LCD or LED video walls and which is better
Video walls are fast becoming increasingly popular in Australia and appear to be popping up in every store and shopfront, there are several advantages to having one in-store, however before you dive in and purchase a video wall for your business, it is important to consider your business’s requirements.
We will be comparing Direct View LED Video Walls (DLED for short) to LCD video walls, as these are the two most popular choices and are very different types of display technology, this is where you really have to consider the use case of your video wall before you make a decision.
Determine your businesses use case
The two most popular use cases are environmental or for in-store advertising. Video Walls are great for creating an inviting and exciting environment which attracts people in-store and keeps them there longer. In-store advertising is great for informing the public about specific products, services, or promotions.
The type of information you have on the display, the distance from viewer, the viewing angle, and the size and shape of the available space are important to consider before you choose a video wall solution.
The Difference between DLED and LCD Video Walls
Direct View LED Video Walls are made up of several individual panels of LED’s, which are put together to create a digital display of any shape or size.
LCD video walls are put together using several LCD screens and are limited in their shape and size, which is the same technology and appearance to your TV at home. In fact, the first video walls were just a bunch of TV screens and were often referred to as “multi-screen displays”, “monitor walls”, or “video arrays”.
LED Video Wall Advantages
One thing is for certain: if you plan to have a display that is outdoors or in direct sunlight, LED video walls are the clear winner. LED walls are exceptionally bright and can withstand harsh weather conditions, making them ideal for such environments. Compared to LCD video walls, LED displays offer several significant advantages. They are much brighter, which enhances visibility in bright settings.
Additionally, LED screens provide wider viewing angles, ensuring that the display remains clear for more viewers, even those who are not standing directly in front of it. LED displays also boast a much longer lifespan compared to LCDs, offer a seamless image due to zero bezels, and are more energy-efficient, which can lead to savings on energy bills. Furthermore, they deliver higher contrast and more vibrant colors, enhancing the overall visual experience.
LCD Video Wall Advantages
LCD technology, while older and offering fewer benefits compared to LED, still has specific use cases where it might be better suited. For instance, LCD video walls are advantageous when the display is touch-capable and viewers are standing very close to it, as the higher resolution of LCD provides greater clarity for close-up viewing. Nevertheless, LED walls are rapidly closing the gap, with new products featuring increasingly higher resolutions being introduced to the market each year.
LCD video walls also have their own advantages over LED. They are typically cheaper, making them a more cost-effective option. Additionally, they provide a higher resolution, resulting in a crisper image when viewers are in close proximity. Furthermore, LCD displays do not suffer from the moiré effect that can occur with LED panels having higher pixel pitches, which sometimes leads to unwanted visual artifacts, wavy lines, and distortion when filmed with a camera.
Conclusion
LCD video walls are usually only purchased due to the lower costs, or for when they are meant to be touch interactive and maintain a high level of clarity from an arm’s length away. If the display is meant to be viewed from more than a few metres away, then Direct View LED Video Walls are almost always the better choice.