Skip to content

LED guide

How to choose an LED screen

Pixel pitch, environment, technology and control: the decisions that shape an LED screen, explained plainly. Everything here is general guidance; the final specification follows the site survey.

Which pixel pitch fits your project?

The lower the pixel-pitch number, the higher the pixel density and perceived detail at closer viewing distances.

P2.5
Finer: closer viewingCoarser: further away
Minimum viewing distance
≈ 2.5 m
Pixel density
160,000 pixels/m²
Typical use
Popular indoor · Indoor
Where it fits
Malls · Hotels · Auditoriums

Guideline: the closest comfortable viewing distance in metres is roughly the pitch in millimetres.

LED spacing at this pitch (illustrative, not to scale).
Every pixel pitch at a glance
PitchTypical useMinimum viewing distance
P1.2Ultra fine pitchIndoor≈ 1.2 m
P1.5Premium indoorIndoor≈ 1.5 m
P1.8Meeting roomsIndoor≈ 1.8 m
P2Corporate & hotelsIndoor≈ 2 m
P2.5Popular indoorIndoor≈ 2.5 m
P2.9Large halls & eventsIndoor≈ 2.9 m
P3Large halls & eventsIndoor≈ 3 m
P3.9Large halls & eventsIndoor≈ 3.9 m
P4OutdoorOutdoor≈ 4 m
P5OutdoorOutdoor≈ 5 m
P6Large outdoorOutdoor≈ 6 m
P8Large outdoorOutdoor≈ 8 m
P10Large outdoorOutdoor≈ 10 m

Indoor vs outdoor LED screens

The same LED technology, built for very different conditions.

Indoor vs outdoor LED screens
FactorIndoorOutdoor
Typical pixel pitchIndoorP1.2 to P3.9OutdoorP4 to P10
BrightnessIndoorModerate: comfortable for close viewing under interior lightOutdoorVery high, so content stays readable in direct sun; usually dimmed at night
ProtectionIndoorLight dust protection; no water sealing neededOutdoorSealed against dust, heat and rain, typically IP65 or higher at the front
MaintenanceIndoorFront service is common, so the screen can sit flush to the wallOutdoorFront or rear, depending on the structure; plan service access with the steelwork
Viewing distanceIndoorA few metres: lobbies, halls, storesOutdoorTens of metres: streets, plazas, stadiums

General guidance only. Brightness, protection and maintenance are specified for each project.

COB vs SMD LED Screens

Two common LED display technologies. The right choice depends on the environment, protection level, pixel pitch, maintenance approach and budget.

SMD LED

LED packages are mounted on the surface of the PCB. SMD is one of the most widely used LED display technologies, with a broad range of sizes and pixel pitches.

  • Wide range of sizes and pixel pitches
  • Suitable for indoor and outdoor projects depending on specification
  • Familiar maintenance and component replacement on many products

COB LED

LED chips are mounted directly on the board and then protected by an encapsulation layer. This design emphasizes surface protection and high pixel density in products built for it.

  • More protected surface against touch and impact on suitable designs
  • Useful for fine-pitch, close-viewing applications
  • Maintenance approach varies by product and module design
COB vs SMD LED Screens
FactorSMDCOB
ConstructionSMDLED package on PCB surfaceCOBDirect LED chips + protective encapsulation
Surface protectionSMDDepends on product design and protection ratingCOBEncapsulation adds protection to the LED surface
Pixel PitchSMDAvailable across a wide rangeCOBCommon in fine-pitch products
MaintenanceSMDVaries by cabinet and moduleCOBVaries by product design and encapsulation
Typical useSMDBroad indoor and outdoor LED solutionsCOBFine-pitch projects and applications needing added surface protection

There is no single technology that fits every project. CSH LED can specify the suitable technology based on viewing distance, size, use, pixel pitch, location and project requirements.

Talk to CSH LED

Control & processing

What drives the picture: the control system, the video processor, the refresh rate and how the screen is serviced.

  • NovaStar control

    Sending units, receiving cards, configuration software and calibration: the control chain that maps content onto every module of the screen.

  • Video processors

    4K inputs, scaling and switching between sources, so laptops, media players and cameras all fit the screen's own resolution.

  • Refresh rate

    A high refresh rate removes flicker and scan lines on camera: important for broadcast, events and corporate filming.

  • Front & rear maintenance

    Front-service modules come off from the screen face, so the wall can sit flush; rear service needs a walkway behind it. Spare modules are kept under contract.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the questions we hear most.

How much does an LED screen cost?

Pricing depends on screen area, pixel pitch, indoor/outdoor rating, brightness, brand, refresh rate and installation requirements.

Can you build custom sizes?

Yes. LED displays are modular and can be engineered to many dimensions based on the site and cabinet/module format.

Do you provide installation?

Yes. We provide supply, installation, configuration, commissioning, testing and handover.

What is the difference between P2 and P3?

P2 has higher pixel density and typically provides finer detail at closer viewing distances than P3.

Do you provide outdoor LED screens?

Yes. We provide outdoor LED solutions with suitable brightness and configurations for facades and advertising applications.

Is warranty available?

Warranty and support periods are defined according to project type, specification and the submitted quotation.

Which pixel pitch do I need?

The lower the pixel-pitch number, the higher the pixel density and perceived detail at closer viewing distances. As a rule of thumb, the closest comfortable viewing distance in metres is roughly the pitch in millimetres.

Should I choose COB or SMD?

There is no single technology that fits every project. CSH LED can specify the suitable technology based on viewing distance, size, use, pixel pitch, location and project requirements.

Do you survey the site before quoting?

Yes. We review the site, dimensions and viewing distance, check the screen position, power and installation requirements, and recommend the specification before execution.

Do you provide maintenance and support?

Yes. Maintenance and support cover modules, power supplies, receiving cards, calibration, troubleshooting and spare parts, under contract.

Do you work outside Jeddah and Riyadh?

Yes. Our offices are in Jeddah and Riyadh, and we deliver projects across the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah.

Next step

Not sure which screen you need?

Send the size and location and our team will recommend the pixel pitch, technology and setup that suit your project.