Differences between indoor and outdoor LED screens

LED screens have become a great advertising tool for companies, as they have a great capacity to capture the public’s attention and are very effective.

When choosing an advertising LED screen, one of the first things to consider is where we want to place the screen and how much light it will receive, since needs differ depending on whether we want to place the screen, for example, inside a shop or a shopping centre, or if we want to place it in a shop window that faces outside or at an outdoor event.

Below we detail the key characteristics that we should take into account when differentiating between indoor LED screens and outdoor LED screens:

• Brightness: The brightness requirement of our LED screen will depend on the light it will receive. It is measured in nits , and if our screen will receive a large amount of direct sunlight, we will need a higher brightness to counteract the sunlight and keep the image visible and clear.
• Resolution: Measured in pixels . The optimal viewing distance of the screen will vary depending on the type of screen, whether it is an indoor LED screen or, on the contrary, an outdoor LED screen. Therefore, the requirements in terms of resolution will vary greatly depending on this.
• Resistance (IP Protection):Depending on the location of the screen, we will need it to withstand certain weather conditions, so we will have to pay special attention to the type of protection we need.

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing an LED screen is the type of installation. This can be fixed or rental type (the latter are characterized by having a quick and easy mounting system that will allow us to move them from one location to another without any problem and in record time) . In contrast to these, fixed installation screens require a firm installation according to the dimensions of the screen.

Indoor LED screens

As a general rule, indoor LED screens have a lower price and higher image quality than outdoor screens, which makes them more attractive and a perfect option to bring our product closer to the public with the highest possible image quality.

These types of screens are generally less resistant, since they do not need to be waterproof or fireproof because they are not exposed to inclement weather.

Because they are designed for indoor and close-range viewing, they are generally made to be dimmer. In this sense, we will look for values ​​starting at 800 Nits for indoor LED screens.

Indoor LED screens have a higher resolution , since the higher the pixel density, the sharper the image on the screen and the greater the information capacity it will contain. For this reason, indoor LED screens are designed to be enjoyed more at short distances.

Indoor LED screen located above the bar in a coffee shop

Outdoor LED screens

The most important differentiating characteristic when comparing an outdoor LED screen with an indoor LED screen is the IP protection , that is, the resistance of its different internal components to the most extreme environmental conditions, whether against rain (making it resistant to water), sunlight, dust, high temperatures, wind, rays, etc. So to guarantee a long life of our outdoor LED screen, we will ensure that it meets IP65 or similar protection, depending on our needs, and always taking into account the weather phenomena to which it will be exposed.

Because these LED screens are usually installed in areas exposed to direct sunlight, their luminosity must be higher than that of an indoor LED screen, since if the brightness of the screen is not managed well, reflections and reflections can occur. other negative effects for the correct viewing of the screen content. This is why outdoor LED screens are about ten times brighter than indoor LED screens, also designed to be enjoyed from a much greater distance. It is recommended to look for screens with brightness values ​​of 5,000 Nits or more.

In terms of resolution, they require a lower pixel density, since the observer will generally be far from the screen.

Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that outdoor LED screens are usually larger and heavier than indoor ones.

Its price is also a factor to take into account, as it is much higher.

Whenever we are going to place our screen in a shop window or similar, it is advisable to make a larger investment and purchase an outdoor LED screen to obtain the best image quality in higher light conditions or adverse weather conditions, so that the public will be able to view our brand and products from any point on the street without missing any detail.

Outdoor LED screens installed on the building facade

Below, we answer some questions that we frequently encounter:

Which LED screen should we put in a shop window?

As we mentioned previously, in the case of a showcase, it would be necessary to analyze the direct sunlight that the screen will receive; evaluate the level of brightness we need, so that, if our showcase is going to receive a lot of sunlight, the ideal would be to choose an outdoor LED screen with a greater amount of brightness; On the other hand, if it is not going to receive direct sunlight, we can place an indoor LED screen.

How to maintain an indoor LED screen well?

We recommend installing the indoor LED display in a place with good ventilation and air circulation. To clean the screen, we can use a soft cloth and avoid water ingress, especially on the circuit board.

Also, we should keep the screen away from moisture as it can erode the small components inside LED screens.

With all this information, we can conclude that before choosing the type of LED screen we need, we must first evaluate where we want to place the screen, if sunlight will fall directly on it, and if it will be outdoors or indoors. in a closed space; and secondly, the distance at which the observer will be. All this, to be able to define the optimal brightness, resolution and resistance that we will need in our LED screen.