Your first foray into the world of LED displays can be daunting. There are so many new terms to learn and before you can make any decisions, you have to figure out what decisions you should be making!
This primer gives you some insight into what you will need to install an LED display or wall in your church, conference room, lobby, or retail shop.
The main components of an LED system are:
These are the parts you see. LED displays are almost always made up of a number of LED panels combined together to produce an image. Depending on space, design needs and desired output resolution, these LED panels will be combined and connected by ethernet cables.
An LED panel is made up of thousands of individual LEDs set into a module. A single module or multiple modules will be combined into a frame or chassis. On the back of this chassis will be a power supply and a receiving card.
Your LED display will be mounted in some fashion. There are three options for mounting. Some LED panels are better than others for different mount styles.
Flown LED displays
A flown LED display uses a rigging system to hang LED panels from a height. This is usually a stage truss structure designed to support the weight of numerous LED panels connected together.
Wall Mounted LED Displays
A wall mounted LED display will be mounted on a frame that is mounted on a wall. When wall mounting an LED panel, it is nice to have an LED panel that provides front access to the serviceable parts in the back. This makes it easy to change cables that might be faulty or make other adjustments. Wall mounted Led displays usually look better with a frame on the outer edges.
Ground Stacked LED Displays
Some applications require LED panels to be stacked together on the ground. In this mounting system, the weight of the panels is supported by the ground. Often stabilizers will be added, or ladder style frames can also be used to be able to access higher panels.
There will be two cables feeding each LED panel. Generally, only one panel will require a “home run” or longer cables connecting to the processor and power supply. Other panels in the display will be connected to each other.
The second type will be the signal or data cable. This will be a CAT5/6 ethernet cable. In order to have your Led wall display correctly, the signal cables will need to be ordered correctly. The order is defined by the processor.
The processor takes the signal from your output device (usually via HDMI) and formats it for the LED wall. Each processor brand has its own color adjustment options, but they all define how to get your video onto the panels in the right order for a proper display. The processor feeds the receiving card of the LED panel. The receiving card must be the same brand and format as the processor.
The software runs on a computer connected to the LED Wall processor. This is how you will setup the LED Wall and adjust brightness, color options, and other features provided by the manufacturer. The two main brands of Processor are Brompton and NovaStar.
NovaStar processors are a great value, particularly if you plan to setup your LED walls in a fixed location and plan to adjust them infrequently. Smaller churches, conference rooms, and signage applications will benefit from NovaStar processing.
Brompton processors offer the most control over the display image. If you plan to move your stage, use LED panels in rental applications, or need detailed control over content, Brompton is the way to go.
For details about how to plan your LED Display wall, reach out to us and we can help. The THOR AV team has roots in AV integration. We designed our LED panels to meet the needs of customers we’ve worked with over the years. We can help you!
As an audiovisual engineer, purchasing an LED wall requires careful consideration of several essential aspects. It’s crucial to take note of the critical factors that impact the LED wall’s overall performance, such as pixel pitch, viewing distance, brightness, resolution, refresh rates, power consumption, heat, electrical requirements, indoor and outdoor use, IP ratings, and the type of LED wire used.
The Key Code Media team has seen the demand for LED display design and installations exploding with specific use cases for Government EOC Rooms, Sports Arena, Cinemas and Televisions, Public Signage and Retail, Emergency Operations Centers, Corporate Conference Rooms, House of Worship, Corporate Lobbies, Medical Facilities (Hospitals Signage), Bars and Restaurants. Let’s take a look at the most important technical specification to consider before making a purchase.
If you have an interest in learning more- please don’t hesitate to contact your preferred systems integrator, Key Code Media.
The pixel pitch is the distance between the centers of adjacent pixels. The smaller the pixel pitch, the higher the resolution of the screen. For instance, an LED wall with a 1.5mm pixel pitch provides a higher resolution than a 3mm pixel pitch screen.
The minimum viewing distance is the shortest distance at which the screen’s image can be viewed without any visual distortion. The minimum viewing distance depends on the pixel pitch and screen size. For example, an LED wall with a pixel pitch of 2.5mm will have a minimum viewing distance of around 3 meters.
The brightness of an LED wall is measured in nits or candelas per square meter (cd/m²). It determines the screen’s visibility in different lighting environments. For outdoor installations, a brightness of 5,000 nits or more is recommended. For indoor installations, a brightness of 1,000-2,000 nits is typically sufficient.
The resolution of an LED wall is the number of pixels in the display, which determines the clarity of the screen’s image. For instance, an LED wall with a resolution of 1920×1080 (Full HD) can display Full HD content without any scaling.
The refresh rate is the number of times per second the screen updates its content. A higher refresh rate produces smoother images and reduces motion blur. For instance, an LED wall with a refresh rate of 120Hz can display fast-moving content without any lag or flicker.
The power consumption of an LED wall is measured in watts and depends on the screen size, brightness, and configuration. It’s essential to consider both the average and maximum power consumption to ensure that the display does not overload the power supply. For instance, an LED wall with an average power consumption of 300W and a maximum power consumption of 1000W requires a power supply that can deliver at least 1000W.
The heat generated by an LED wall depends on its power consumption and the environment where it’s installed. The BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating measures the amount of heat generated by the display, and it’s essential to consider it to ensure that the screen does not overheat. For instance, an LED wall with a BTU rating of 4000 requires a cooling system capable of dissipating at least 4000 BTUs per hour.
The electrical requirements of an LED wall include voltage, amperage, and frequency. It’s essential to ensure that the display’s electrical requirements match those of the power supply to avoid any compatibility issues. For instance, an LED wall that operates at 220V and 50Hz requires a power supply that can deliver 220V and 50Hz.
Indoor and outdoor LED walls have different requirements. For instance, outdoor LED walls require higher brightness and IP-rated protection against dust and water. Indoor LED walls, on the other hand, have lower brightness requirements and may not need any IP protection.
IP ratings indicate the level of protection against dust and water. For outdoor installations, it’s essential to choose an LED wall with a high IP rating to ensure that it can withstand harsh weather conditions. For example, an LED wall with an IP68 rating provides complete protection against dust and water immersion up to 1.5 meters.
There are two types of LED wire used in LED walls, copper wire, and gold wire. Gold wire is more expensive but offers better performance, such as higher brightness and longer lifespan. Copper wire is cheaper but may not offer the same level of performance as gold wire.
In conclusion, purchasing an LED wall requires careful consideration of several essential aspects to ensure that the display meets your requirements. By taking note of the factors mentioned above, you can select an LED wall that provides optimal performance and value for your installation.