Pixel pitch selection, processing systems, content requirements and what you need in place before you can operate an LED video wall on dry hire.
LED screen dry hire eventsPixel pitch describes the distance in millimetres between the centres of adjacent pixels on an LED panel. A lower pitch means more pixels per square metre, higher resolution and a better image at close viewing distances. A higher pitch is appropriate for larger venues where viewers are further from the screen.
| Pixel Pitch | Minimum Viewing Distance | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| P2.6 – P3.9 | 3–5m | Broadcast studios, exhibition stands, smaller conference rooms |
| P4 – P5 | 5–7m | Corporate events, conferences, stage backdrops in mid-size venues |
| P6 – P8 | 8–12m | Larger stage backdrops, outdoor locations, festival screens |
| P10+ | 12m+ | Large outdoor screens, perimeter boards, scoreboards |
For most indoor event applications, P3.9 or P4.8 are the most commonly used in event dry hire. They balance resolution with manageable panel weight and power draw. For any event where the nearest viewer is within 5m of the screen, pitch matters significantly. At 20m viewing distance, the difference between P4 and P8 is largely invisible.
An LED wall without a processor is a wall of dark panels. The video processor takes input signals and maps them onto the physical panel array. Common processors used in event dry hire include Novastar, Brompton and Colorlight platforms.
What you need to understand about processing before booking:
LED video walls have native resolutions that are determined by the panel configuration, not a fixed standard. A 4m wide by 2.25m tall wall of P3.9 panels contains a specific pixel count that may or may not match standard video resolutions like 1920x1080.
Before content is created, request the native resolution of the wall you are hiring. Any content created to the wrong resolution will be stretched, letterboxed or cropped on the screen. This is not correctable on event day without recreating the content.
LED brightness is measured in nits (candela per square metre). Indoor event panels typically deliver 800–2000 nits, which is more than sufficient in a controlled lighting environment. Outdoor applications in daylight require panels rated at 4000 nits or above — sometimes significantly more in direct sunlight.
Two things to consider for brightness specification:
Ambient light. An indoor venue with low ambient light and no daylight allows lower-brightness panels to perform well. A venue with large windows or significant stage wash can create competing ambient light that reduces apparent contrast on the screen. If your venue has significant ambient light, discuss this when specifying the hire.
Over-brightness heat output. High-brightness panels draw more power and generate more heat. For outdoor panels operating at full brightness over a long day, confirm the cooling and power supply arrangements with the hire company.
LED video wall power draw depends on panel type and brightness setting. A typical indoor panel (P3.9, 500x500mm) draws approximately 200–350W at full brightness. For a 4m x 2.25m wall (approximately 36 panels), this represents 7–12kW continuous at full white. Actual draw in use with video content is typically 50–60% of the full-white maximum.
Data cabling between panels is typically Cat6 or proprietary cable specific to the panel manufacturer. Confirm the data daisy-chain configuration with the hire company and that all cables are provided and pre-tested as part of the kit.
LED video walls are among the more technically demanding items in event dry hire. Qualified operation means the person setting up and operating the wall can:
If your operator has not set up an LED wall before, consider booking with a technical operator supplied, or request a pre-event technical briefing from the hire company before collection day. Discovering during load-in that the team cannot get the processor to recognise the panels is a conversation none of the parties involved want to be having two hours before doors.
Tell us the venue, viewing distance and content type. We will advise on pixel pitch, confirm availability and discuss processing options.
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