Southern California Sign Blog

ELECTRONIC DISPLAY SIGNAGE - LED Learning Center

What is an LED?
A light emitting diode (LED) is a tiny, electronic semiconductor that converts electric energy into visible light. The chemical compound used within an LED determines its color, brightness and power efficiency. Unlike incandescent lamps, LEDs have no filaments that can burn out or fail.

What is a pixel?
Pixel is short for picture element. Pixels are points of light that illuminate together to form letters, words, graphics, animation, and video images. A pixel can be made up of a single LED, multiple LEDs of the same color or multiple LEDs of different colors. A pixel is the smallest element of the electronic display system that can be individually controlled. It can be turned off or on at various brightness levels.

What is resolution?
Resolution is the basic measurement of how much information a screen shows based on the total number of pixels within the display area and is a significant factor in determining image quality. Pixel pitch (center-to-center spacing between display pixels) and the display's physical dimensions help to determine resolution.

What is a module?
An LED module is a combination of parts that form the building blocks of LED video displays, message centers and dynamic message signs.

What is a digit?
A digit is a numeric symbol with seven segment bars. Each segment uses discrete LEDs to produce a value between 0-9. Scoreboards, timing systems and price displays use digits to display information.

What are viewing angles?
LED displays are at their brightest when viewed "head on" and slowly decrease in brightness as the viewing angle increases. The viewing angles of an LED display - both horizontal and vertical - are the angles at which the intensity has dropped 50 percent from the direct "head on" brightness.

What are viewing distances?
Viewing distances are calculated based on the display type and the distance from the display. Each display will have a minimum and a maximum viewing distance that may vary based on application and intended use. For example, a large character will have a longer viewing distance while a small character will have a shorter viewing distance. We use 50 feet for every one inch of character distance as a general point of reference.

If you have any questions or if you need further information, please call The Sign Studio at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

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What is an LED?
 

An LED (Light Emitting Diode) is an electronic semi-conductor that when turned on, converts electric energy into light.   
                     

One way LEDs differ from incandescent light bulbs is LEDs have no filament to burn out meaning LEDs can last for 100,000 hours or more. They are also far more efficient, producing substantially more light per watt than incandescent bulbs. Other advantages of LEDs are:

 -Color: LEDs use no color filters like traditional lighting, thereby keeping costs down

 -Shock resistant: LEDs are a solid state component making them difficult to damage

 - On/Off time: LEDs produce light very quickly. Typically LEDs achieve full brightness in a less than a microsecond giving them an incredible response time

 -Cool light: An LED will radiate almost no heat that can damage adjacent materials. Excess energy is dissipated as heat through the base of the LED

 -Size: LEDs are small in size, allowing them to be easily populated into face panels (in our industry)

 - Cycling: LEDs are perfect for frequent on-off cycling, which cause traditional lighting to fail

 - Low toxicity: An LED contains no mercury, thereby making them safe for the environment

 In The Sign industry, one or more LEDs will make up a pixel. Typically, LEDs are red or amber for monochrome units and a combination red, green and blue for color displays.

It is also important to keep in mind differences in quality when it comes to LEDs. There are literally hundreds of LED manufacturers making a wide range of diodes, some are first-rate, others are poorly manufactured which usually result in diodes lasting only 25,000 to 50,000 hours.

 In order to build a top of the line product, you need to start with top of the line components.

Make sure your display manufacturer is providing only superior LEDs.  If you have any further questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to call us at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

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