LED Display Technology

The Science Behind
Every Pixel

From surface-mounted diodes to next-generation MicroLED packaging, we decode the technologies that power world-class LED displays — so you can choose with confidence.

6
Core Technologies
10K+
Nits Outdoor
P0.5
Finest Pitch
IP68
Max Protection
Pixel Pitch
P0.5 – P16+
Full range indoor & outdoor
Lifespan
100,000 hrs
L70 rated LEDs
Refresh Rate
3,840 Hz+
Broadcast-grade, flicker-free
Packaging Technologies

LED Technology Explained

Each packaging method offers unique advantages. Understanding these helps match the right technology to your application, environment, and budget.

Most Widely Used

SMD — Surface Mount Device

SMD encapsulates three LED chips (R, G, B) into a single lamp bead, reflow-soldered onto the PCB. The dominant technology for over a decade due to its mature manufacturing and extensive supply chain.

Each pixel is discrete and individually replaceable. Minimum achievable pixel pitch is ~P0.9, constrained by the physical footprint of the lamp package and soldering points.

Pixel Pitch
P0.9 – P16+
IP Rating
IP20 – IP65
Brightness
800–10,000 nits
Repairability
Pixel-level ✓
Mature, proven with the widest supply chain
Individual pixel replacement — low repair cost
Most cost-effective across all pitch ranges
Exposed LEDs — susceptible to impact damage
Limited to P0.9 minimum pixel pitch
Typical Use Cases
Outdoor BillboardsRental ScreensStage BackdropsSports ScoreboardsRetail SignageIndoor Lobbies
Performance Profile
Resolution
Durability
Repairability
Cost Efficiency
Fine Pitch Leader

COB — Chip on Board

COB bonds bare LED chips directly onto the substrate, eliminating the intermediate lamp-bead packaging. The entire surface is encapsulated with protective resin, creating a flat, seamless pixel area.

By skipping two manufacturing steps, COB achieves tighter pixel pitches and superior uniformity — preferred for fine-pitch indoor displays below P1.5.

Pixel Pitch
P0.6 – P2.0
IP Rating
IP40 – IP54
Viewing Angle
Up to 170°
Repairability
Module-level
Superior uniformity and higher pixel density than SMD
Better contrast ratio and wider viewing angles
Sealed surface — resists dust and moisture
No pixel-level repair — full module replacement
Higher cost per m² than SMD
Typical Use Cases
Control RoomsBroadcast StudiosBoardroomsCommand CentersFine-Pitch Video Walls
Performance Profile
Resolution
Durability
Repairability
Cost Efficiency
Next-Gen COB

QCOB — Quantum COB

QCOB integrates quantum dot enhancement materials into the COB encapsulation layer, significantly improving color gamut coverage — achieving DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces.

The quantum dot layer converts primary LED emission to produce more saturated, accurate colors with exceptional uniformity — ideal for broadcast-grade and cinema applications.

Pixel Pitch
P0.7 – P1.8
Color Gamut
DCI-P3 / BT.2020
Viewing Angle
Up to 175°
Application
Broadcast / Studio
Widest color gamut of all LED packaging technologies
Superior color accuracy for broadcast and cinema
Excellent uniformity — no color banding
Premium price — highest cost per m²
Module-level repair only
Typical Use Cases
Broadcast StudiosCinema LEDVirtual ProductionColor-Critical Displays
Performance Profile
Resolution
Durability
Repairability
Cost Efficiency
High Efficiency

Flip-Chip COB

Flip-Chip inverts the LED chip so electrodes face downward, contacting the substrate directly via bumps — eliminating wire bonding entirely for improved efficiency and reliability.

Better light extraction, superior thermal management (heat dissipates directly through the substrate), and longer lifespan compared to standard wire-bond COB.

Pixel Pitch
P0.6 – P1.5
Thermal
Excellent
Light Extraction
+15–20% vs COB
Lifespan
100,000+ hrs
No wire bonds — fewer failure points, higher reliability
Better thermal management — longer LED lifespan
Higher luminous efficiency — lower power consumption
Higher manufacturing complexity and cost
Typical Use Cases
Command CentersFine-Pitch Walls24/7 OperationsMedical Visualization
Performance Profile
Resolution
Durability
Repairability
Cost Efficiency
Next Generation

MIP — MicroLED in Package

MIP packages Micro LED chips (under 100 microns) into individual surface-mount units, bridging the gap between traditional SMD convenience and MicroLED performance.

One MIP package works across P0.5–P2.5, reducing complexity. Unlike COB, faulty MIP pixels can be individually replaced — combining the best of SMD and COB.

Pixel Pitch
P0.5 – P2.5
Peak Brightness
Up to 4,000 nits
Repairability
Pixel-level ✓
Protection
Resin-coated
Ultra-fine pitch — P0.5 achievable
Individual pixel replacement — best of SMD and COB
Resin-coated — dust, moisture, shock resistant
Works on existing SMD manufacturing lines
Emerging technology premium on cost
Typical Use Cases
Ultra-Fine Pitch WallsXR / Virtual ProductionPremium BoardroomsImmersive LED
Performance Profile
Resolution
Durability
Repairability
Cost Efficiency
Protection Enhancement

GOB — Glue on Board

GOB is a protective enhancement applied over SMD modules — a transparent epoxy flood-coated over the entire module surface, filling gaps between LEDs to create a smooth, sealed surface.

Significantly improves impact resistance and moisture protection at a fraction of the cost of migrating to COB, while maintaining pixel-level repairability of SMD.

Base Technology
SMD + Coating
IP Rating
Up to IP65
Impact Resistance
High
Cost vs COB
Lower
Much better protection than standard SMD
Maintains SMD pixel-level repairability
Cost-effective upgrade from standard SMD
Ideal for LED floors and interactive installations
Resin removal needed for repair — more complex
Typical Use Cases
LED Floor DisplaysRental ScreensInteractive InstallsMuseumsHigh-Traffic Spaces
Performance Profile
Resolution
Durability
Repairability
Cost Efficiency
Environment Guide

Indoor vs Outdoor

The installation environment fundamentally shapes every technical specification — from brightness and pixel pitch to IP ratings and structural design.

Indoor LED Displays

Controlled Environments

Typical Brightness
500 – 1,500 nits
Common Pixel Pitches
P0.6 – P4.0
IP Rating Required
IP20 – IP40
Viewing Distance
1 – 15 metres
Preferred Technology
COB, QCOB, Flip-Chip
Refresh Rate
3,840 Hz+ recommended
Operating Temperature
0°C – 40°C
VS
Outdoor LED Displays

Open Environment

Typical Brightness
5,000 – 10,000 nits
Common Pixel Pitches
P3.0 – P16.0
IP Rating Required
IP65 – IP68
Viewing Distance
10 – 200+ metres
Preferred Technology
SMD (GOB for close range)
Refresh Rate
1,920 Hz+ recommended
Operating Temperature
-20°C – 60°C
Interactive Tool

Pixel Pitch Calculator

Enter your parameters to receive a recommended pixel pitch, technology, and IP rating for your project.

Recommended Pixel Pitch
P3.9mm
Min. Viewing Distance
3.9m
Brightness Range
5,000+nits
Recommended Technology
SMD
IP Rating Required
IP65
Knowledge Hub

Everything You Need to Know

Deep-dive guides on every aspect of LED display technology. Click any topic to expand the full explanation.

📐

Pixel Pitch Explained

What it means, how to calculate it, and the 10× rule for viewing distance.

Fundamentals
☀️

Brightness & Nits

How to read brightness specs, nits vs lumens, and the right level for your environment.

Specifications
🔄

Refresh Rate & Scan Mode

Why refresh rate matters for cameras, broadcasting, and flicker-free viewing.

Performance
🌑

Contrast Ratio

Static vs dynamic contrast, true black performance, and why it often matters more than brightness.

Image Quality
🛡️

IP Ratings Demystified

What each IP number means, and which rating you need for indoor, outdoor and wet environments.

Protection
🎛️

Control Systems

NovaStar, Colorlight, Linsn — how sending cards, receiving cards, and processors work.

Systems
Quick Reference

LED Display Glossary

Pixel Pitch (P)
Distance in mm between centres of adjacent pixels. Smaller pitch = higher resolution and closer minimum viewing distance.
Nits (cd/m²)
Unit of luminance. 1 nit = 1 candela per square metre. Higher nits = visible in brighter ambient light.
Refresh Rate (Hz)
How many times per second the display updates. 3,840 Hz+ prevents banding in camera footage.
IP Rating
Ingress Protection. First digit = dust (max 6), second = water (max 8). IP65 = dust-tight + water jets.
Scan Mode
Fraction of LEDs driven at once. 1/4 scan = 25% on simultaneously. Affects brightness and flicker.
Contrast Ratio
Ratio of maximum white to minimum black luminance. Higher contrast = richer blacks and more vivid images.
Viewing Angle
Half-angle at which brightness drops to 50% of peak. Typically 120°–170°. Wider = better off-axis visibility.
Driver IC
Integrated circuit controlling LED current per channel. Determines uniformity, PWM depth, and grey-scale.
Receiving Card
Board inside each LED cabinet receiving signal from the sending card and driving the LED modules.
Grey Scale
Number of brightness steps per colour channel. 16-bit (65,536 steps) produces smooth gradients.
Pixel Density
Number of pixels per square metre. P1.95 ≈ 262,144 px/m². Higher density = sharper at close range.
L70 Lifespan
Hours until LED output drops to 70% of original brightness. 100,000h L70 = ~15 years at 18h/day.
Applications

Built for Every Environment

🏟️

Stadiums & Arenas

Perimeter boards, scoreboards, and ribbon displays with up to 10,000 nit peak brightness

📺

Broadcast Studios

Ultra-fine pitch virtual sets, XR stages and chromakey-free backgrounds

🏢

Corporate Lobbies

Impactful reception walls, meeting room displays and wayfinding systems

🛣️

Outdoor Advertising

Roadside billboards, building facades and transit advertising

🛒

Retail & DOOH

Window-facing, in-store promotions and digital out-of-home networks

🎪

Events & Rental

Concert stages, festivals, exhibitions and fast-deploy touring screens

🏥

Healthcare

Wayfinding, patient information systems and medical visualization

🎓

Education

Lecture theatres, campus boards and interactive learning walls