LED screens are the one signage purchase where the specification sheet genuinely decides whether the investment works. Two screens of identical size can differ by a factor of five in price, and the reasons are not obvious from a photograph. Here is what the numbers mean and which ones matter for your situation.
Pixel pitch: the number that drives everything
Pixel pitch is the distance in millimetres between the centre of one LED and the next. P2.5 means 2.5mm. Smaller pitch means more LEDs per square metre, sharper image, and considerably higher cost.
The practical rule is that minimum comfortable viewing distance in metres is roughly equal to the pixel pitch number. A P3 screen looks sharp from about 3 metres. A P10 screen looks sharp from about 10 metres and looks like coloured dots at 2 metres.
| Pitch | Comfortable from | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| P1.5 to P2.5 | 1.5 to 2.5m | Reception walls, control rooms, retail interiors |
| P3 to P4 | 3 to 4m | Showrooms, lobbies, restaurant menu walls |
| P5 to P6 | 5 to 6m | Large indoor spaces, mall atriums |
| P8 to P10 | 8 to 10m | Building facades, forecourts |
| P10 and above | 10m+ | Roadside and highway displays |
Paying for P2 on a screen nobody stands closer than 8 metres to is money spent on detail no one will ever see.
Brightness: the number people underspecify
Brightness is measured in nits. Indoors, 600 to 1,200 nits is usually plenty. A shop window facing direct sun needs 2,500 to 5,000 nits or the content simply disappears during the day. Outdoor facade screens typically need 5,000 nits and above.
Two follow-ups worth asking: does the screen have automatic brightness adjustment, so it dims at night rather than blinding passers-by, and what is the brightness figure at end of rated life rather than on day one.
Indoor vs outdoor is a build difference, not just brightness
Outdoor cabinets need an ingress protection rating, commonly IP65 on the front face, sealing against dust and water. They also need proper heat management, which in UAE summer conditions is not a minor consideration. Ask specifically about operating temperature range and cooling method, because a screen specified for a temperate climate will struggle here.
The specifications that get skipped
- Refresh rate. Low refresh rates flicker on camera. If the screen will ever appear in photos or video, which in retail and events it will, insist on a high refresh rate.
- Serviceability. Front-service cabinets can be maintained from the front; rear-service needs access space behind. On a wall-mounted screen in a tight space, this decision is permanent.
- Power draw. Large screens have real electrical requirements. Confirm supply before installation day, not on it.
- Content system. The screen is half the purchase. How content is scheduled, updated and monitored determines whether it stays current or shows the same loop for a year.
- Spares and warranty. Ask what happens when a module fails in year three, how quickly spares can be sourced, and who holds them.
Approvals
An illuminated or electrically powered display facing outward needs approval, and anything visible from a public road brings the roads authority into it as well. Treat approval as part of the project timeline rather than a formality at the end.
A short specification brief
- Where is it, and what is the closest a viewer will stand?
- Indoor, shop window, or fully outdoor?
- What are the physical dimensions available, including depth for servicing?
- Who updates the content, and how often?
- What is the power supply at the location?
Frequently asked questions
How long does an LED screen last?
LED modules are commonly rated around 100,000 hours to half brightness, but real service life depends far more on heat management, power quality and maintenance than on the headline figure.
Can a screen be curved or shaped?
Yes. Curved, cylindrical and irregular builds are possible using flexible or custom cabinets, at a cost premium.
Do you supply the content as well?
We can supply and install the display, and advise on the content management system that suits how often you will update it.
Related reading
Talk to Logos Advertising
Logos Advertising LLC supplies and installs LED displays and digital signage across Dubai and the UAE. See indoor and outdoor signage, browse our projects, or tell us the location and viewing distance for a specification and quote.
