How to Position an LED Screen for Better Visibility
LED screens are popular additions to events and advertising campaigns due to their high efficiency, longevity, and vibrant visual effects. However, due to how the screen is positioned, viewers may sometimes experience difficulty seeing the visuals.
In this blog, we will explore the best practices for positioning LED screens for maximum visibility.
Best practices for improving LED screen visibility
Visual acuity is the sharpness of vision and is measured by the ability to see details from afar. Visual acuity can be affected by various factors, such as:
Size and spacing of pixel pitch
The smaller the pixel pitch, the higher the resolution. This means that smaller LED screens tend to have smaller pixel pitches and are only seen clearly from a short distance. Depending on the nature of your event, it is important to select a pixel pitch appropriate for the viewing distance and environment to improve the visibility of the LED display. If you are hosting a sporting event, you’ll need a larger pixel pitch. Indoor events will require displays with smaller pixel pitches.
Lighting conditions
Ambient lights can also affect visibility. The darker the environment, the easier it is to see individual pixels. A brighter environment makes it difficult to distinguish pixels. In many cases, LED displays with high brightness can solve this problem. Outdoor LED displays are designed to provide higher brightness levels and overcome the challenges that come from direct sunlight. Higher brightness ensures that the content remains visible even in bright ambient light. Always go for LED displays with high nits ratings to ensure visibility.
Viewing angle
A wider viewing angle allows for a larger area where pixels can be seen clearly. Using a direct-view LED display with wider angles or positioning the LED display so that it can be viewed from a wider angle can significantly improve visibility. It is important to choose displays that offer both horizontal and vertical viewing angles to ensure visibility to a large audience.
The viewing distance also influences the viewing angle. A large LED screen placed too close to the audience will greatly affect how well the audience can make out things on the screen. However, placing the screen far away allows for the images to come together and improve the viewing experience.
Automatic brightness adjustment
Some outdoor LED displays have an automatic brightness adjustment feature that allows them to adjust to changes in lighting. This feature helps maintain optimal visibility without manual adjustments from the technical teams. Just think of an outdoor event that starts at noon and is slated to end at night. It is important for the display to be able to adjust its brightness based on the intensity of sunlight at that time.
Maintenance and cleaning
Regularly cleaning display surfaces from dust, dirt, and debris can help improve visibility. Dust and dirt can reduce the vibrancy of colors and give a dull presentation. Conducting regular maintenance checks can help you find wires or adjustments that are out of place that can also affect the brightness of colors and visibility.
Contrast ratio
The contrast ratio of an LED display determines the brightest and darkest parts of the content you’re presenting. A higher contrast ratio enhances visibility by improving the display unit’s distinction between light and dark content elements. This ensures that the display produces more defined images.
Anti-glare solutions
Sunlight intensity can reduce the visibility of an outdoor LED display unit. Using anti-glare solutions like polarizing filters and anti-reflecting coatings can reduce reflections and improve visibility even in very bright outdoor conditions.
Content designs
Optimizing content designs can significantly improve image visibility on LED displays. Bolder fonts, contrasting colors, and clear graphics can help the content stand out and improve legibility even from a distance. Bright colors like yellow or tangerine can greatly improve visibility.
Display placement
Where and how you place your LED displays can greatly improve content visibility. Make sure always to place your outdoor LED display in crowded places so that the audience can always see your content. Avoid objects like tree branches or structures and anything that can stand between the display unit and the audience. Also, consider the height of the display unit, as this can influence visibility as well. Placing the LED unit higher than the audience’s line of sight can make it difficult to focus on your content and even result in them never seeing it entirely. Placing screens at eye level can help capture their attention and improve visibility even from far distances.
Manufacturer’s guidelines
Consider the specifications in the LED display manufacturer's guide to understand the model's specific visibility features. Thoroughly evaluating the LED display’s performance in real-time can help you tweak the unit to accommodate outdoor environment conditions.
FAQs
What should be the best viewing distance of LED screens?
The ideal viewing distance from an LED screen is 1.5x the diagonal size of the screen. The optimum distance between your eyes and the screen should be 16 to 30 inches. For indoor venues, it should be 90-120/60 degrees, and for outdoor venues, it should be 120-160/60-90 degrees.
What is the best viewing angle for LED displays?
The viewing angle of a screen affects the audience’s perception of the content. Your screen should have horizontal and vertical angles of 120 and 160 degrees, respectively.
Wrapping Up
Visibility can be a serious issue when using LED displays, but by choosing the perfect pixel pitch, considering viewing angles and lighting conditions, and other factors, you can improve visibility and your audience’s viewing experience.
By following these best practices, you can ensure that your LED display is legible for the majority of viewers. Jagen Events considers all these best practices during installation and maintenance sessions, ensuring the best outcome for your events.
