A Complete Guide to LED Displays

These high-resolution LED displays tend to use highly dense diode arrays - often numbering in the thousands - to control illumination and colour cycling across millions of individual pixels. This allows for the rendering of highly detailed moving images at pixel densities of up to 4k and beyond.

However, in engineering component terms, the definition of an LED display is more commonly taken to be a discrete light-up readout board. Often relatively small and simple, they are designed to be attached to an instrument panel or mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The purpose of these types of LED displays is typically just to provide clear and concise information readout for the user.

Such LED displays are often designed around the classic segmented number format. Other more advanced models may use a range of alternative display styles and diode configurations, including popular versions sold with either dot matrix or light bar arrays.

Types of LED Displays

There are numerous LED display panel types on offer. Some of the more common configurations include segmented displays, dot matrices, alphanumeric and light bar versions.

The sections below provide a closer look at the differences between these types of LED screens and outline when a particular model or style might prove more useful or economical.

An LED dot matrix display is commonly used with all manner of billboards, hoardings, signage, and video walls. They can leverage additional detail and clarity over segmented number LEDs to show more complex information. They are often found in city centres and commercial areas, particularly with outdoor 3D LED displays for advertising or information purposes, and are easily programmed to display:

• Simple images and symbols

• Prices

• Temperatures

• Times and dates

• Seamless scrolling news ticker updates and messages

Common Uses

LED displays can be used for a wide range of applications across a variety of industries. They are commonly used in commercial and retail environments as well as domestic and consumer-grade equipment, making them highly versatile electronic components.

Some common indoor and outdoor uses of LED message displays include:

• Basic calculators

• Many types of digital clocks and timers

• Programmable LED displays for prices

• LED number display boards

• Electronic meters

• DVD players

• Car stereo fascias

• Microwaves and ovens

• Caller ID phone screens

• Speakers and car stereos

• Digital scales and shavers

• Arcade games and slot machines

• Public information LED text displays and scoreboards

• LED video walls and large-scale installations

It should be noted that not all display types will be suitable for each of the uses above. Factors such as the display type, colour, size, brightness, and the number of characters required will all help to determine which LED display sign is the best solution for your particular application.

Display Sizes

These displays are highly scalable and can be used for a wide range of screen and LED panel sizes. From large LED displays to very small LED displays, the quality and efficiency will remain the same. As a result, the best screen size will ultimately depend on your specific requirements. A big LED display will be beneficial for outdoor applications and public spaces, for example, whereas smaller models are ideal for personal devices.

LCD vs LED Displays

When considering an LED display vs LCD options, it is important to clarify the differences and similarities between the two types. The key fact to underline is that LED displays are LCD displays - they are just a specific subset of the broader LCD technology.

LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. The acronym can be used to describe any panel or display that uses liquid crystal to control where (and how much) light is displayed in each on-screen pixel at any given moment.

Many types of LED displays use this technology - and so they are LCD screens by definition. The fact that they also use LEDs to backlight these pixels is what defines LED displays as a subset.

It is also important to note that almost all modern LCD displays are LED variants. The previous common method of lighting LCD screens was using cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), and some panel-makers do still include CCFL options, the vast majority of brands now use LED technology.

Designed to be eye-catching and to captivate those viewing them, these control systems are often designed for high brightness, low power consumption, high refresh rate, and a multicolour, large format functionality.