Ten years ago, video walls were accessible to just a small segment of the market. Events and stadiums, malls and casino loyalty kiosks seemed like the only places you would find a glowing wall of digital signage. But as the disruptive technology continues to expand, these types of installations are being used in almost every industry.

What are LED Video Walls?

LED video walls are comprised of Direct View LED (DV LED) display panels that work together as a unit to display content as if it were a single screen. LED displays are incredibly efficient because each component is responsible for conducting and emitting its own light.

Light-Emitting Diodes (LED)

LED’s are tiny, two-lead semiconductor light source. LED’s are special because unlike any other technology for digital signage, they can produce and emit light on their own. This makes them long-lasting and extremely durable.

Light-emitting diodes are simply tiny little light bulbs that can plug into an electric circuit. Unlike standard light bulbs, however, they do not have a filament. Thus, they do not burn out or run hot. They are illuminated only by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material. This is also what determines the color of the bulb. Unlike other video walls where the images are backlit, LEDs are actually producing them.

DV LED displays began as monochrome and were often used in outdoor digital signage solutions. Everything changed when RGB (color) LEDs hit the market in the late 90s, and direct view light-emitting diode screens are now a major trend in the digital signage and Audio Visual industries.

LED Pixels

As the market for LED’s continues to evolve, pixel density is being greatly improved upon. The gap that once set LED and LCD so far apart is now swiftly closing. LED’s used in video walls are special because the displays can achieve “true black.” This is done by coating each LED with black resin epoxy. Shades are then inserted in between the lights to separate the illuminations and eliminate reflectance.

DV LED video walls are comprised of several small LED displays mounted on a flat panel. Therefore, when installing an LED video wall, it is important to keep in mind the average viewing distance. In this case, the number of pixels will determine the resolution. The closer people are to the video wall, the finer the pixel pitch needed. Pixel size ranges from smaller than 0.9mm to greater than 16mm. Narrow Pixel Pitch (NPP) is currently defined as lower than 2.5mm mainly used for indoor displays.

One pixel in an LED video wall is equal to one surface mount device (SMD). On that small pixel lies the RGB die. The pixel density is calculated by the pitch. The pitch is determined by the distance (in mm) between each SMD LED.

The Benefits of DV LED

A decade ago, LED technology would not have been a viable option for most business owners. Every day, as the market grows, it is steadily becoming the greatest competition against LCD Displays.

There is an unlimited number of benefits to installing an LED video wall. The following are just a few things you can come to expect from this type of technology

Lighting:

• High brightness ≥ 600 nits

• Designed for high illumination

• Can be displayed in a well-lit room or on a showroom floor

• Great for indoor or outdoor video walls

• Handles ambient lighting better than LCD

Reliability:

• Energy efficient and long lasting

• Long life ≥ 50,000 hours

• Best refresh rates of any video wall on the market

Installation:

• Seamless: LED panels have minimal bezels (seams) and can be tiled together

• Lower pixel density

• Unmatched uniformity
  Wide viewing angles

• Depth varies, rear access common

• Any size or shape, not just 16:9

Quality:

• Achieves true black with epoxy coated LEDs

• Wide color gamut ≥ 95% NTSC and accuracy

• Self-emitting light source

LED is an incredibly efficient application for the high-impact visuals that a video wall installation requires. The picture is clear, the integration is flexible and the hardware is more affordable than ever. The technology has come a long way in the last 10 years and if it continues to evolve, LEDs stand to be the most prevalent digital signage hardware on the market.