What is Pixel Pitch?
Pixel Pitch is the distance measured between the centers of two adjacent pixels. This is the same whether measured on horizontally or vertically adjacent pixels. LED pixel pitch is normally denoted with a “P” followed by the pixel pitch in millimeters. For example, a P2.9 LED module will have a pixel pitch of 2.9mm. The smaller the pixel pitch the higher the resolution of the image and conversely, the larger the pixel pitch, the lower the resolution the image on the screen.
Choosing the Right Pixel Pitch for your Application
Obviously, the higher the resolution of the image, the more detailed and sharper the images that are being projected. As such, you would be tempted to go with the lowest pixel pitch for your screen. While this may be partly true, the other consideration that comes into the picture when selecting the pixel pitch is cost. The lower the pixel pitch, the higher the density in the number of LEDs in the LED panel which means more materials as well has a higher difficulty in manufacturing which then translates to higher cost.
How then are we to select a cost effective LED screen while ensuring that it is still enjoyable and comfortable for its application? This is where viewing distance come in. Viewing distance follows the law of diminishing returns where beyond a certain viewing distance, there is little gain in the comfortable viewing image quality that we can accept with an increasing image resolution (i.e. lower pixel pitch).
The below table is a rough guide to the how to select the pixel pitch that is comfortable to be viewed from the distance that most viewers will be perceiving the LED wall in your application.
Other Considerations when Choosing Pixel Pitch
Budget : It goes without saying that we will most likely be constrained by the project budget when selecting an LED screen pixel pitch. Hopefully, the above information can be useful in the selection of the screen.
Available pixel pitches : LED Manufacturers tend to manufacture certain LED pixel pitches that they feel are more marketable. Some manufacturers will have more choices in pixel pitches than others. Also, if you are renting the LED wall, the rental company will hold even fewer pixel pitch choices and you will have to select one that is most suitable to your application according to the availability of the screens.
Video Resolution : In order to ensure that you are making full use of the pixel pitch of the screen that you have choosen, the resolution of the video content that you have must also match or be higher than the resolution of the LED screen. If the resolution of the video content is lower, then having a higher resolution LED screen will be wasted.
Conclusion
While there are more factors affecting your decision in the selection of a suitable LED screen for your application other than pixel pitch, it does not have to be a difficult task. If you have any difficulties in making a decision, just contact us and we will be able to give you the required advice.