You may never have heard of pixel pitch, but its effecting you as your read. Video displays have become ubiquitous in modern life. They’re used by almost everyone every day. And this ubiquity has led to a rise in the number of types of displays. Furthermore, the variety of display types has led to a rise in the types of pixel layout and display specifications. With so many different display types and pixel layouts, it can be difficult to know the difference between them. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of video display pixel pitch, its relationship with video resolution, and the implications of this information.
What is Video Display Pixel Pitch?
Pixel pitch is the distance between one pixel and its adjacent neighbors in a display. It is usually expressed as the distance between the centers of two neighboring pixels. The smaller the pixel pitch, the more pixels can be placed next to each other without having the neighboring pixels overlap.
The technical definition of pixel pitch is the distance from the center of one pixel to the centroid of its neighboring pixels. This centroid is the average position of all the pixels in the display. Pixel pitch doesn’t just apply to displays that are visible to the human eye. The same concept applies to computer monitors and other displays used for digital images. The smaller the pixel pitch, the more densely packed the pixels can be without overlapping.
Pixel Pitch & Interior Displays
Pixels used for interior displays are often quite small. These displays are used for things like wayfinding displays or lobby walls. These displays need to fit as many pixels into a given space to achieve resulting high enough for a viewer that is very close to the display. This results in the need for very small pixel pitches. If the pixel pitch is not small enough it can affect the readability of text and other graphical elements. This problem is especially pronounced the closer the user is the display.
Pixel Pitch & Exterior Displays
Pixels used for exterior displays don’t usually have to fit into a small space. This means that pixel pitch doesn’t need to be small. Pixel pitch used on outdoor billboards and other large-scale displays is usually larger than the pixel pitch used for interior displays. This is because it’s important to be able to read the pixel layout from a distance. In most cases outdoor displays are more likely to be read from a distance thus the pixel pitch can be much higher and lower the cost of the display.
What’s Best for My Application?
To ensure the best experience possible, the pixel layout of the display will vary based on application and use case. That being said, an educated designer is essential to achieve the desired user experience. If the user is experience is even slightly less then perfect, even the uneducated user will notice. Many displays are expensive to install, so its important for you to find a manufacturer, a consultant, or an experienced buyer you trust to help guide you through the decision process.
When you consider other factors such as display size, viewing distance, ambient light conditions, weather and moisture protection, competing media, messaging functionality, image quality etc., then need for qualified guidance is imperative.
Conclusion
Pixel pitch is an important concept in display technology. Properly deployed LED displays have the capacity to increase traffic, improve audience engagement, and enhance customer experience. But understanding how the technology will impact both the viewer and your bottom line prior to investment can empower you to make the best decision for your specific needs and budget.
At C&C Technology Group, we believe well-informed customers make better decisions for their display needs, leading to better experiences for all involved, and, ultimately, healthier long-term relationships. To that end, we’d love to assess your application needs and help you make the best possible decisions. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today.
Last Updated on August 2, 2022 by Josh Mahan
