📖 Knowledge Base

Learn AV, LED, LCD, OLED and digital signage terminology — explained simply.

Projector Buying Guide
av

Key Specifications

SpecWhat It MeansRecommendation
LumensBrightness3,000ΓÇô5,000 for meeting room; 10,000+ for large venue
ResolutionImage sharpnessWUXGA (1920×1200) minimum for presentations
Throw RatioDistance ├╖ width0.5ΓÇô1.0 = short throw; 1.5ΓÇô2.5 = standard
Laser vs LampLight sourceLaser: 20,000h life, no bulb changes. Lamp: cheaper, 2,000ΓÇô5,000h
KeystoneImage correctionDigital = quality loss; Lens shift = better

Types

  • Short Throw: 0.5ΓÇô1m from wall. Ideal for small rooms
  • Ultra Short Throw: 10ΓÇô50cm. No shadows
  • Large Venue: 20,000+ lumens. Stadiums, concerts
  • Edge Blending: Multiple projectors for seamless wide image
PA System Basics for Events
av

Components

  • Mixer: Controls all audio sources (mics, instruments, playback)
  • Amplifier: Powers the speakers
  • Speakers: Line arrays for large venues, point source for small
  • Microphones: Wireless for presenters, wired for instruments
  • Stage monitors: So performers can hear themselves

Room Size Guide

AudienceRecommended System
50–1002× powered speakers (12") + small mixer
100–5002× tops + 2× subs + 16ch digital mixer
500ΓÇô2000Line array (4ΓÇô8 boxes per side) + subs + monitors
2000+Full line array + delay towers + monitor world + FOH
Stage Lighting Basics
av

Main Types

  • Moving Heads ΓÇö Spot: Sharp beam, gobos, precise positioning
  • Moving Heads ΓÇö Wash: Wide coverage, color mixing
  • Moving Heads ΓÇö Beam: Narrow intense beam, aerial effects
  • LED PAR: Fixed wash light, cheap, reliable
  • Blinders: Audience illumination, dramatic effect
  • Strobes: Flash effects, high energy moments

DMX Control

All modern lights use DMX512 protocol. Each light gets a DMX address (1ΓÇô512). A lighting console sends commands to these addresses.

Typical Rig for 500-person Event

  • 8├ù Moving Head Spot
  • 8├ù Moving Head Wash
  • 12├ù LED PAR
  • 4├ù Blinder
  • 2├ù Strobe
  • 1├ù Lighting Console
  • + Haze machine, cabling, rigging
LED vs LCD vs OLED ΓÇö Which One?
display

Quick Decision

  • Need big (3m+) seamless? ΓåÆ LED
  • Meeting room, budget? ΓåÆ LCD
  • Premium, perfect blacks? ΓåÆ OLED

Detailed Comparison

LEDLCDOLED
Max sizeUnlimited98"88"
Seamless✅❌ Bezels✅
Brightness10,000 nits700 nits1,000 nits
Outdoor✅❌❌
Black levelGoodOKPerfect
Price/m┬▓Γé¼1,000ΓÇô3,000Γé¼500ΓÇô2,000Γé¼3,000ΓÇô10,000
Lifespan100,000h50,000h30,000h
How to Build a Video Wall
display

Step by Step

  1. Choose display type: LED (seamless) or LCD (cheaper, bezels)
  2. Calculate size: Wall area ├╖ panel area = number of panels
  3. Select resolution: 1920×1080 per panel or total?
  4. Choose processor: LED controller / video wall controller
  5. Plan power: ~300W/m┬▓ for indoor LED, ~600W/m┬▓ outdoor
  6. Mounting: Wall mount, floor stand, or rigging
  7. Calibrate: Color and brightness matching across panels

Example: 4m×2.5m LED Wall

  • 10m┬▓ ├ù P2.5 indoor = ~Γé¼8,000ΓÇô12,000 (panels)
  • Controller + processor = ~Γé¼1,000ΓÇô3,000
  • Installation = ~Γé¼1,000ΓÇô2,000
  • Total: ~Γé¼10,000ΓÇô17,000
E-Ink vs LCD ΓÇö Digital Signage Choice
display

E-Ink Advantages

  • Γ£à Zero power when image is static (years on one battery)
  • Γ£à Perfect readability in direct sunlight
  • Γ£à Paper-like, no eye strain
  • Γ£à Ultra-thin and lightweight

E-Ink Limitations

  • Γ¥î Slow refresh (1 second vs 60Hz)
  • Γ¥î No video ΓÇö static images only
  • Γ¥î Limited to grayscale or few colors
  • Γ¥î Smaller sizes (max ~42")

Best Use Cases

  • Electronic shelf labels (retail)
  • Bus/train station timetables
  • Museum information panels
  • Office door signs / room booking
  • Restaurant menus
How to Write an Effective RFQ
general

What Suppliers Need to Know

  1. What exactly do you need? LED screen, projector, audio system? Be specific.
  2. Where will it be used? Indoor/outdoor, room size, ambient light conditions.
  3. What is your budget range? Helps suppliers propose feasible solutions.
  4. When do you need it? Deadline for installation/completion.
  5. Where are you located? Destination country and city.

RFQ Template

Title: [Equipment type] for [venue/event]
Description: We need [LED screen / projector / audio system] for our [conference room / exhibition stand / church].

Technical Requirements:
- Screen size: [Xm × Ym]
- Viewing distance: [X meters]
- Usage: [indoor/outdoor]
- Special requirements: [e.g., front service, curved]

Budget: Γé¼[min] ΓÇô Γé¼[max]
Deadline: [date]
Delivery to: [city, country]
How to Choose the Right Pixel Pitch
led

What is Pixel Pitch?

Pixel pitch is the distance between LED centers, measured in millimeters (e.g. P2.5 = 2.5mm between pixels).

Decision Guide

Viewing DistanceRecommended PitchUse Case
1ΓÇô2 metersP1.2ΓÇôP1.8Control rooms, TV studios, museum
2ΓÇô4 metersP1.8ΓÇôP2.5Conference rooms, retail, corporate lobby
4ΓÇô8 metersP2.5ΓÇôP4Exhibitions, stages, houses of worship
8ΓÇô20 metersP4ΓÇôP6Outdoor advertising, stadium edges
20+ metersP6ΓÇôP10+Billboards, building facades

Budget Formula

Rough estimate: Price ≈ Area(m²) × (1000 / Pitch) × €300–600

Example: 6m² P2.5 screen ≈ 6 × 400 × 400 = ~€9,600

Indoor vs Outdoor LED ΓÇö Key Differences
led

Indoor LED

  • Brightness: 600ΓÇô1,500 nits
  • IP rating: IP20ΓÇôIP31
  • Pixel pitch: P1.2ΓÇôP3
  • Lighter cabinets
  • Front or rear service

Outdoor LED

  • Brightness: 5,000ΓÇô10,000+ nits
  • IP rating: IP65 front / IP54 rear minimum
  • Pixel pitch: P4ΓÇôP10+
  • Weatherproof cabinets with gaskets
  • Built-in cooling (fans or passive)

Semi-Outdoor

For shop windows, covered walkways ΓÇö IP43ΓÇôIP54, 2,000ΓÇô3,500 nits.

Types of LED Displays ΓÇö Complete Overview
led
TypeBest ForProsCons
SMDGeneral purposeCheapest, widely availableVisible pixels up close
COBPremium indoorLess glare, durableMore expensive
GOBSemi-outdoorImpact resistantSlight color shift
TransparentShop windowsSee-through, lightLower brightness
FlexibleCurved surfacesAny shapeComplex installation
RentalEvents, touringFast lock, road casesHeavier, more expensive
Fine PitchClose viewingTV-quality imageVery expensive
Renting AV Equipment ΓÇö Complete Guide
rental

When to Rent vs Buy

RentBuy
One-time eventRegular use (weekly)
Need latest techBudget constrained
No storage spaceHave warehouse
Varying requirementsConsistent setup

Typical Rental Costs (per day)

EquipmentPrice Range
LED Screen P2.5 (per m┬▓)Γé¼40ΓÇô80
Moving Head SpotΓé¼25ΓÇô50
Line Array Speaker (per box)Γé¼30ΓÇô60
Digital MixerΓé¼50ΓÇô100
Truss (per meter)Γé¼2ΓÇô5
Technician (per day)Γé¼250ΓÇô400

What to Check Before Renting

  • Γ£à Insurance included?
  • Γ£à Delivery/setup included?
  • Γ£à Backup equipment available?
  • Γ£à Cable/rigging included?
  • Γ£à Technical support on-site?