When it comes to the LED vs. LCD video wall debate, it can be hard to pick a side. From the differences in technology to the picture quality and the carbon footprint. There are several factors that you will need to consider when choosing which solution is most suitable for your needs.
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With the global video wall market set to grow by 11% by , there has never been a better time to get to grips with these displays.
How do you choose a display with all of this information to consider though? Keep reading to find out.
Jump to:
Comparison table
What&#;s the difference
Picture quality
Bezel
Resolution
Pixel Pitch
Size
Brightness
Contrast
Carbon footprint
Location
Cost
How will you display your content?
Next step
Comparison table
Explore our range of video walls here, or contact us today and tell us about your video wall project.
LED Video WallLCD Video WallCostMore expensive
Low-end average $40,000-$50,000Less expensive
Low-end average $5,000-$6,000
Lighting typeFull array- even distribution of LEDs across the screen. This allows for local dimming that improves image quality by creating more contrast.Series of lamps at the back of the screen. These are spread evenly giving a consistent display.
LCDs are unable to do local dimming due to the display producing consistent lighting.
ResolutionThis will vary depending on the pixel pitch
640 x 360 or 960 x x
SizeLED panels are smaller and can be combined in unique ways to fit any size requiredLCD screens are larger restricting the space they can be combined in. Can create large displays but has a limit.
Lifespan11 years
100,000 hours5-7 years
50,000 hours
BrightnessRange from 600 nits to 6,000 nitsRange from 500 &#; 700 nits
Indoor/Outdoor useSome LED displays are designed for indoor use only. Others are made to be used outside and will have an IP rating identifying how weather-resistant they are, ideally, you&#;ll want an IP65-rated display.Suitable for indoor use
Contrast:1
Local dimming can give parts of the screen a more authentic black to increase the contrast ratio.:1
Even light distribution limits the contrast.
Power consumption600W250WLCD vs LED comparison table
What&#;s the difference?
To start with, all LED displays are just LCDs. Both use Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology and a series of lamps placed at the back of the screen to produce the images we see on our screens. LED screens use light-emitting diodes for backlights, while LCDs use fluorescent backlights.
LEDs can also have full array lighting. This is where the LEDs are placed evenly across the entire screen, in a similar way to an LCD. However, the important difference is that the LEDs have set zones and these zones can be dimmed. This is known as local dimming and can significantly improve picture quality. If a certain part of the screen needs to be darker, the zone of LEDs can be dimmed to create a truer black and an improved image contrast. LCD screens are not able to do this as they are constantly evenly lit.
Get in touch today and our team of experts can help you with your LCD or LED video wall requirements.
LCD video wall in an office reception area
Picture quality
Image quality is one of the most contentious issues when it comes to the LED vs. LCD video wall debate. LED displays generally have better picture quality compared to their LCD counterparts. From black levels to contrast and even colour accuracy, LED displays usually come out on top. LED screens with a full-array back-lit display capable of local dimming will provide the best picture quality.
In terms of viewing angle, there is usually no difference between LCD and LED video walls. This instead depends on the quality of the glass panel used.
Bezel
One of the main differences and biggest considerations when picking between an LCD and an LED video wall is the bezel.
LCD
If you go with an LCD display you will need to consider the bezel size. The bezel is the frame that goes around the edge of a single LCD panel. When you bring each panel together to form your video wall, the bezel is where each screen will meet. This will be visible when looking at your video wall, as you&#;ll see a thin black line where each panel connects to another.
Representation of the average LCD video wall bezel
When looking for an LCD video wall, you will see the bezel sizes listed for the panels. The larger the bezel size the thicker the black bar between the panels will be. Depending on the content you wish to display, this can affect the viewing experience. One large continuous image or a lot of data would be most clearly affected by the bezel.
However, with recent advancements in bezel reduction technology, video wall providers are now able to provide LCD displays with very narrow and in some cases almost unnoticeable bezels. LamasaTech offers a narrow 3.5mm bezel LCD video wall as well as an extremely thin 0.44mm bezel display.
LED
LED displays do not have a bezel, so no black frame will appear between each LED cabinet. This produces a seamless display and allows you to show your content uninterrupted. This is an effective setup when you are expecting to display a single image or video across the entire video wall.
Below you can see a comparison of an LCD display with bezels and an LED video wall without.
LCD video wall with bezels LED seamless display
LamsaTech provides seamless LED video walls, get in touch today to discuss your display requirements.
Resolution
Resolution affects the sharpness and clarity of the content displayed on a screen. This is particularly important for video walls as it will determine the appropriate viewing distance.
A higher resolution will keep your content looking clear while being viewed up close from a short distance away, while a lower resolution video wall will be better viewed from further away. This ties in with the pixel pitch which will be explained in the next section.
LCD displays offer a much higher resolution when compared to LED options. A 55&#; LCD display will offer x resolution. When your video wall is completed, the total resolution of your wall will depend on how many panels it includes. For example, a 3×4 LCD video wall will have a total resolution of x .
As LEDs can have differing pixel pitches their resolutions will vary. An LED with a pixel pitch of 1.26 will have a resolution of 960 x 540. Over the same 3×4 video wall display, this LED would offer a total resolution of x .
With a much higher resolution, this makes LCDs ideal for indoor viewing. They&#;ll be able to maintain a clear and detailed image while being viewed from a short viewing distance, for example in a security and control room, simulation room, education facilities and more.
LED video walls are a great choice for outdoor locations where the display will be viewed from a distance, meaning that the resolution is less important. LEDs are also a great choice for indoor environments if you are looking for a video wall with no bezel and the audience will be viewing the display from a distance, making the resolution slightly less important.
Contact our team of experts today and we&#;ll help you implement your video wall.
Pixel pitch
Pixel pitch is the distance between each pixel on an LED panel. The higher the pixel pitch the greater the spacing between the LEDs which will result in lower image quality, while a lower pixel pitch will offer a higher image quality. This will be especially noticeable in close-up viewing environments such as a board room or reception because the details of the content will be lost and viewers will begin to see individual pixels and not a clear cohesive image.
Understanding what pixel pitch you would require for an LED video wall in your chosen location typically requires input from technical specialists. However, here are two you can calculate this yourself.
- Multiply the pixel pitch of an LED display by 3 to get the minimum distance in feet a viewer must be from the wall to be able to interpret the content
- Multiply the pixel pitch of an LED display by 10 for the ideal viewing experience
For example, an LED display with a pixel pitch of 5mm would require a viewer to be 15 feet away to make out any details in the video wall and 50 feet away to clearly view the content.
LCD displays have a much smaller pixel pitch than LED displays, which makes an LCD video wall ideal for showing more informative and detailed content. If your video wall is to be placed in a control room, conference room or reception area, then an LCD display will provide a high-quality experience for this close-distance viewing.
Size
Where the display is going to be placed and the size needed are significant factors in which screen is right for you.
LCD video walls typically aren&#;t made as large as LED walls. Depending on the need, they can be configured differently but won&#;t go to the huge sizes LED walls can. LEDs can be as big as you need, one of the largest is in Beijing, which measures 250 m x 30 m (820 ft x 98 ft) for a total surface area of 7,500 m² (80,729 ft²). This display is made up of five extremely large LED screens to produce one continuous image.
Let us know the size of your video wall project and we&#;ll offer you expert guidance on how you can proceed.
Large LED display &#; The Place, Beijing &#; Erica Chang https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%22The_Place%22_Shopping_Mall_in_Beijing_-_panoramio.jpg
Brightness
Where you will be displaying your video wall will inform you of how bright you need the screens to be.
Higher brightness will be needed in a room with large windows and lots of light. However, in many control rooms being too bright will likely be a negative. If your employees are working around it for long periods they could suffer from headaches or eye strain. In this situation, an LCD would be the better option as there is no need for a particularly high brightness level.
Contrast
Contrast is also something to consider. This is the difference between the screen&#;s brightest and darkest colours. The typical contrast ratio for LCD displays is :1, while LEDs can achieve :1. Full-array backlit LEDs can offer high brightness due to the backlighting but also a truer black with local dimming.
Lightest and darkest colours highlighted on an office video wall
The environmental effects on the planet are now at the forefront of many companies&#; minds when making decisions. You could be looking for a video wall solution that has a smaller carbon footprint or complies with your green policies.
Commercial LCDs consume less power than commercial LED displays. This is because LEDs require more energy to power their high-brightness capabilities. LCD panels produce an evenly lit display but don&#;t reach the same level of brightness that LEDs do. As a result, LCD video walls are able to consume much less energy.
A 55&#; LCD display will typically consume around 250W of power at its peak, while a 55&#; LED cabinet will consume around 600W.
Location
LCDs
It is important to note that the location of your video wall will impact which option is best for you. LCD video walls are made for indoor environments and are most suitable in locations such as:
- Reception areas
- Control rooms
- Lecture halls
- Meeting rooms
LEDs
Some LED video walls are designed for indoor use while others are made for outdoor environments. A key detail to look out for with an outdoor LED video wall is the IP rating. This identifies how weather-resistant it is and how well it will cope with outdoor conditions. IP 65 is the rating you should look for as this will mean your LED display will be able to handle operating outside. Ideal outdoor locations for LED video walls include:
- Roadsides
- Stadium/venue entrances
- Attached to the side of a building
Cost
If your main concern is budget, then LCD is the obvious choice. You can usually buy a much bigger LCD display for vastly less money than an LED. LCD video walls are generally much cheaper compared to similar-sized LED displays. The low-end average for an LCD video wall is $5,000-$6,000, while an LED display will cost you $40,000-$50,000.
This is the same when it comes to maintenance. LED screens are more expensive to maintain compared to LCD displays.
The company is the world’s best 55 inch lcd video wall supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
How will you display your content?
With both LCD and LED you&#;ll be able to daisy chain your screens or connect a video wall processor. Daisy chaining involves connecting an input, such as a media player to one screen and then linking the remaining screens together. You&#;ll then be able to display the content from the input across your display.
A video wall processor offers more control and customisation as it comes with built-in software. Your chosen video wall will be connected to the processor and then you&#;ll be able to drag and drop content around the display and even resize it to fit your requirements.
To learn more about video wall processors and how they work, read this article.
LamasaTech Advanced Video Wall Processor
Next step
With this knowledge on video walls, you can take the next step in deciding which solution will be best for you.
You can explore our LCD video wall range here.
LamasaTech is a leader in digital display technology with over 12 years of experience. We support customers across a range of industries including retail, military and defence, government and public sector, technology, hospitality and education.
Explaining the Pros and Cons of LED Video Walls vs. LCD Video Walls
A video wall is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are many options to choose from when designing a commercial building video wall display: the size and shape of the digital canvas, what type of content will be displayed and the purpose of the video wall. Operationally, you may focus on desired reliability, maintenance and serviceability of the equipment. Hardware and technology decisions ensure the video wall will deliver both the desired viewing and ownership experience.
One of these choices is deciding between an LCD display or an LED video wall. Continue reading to find out more about the basics, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each solution.
About LCD Digital Screen Displays
Most people are familiar with LCD technology, which stands for Liquid Crystal Display. These types of displays have a massive presence in this world, used in living rooms to watch movies, fast-food restaurants to showcase menus, airports to show flight schedules, and everything in between. LCD technology was developed in the s and has been used worldwide as a standard for roughly 20 years. It is a tried-and-true technology that has stood the test of time and will be around for the foreseeable future.
On an LCD screen, the panel is illuminated by a light source and works through reflection or transmission of light. Overall, LCD displays have better viewing angles and less glare than LED screens. This technology was designed to be energy efficient and tends to be lighter in weight.
How does an LCD screen display work?
In an LCD monitor, there are multiple layers behind the protective glass on the screen that work together to produce an image:
Thin layer of liquid crystal material placed in between two layers of electrodes and glass
Color filter to produce colors
LED backlight behind the glass and color filters to emit light
LCD video wall displays differ from those mentioned in the above use cases in that they are designed and built specifically to serve video walls.
An LCD video wall is made up of multiple LCD panel monitors mounted on a surface to create a digital canvas, which then work together to create a unified experience. They operate 24/7 at a high brightness and have thin bezels that help create a seamless look when the displays are placed next to one another.
What qualities or technical elements should I consider?
Bezel thickness and the brightness rating are among key attributes to consider for an LCD video wall display. Here is what each of these means and why.
Bezel:
Bezel thicknesses for video wall displays are measured in &#;bezel-to-bezel&#; thickness.
This is the thickness of the bezel when two displays are placed next to one another. Displays can be either large bezel or thin bezel.
Nits:
Brightness is measured in Nits. A higher Nit value means the display will be brighter. A brighter display is necessary in a room that sees plenty of direct sunlight, or if the intent is to draw in visitors from far away. With LCD video walls, the price of the hardware goes up as the display size and brightness increase, and the bezel width decreases.
What content should you show?
The next item to consider is the type of content that will be displayed on your video wall. LCD displays have high resolution screens &#; modern 4K displays have over 8 million pixels! This means that the content being displayed is highly detailed and crystal-clear. A viewer could stand less than 1 foot away from the screen and be able to see exactly what is being shown on the screen.
Like previously mentioned with LCD video walls, an important consideration in the decision-making process is the type of content that will be displayed on the video wall. LED video walls suffer from image degradation and pixilation from up close, so fine details will be lost, and text will be illegible. If detail from up close is important, LCD displays are much better suited for that situation.
Content examples that are well-suited for an LCD video wall:
Fine text for directory listings
Transit schedules
Announcements
News, weather, and stock tickers
Wrapping it up
Video walls add exciting drama and premium value to showcase spaces. It is an investment that adds a perfect eye-catching solution for a busy lobby, conference room, or any other space.
Video walls are relatively new. But LCD technology has had decades of mainstream adoption, and with that comes both familiarity and lower costs. If those are important to you, then an LCD video wall is likely the right choice.
An LCD video wall will provide a fantastic experience for the user if:
About LED Digital Screen Displays
LED video walls are similar to LCD video walls, but the digital canvas is built using LED panels. Individual LED panels can be anywhere from 12&#;x12&#; to 36&#;x18&#;, which is much smaller than LCD displays. LED panels have a larger presence in this world than most might think&#;they are found indoors and outdoors at stadiums, arenas, concert venues, airports, and in use as large digital advertisements in iconic places such as Times Square.
What&#;s in an LED display?
LED panels are made up of 2 main components: the cabinet and the module. The cabinet houses internal components such as cabling and circuit boards.
The module is a small rectangular board that contains all the individual LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Unlike LCD, there is no glass or color filter on the LED video wall panels. The individual diodes that are placed on the modules produce both color and light.
One of the most impressive features of LED panels is that they can be combined to create almost any shape, without a bezel interrupting the digital canvas. LED video wall panels can be placed on curved surfaces, 90-degree edges, and other non-standard surfaces. The smaller size of the panels in relation to LCD video wall displays means they can fill more space on a surface&#;they aren&#;t limited to standard 46&#; and 55&#; sizes as are LCD video wall displays.
Explore our LED video wall options and configurations by downloading our Product Catalog.
A Note on LED Pixel Pitch
The most important factor to consider when scoping LED panels for a video wall is what is referred to as &#;pixel pitch.&#; The pixel pitch is effectively the distance between each pixel on the LED panel&#;a pixel pitch of 6mm means each pixel is spaced 6 millimeters away from the adjacent pixel. The smaller the pixel pitch, the smaller the distance is between each pixel, which means there are more pixels per square inch on the digital canvas.
Deciding which pixel pitch is best for a space typically requires input from technical specialists, but here&#;s a good rule of thumb to follow:
Pixel pitch factors into viewing distance. When the pixels are close together, the image is more detailed and can be viewed comfortably by others from a close distance. But when the pixels are spaced further apart, a viewer needs to stand further away to view the image clearly.
Lastly, pixel pitch impacts the price of the LED video wall more than any other factor. For example, a 2mm pixel pitch LED video wall costs significantly more than its 10mm pixel pitch counterpart.
Is LED right for you?
As is the case with an LCD video wall, an LED video wall will add exciting drama and premium value to showcase spaces. LED panel displays don&#;t enjoy the benefit of decades of mainstream adoption as do their LCD counterparts. However, the technology curve is increasing their availability and lowering their costs. At this time, an LED video wall will have higher upfront costs compared to an LCD video wall. If cost is the main concern, then an LED video wall system will not likely fit into your budget
An LED video wall would be well-suited and cost-justified if the intent of the video wall is to provide an immersive viewing experience from a further distance. This could be content with lots of movement, animation, imagery, and bright colors to draw viewers into your space or provide a unique experience.
Aside from LED video wall cost, there are other factors to consider which could make an LED video wall system the frontrunner for your project. Here are the advantages and disadvantages to consider:
LED Video Wall Advantages
No bezel:
LED panels are combined to create a bezel-less, uninterrupted digital canvas
High brightness,
high contrast ratio, no glare:
creates brighter, darker, more vivid colors that can easily be seen in direct light
Limitless shapes and sizes:
the smaller size of LED panels allows them to be combined to create unique canvases, including curved, 90-degree edge, and other combinations not possible with LCD displays
High refresh rate:
ideal for moving content; creates extremely smooth motion on the display with no judder
Easy maintenance and service; high reliability:
LED module replacement takes seconds with little effort; LED panels are rated with a lifetime of 80,000-100,000 hours, depending on the product
Indoor or outdoor:
outdoor LED panels are 100% weatherproof and can withstand extremely high and low temperatures
LED Video Wall Disadvantages
Image degradation from up close:
LED panels lose clarity and detail the closer the viewer stands from the panels
High upfront costs
: LED panels are consistently coming down in price, but one can generally expect to pay much more for LED than LCD
Wrapping it up
Video wall systems come in all shapes and sizes. The components used to create the video wall experience vary widely. Consider variables other than video wall cost when scoping out both the content and the hardware. Because these parts and pieces could make or break the captive viewing experience you&#;re hoping to achieve, or worse, defeat the entire purpose of that video wall.
So if you&#;re looking to buy a video wall in the next year, talk to us about your plans. We&#;ll discuss your goals and options to determine what digital video wall package and digital directory elements are right for you. Contact us today to get a free video wall consultation.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website commercial display products.
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