LED Screen Types: An Overview of Display Technologies

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On 02/24/2025

LED technology has revolutionized the way we experience displays, from single-color LED screens to large RGB displays with millions of pixels. As LED display technology continues to evolve, its applications have infiltrated almost every aspect of our lives. But how many types of LED screens are there? What sets them apart? Let’s take a deep dive into the world of LED displays.

Table of Contents

What is an LED?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. It is a semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. The diode allows current to flow in one direction, providing excellent energy efficiency and durability. These characteristics make LEDs the perfect choice for modern displays.

Types of LED Screens

LED displays can be categorized in various ways. Some definitions focus on the content displayed, while others are based on their applications. Thus, there are many different names for LED displays depending on the classification method.

1. LED Screen Types (By Content Displayed)
When we define LED screens based on the content they display, we can categorize them into the following types:
● Text LED Screens
As the name suggests, text LED screens are designed specifically for displaying text (such as words and numbers). These are commonly found in hotels, shops, and public spaces to show messages like “Welcome,” “Open for Business,” or “Closed.”

● Digital LED Screens
Unlike text LED screens, digital LED screens only display numerical content, usually in single colors like red, yellow, or green. These are often used to display phone numbers or other numerical data.
● Image LED Screens
Image LED screens are more advanced compared to text and digital LED screens. They are primarily used for displaying static images but can also show text information.
● Video LED Screens
Video LED screens are highly versatile, capable of displaying text, images, and dynamic video content. These are widely used in shopping malls, control rooms, transportation hubs, events, and concerts.

2. LED Screen Types (By Application Scenario)
● Rental LED Screens
Rental LED screens are designed for temporary use. They consist of multiple thin LED panels that can be easily assembled and disassembled for seamless large displays. These screens are often highly durable to withstand transportation and frequent setup and breakdown.
● Fixed LED Screens
Fixed LED screens are permanently installed in specific locations, such as on the facades of shopping malls or at busy intersections. They typically need to run continuously, so energy efficiency is a key consideration to reduce operating costs.
● Small Pixel Pitch LED Screens
Small pixel pitch LED screens have a pixel spacing of less than 2.5mm. The closer the pixels, the higher the resolution, which makes them suitable for high-definition displays. These screens are ideal for indoor use and are designed to deliver crisp, detailed visuals from a short viewing distance.

3. Indoor vs Outdoor LED Screens
Indoor and outdoor LED screens are defined by their environmental requirements.
● Indoor LED Displays: These screens have lower brightness and less stringent weather resistance compared to outdoor displays. They typically have higher resolution and are used in spaces with close viewing distances.
● Outdoor LED Displays: These need to be weatherproof and durable, capable of handling varying weather conditions. High brightness is also essential to combat strong outdoor lighting.

4. Synchronous vs Asynchronous LED Screens

The difference between synchronous and asynchronous LED displays lies in their control systems.
● Synchronous LED Screens: These screens are connected to a central control system that updates the content in real-time across all panels, ensuring synchronized visuals. This system is typically used for large video walls or stadiums.
● Asynchronous LED Screens: These operate independently without a continuous connection to a central control system. Each panel has its own built-in controller and memory, allowing content to be pre-programmed and displayed autonomously. These are common in retail stores and other environments where different content may be displayed across different panels.

5. Other LED Screen Types
● Flexible LED Screens
Flexible LED displays use soft PCBs and rubber materials, allowing them to be bent into various shapes such as arcs, waves, or even spheres. This makes them perfect for creative designs in architecture and advertising.
● Transparent LED Screens
Transparent LED displays project light onto transparent surfaces, creating images visible from both sides. These screens typically have a transparency rate between 70% and 90%, making them ideal for storefronts and museums.
● 3D LED Screens
3D LED displays, also known as glasses-free 3D LED displays, use two LED screens placed at a 90-degree angle to create 3D effects. These screens leverage the way our eyes perceive 3D images by displaying slightly different images to each eye.

6. Other Popular Names for LED Screens
LED screens are often referred to by different names depending on their use or form factor. Some common terms include LED signboards, LED billboards, LED scoreboards, and LED posters.
● LED Posters: Compact, portable displays that resemble traditional printed posters. They are thin, lightweight, and easy to install, making them ideal for retail stores, exhibitions, and events.

● LED Signboards: A broader category of LED displays used for various purposes, such as digital signage. These can range from single-line LED signs to large video walls.
● LED Billboards: Large, high-visibility outdoor displays designed for long-distance viewing. These are typically found along highways or in densely populated urban areas, used for advertising, video content, and more.

● LED Scoreboards: Special types of LED displays used in sports venues to show live scores and game information.

LED Display Technologies

Behind every LED screen, there are various LED display technologies that offer distinct advantages for different applications. Here are some of the most commonly used technologies:
● DIP (Dual In-line Package) LEDs: Traditional LED packaging with individual diodes mounted on a circuit board. Known for their durability and brightness, DIP LEDs are commonly used in outdoor screens and large-scale displays.
● SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) LEDs: SMD LEDs are smaller and more compact than DIP LEDs, offering higher pixel density and better image quality. These are used in both indoor and outdoor video walls and digital signage.
● COB (Chip on Board) LEDs: COB LEDs directly mount multiple LED chips onto the circuit board, forming dense arrays. They provide enhanced brightness and color uniformity, making them ideal for small-sized LED displays.
● MicroLED: A cutting-edge technology where individual micro-LED pixels, usually smaller than 100 microns, are used to create displays. MicroLED screens offer high resolution, superior brightness, and outstanding color reproduction, often used in large displays and virtual reality headsets.
● OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode): OLED technology uses organic compounds that emit light when electric current passes through them. OLED displays are known for their high contrast, wide viewing angles, and vibrant color reproduction. They are often used in smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices.
● MiniLED: MiniLED displays use smaller LED chips, typically less than 200 microns in size. They offer higher contrast, brightness, and better color accuracy compared to traditional LEDs. MiniLED displays are commonly used in high-end TVs and professional monitors.

Each LED technology offers its own set of advantages depending on the application, brightness requirements, resolution, size, and viewing environment.