What is Direct View LED?
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be found in torches, lamps and the backlight of most LCD screens; essentially they are tiny light bulbs. Direct View LED (DV-LED) solutions comprise of individual LEDs that light up with different colours to create an image; so think of each LED as a pixel. Our ranges of Direct View LED solutions use surface mounted device (SMD) technology, combining red, green and blue micro LEDs so each pixel can create a full range of colours. Direct View LED displays have a modular design so they can be made to fit any space. Content is sent, usually from a media player, to a sending box which then distributes the image to each module and in turn each LED.
Pixel Pitch
When planning your DV-LED project, one factor to consider is the viewing distance and how pixel pitch plays a part in this.
Pixel pitch refers to the distance between each LED/pixel, so in a P6 DV-LED Video Wall there would be 6mm between each pixel, both horizontally and vertically. This is why typically indoor DV-LED solutions have lower pixel pitches when compared to outdoor DV-LED solutions as you would expect outdoor displays to be viewed from a further distance. When deciding which pixel pitch is right for you, a general rule of thumb is the number after the “P” dictates the optimum viewing distance in meters. For example, the optimum viewing distance for a P6 DV-LED display is 6 meters or more.
How does it work?
DV-LED solution is made up of several components:
The first of which is the media player, which sends the content via HDMI to the sending box.
The sending box processes this video signal and sends it to the receiving card of the first LED cabinet. Each cabinet, which is comprised of separate LED modules, is then daisy chained to one another using a CAT5 cable to carry this signal.
Installation
Direct View LED solutions can be installed quickly and efficiently due to smart interlocking cabinets.
When it comes to installation of Direct View LED there are multiple factors that need to be taken into account. Where is the Direct View LED display being mounted; is it going on a wall or a custom built freestanding structure? Is a structural engineer needed? Will extra equipment such as a cherry picker be required? Is the display a permanent install or a temporary rental? How much and what type of power is going to be needed?
Each installation is project based and we provide full support and installation for each DV-LED wall.
Maintenance
LED is one of the most durable and reliable display technologies available. However like any form of equipment it does need to be properly maintained to ensure optimum performance.
The failure rate of LED is astonishingly low and even when it does occur the modules can be easily accessed and swapped out.
The level of maintenance required can be mitigated by considering certain factors during the design and installation stage, such as making sure there is sufficient ventilation. Direct View LED solutions are not a ‘fit and forget’ type of technology and that is why we can offer maintenance packages where appropriate, so you can be sure your Direct View LED display is properly cared for and has a long lifetime of operation.