LED screen or projector: which to choose for your event

Both can show video, presentations or the stage image, but they don't work the same in every space. These are the keys to getting it right.

Ambient light decides almost everything

An LED screen emits its own light, so it looks clear even when the room is lit or it's used outdoors in daylight. A projector, on the other hand, needs darkness: with ambient light the image loses contrast and looks washed out. If your event is outdoors or in a space that can't be darkened, an LED screen is the safe choice.

Indoor and outdoor

Outdoors you need outdoor LED screens, brighter and weatherproof. Indoors you can choose a finer pitch to see a sharp image up close, or a projector if the room is dark.

Size and shape

An LED screen is built from modules, so it adapts to almost any size and shape: stage backdrop, side screens, curves or entrance gateways. A projector works on a fixed-size projection screen; ours go up to 7.52 × 4.31 m.

Resolution and viewing distance

On an LED screen, the pitch is the distance between pixels. The smaller it is, the sharper it looks up close. As a practical rule, the pitch in millimetres gives an idea of the minimum viewing distance in metres: a 2.6 mm screen looks good from about 2.6 m and a 3.9 mm screen from about 4 m.

Setup and space

An LED screen needs a structure or rigging and a suitable power supply. A projector needs clear space between the unit and the screen, or a rear-projection setup. Before deciding, it's worth reviewing the space with the technical team.

What content you will show

For a concert with live video production, an LED screen with cameras and a switcher gives a spectacular result. For a conference in a dark room with slides, a good projector may be enough.

See LED screen rental →