Over the past decade, video walls have become increasingly favored as a digital signage alternative, owing to their remarkable capacity to captivate audiences and effectively communicate messages. These displays can be configured in various arrangements to suit different spaces and purposes, and they offer larger, higher-quality images compared to individual displays. When choosing technology for a video wall, two contrasting options often considered are LCD and dvLED.
Video walls are becoming increasingly popular in various settings such as corporate buildings, shops, transportation hubs, sports arenas, and command and control facilities. However, choosing the appropriate technology for each application is crucial. LCD and dvLED are two fundamental forms of technology used in video walls, each with unique features and advantages. To ensure the best outcome, it is essential to determine which technology is most suitable for the particular application before selecting the type of video wall installation that best meets the client's requirements.
Liquid Crystal Displays
When it comes to creating liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, a layer of liquid crystal is placed between two glass sheets. This layer of liquid crystal is an interesting substance as it is partially solid and partially liquid. When an electric current is applied, the crystals in this layer shift, producing an image on the display. However, in order to display this image, some form of illumination is required since the crystals themselves cannot generate light. Surprisingly, the most common type of backlighting used for LCD panels is LED, which helps to illuminate the screen and enhance the viewing experience.
LCD screens are renowned for producing high-resolution images that are bright and vivid. These screens have robust calibration capabilities that enable them to create an image that appears uniform across multiple screens, providing a seamless viewing experience for users. Additionally, LCD screens can be configured into various forms and sizes, making them ideal for innovative and scalable video wall installations. They are also slim and easy to install, reducing the installation time and complexity. Moreover, LCD screens have an incredibly low total cost of ownership due to their affordable initial price and energy-efficient operation, making them a cost-effective solution for a wide range of applications.
LCD video walls consist of multiple individual displays, each of which has a bezel frame. While this could potentially be viewed as a drawback, modern LCD video walls have image gaps as small as 0.88mm, making this concern negligible. With such minimal bezel width, the image on the video wall appears uninterrupted, providing users with an immersive and seamless viewing experience.
Direct View LED
LEDs are small semiconductors that convert electrical energy into visible light. In an LED panel, each color pixel consists of a red, blue, and green LED. By combining these three hues, the LED panel can produce trillions of colors. In contrast to LCD panels, where the backlight travels through the liquid, each LED in an LED panel produces its own light and layer of crystals. This is why the term "direct vision" LED (dvLED) was coined, as the display is produced directly by the individual LEDs rather than by a backlight shining through a layer of liquid.
dvLED panels offer a range of advantages such as superior contrast, wide viewing angles, long lifespan, energy efficiency, and exceptional brightness. They are versatile enough to be used in both indoor and outdoor settings. Moreover, dvLED panels are designed to create a single, large surface area, without any distracting image gaps, thanks to the absence of bezels. This seamless display enhances the visual experience for users and ensures that content is displayed in a smooth and uninterrupted manner.
Selecting the Proper Panel
LCD panels have long been the preferred choice for indoor video walls, while dvLEDs have been the go-to option for outdoor installations due to their durability and weather resistance. However, with recent advancements in LED technology, dvLEDs have become a viable alternative for indoor applications as well, offering customers a wider range of options to choose from. This development has opened up new possibilities for businesses and organizations looking to implement high-quality video walls in their indoor spaces.
Choosing the optimal video wall solution for indoor installations can be a complex task, and it's important to keep certain key factors in mind. Here are some considerations that should be taken into account:
Pixel Pitch
Pixel pitch, measured in millimeters, refers to the distance between the center of one pixel and the center of an adjacent pixel. A screen with a smaller pixel pitch will have a higher pixel density, resulting in a shorter viewing distance. As a general rule, a large screen viewed from a distance can have a relatively high pixel pitch, whereas a screen viewed up close should have a smaller pixel pitch. Currently, LCD video walls tend to feature a smaller pixel pitch than dvLED, allowing for greater image clarity and detail even when viewed up close.
Image quality
Achieving a seamless, unified image across tiled video walls is of utmost importance. Any inconsistencies in color or alignment can be particularly jarring to the eye, especially when present throughout the entire surface. Therefore, it's important to check for homogeneity and accurate color reproduction. With the proprietary SpectraView Engine technology, luminance in the background is continuously stabilized, ensuring consistent image performance among LCD panels straight out of the box. This level of visual control results in precise, realistic images with improved imaging performance. Additionally, for installations in highly lit areas, it's advisable to look for video walls with low reflectivity surfaces to minimize glare and unwanted reflections.
Brightness
It's important to note that brightness is a significant factor to consider for video walls installed both indoors and outdoors. It's crucial to take into account the ambient lighting conditions in the surrounding area to ensure that the video wall delivers exceptional viewability and an aesthetically pleasing experience. Adequate brightness is a key requirement to achieve these objectives when setting up a video wall.
Digital Video LED (dvLED) technology has revolutionized the display industry by offering exceptional brightness levels, particularly for large-scale outdoor screens. With the capability of producing brightness levels exceeding 5,000 cd/m², dvLED is the ideal technology for outdoor display applications. Conversely, indoor screens generally require lower brightness levels, ranging between 500 and 1,200 cd/m². The impressive brightness levels of dvLED technology have made it a preferred choice for outdoor displays, providing outstanding visibility even in bright sunlight conditions.
Contrast
The contrast ratio of an image is determined by the difference between its brightest and darkest areas. A higher contrast ratio results in a more vibrant image, with darker shadows and brighter highlights. In the case of dvLED technology, a high contrast ratio is achieved by completely turning off the LED. This is in contrast to LCD displays, which use liquid crystals to block the light emitted from the backlight. To ensure deep contrast levels, dvLED utilizes a high-efficiency LED chip and a black mask. However, both LCD and dvLED technologies are capable of supporting high contrast levels. Ultimately, the choice between these two technologies will depend on the viewer's perception and preference.
Power consumption
Both dvLED and LCD display technologies are designed to be energy efficient, with power consumption managed through display settings. By adjusting the brightness level to a lower setting, power consumption can be reduced while still maintaining an enjoyable viewing experience. The power consumption of dvLED displays is dependent on the type of content being displayed. For example, when displaying super bright content, the power consumption will be higher. However, overall, both technologies prioritize energy efficiency to reduce power consumption and minimize environmental impact.
Heat dissipation
When LED technology is used as a backlight for either LCD or dvLED displays, it generates both light and heat. Heat build-up can become a concern, especially in setups with multiple displays, and can potentially affect image performance and accelerate aging. To address this issue, NEC LCD displays feature professional heat management systems, including user-controllable fans and metal back covers that help to disperse the heat. In contrast, dvLED technology emits the majority of the heat from the front of the screen surface, which makes cooling easier but also results in slightly warmer screen surfaces. To determine the most suitable solution for your specific application, it is advisable to consult with the manufacturer or supplier to better understand how each technology manages heat dissipation and what requirements are needed to ensure optimal performance.
Build quality
Public indoor video walls should be strong enough to withstand severe environmental conditions, such as tiny bumps, are exposed. For incorporation into video walls, LCD monitors must be of a sturdy commercial design with a metal back cover. Choose a mounting infrastructure that is suitable for the display, ideally from the same source. Choose from a reputable dvLED manufacturer with a strong mechanism that allows for exact placement and adjustment between modules. rewrite as content writer
Front and rear service access
When it comes to video wall panels, it's important to ensure that they offer easy access from both the front and back for hassle-free installation and cost-effective maintenance. Luckily, leading manufacturers of direct view LED (dvLED) displays like NEC offer direct front access to each module, while LCD video walls can be fitted with special mounts to enable front access as well. By choosing either of these options, you can enjoy a simple installation process, convenient maintenance, and easy repair access to the display.
Cost
The cost difference between dvLED panels and LCD panels is gradually decreasing, making dvLED panels a more viable option. To ensure that the dvLED display meets your client's budget, image quality standards, viewing distances, and content type, it is crucial to collaborate with your solution supplier to select the appropriate pixel pitch. The finer the pixel pitch, the higher the cost of the dvLED display, thus finding the perfect balance is essential.
Long life
One advantage of dvLED modules is their remarkable longevity. They can typically last from 70,000 to 100,000 hours before their brightness output decreases by 50% of the original value. Although LCD video walls also have a long life expectancy, it is around 60% to 70% of the lifespan of dvLED. Therefore, if long-term performance and durability are important factors for your display, dvLED may be a better option to consider.
LCD video walls have the advantage of individual displays that can be easily replaced or modified to match nearby screens within the wall if maintenance is required. Similarly, dvLED video walls also have spare parts available to ensure color uniformity throughout the entire surface after a module change. As technology advances, calibration will become increasingly important in the future. This is because calibration enables the colors and brightness of each pixel or panel to be precisely matched to the others in the video wall, extending its lifespan. Ultimately, regular calibration will help maintain the video wall's pristine appearance throughout its entire lifespan.
Turnkey solution
For customers who prefer a comprehensive video wall solution, choosing an end-to-end installation that includes both hardware and services may be the best option. Sharp NEC offers expert consultancy services to help find the ideal video wall display technology that meets the specific needs of your customers. With our guidance, you can ensure that the chosen solution is perfectly tailored to your customers' requirements, resulting in a seamless installation and optimal performance.
The Big Picture
The latest advancements in dvLED technology have opened up new possibilities for customers seeking indoor video wall installations beyond the traditional LCD solutions. The choice between LCD or dvLED technology depends on various factors, such as client needs and the benefits of available technologies. By carefully considering these factors, a cost-effective and durable signage solution can be achieved. Sharp NEC's sales partners or authorized resellers offer personalized consultancy services to help identify the ideal solution for your specific application and requirements. With their expertise, you can make an informed decision that satisfies your needs while achieving the best possible performance and value.