Despite what some may say, size does matter! LED wall displays have set a new standard when it comes to event planning because of their ability to reach just about any size imaginable. They’ve also essentially replaced traditional projectors due to their superior brightness and picture quality (while projectors have to transmit an image to a screen, losing brightness and clarity in the process, LED walls generate their own brightness, making the image much more vivid when it reaches viewers). While LED walls are most often associated with sporting events, concerts, and festivals, today’s savvy event planners are using them for corporate meetings, trade shows, fashion shows, and more. So, the question remains, what size LED wall should you use?
The Basics of LED Walls
Before delving into matters of size, let’s take a step back to cover the basics of what an LED wall is and how it works. Seamless LED video walls are created by connecting individual LED panels together, stacking them to create a composite image of any size which gives every attendee a front-row seat. Panel size options can vary, but the most common is about 19 inches, with 90 inches at the larger end of the spectrum, projecting images at all sizes, from small to extremely large. Another reason for the popularity of LED walls is that today, standard definition (SD) has all but been abandoned in favor of HD video, which LED wall display screens support.
Choosing an LED Wall Size
As previously mentioned, outdoor and indoor LED video walls are scalable to almost any size and shape, so it’s important to choose the right size wall for your event. If you’re putting on a smaller, more intimate event, you’ll probably want to go smaller, such as 7’ x 12’ screen, otherwise the LED wall may be overbearing to viewers. However, if you’re putting on a larger affair, such as a concert, you may want to consider an 18’ x 25’ backdrop or greater. Want to take things to the next level? LED walls make it possible! In 2015, Rogue, a strength equipment manufacturer, used a 150’ x 150’ LED video wall and another 20’ x 40’ wall to bring live footage of the Reebok CrossFit Challenge to their booth at an exhibit. See it in action here!
Understanding Aspect Ratios
When it comes to determining the best size LED wall for your event, you need to consider aspect ratio, which describes the relationship between the width and height of a digital display (W:H). For example, a 1:1 ratio means that the width and height are equal to each other, while a 2:1 aspect ratio means the width is double the height. Here are some other aspect ratio examples:
- Landscape, in which width is greater than height, such as 3:2
- Square, in which weight equals height, such as 1:1
- Portrait, in which width is less than height, such as 2:3
It’s important to note that aspect ratios are independent of size; for example, a 6’ x 6’ screen has the same aspect ratio as a 600’ x 600’ screen (1:1). The standard aspect ratio for video and display is 16:9 (16 units of width and 9 corresponding units of height), however, you can choose to go ultrawide using video processors that ensure visuals fit perfectly.
When it comes to LED walls, aspect ratios are very important. For example, if want to display a live TV feed full-screen, it’s critical that your video wall is 16:9, today’s standard for video. For other LED display screens, aspect ratios can be customized by your event productions company but it’s not always ideal and can result in the following:
- A stretched image that fills the entire screen but appears distorted
- Letterboxing, in which the image maintains its normal aspect ratio but has black bars on either side of it.
- Crop to fill, in which the image fills the whole screen but is cropped in order to make it possible
Wondering how to calculate an aspect ratio but not a fan of math? You can use this free online aspect ratio calculator to calculate LED wall size or simply talk to the experts at One Way Event Productions!
Make an Impression with an LED Wall
Studies reveal that 65% of the population identify as visual learners, so there’s no better way to engage an audience than using an LED wall display. They have the ability to get your message across and give everyone the best seat in the house! Be sure to check out our blog, Making the Most of Your LED Wall, and if you’re planning to host an event and want the audiovisual experts on your side, contact One Way Event Productions today and ask us about LED wall rentals!
