Understanding Pixel Pitch and Matrix
LED Sign Jargon 101
You may have noticed by now that LED Display technologies are known by many different names – electronic message centers, digital displays, reader boards, jumbo-trons, electronic signs, etc., and thats not even all the names. Technically speaking, none of those are more correct or incorrect than any other, however for simplicity’s sake, at Surefire Sign, we call them “LED signs” and it is our mission to help you feel confident and educated before you buy. We want to keep it simple, and be as transparent as possible to provide you with the knowledge you need to choose the right sign for your business, and with that in mind, lets get familiar with a few of the key terms you will hear related to LED signs and why they are important to understand.
What is an LED?
Light Emitting Diode
A light emitting diode (LED) is a tiny, electronic semiconductor that converts electric energy into visible light. The chemical compound used within an LED determines its color, brightness and power efficiency.
Unlike incandescent lamps, LEDs have no filaments that can burn out or fail
What Is A Module?
Surefire LED Modules
An LED module is a combination of parts that form the building blocks of LED video displays, message centers and dynamic message signs
What Is a Pixel?
LED Pixel
Pixel is short for picture element. Pixels are points of light that illuminate together to form letters, words, graphics, animation, and video images.
A pixel can be made up of a single LED, multiple LEDs of the same color or multiple LEDs of different colors. A pixel is the smallest element of the electronic display system that can be individually controlled. It can be turned off or on at various brightness levels.
Virtual Resolution (VR)
Also referred to as EPR (Enhanced Pixel Resolution) or Pixel Sharing. LED pixels able to share LEDs between them, cutting the distance from one pixel to another in half and doubling the resolution of the display. This results in smoother graphics and video.
NITS (LED Brightness)
NITS Chart
NITS is the most common measure of LED Sign brightness. The higher the number of NITS the brighter the display. Sunlight is rated at 4,000 NITS. Surefire LED signs have a NIT value of 8,500 or greater.
Surge Protection
Surge Protector
Power surges are extremely brief overvoltage spikes on an AC power waveform. The most damaging type of surge enters your LED display through the power line and are called “externally generated”. These surges can damage LED PCBs, receiving cards and other components in your LED display. Other surges are created by lightning and normal load switching seen as “power blinks”. If your sign suffers a direct hit from lightning damage can occur despite following earth grounding procedures.
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