Enormous size screens called LED displays are made up of numerous cabinets based on LED and LCD technology. They can effortlessly reproduce static images or any other video formats, just like a PC’s large monitor. LED signage has shown tremendous growth recently, with over 13% global growth.
The maximum viewing distance for a LED display at which a clear image is a distance at which an LED pixel cluster appears as a single dot to the human eye. This distance depends on pixel pitch, display size, height, the eyesight of the viewer and much more.
How Can You Calculate the Best Viewing Distance for LED and LCD Displays?
Using simple methods, you can estimate the ideal viewing distance for displays of any size.
The Minimum Distance For Viewing
The minimal distance can be calculated by converting the pixel pitch to metres. 1000/1000 (mm for pixel pitch) For instance, a viewing area of 8 metres is needed for an LED panel with an 8mm pitch.
The Ideal Separation For Viewing
The ideal distance is three times the shortest visible distance. (mm) 3000/1000 pixel pitch. For instance, the optimal distance is 30 if the minimum seeing distance is 10.
The formula for ideal viewing distance is 10 M * 3 = 30 M.
| 10 M * 3 = 30 M |
Maximum Distance
The height of the screen determines the maximum distance. (30 minus screen height) For instance, an LED panel that is 1 metre tall can be viewed from 30 metres away. Remember that while the results of these calculations are appropriate, some people may still have trouble seeing the display because everyone’s eyesight differs.
Range of Visual Acuity
The Visual Acuity Distance, also referred to as “Retina Distance,” is a formula that defines how close someone with 20/20 vision must get to an LED display wall before losing the capacity to distinguish between individual pixels. The equation is: Visual Acuity Distance = Pixel Pitch (in mm) * 3438 scale factor in 1 arc minute.
Practical viewing distance
Most people are anticipated to find the appearance of the video wall bearable at the average comfortable viewing distance. This estimate is based on a variety of installations that have been made in the modern era. Several variables, including the viewer’s vision, the application, the resolution, and the type of material, might influence the average comfortable viewing distance (e.g. video vs spreadsheet).
10x Rule
Using the 10x Rule is a quick and simple approach to estimating the visual acuity distance. How to apply the 10x Rule: Pixel pitch in mm * 10x multiplier = Approximate Viewing Distance in Feet
The ideal viewing distance for Display screens by pixel pitch
| Display Screen | Best viewing distance |
| P8 | 8-24M |
| P10 | 10-30M |
| P12 | 12-36M |
| P16 | 16-48M |
| P20 | 20-60M |
Factors that determine the maximum viewing distance of a video wall:
Image Quality
Personnel can make informed decisions thanks to quick access to crucial information. That real-time data is shown on the video wall in operations centres. The image quality offered by that video wall is crucial due to the important data it displays.
Each operator in a command and control environment should see the specifics of the data displayed on the operation centre video wall.
Your technological choices should consider elements like brightness, resolution, contrast, and colour since they all impact your data’s visibility. These elements directly impact the legibility of the content on the video wall.
Every operator operating in the space must constantly be able to see the data. Resolution is an important factor to consider when displaying huge or intricate graphics. Each operator in a command and control environment needs to see the finer details of the data shown on the operation centre video wall. The command centre video wall should not even be visible to the operators who are closest to it.
Information you intend to display
The optimal viewing distance depends on the material shown on a video wall.
Will different windows be “boxed” within the different displays? Or will the entire video wall be covered by a single application?
Based on this information, you can decide whether you require a seamless display or whether bezels will affect the content. Commercial grade LCD screens will have very small bezels, but only LED displays can deliver a seamless video wall.
The type of display technology you should select depends heavily on the information that will be shown on your video wall. Your choice of content affects every aspect of the video wall’s design, from the appropriate size and viewing distance to the demands placed on the displays’ resolution and pixel pitch.
Ergonomics
The ergonomics of your video wall should be a priority when you design it. The angle and placement of the screen should guarantee that all operators see the displayed data consistently and with minimal to no quality loss. A video wall’s perfect viewing angle guarantees that all operators can see the screen with little to no brightness loss. The ideal balance can be achieved with careful consideration in selecting and placing video wall screens.
Because command centre workers frequently put in long shifts, ergonomics are crucial for video walls and enabling effective data intake. When constructing video walls for operations centres, mission-critical AV integrators like Constant consider this and do a sight-line study. To lessen pressure on the eyes and neck, a sight line analysis is a thorough ergonomic study of operator positioning and viewing capabilities.
An eye rotation limit of 25 degrees is the target of a sight-line study to prevent operators from having to bend their heads back to view the data projected on the wall. Additionally, it considers what would be seen to the right and left of a person seated at a desk.
Indoor or Outdoor
If the video wall is placed indoors, the maximum viewing distance will be much less than the outdoor video wall. It ultimately comes down to the purpose of your video wall. The brightness of the video wall will also differ based on the placement of the video wall. If it is placed outside then the video wall has to be bright enough to be visible.
Pixel Pitch
The pixel pitch is the most important choice for a Direct View LED video wall. The distance in millimetres between the centres of each LED pixel on the video wall is known as the pixel pitch or pitch. Any two neighbouring pixels on a video wall with a 2 millimetre (2mm) pitch are separated by 2mm.
The amount of pixels in a particular screen area is directly related to pixel pitch, and pixel density is directly related to recommended viewing distance, which is the distance a viewer should be from the video wall to enjoy a decent watching experience.
The allowable viewing distance decreases as the pitch becomes finer or smaller. A viewer should be farther away the bigger the pitch.
Anything with a larger pitch is considered a standard pitch, often within the range of 0.6mm to 2.5mm for LED video walls. Cost is also directly impacted by pitch. Pixel density and prices rise as viewing distances, and pixel pitches get smaller. Knowing the primary application’s typical viewing distance will help you choose the video wall display with the pitch that will provide the most value.