Everything You Need to Know About Pixel Pitch
The improvement in digital signage and LED technology has unlocked unique and valuable advertising potential for small and medium businesses across industries. There are a wide range of digital LED screen options and solutions available for your business to effectively promote its offerings and communicate with potential customers.
When evaluating the different LED screen alternatives, you might come across a particular specification called “pixel pitch”. While important, not everyone is aware of just what pixel pitch is, how it is calculated and why it is important. So, in this blog, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know to get started. The team here at PinnacleLED are always available to help you out, if you have any questions and are ready to find the right LED technology solution for your needs.
What is Pixel Pitch?
Pixel pitch refers to the distance from the centre of one pixel (sometimes referred to as a diode) to the centre of the adjacent pixel. In other words, it is a measurement of pixel concentration applied to everything from LED screens and video walls to digital signage displays. The pixel pitch can impact image quality significantly, which makes choosing the right pitch for your needs essential when ensuring digital signage performance and value.
Expressing Pixel Pitch
Pixel pitch is offered in the following form: P1.8 or P1.2, for example. This simply means that there is a gap of 1.8 millimetre or 1.2 millimetre respectively between the two adjacent pixels’ centres.
Evaluating Pixel Pitch
The smaller that value of the P is - i.e., the shorter the distance between the two centre points of each pixel - the higher the pixel density. The higher the pixel density, the higher the image resolution and thus perceptible detail. If the pixel pitch is larger, this means that there are less pixels in any given area on the LED screen as the pixels are spaced further apart. This results in an image of less detail and lower resolution.
The Impact of Pixel Pitch
The question you are undoubtedly asking yourself at this point is, “Well, does pixel pitch really matter?”
The answer is yes!
1. Image clarity
The smaller the pixel pitch, the sharper the image and therefore the more detail you (or your customer) will be able to perceive.
2. Viewing Distance
A lower pixel pitch allows for viewers to stand closer to the display without seeing the individual pixels, which would erode the quality of the viewing experience. Optimal viewing distance is immensely impacted by pixel pitch.
3. Cost
Smaller pixel pitch is more complex and costly from a manufacturing and design perspective. So, while it is important that your digital signage is of sufficient pixel pitch, i.e., image quality, for your needs, you don’t want to unnecessarily overspend.
A Guide for Choosing the Right Pixel Pitch
The bad news is that there is no universal standard for pixel pitch. The right value will depend on your specific application and the type of viewing you intend on your LED screen having. However, the good news is that there are still industry guidelines to help you find the best solution. Our team at PinnacleLED are experts at using the rules of thumb to deliver perfect digital signage solutions to suit your specific requirements.
Barco Method
The Barco Method recommends that for optimal viewing distance, you should multiply the pixel pitch by two and measure it thereby in metres. For example, if your pixel pitch is P1.8, your optimal viewing distance is 3.6 metres (1.8 x 2).10x Rule
The 10x Rule states that you should multiple your pixel pitch by 10 and express the result in feet to estimate the comfortable viewing distance. For example, if your screen is P1.8 then your comfortable viewing distance (note: not necessarily optimal) is 18 feet, which equals 5.5 metres.Visual Acuity Distance
With this method, you can determine the distance at which a person with 20/20 vision (i.e., perfect vision) can no longer distinguish individual pixels. You do so by multiplying the pixel pitch by the number 3438 to get the viewing distance in millimetres. For example, a screen of P1.8 would be (1.8 x 3438): 6188.4mm or 6.2 metres.
While each of these methodologies have their place, you can also use them in conjunction with one another as they each respectively help to determine the optimal viewing distance, the comfortable viewing distance and the maximum viewing distance. Together they can provide an average indication of what sort of pixel pitch suits your needs.
Choosing The Right LED Screen based on pixel pitch.
While we recommend a custom solution from us here at PinnacleLED, here is a rough estimate of what sort of pixel pitch would suit different applications based on distance.
High Resolution
P1.2 — P2.5
A pixel pitch of P1.2 - P2.5 is considered small and therefore delivers high resolution. It is ideal for close-up LED screens as is expected in corporate lobbies, retail displays or security/transport control rooms.
Low Resolution
P4 — P16
Pixel pitches of P4 to P16 are considered lower resolution and are best suited for large format (and often outdoor) displays such as stadium screens and billboards that do not require close-up viewing.
Understanding Pixel Pitch and Screen Resolution
Wondering how pixel pitch impacts or compares with screen resolution? These different methods of quality determination are unique but can inform the other. To find the resolution of a particular screen, you simply take the physical dimensions of the screen and use that according to the following calculation.
How to calculate Pixel Pitch and Screen Resolution
Resolution - (Screen width / pixel pitch) x (Screen height / pixel pitch)
Example
Let’s apply this to an example of a screen that is 2,000 mm wide and 1,000 mm high, and a pixel pitch of 2 mm (i.e., P2).
Your calculation would be: (2000/2) x (1000/2) = a resolution of 1000 x 500 pixels.
Note: Make sure to always a consistent increment (i.e., millimetres) in your calculations.
Viewing Distance for Common Applications
Finding the right Digital LED Screen for your needs
While we've explained everything from what pixel pitch is to how it impacts resolution and application suitability, the simplest way to find the perfect solution is to speak with the experts at PinnacleLED—specialists in LED technology who tailor cost-effective digital signage to your needs.
