Whether it’s a concert venue or a play, the background of a stage is important in capturing the imagination of spectators and adding to a performance’s overall tone. Though you may not have noticed at the most recent concert you’ve been to, one such piece of technology that performs this is the stage LED display, which can be considered as one of the most important pieces of technology that has revolutionized the entertainment industry in the past two decades.
A stage LED display is essentially a large screen placed at the back of a stage that can play videos or show an image, basically acting as an adjustable background for the stage. Though only serving as a background, the use of stage LED displays has risen in popularity over the years regardless whether the venue is indoors or outdoors. Because of their overall cost-saving maintenance, their customizability, and the artistic tension they provide, more and more venue owners and artists have switched to using stage LED displays for their performances.
For those who manage a stage or venue, or are just curious, you may wonder: why get a stage LED display? What are the pros? What are the cons? In this article, we break down the details in a concise and easy-to-understand way so you can make the best decision on whether or not a stage LED display is necessary for your stage.
Cheaper in the long run — When searching for the right LED display to purchase, though the initial high price may make you hesitate, don’t be fooled. Over time, stage LED displays require less maintenance compared to traditional stage lighting. The additional costs for maintaining traditional stage lighting will add up—one standard replacement lightbulb for your typical traditional stage lighting system can easily be $4,500 or more.
More cuts, more variety — One highlight of stage LED displays is their customization options. Even though LED displays are made in specific dimensions, it is common in performances to see LED displays parted into separate pieces around the stage’s perimeter. Furthermore, because you are able to separate an LED display, this makes it easier to store a stage LED display when it is not in use.
Artistry — No need for props with a stage LED display. Whether it’s a movie or just an image, project whatever you need through the stage LED display and you are set. Compared to a traditional lighting system, the stage LED display can enhance an audience’s experience and stimulate their imagination even further by juxtaposing human performance with the digital image.
While the click of one button can control what images or movies you project through the stage LED display, to make the stage LED display screen run, you need a power distribution box, TV controllers, amplifiers, audio matrixes, and video processors. This is to ensure that the media presented through the stage LED display runs seamlessly and without any distortions.
When looking for the right stage LED display to purchase, oftentimes companies will provide different display sizes based on the actual height and width of the LED display as well as the resolution of the screen. Another factor to consider as well is the point spacing of the LED display.
Point spacing is the amount of space between two pixels which is an important element in pixel density and how the image/movie will physically be reflected on the screen. One metric used to represent this is the letter “P.” When browsing through different companies and their stage LED display offerings, you may notice measurements such as P4, P3, P2.5, etc. The lower the number, the smaller the spacing between the pixels, and thus the better the image can be shown on the screen.
This metric also shows how far one should be to have the best viewing of the LED display’s image. In other words, a P3 screen will display an image better than a P4 screen from 3 meters away, but on the other hand, it will also be more expensive than the P4 screen.
Lastly, in terms of the ratio for screen size, the typical recommendation is 4:3 or 16:9 as the physical size of the screen paired with the chosen pixel resolution will also affect the way the image/movie is shown.
Now that you know more about what a stage LED display is, you may be interested in buying one for your venue or learning how to choose a good stage LED display. The top 3 most important aspects when choosing a stage LED display are the following:
How heavy is a stage LED display by itself? Depending on your venue, having a lighter LED display is more beneficial especially if you are consistently swapping screens or moving them to different parts of the venue/stage.
What is the cut of the screen? Is it easy to store away or to move? Does the screen come in multiple parts or can it be separated into multiple parts? Depending on your venue or a performance’s needs, not all LED displays are made the same. In terms of moving the stage LED display, you may also have to factor in the labor or the equipment needed to move the stage LED display for your overall costs.
Buying a stage LED display is like an investment. Double-check reviews related to companies you are looking into and also keep in mind to confirm the materials that the stage LED display is made out of.
Depending on the company, the calculation of stage LED display prices will differ. Some companies charge per square unit while some companies charge depending on the physical dimension and resolution of your desired LED display. You can also typically receive a free quote from a company before making a decision on your purchase.
Two additional items to also take into consideration before deciding on a stage LED display are what kind of supporting equipment and/or system engineering does the company offer. Does the screen also come with necessary equipment such as a control system and power distribution cabinet? Does the company offer to install and transport the screen to your business? If so, how much would it cost? Asking these important questions will not only help you determine the final cost you are paying for a stage LED display but will also help make transparent what you are getting for your money.
At Unilumin, our mission statement is “Together, for a brighter future.” With state-of-the-art research to advance LED display technology and robust support networks in more than 160 countries, we have provided and spread the use of LED displays across the world. Not only do we provide diversity in sizing options, but we also offer screen rentals for businesses big and small.
Let us provide you the LED display you need and the service that you deserve. Together we will move towards a brighter future one LED display at a time.
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