LED Display Types: A Practical Guide to Specs, Installation, and Real-World Use
Quick summary: Most projects fall into Fixed Indoor, Fixed Outdoor, Rental/Event, LED Poster, Transparent, Curve/Flexible, LED Floor/Ceiling, Mesh/Media Façade, Perimeter/Scoreboard, and Fine-Pitch/COB. To choose wisely, start with the viewing distance → pixel pitch → brightness (nits), then consider IP rating, structure/power, refresh rate, and after-sales service.
LED basics: Pixel Pitch, Brightness (nits), Refresh Rate, IP Rating
- Pixel pitch: the smaller, the sharper. Choose primarily by real viewing distance.
- Brightness (nits): Indoor typically 600–1,200 nits; Outdoor 4,000–6,000+ nits depending on sun exposure and direction.
- Refresh rate: ≥3,840 Hz keeps images stable on camera—useful for photos/live streams.
- IP rating: For outdoor, aim for IP65+ and ensure proper sealing and electrical standards.
Suggested viewing distance vs pixel pitch
| Pixel Pitch | Recommended Viewing Distance | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| P0.9–P1.2 | 1–2.5 m | Control rooms, studios, executive areas |
| P1.5–P2.0 | 1.5–3.5 m | Lobbies, meeting rooms, showrooms |
| P2.5–P3.0 | 2.5–5 m | Halls, mid-stage, exhibits |
| P3.9–P4.8 | 4–8 m | Large stages, malls, events |
| P6–P10 | 8–20 m+ | Outdoor, facades, billboards |
LED display types in practice
1) Fixed Indoor LED
Permanent indoor installs prioritising image quality. Commonly P1.2–P4, 600–1,200 nits. For solid walls, prefer front-service cabinets.
2) Fixed Outdoor LED
Storefronts/building signs need IP65+ and 4,000–6,000+ nits. Choose P4–P10 based on distance; have engineers certify structure and power.
3) Rental / Event LED
Die-cast, quick-lock cabinets for rigging or ground stack. P1.9–P4; high refresh (≥3,840 Hz) for camera work. Keep spare modules/PSUs.
4) LED Poster / Standee
All-in-one, portable displays that can be tiled into a video wall—ideal for storefronts, showrooms, and pop-ups.
5) Transparent LED
Glass-mounted see-through displays—lightweight, wind-friendly, and modern for retail façades.
6) Curve / Flexible / Corner
Curved, reverse-curve, and seamless 90° corners using flexible modules or custom cabinets.
7) LED Floor / LED Ceiling
Load-bearing interactive floors and immersive ceilings—pay special attention to structure, power, and service access.
8) Mesh / Media Façade
Lightweight, wind-permeable strips for large façades—reduced wind load and weight for landmark-scale projects.
9) Perimeter / Scoreboard
Stadium-grade with impact protection, wide viewing, and redundancy.
10) Fine-Pitch / MicroLED / COB
Very close viewing (P0.x–P1.x). COB/GOB options resist dust and touch—great for control rooms and studios.
Reference Specs (2025)
| Category | Pitch/Technology Updated 2025 | Brightness nits (approx.) | Refresh Rate Hz | Service/Frame | Dust/Water | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor Fine-Pitch Indoor | P1.x–P2.0 (e.g., COB/SMD) | ~800–1,000 | ~5,760 | Front service; die-cast | IP4x | Lobbies / meeting rooms / studios |
| Indoor Standard Indoor | P3–P4 (SMD 2121) | ~800–1,000 | High (e.g., 7,680) | 90° seamless corner option | Indoor | Malls / indoor stages |
| Outdoor High-Bright Outdoor | P4 (SMD 1921) | ~5,000–6,000 | High (≥5,760–7,680) | Rear/front by series; 960×960 mm | IP65+ | Storefronts / building signs |
| Outdoor Billboard Outdoor | P8 / P10 (SMD 3535) | ~5,000+ | High (≥5,760) | Steel or die-cast cabinet | IP65+ | Billboards / large façades |
| Rental / Event Rental | P2.6–P4 / P8–P10 (by brief) | Project-dependent | Very high (≥3,840 to ~7,680) | Light die-cast; quick-lock | Often IP54–IP65 | Concerts / sports / roadshows |
| LED Poster Indoor / Semi-Outdoor | P1.25–P4 (640×1920 cabinet) | Indoor ~800–1,100 / Outdoor ~3,900–4,500 | ≥3,840 (some higher) | Single or tiled video wall | IP45 / IP65 | Storefronts / POP displays |
Type Comparison & Key Ranges (At-a-Glance)
| Type | Best For | Typical Pitch | Brightness (nits) | Dust/Water | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Indoor Indoor | Lobbies, meeting rooms | P1.2–P4 | 600–1,200 | IP20–IP43 | Front-service optional |
| Fixed Outdoor Outdoor | Storefronts, building signs | P4–P10 | 4,000–6,000+ | IP65+ | Engineer-certified structure/power |
| Rental / Event Rental | Stages, roadshows | P1.9–P4 | 1,000–2,500+ | Site-dependent | Die-cast, quick setup |
| LED Poster Indoor / Semi-Outdoor | Storefronts, POSM | P1.25–P3 | 800–1,100 / 3,900–4,500 | Indoor / Semi-Outdoor | Can tile into a wall |
| Transparent Indoor / Semi-Outdoor | Shop windows, showrooms | P3–P10 (equiv.) | 1,000–5,000 | Varies by series | See-through effect |
| Curve / Flexible Custom | Curved / corner walls | P1.5–P4 | Project-dependent | By design | Custom engineering |
| LED Floor / Ceiling Indoor | Immersive / interactive | P2–P4 | 1,000–2,500 | Impact/dust resistant | Serviceability matters |
| Mesh / Façade Outdoor | Large building façades | P10–P25+ | 5,000–8,000+ | IP65+ | Wind-permeable, lightweight |
| Perimeter Outdoor | Stadiums | P6–P10 | 3,000–6,000 | IP65+ | High impact resistance |
| Fine-Pitch / COB Indoor | Control rooms / executives | P0.x–P1.x | 600–1,200 | Indoor | Ultra-smooth image |
How to choose cost-effective specs
- Start from real viewing distance, then pick the right pitch.
- Assess lighting: Indoor 600–1,200 nits; Outdoor 4,000–6,000+ nits.
- Check IP + structure/power: Outdoor needs IP65+ with proper certification.
- Refresh rate: ≥3,840 Hz if photos/live video matter.
- SLA & spares keep your screen reliably online.
Control system & content files
- Async vs Sync controllers—choose by real-time needs.
- Processors/controllers must match total resolution and refresh.
- Content files should match aspect ratio, use bold fonts, and high contrast—especially outdoors.
Power & consumption
Actual draw depends on content and brightness. As a rule of thumb:
- Indoor: ~200–400 W/m² average
- Outdoor: ~300–800 W/m² average
Quick formula: Screen area (m²) × avg W/m² → total watts → convert to amps by voltage/phase, add safety margin.
Maintenance & lifespan
- Calibration/mapping: keep originals and backups.
- Cleaning: follow guides—especially for outdoor.
- Check PSUs/fans periodically and stock spares.
- SLA: define response time and spare policy.
Popular use cases
- Storefronts/buildings: Fixed Outdoor P4–P8, high contrast content.
- Showrooms/lobbies: Fine-Pitch P1.2–P2.5, premium look.
- Event stages: Rental P2.6–P3.9, high refresh, fast setup.
- Shop windows: Transparent LED, minimal visual blockage.
- Large façades: Mesh/Media Façade, reduced wind load.
FAQ
How bright should an outdoor LED be?
Typically 4,000–6,000+ nits depending on sun direction, usage hours, and placement. Direct sunlight may require higher nits.
Why do I see scan lines in photos?
It’s about refresh/scan type and camera settings. Choose ≥3,840 Hz and match shutter/frame rate to the display.
How do I pick pixel pitch cost-effectively?
Choose by viewing distance first. Closer viewing needs smaller pitch; farther viewing can use larger pitch to save budget.
Need a proposal tailored to your site?
Send dimensions (W×H), viewing distance, indoor/outdoor, and daily usage. We’ll propose two options (value/premium) with ballpark budget and timeline.
Talk to our team or call the number on the site.