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LED FLAT PANEL DISPLAYS VS. MODULAR LED VIDEO WALL DISPLAYS: A COMPREHENSIVE COMPARISON

September 19th, 2024

What is an LED Flat Panel Display?

An LED flat panel display is what you might think of as a large, high-definition television or computer monitor, but bigger and designed for professional use. It’s a thin, lightweight screen that can be easily mounted on a wall or used with a suitable bracket. These displays use LED (light-emitting diode) technology to create bright, vibrant images. In truth, the majority of them actually use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology but have an LED backlight to make the image appear nice and vivid.

They are self-contained units, meaning they come in one piece, ready to use, with a fixed size and resolution. You might see LED flat panels in places like offices, classrooms, or stores where a high-quality screen is needed for presentations, advertising, or showing videos.

They come in a variety of standard sizes but the common larger ones are 42”, 55” and 65”. The largest sizes are 75”, 86”, 98”, 100” and even 110” but these wouldn’t normally be used as a video wall.

One variation is the narrow bezel flat panel display, where the edges around the screen (called "bezels") are made very thin. This allows multiple flat panels to be placed side by side to create a larger display - essentially, a tiled video wall. However, even though the bezels are small, you’ll still notice thin lines between the individual screens.

Example of narrow bezel flat panel display 2x2 video wall

What is a Modular LED Video Wall Display?

A modular LED video wall display is made up of many smaller individual LED panels that fit together to create a much larger screen. Think of it like building blocks: you can combine as many panels as you need to make a display as big as you want. These panels are designed to fit together seamlessly, so you don't see any lines between them, which creates the effect of one giant screen.

Modular video walls are often used for big events like concerts, in stadiums, or for eye-catching displays in places like airports or shopping malls. Since you can customise the size and shape of the screen, these are ideal for larger or unusual space

In simple terms, if you’ve ever been to a concert and seen the massive screen behind the band showing live video or animations, you’ve probably seen a modular LED video wall. These screens are made up of many smaller panels but look like one continuous display.

Example of modular indoor LED video wall

The Key Difference

The biggest difference between these two types of displays is how they’re put together:

LED flat panels are single, pre-built screens that you use just like a large TV. They’re perfect for small to medium-sized spaces.

Modular LED video walls are created by connecting many smaller panels to make one big display. They’re ideal for large venues or events where you need a huge, custom-sized screen.

In summary, LED flat panels are great for simple, standard setups, while modular LED walls are used when you need something bigger, more flexible, or creative.

When deciding between LED flat panel displays and modular LED video walls, it’s important to recognise the strengths of each technology. Both deliver stunning visuals, but their design, structure, and applications differ, making them suited to different types of environments.


Design and Structure

LED flat panel displays are sleek, self-contained units that are easy to install and mount. They are popular in corporate spaces, retail environments, and offices due to their slim, lightweight form. These displays typically come in fixed sizes with standard aspect ratios like 16:9 or 16:10, making them an easy and practical solution for conventional uses where space is a factor.

However, modern flat panel displays with narrow bezels provide the additional option of tiling multiple panels together to create a video wall. While narrow bezels reduce the visual disruption between screens, the tiled displays will still have slight gaps between them - unlike modular LED video walls, which are seamless. Narrow bezel displays are useful for those needing larger displays without the complexity of modular panels but don’t mind slight interruptions between screens.

On the other hand, modular LED video walls are constructed from individual panels that create a unified display of any size or shape. This modularity offers unmatched flexibility for customization. Whether you need a large, curved display for a concert venue or an unusual aspect ratio screen, modular LED video walls can be configured to fit a wide variety of environments.  The absence of visible seams between panels ensures a continuous, uninterrupted visual experience, which is especially important for immersive applications.

Image Quality and Resolution

Both narrow bezel flat panel displays and modular LED video walls offer excellent image quality, but their strengths lie in different areas. LED flat panels are known for their high resolution, with options ranging from HD and 4K to 8K (4K is now the most common panel resolution). This makes them ideal for environments where close-up or critical viewing is necessary, such as conference rooms or retail spaces, where high pixel density ensures sharp, detailed images.

When narrow bezel flat panels are tiled into a video wall, the overall resolution depends on the number of panels and their individual resolutions. This method allows for large displays with high resolution, but the bezels, though narrow, can create slight visual interruptions that may be noticeable in certain applications.

Modular LED video walls, on the other hand, achieve high-quality visuals through their pixel pitch—the distance between individual pixels. A smaller pixel pitch results in a sharper image and is more suitable for close-up viewing. While modular video walls can achieve very high resolutions, especially when built large, they are often more expensive to configure for 4K or 8K compared to flat panels. Nevertheless, their seamless design and ability to scale to any size make them ideal for environments where immersive and large-scale displays are required.

Although there are variants of both formats, indoor modular LED video walls have up to twice as brightness as the majority of flat panel displays. This makes the modular format better suited to environments with high ambient light.

Cost and Maintenance

While flat panels used to be the more affordable option, the scalability and flexibility of modular LED video walls have significantly improved, making them a better investment, especially for many larger installations. Where large displays, non standard aspect ratios or installation in high ambient light environments are required the modular wall is probably going to be more cost effective. If you need the highest resolution and smaller overall display size the LED flat panel technology will likely still be the lower cost.

In terms of maintenance, modular LED video walls offer greater ease and flexibility. Individual components like LED modules, power supplies, and processors can be easily replaced without taking down the entire display. This modular design means that if a small section of the video wall needs repairs, you can fix or swap out just that part without disrupting the rest of the display.

With flat panel video walls, if a panel fails or develops issues, the entire panel often needs to be replaced. Given the interconnected nature of tiled flat panels, replacing a single panel can be more cumbersome and expensive than addressing issues in a modular LED system.

In summary, modular LED video walls not only offer better flexibility and scalability but can now also be more cost-effective and easier to maintain than tiled flat panel video walls, especially when considering long-term use and potential repair needs.

Typical uses for both types of display

LED flat panel displays, including those with narrow bezels, are well-suited for smaller to medium-sized rooms where a single large screen or a tiled display is sufficient. They are commonly used in corporate settings, educational environments, retail signage, and home entertainment systems. Typically the view will be relatively close to the display. The tiling option allows for larger displays without the need for modular setups, but the bezels between the screens may limit their use in environments where a fully immersive or uninterrupted visual experience is required.

Modular LED video walls excel in large venues or events where an uninterrupted, seamless display is essential. They are the go-to option for concert venues, stadiums, trade shows, command centres, and other large spaces where visual impact and flexibility are paramount or environments with high ambient light. The modular panels can also be shaped to fit non-standard configurations or curved surfaces, making them perfect for spaces that require unique or highly customised displays.

Customisation and Flexibility

Narrow bezel flat panel displays offer a moderate level of customization. While they can be tiled to create larger displays, the overall flexibility is somewhat limited by the fixed sizes and the presence of bezels. This makes them a solid choice for spaces where large displays are needed but where extreme customization is not required.

Modular LED video walls, by contrast, are designed for maximum customization. Their modular design allows for displays of any size, shape, or curvature. Whether you want to create a massive flat screen or a uniquely shaped display that fits the architectural contours of a building, modular panels provide the versatility needed to bring any vision to life. This level of customization makes them the ideal choice for large-scale events or public venues where dramatic and immersive visuals are a priority but are equally at home where a display needs to cover an unusual shape or screen aspect ratio.

Conclusion: Which is Right for You?

Ultimately, your decision should be based on the scale of your project, the environment in which the display will be used, and your budget. Both technologies offer high-quality visuals, but the right choice depends on the specific demands of your space and the level of customization you require.

Here’s a brief comparison between flat panel video walls and modular LED video walls:

  • Flat Panel Video Walls (Narrow Bezel)

    • Made by tiling multiple flat panel displays.

    • Pros: High resolution (4K, 8K), straightforward installation.

    • Cons: Visible bezels between panels, more complex maintenance (entire panels may need replacement).

    • Best for: Small to medium spaces or where high resolution is critical.

  • Modular LED Video Walls

    • Built from individual LED panels that fit together seamlessly.

    • Pros: Seamless display, customizable size/shape, easier maintenance (replace individual modules).

    • Cons: Slightly lower resolution at close range (depending on pixel pitch).

    • Best for: Large venues, flexible design, and long-term use.

We are here to help

At AV Unit, we have extensive experience working with both LED flat panel displays and modular LED video wall systems. Whether you're considering a standard display for a smaller space or looking to implement a large, seamless video wall, our team can guide you through the best options for your specific project. We understand the nuances of each technology, from cost and maintenance to customisation and installation, and can help you make the right decision based on your unique requirements.

If you're unsure about which solution fits your needs, feel free to get in touch with us. We'd be happy to provide expert advice and help tailor a display system that works perfectly for your space and budget.

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