ROUND TABLE
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This blend of affordability, flexibility and creative potential has made LEDs transformative across diverse sectors, from retail to film production to live entertainment”
ow has the LED landscape evolved over the past ten years? Matt Cole Perhaps most importantly, the industry has embraced a content- first approach. LEDs are no longer just screens; they’ve become a medium in their own right, encouraging tailored content creation that complements the environment and application. This blend of affordability, flexibility and creative potential has made LEDs transformative across diverse sectors, from retail to film production to live entertainment. Trevor Nichol The evolution of the LED landscape has been really exciting to witness. In the past ten years, direct view (DV) LED has progressed in resolution, reliability and cost. This has transformed its use from exclusively arena-scale events to being a viable display solution for almost any environment. Reductions in cost have made this tech accessible to many more markets. We’re finding that VFX teams of larger film and series studios are choosing to invest in setting up large LED volumes for their stages to create scenes for capture in-camera as opposed to filming on location or using green screens, then embarking on costly rotoscoping effects and reflections in post-production. As well as providing a dynamic backdrop for scenes, the LED surface also provides light that is naturally reflected on actors’ faces and surfaces of the set and props. When paired with camera tracking, XR can be deployed to create a virtual extension of LED volumes. Ross Noonan One of the most significant advancements has been in resolution. A pixel pitch as tight as 0.6mm was unimaginable a decade ago – just like the idea of a 100in+ TV seemed far-fetched back then – yet here we are today. While tighter pixel pitches are impressive, they’ve also introduced challenges. People often want the latest and greatest technology, even when they might not actually need such high pixel density for their application. Our guiding principle has always been: “Don’t pay for pixels you don’t need.” We focus on understanding the specific
projection and LCD displays in many applications, with adoption growing steadily as costs decrease.
application and audience to ensure the right display is chosen. The manufacturer is also responsible for maintaining the display’s performance and keeping pixels functioning over time. That’s why we aim to avoid producing unnecessary pixels, prioritising function over cost for the end client. Ben Díaz LED technology was already boiling ten years ago but had not yet established itself as the absolute standard that it is today. Its technical evolution has historically tended towards integration, as lighting sectors that had been separate in the past (architecture, film and broadcast, performing arts) began to have the same basic needs, while specificities were concentrated in very particular areas. What has also happened is that some segments have been feeding others. For example, installations began to feature all-weather luminaires, while high-quality colour reproduction needed on film sets is now helpful to architects as well. Andreas Voss The LED industry has seen significant advancements over the past decade. Pixel pitches have become tighter, enabling higher-resolution displays, while brightness levels within the existing range of pixel pitches have continued to improve. Technologies such as mini LED, COB (chip on board), and MIP (micro LED in package) have become more affordable and mainstream, making high-quality solutions accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, we’ve seen an influx of brands entering the western market, offering competitive LED panels. This increased competition has driven down prices, encouraging manufacturers to push the boundaries of innovation. As a result, LED displays have become a viable replacement for traditional
hat is one of your favourite LED products, and why?
Trevor Nichol Fine pitch, flexible and damage-resistant products provide the most creative freedom in the immersive experience space, allowing us to fit to existing architecture and surround audiences with content, so they can get up close without risk of damage. We’ve also recently seen increasing interest in transparent products like Muxwave’s transparent LED display, particularly in architectural applications. When it comes to visual storytelling and creating a more immersive environment, it can be a game changer. The appeal lies in their glass-like transparency, which provides crystal-clear visuals without obstructing the view behind them. The modular nature of these displays also makes them highly scalable. Some of the most effective applications we’ve seen have been in a retail environment, as it attracts the attention of customers without obscuring the products inside the store. To push this even further, these displays can be paired with sensors to trigger personalised animations as
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