wall that meets your needs.
