Dec 05.2024

Understanding Viewing Angles in Displays

What is a Viewing Angle

The Importance of Viewing Angle

Factors that May Impact the Viewing Angle

How the Display Angle may Affect LED Displays

What is an Ideal Viewing Angle

Conclusion





Have you ever seen a screen or display that manages to maintain the same clarity and vividness of images no matter where you are viewing them from? That is as a result of the viewing angle of the display.

 

As the name suggests, the display angle is a position or the degree to which a viewer can adequately see an image or a video on a display with acceptable visual performance. This angle allows the audience to view clear, vibrant images even when they are not seated or standing directly in front of the screen.

 

There are both vertical and horizontal indicators of these values. Horizontal display angle refers to the range of angles from right to left. At the same time, vertical display angle refers to the range above and below. Here is a detailed look at viewing angles and how they may affect the quality of images and your viewing experience.

 

What is a Viewing Angle

 

The display angle is the maximum angle at which a screen can be viewed by an audience without diminished visual performance. It's simply the range that the viewers can discern images from the screen clearly without color fading, distortions or reduction in the level of brightness of the image.

 

Consider a situation where you are standing or sitting in front of an LED display. At this point, you can see the images perfectly. As you move to the side, the image will begin getting distorted, colors may be washed out, and the pictures may become less sharp. The point or angle where the distortions start becoming evident defines the display angle of the display.

 

The display angle is usually expressed in degrees, and in most cases, there are horizontal and vertical values. For many manufacturers, the horizontal display angle is usually expressed first over the vertical display angle . A LED display with a viewing angle of “140/120,” means that it has a 140 degrees horizontal display angle and a 120 degrees of vertical display angle.

 

The Importance of Viewing Angle

 

When purchasing a screen, the display angle will greatly impact how you use the display. A screen with a wider display angle will have greater flexibility, can be used on different occasions and will provide the viewers with consistent, clear images. Here is a look at some reasons why the this is important.

 

Better Audience Engagement

 

One of the main benefits of a large display angle is that it allows the audience to have a clear and immersive viewing experience no matter the position in which one is seated relative to the screen. With a high range of visibility, the target audience can enjoy high-quality images, and businesses can effectively deliver messages knowing that the content will reach more people.

 

Improves the Viewing Experience

 

A wide display angle means that the screen will be visible from different positions. This high degree of flexibility will allow the audience to move freely without worrying about diminished image quality hence experiencing a consistent and enhanced viewing experience.

 

Cost-effectiveness

 

For businesses, displays with a wide and better display angle can ultimately reduce operating costs, which may consequently improve the profit margins of the organization. This is because displays with a wider display angle reduce the need for several screens to cover a large audience or area. This saves costs in not only the initial purchase of multiple screens but also installation, power and maintenance costs.

 

Versatility in Application

 

Lastly, a display with a wider display angle will have a broad range of applications. From outdoor advertising to indoor displays and presentations and even home entertainment systems there are a host of uses for wide display angle displays. Additionally, they are also a good option for advertising, especially in busy areas.

 

Factors that May Impact the Viewing Angle

 

With so many LED screens in the market, it is important to understand what impacts the display angle in each screen, as this could ultimately impact the quality and the perception of images. Here are some of the key factors that influence the display angle of an LED display.

 

Optical Design of the Display

 

One of the main Screen components that is required for LED displays to show images is the lens, which comes in different shapes and arrangements. The lens that a particular display is using may affect the display angle since it determines how the image is projected.

 

LED Chip

 

Another factor that may influence the display angle of an LED display is the LED chip used in the display. LED displays have different packaging methods, such as COB, SMD, and DIP. These packaging methods have different light scattering patterns, which may ultimately impact the display angle .

 

Pixel Density

 

Screens with high pixel density will tend to have a wider display angle compared to screens with a low pixel density. This is because a high pixel density will create a sharper and more concentrated light distribution; hence, there are low chances of the images getting distorted at wide angles.

 

Image Processing Ability

 

Technology now plays a crucial factor in displays, and as such, the technology used can also affect the display angle . Many displays come equipped with different image processing abilities, for example, HDR10 and 4K upscaling. The effectiveness of the image processing technology in your display will have a great impact on the display angle . Displays with efficient technology will tend to have a wider display angle as compared to displays with inefficient technologies.

 

Brightness

 

The brightness levels of the screen may sometimes narrow the display angle due to the high amount of light being scattered. However, advancements in image processing technology and optical design optimization have greatly mitigated this effect.

 

Manufacturing Process

 

The manufacturing process and the materials and components used may also contribute to the overall display angle of the display. Displays with high-quality materials will have an infinitely higher quality and, hence, a better display angle and longevity.

 

How the Display Angle may Affect LED Displays

 

One of the key impacts of the display angle is influencing how an image is perceived by viewers in different areas of the room. Here is how the this impacts image perceptions:

 

Color Shift

 

In most cases, as the view moves from the center, the colors of the image may start to appear distorted or shifted. This is because as you move further away from the center of the screen, the light scattering pattern keeps changing.

 

Reduction in Brightness

 

As the display angle increases, the proximity to the screen may increase, which may reduce the brightness emitted by the LED displays since it cannot effectively reach all the wide angles. As a result, the clarity of the image may be reduced.

 

Image Distortion

 

Image distortions as you move away from the screen are caused by how the light is refracted at different angles as well as the light scattering patterns. Further away from the center of the screen.

 

Contrast Reduction

 

Lastly, the proximity to the center of the screen may also impact the contrast of the display. A widening display angle may blur the difference between light and dark areas in the screen making the images less pronounced.

 

What is an Ideal Viewing Angle

 

For commercial use, the display angle of the screen will greatly be determined by their use. Here are some common uses.

 

  • Movie Theaters: The ideal display angle for movie theaters is 36-40 degrees for optimal viewing. As the screen size increases, the ideal viewing distance and angle also increase.
  • Billboards: For billboards, the ideal display angle is 45 degrees. This allows people, such as drivers, to clearly see the message on the billboard while keeping their concentration on the road.
  • Digital Signage: As for digital signage, the ideal display angle is a wide-angle view of about 45 degrees from the normal eye level to ensure that most people can see the message on display.

 

As for personal use, it is recommended that the tv viewing angle be at 30 to 40 degrees on your field of vision when you're seated for optimal viewing.

 

Conclusion

 

LED viewing angles may make or break the quality of your images. Choosing a display with the right display angle could go a long way in improving the perception of the quality of your content. When purchasing a screen, go for a dealer with knowledge of how these angles impact display quality to ensure that you make the most out of the deal and get the right display for your needs.