Outdoor LED Screen

Outdoor LED Screen: The Ultimate Guide

 

1. What Is An Outdoor LED Screen?

 

An outdoor LED screen is an electronic device that uses an array of light-emitting diodes as pixels for a video display.

You can use an LED screen display outdoors to show different contents such as text, images, and videos to attract an audience from small and great distances.

You can use it for a store sign or billboard because its brightness allows it to be seen in broad daylight.

LED displays also have higher contrast ratios than traditional projector screens, making them ideal for large and uninterrupted video walls.

These widely used LED screens for advertising outdoors also work as a destination indicator on public buses and taxis and traffic signs on some highways.

 

2. Is LED Or LCD Better For Outside Viewing?

 

If you plan to put a screen display meant for people to see from several feet away or in the open air, you might want to go with an LED screen.

Outdoor LED screens specification makes your display images and videos more eye-catching for the audience and passersby.

LCD or Liquid crystal displays create images bypassing backlight through tiny crystals inside the display. These liquid crystals tend to get fragile and bulky as display size increases.

The display is made up of rows and columns of tiny light bulbs on LED or Light-emitting diodes. It makes the display lighter and more vibrant.

Outdoor LED screen gives you significantly brighter and better color differentiation that can be seen in any ambient light conditions.

LED also has a broader viewing angle than LCD that makes it more suitable for outside viewing.

 

3. What Is The Difference Between Indoor And Outdoor LED Displays?

 

Outdoor LED display has fuller color and higher brightness compared to indoor LED display.

Bright sunlight can affect the visibility of your screen display. Hence outdoor LED screens are power-packed with many LEDs in one pixel that gives it ultra-high brightness.

On the other hand, an indoor LED screen has a higher resolution since the distance between the screen display and your viewers is short.

You can see outdoor LED screens are using in events held in stadiums or open fields. You can also see this being used as billboards or store signs by many businesses.

You use an indoor LED screen in events held in venues like churches, malls, social halls, hotels, etc.

 

4. Can I Use An Indoor LED As An Outdoor LED Screen?

 

Yes, you may use an indoor LED screen as an outdoor LED screen, but it will indeed compromise your display’s visibility among your audience or viewers.

Indoor LED screens are typically manufactured to be less bright because it is intended to view from a short distance. Thus, indoor screens have higher resolution.

Outdoor LED screens are usually larger and ten times brighter than indoor LED screens to keep your display visible from a great distance, even under bright sunlight.

Indoor LED screens are best used in restaurants, conference halls, retail outlets, corporate offices, shopping malls, and other indoor celebrations.

 

5. What Is The Lifespan Of An Outdoor LED Screen?

 

An outdoor LED screen can last from 80,000 hours to about 120,000 hours. That is around nine years to 13 years, depending on the materials used by the manufacturers.

This lifespan is based on optimal conditions. That means the harsher you use your outdoor LED screen, the less you can expect it to last.

You can make an outdoor LED screen for more than 15 years with proper maintenance and proper installation.

Other significant factors that affect the lifespan of an outdoor LED screen are temperature and luminosity.  LED electronics should be programmed with not more than the recommended brightness range to avoid increasing temperature.

A P20 Outdoor LED Screen Installed In 2012, located in Peru. It still works properly in 2021.

 

6. What Size Of An Outdoor LED Screen Should I Use?

 

You can create an LED screen by putting LED panels tightly together. The most commonly used LED panel size is 1.6ft by 1.6ft (500mm x 500mm).

You have to remember that the pixel pitch of LED panels varies. For an outdoor event, the most common sizes being used are 14mm to 20mm. 10mm is also a great option to ensure a high-definition appearance.

The actual outdoor LED screen size can be determined by the following factors: venue dimensions, aspect ratio, and audience size. That means you can only choose the perfect LED screen size once you have a venue.

 

7. How To Install An Outdoor LED Screen Display?

 

There are various ways on how to install an outdoor LED screen display. Some methods of installation are called embedded, hoisting, step, column, and wall hanging.

You have to remember that an outdoor LED (large) screen display is a highly customized electronic device.

For safety purposes, an outdoor LED screen display shall only be installed and maintained by qualified technicians.

Improper installation or LED screens may cause electric shock, fire, or severe damage and death.

It is advisable to call professional maintenance personnel to handle the installation or repair of the LED screen.

 

8. What Is The Minimum Viewing Distance Of An Outdoor LED Display?

 

The minimum viewing distance of an outdoor LED display depends on the pixel pitch of the LED screen.

You can calculate the minimum viewing distance by multiplying 10 feet for every 1.0 mm pitch.

For instance, an LED screen with a 3mm pixel pitch has a minimum viewing distance of 3 meters, while a screen with a 10mm pitch has a minimum viewing distance of 10 meters.

 

9. What Is The Maximum Viewing Distance Of An Outdoor LED Display?

The maximum viewing distance of an outdoor LED display depends on the height of the LED screen display.

You can calculate the maximum viewing distance by multiplying the height of the LED screen by 30.

For instance, an LED screen with a height of 3 meters has a maximum viewing distance of 90meters.

 

10. How Much Does An Outdoor LED Screen Cost?

You can find an LED outdoor screen for sale in China from US $ 300 to the US $ 3 500 per screen panel.

Outdoor LED screen price varies depending on the specifications that you are looking for. A cheap outdoor LED screen is not always the best choice for you.

LED screens for outdoor advertising mainly depend on the size, pixel pitch, programming, and manufacturers.

You can expect that the higher the size, the higher the price.

Also, the smaller pixel pitch means higher pixel density (resolution). The higher the resolution, the sharper and more accurate the display. Therefore, the smaller the pixel pitch, the more expensive it can be.

The most commonly quoted screen pixel pitch is 4mm, which can be sold from the US $ 600 – the US $ 1 900.

 

11. What Is The Right Contrast Level For An Outdoor LED Screen?

You can measure the contrast in LED screens by comparing the brightest white pixel and darkest black pixel on LED outdoor display screens.

The contrast is often expressed as a ratio of X:1 (1000:1, 1300:1, 1600:1).

If you want better imaging for your LED screen display outdoor, a 5000:1 contrast ratio is typically used.

You can also find high-quality outside LED screens that use black printed circuit boards and black solder masks to provide outstanding contrast.

Higher contrast does not only make your display easier to recognize, but it also reduces the risk of having eye strain.

 

12. What Is A Good Pixel Pitch For An Outdoor LED Display?

For your outdoor LED display, the recommended pixel pitch for close viewing ranges from 3mm to 6mm. LED screen with 16mm to 20mm is commonly used for distance viewing.

When choosing the right pixel pitch for your LED display, you have to take first into consideration the viewing distance of your audience.

You can calculate the optimal viewing distance by dividing the pixel pitch (mm) by 0.3 – 0.8. For instance, an LED screen with a 16mm pixel pitch is best viewed from 20 to 53 meters.

Viewing the LED screen display beyond this point will have less clarity.

While this calculation can help you understand which pixel pitch to choose, other factors need to be considered, such as purpose, budget, and cabinet type.

It is always best for you, so consult an LED screen expert to help you select the best LED screen pixel pitch to cater to your needs.

 

13. Does An Outdoor LED Screen Have Automatic Brightness Adaptation?

Most outdoor LED screens are equipped with intelligent sensors and automatic brightness adjustment systems that adapt to lighting conditions.

You can automate the brightness level of your LED screen by installing a brightness sensor on it.

These brightness sensors are composed of a photoreceptor and a control card.

Photoreceptor detects the light level. The control card interprets it to assign brightness value to the LED screen.

If you want to ensure that your outdoor display does not cause visual disturbances among the viewers, it is recommended to look for LED screens and panels with light control systems.

 

14. What Is The Meaning Of IP (Ingress Protection) Rating?

Ingress protection code, sometimes called International Protection Code, classifies the degree of sealing protection offered by an electrical enclosure against solid and liquid intrusions.

You can find the rating by looking for the letter “IP,” which is always followed by two digits. The first number represents the protection against substantial intrusion, and the second digit defines the protection against various moisture.

Below is an IP rating reference chart to guide you:

 

First Digit	Protection against solid intrusion	Second Digit	Protection against moisture/water
0	No protection from solids.	0	Not protected from liquids.
1	Protected from touch by hands greater than 50 millimeters.	1	Protected from condensation.
2	Protected from touch by fingers and objects greater than 12 millimeters.	2	Protected from water spray less than 15 degrees from vertical.
3	Protected from tools and wires more significant than 2.5 millimeters.	3	Protected from water spray less than 60 degrees from vertical.
4	Protected from tools and small wires greater than 1 millimeter	4	Protected from water spray from any direction.
5	Protected from limited dust ingress.	5	Protected from low-pressure water jets from any direction
6	Protected from total dust ingress.	6	Protected from high-pressure water jets from any direction.
		7	Protected from immersion between 15 centimeters and 1 meter in depth.
		8	Protected from long-term immersion up to a specified pressure.
		9	Protected from steam-jet cleaning.

 

15. What Is IP Rating Suitable For An Outdoor LED Screen?

For your outdoor LED screen display, the recommended IP rating should be at least IP65.

The IP rating of your LED screen depends on the environment where you will put it. The harsher the ground, the higher the IP rating you need.

If you plan to install your LED screen display in a place with lots of dust and have a risk of being in contact with any concrete debris or liquid, you have to make sure that the IP ratings are high and have adequate water resistance.

If your setting is an open outdoor area with high contact areas (heavy foot traffic or there would be people touching them) and it may be a wet location, LED screens with high IP ratings are appropriate.

 

16. What Is The Refresh Rate Of An Outdoor LED Screen Display?

For a good, flicker-free screen display, your screen refresh rate must be at least 1000 Hz. Anything higher than this rate is considered a high refresh rate.

The refresh rate of your LED screen display tells you how fast your screen is. This is usually measured in Hertz, which is abbreviated as Hz.’

A refresh rate of 1000Hz means the image is refreshed 1000 times per second.

Do not confuse refresh rate with the frame rate (fps or frames per second), referring to the speed and frequency rate at which consecutive images are shown on display.

 

17. Do Outdoor LED Screen Displays Have Weather-resistant Features?

Yes, outdoor LED screens typically have weather-resistant features.

Outdoor LED screens are designed with waterproof, dustproof, windproof protection elements.

If you want an outdoor LED display that can withstand adverse weather conditions, you need to find an LED screen with high ingress protection (IP) rate.

For an outdoor LED screen display, the protection level must be at least IP65 or higher. The higher the digit, the higher the protection.

Indoor LED display screens typically have lower IP rates and do not offer the same features since they are placed in less harsh environments.

Outdoor LED Display Screens Are Waterproof

18. What Safety Features Does An Outdoor LED Screen Should Have?

It will help if you are looking for outdoor LED screens that are resilient to external harsh weather conditions.

An outdoor LED display screen is recommended to have waterproof and dustproof protection features.

Your LED display screen for advertising outdoors should also have anti-lightning features to keep your LED screen protected during thunderstorms.

You also have to consider the cooling system of your led outdoor display screen. This is to avoid overheating, which can deteriorate the performance of your LED screen.

If you want to maximize your screen protection, consider gearing your outdoor LED displays with anti-theft function locks and a solid foundation support structure.

 

19. How To Maintain An Outdoor LED Screen?

As far as possible, keep your outdoor LED screen always dry. And place it in a low dust environment.

When cleaning the screen, swipe the screen surface as gently as possible to minimize the risk of harm.

It would be best to have a cleaning schedule to prevent long-term dust from coating your screen surface.

Refrain from using your outdoor LED screen display during thunderstorms.

Make sure you have a stable power supply. You must also schedule rest for your LED screen. At least 2 hours a day is advisable.

If not in use for a long time, you may opt to turn on the screen at least once a month.

Regularly check your outdoor LED display screen for damaged circuits, wiring, etc.

Lastly, seek professional help or guidance on how to maintain your display.

 

20. How To Clean An Outdoor LED Screen?

It would help if you made sure that your outdoor LED screens are cleaned regularly. Here are some steps in cleaning your outdoor LED screen:

First, you need to dust the dirt off that masks the surface of the screen.

Second, use a cleaning cloth and solution to wipe the surface quickly; do it in one direction only. It would help if you did not directly spray a cleaning solution on the screen.

It is best to use a non-abrasive cleaning solution that is diluted in distilled water. Cleaning your screen with water alone is not a good idea.

Third, you may vacuum clean the sides and edges to remove dust that hides between gaps.  Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft-bristled brush.

Lastly, you may opt to spray the surface with a can of compressed air to blast away stubborn dust or debris for an extra added measure.

Cleaning LED screens require intensive cleaning. It is always safer for you to seek help from a professional cleaning team.

 

21. How Much Power Does An Outdoor LED Display Screen Use?

The power or electrical consumption of your outdoor LED screen display is determined by many factors such as screen brightness, screen size, and the number of LEDs it contains.

For example, you can calculate the electricity cost per day of your outdoor LED movie screen by determining the max power consumption in kilowatt, working hours per day, electricity per kilowatt, and screen size.

Here’s how you can compute it:

Max power consumption: 900 kW

Number of hours:10 hours

Electricity per kilowatt: $ 0.15

Screen size: 50 sqm

Cost per day = 0.9 KW x 10 hours x $ 0.15 x 50 sqm

Cost per day = $ 67.50

 

22. What Are The Best Outdoor LED Screens?

Before choosing the best outdoor LED screens for you, you first need to identify your business needs.

What are you going to use it for?

What is your target viewing distance?

Where are you going to install it?

Your answers to these questions will guide you in selecting the right LED screen display for you.

You do not want to overpay for something that will not give you and your audience the experience you desire.

Here at YUCHIP, you can meet with our highly skilled team of marketing and technical experts who are more than willing to join you in your LED screen project journey.

So whether you are a large organization looking to rebrand multiple locations across the country or a smaller business looking to create one showstopper LED display for your business location, we can help.

The Largest Outdoor LED Screen In South America, 402sqm P16 LED.

 

23. Where Can I Find Outdoor LED Screen Rentals?

If you are looking for a reliable and globally recognized LED outdoor screen manufacturer and supplier, Yuchip rental LED panels are here to cater to all your LED display needs.

Yuchip’s quality LED screen has been exported to over 102 countries since 2004.

Our great range of LED displays includes outdoor LED display, indoor LED screen, rental LED display, transparent LED display, LED poster, flexible LED display, HD LED screen, mobile LED video screens, LED wall controller, and more.

It’s our mission and delight to help customers transfer any and every desired space into the digital world.

Would you like more information? Contact us today; we have the experience, vision, and insight needed to create, manage and implement your best-LED screen solution.