Daylight Is the Real Challenge for Outdoor Displays
In outdoor installations, the screen’s main competitor isn’t the viewer—it’s the sun. A brightness level that’s more than sufficient indoors will completely wash out the image on a facade exposed to direct sunlight at midday. That’s why brightness is the key factor in selecting an outdoor display; the amount of time the screen is exposed to direct sunlight during the day, its orientation, and whether there is a structure casting a shadow in front of it are the first things we discuss before making a proposal.
Cost Decreases as Viewing Distance Increases
Outdoor settings have one advantage over indoor ones: viewers are generally much farther away. Even the closest viewer to a roadside billboard is looking from dozens of meters away, and at this distance, wide pixel pitches are more than sufficient. While the same display surface would be much more expensive indoors, the distance outdoors allows for a cost-effective pixel pitch. For facade screens viewed from just a few meters away, near pedestrian traffic, the pixel pitch must be reduced—and here, too, distance is the determining factor.
Weather Protection and Installation Location
An outdoor screen must have a housing that is protected against rain, dust, humidity, and temperature fluctuations; this protection rating is listed on the product label and determines the installation’s success. The requirements for a screen located completely in the open are not the same as those for a screen under an awning or in a semi-enclosed area. Wind load must also be taken into account: ensuring that the supporting structure on a high-rise facade is designed to withstand this load is the most critical aspect of the installation.
Facade, Billboard, and Event Screen
- Building Facade: Corporate visibility; the supporting structure and facade permits constitute the bulk of the installation.
- Billboards are viewed from a long distance along the roadside; a wide pixel pitch and high brightness are sufficient.
- Field and Facility Scoreboards, information displays, and wayfinding; durability and ease of maintenance are key.
- Indoor Parking Garages and Passageways: Semi-open locations; the protection class may be lower, and costs decrease accordingly.
Electrical Infrastructure, Commissioning, and Technical Service
For outdoor displays, the electrical infrastructure is a separate line item in most projects: the power line capable of supplying the display’s power requirements, the panel’s location, and grounding are planned in advance. After installation, automatic brightness adjustment based on daylight is activated—a screen operating at a fixed high brightness level is both disruptive at night and unnecessarily increases energy consumption. Service access is planned from the outset; for screens installed at heights, this directly affects maintenance costs. Our technical support service is available post-installation; for a comprehensive setup, please refer to our LED screen solutions and LED screen selection guide.
Outdoor LED Screen Prices and Quotation Process
The price is determined by the surface area, pixel pitch, brightness, protection rating, and mounting structure; height and accessibility challenges significantly affect installation costs. Please provide the installation location, approximate screen dimensions, the screen’s height above ground, and the closest viewing distance; we’ll prepare a quote that includes both the structure and installation. You can reach us via our Contact page.