4 Factors that Affect the Price of LED Display

The price of an LED display can greatly vary depending on 4 big factors: the product, the quality, the solution and the supplier. Within each factor, there are several smaller sub-factors to consider. We are going to look at a bigger picture about how each factor impact the price of a LED display from a user’s viewpoint.

Product Design

Technical specifications

Quality Design

Components & material

Solution Design

Integration & services

Supplier

Brand premium

How product design affect the price?

Product design determines all the technical specifications of an LED display, thus causing many variations on the cost. When designing an LED display, there are many important factors to consider.

At the same size, an indoor LED display is generally more expensive than an outdoor display because it needs a higher density of LED diodes for higher resolution on the screen.

Indoors or outdoors?

Larger displays are generally more expensive than smaller ones due to the increased cost of materials and production. A site with large space or a long viewing distance usually requires a bigger screen.

The size of the display

The shape of the LED display must be designed to fit the venue. A display panel in unusual shapes such as curved or angled generally cost more than a standard flat panel.

The shape of the screen

Fixed LED displays are installed permanently in a specific location, while mobile displays can be moved around for temporary use, such as rentals. Fixed LED displays are usually for larger display with higher resolution and higher brightness, so it is more expensive than mobile display.

Fixed or mobile?

A higher resolution screen needs smaller pixel pitch. Pixel pitch indicates the distance between the center of 2 LED diodes. Smaller pixel pitch also means a shorter viewing distance. A higher density of LED diodes gives rise to the cost.

Resolution or pixel pitch

Display with a wider viewing angles needs smaller pixel pitch and a more complex, advanced LED module design such as using SMD instead of DIP, so it comes at a higher price.

Viewing angle

Outdoor display typically needs higher brightness to be visible in sunlight, but are more expensive because they require more powerful and expensive LEDs, as well as additional components such as cooling fans and power supplies to support the increased power consumption.

Brightness

Displaying fast fast-moving video contents needs a high refresh frequency for a smooth experience. A Higher refresh frequency can increase the cost the LED display as it requires more powerful processors and more advanced signal processing technology.

Refresh Frequency

A higher level of greyscale can present a finder, more color-rich and details rich image. Higher grey level displays require more advanced signal processing technology and more precise calibration to ensure accurate color reproduction and uniformity across the entire display.

Grey Level

How quality design affects the price?

Nearly 80% – 95% of the cost of an LED module are the cost of components. Choosing the right components are not only crucial in achieving the features and performance you’ve determined in the design phase, but also greatly impact the quality level and the lifespan of the product in the years to come.

Diodes

The LED diodes can account for up to 50% of the total cost. The quality of diode determines the maximum level of brightness, contrast, color uniformity and refresh rate. A screen using good diodes can maintain its average brightness for up to 10 years while bad diodes can barely last for 1-2 years. Between a good diode and a standard one can have a 50% difference in price.

Driver IC

Driver ICs manages the brightness of the diodes. A good driver IC can prevent a flickering screen and maintaining uniformity in color and brightness. Some driver ICs come with special features such as dead pixel self-detection and color self-correction. The cost of a premium driver IC can be 100% greater than a standard one.

PCB

PCB provide a solid support for diodes, which takes up 10% of the total cost of an LED module. The most common PCB are the rigid, single layer made from R-14 fiberglass. Flexible PCB are more expensive. Aluminum are more expensive than fiberglass. The number of layers can also add up to the cost.

Cabinet Material

The cabinet is the housing that holds the LED modules, which also has a 10% weigh in the cost. Aluminum is the most popular material due to its lightweight and durability. Die-casting aluminum, which is stronger and offers better heat dissipation than regular aluminum, is preferred for outdoor use, but more expensive. Steel is less used these days because it is quite heavy and rust easily.

How solution design affect the price?

LED display can come with a variety of accessories and services on specific needs and requirements, which also has a great impact on the price of an LED screen.

Accessories

Some accessories can affect the price of display. Screens with higher brightness needs a more powerful power supply. A more expensive control system comes with advanced features such as remote monitoring. The mounting system can be cheap using steel or expensive using aluminum or carbon fiber.

Services

In addition to the cost of hardware, you will need installation service to set up the screen and maintenance services to keep the screen in good condition over time. Expect to pay more if those services are included in the solution.

Why different supplier offer different price?

Given that the same product design and the same quality, the price of an LED display can still vary by different suppliers or brands for the following reasons.

Manufacturing

Brands with more advanced manufacturing capabilities may be more competitive in price. Keeping production in-house can be more cost-effective than outsourcing production.

R&D

Brands with more robust R&D capabilities can customize the design and features of LED modules based on customer’s needs, which is more likely to keep the cost within customer’s budget.

Sales Channels

Brands that sell directly to customers may be able to offer lower prices than those that use distributors or resellers. Local resellers generally add more margin for paying their marketing and services.

Brands Premium

With a strong reputation for quality and reliability, some brands can justify higher price points for the same product design and quality.

LED Display Price Calculator

To get a rough cost estimate of the LED screen you want to have, enter the sizes of the screen and choose the installation environment. The results will be emailed to you immediately.

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