Indoors is not the same as outdoors – especially when it comes to video tech. We compare indoor and outdoor applications and explain which parameters are crucial.
In most cases, we don’t just step outside without preparation – we put on shoes, maybe a jacket, and if the weather requires, a hat and scarf. We adapt our gear to the external conditions. So why should it be any different with professional video technology?
A lot of technologies, including AV, aren’t designed for a one-size-fits-all application. Indoor and outdoor environments have unique demands. Indoors, you don’t have to worry about weather or direct sunlight, but space can be limited. Outdoors, while you often have more room to work with, you’re contending with the elements. Knowing the right equipment to use for each setting is essential for creating an optimal viewing experience.
Let’s take a closer look at two specific types of AV equipment: LED displays and projectors. Both are designed to create impactful visual experiences but in different ways, depending on the environment.
LED: Shining Bright in Every Setting
LED cabinets are directly exposed to their surroundings. Outside, they face sunlight, rain, and dust. This means outdoor LED cabinets must be weatherproof, like the AR 3.9, which comes with an IP65 rating, making it resistant to rain and dust. Additionally, outdoor LEDs need to be bright — up to 4,000 nits in the case of the AR 3.9 — to still deliver crisp images in direct sunlight.
Indoors, however, sunlight is often minimal or nonexistent, so displays don’t need to be as bright. The focus shifts to higher resolution, especially when the audience is viewing the screen from a short distance. Smaller pixel pitches, like the 0.9 mm pitch of the LEDgend display, ensure that images remain sharp and clear up close, unlike outdoor models where larger pixel pitches (e.g., 3.91 mm) are better suited for distant viewing in wider distances.
Projectors: Adapting to Light and Space
Much like LED displays, the brightness of projectors is critical in outdoor settings. Projection mapping, often used in outdoor displays, requires high lumen outputs to ensure clarity, especially when projecting over large areas – despite usually being done at night without sunlight. The larger the projection, the more powerful the projectors need to be, and they’re typically positioned far from the projection surface, further necessitating high brightness levels.
Indoors, projector needs are quite different. Projections are usually done in darkened rooms where lower brightness suffices. The focus here is on precision and seamless performance. In immersive indoor setups for example, where multiple projectors are used to cover walls, floors, or ceilings, quiet operation is crucial. Excessive heat or noise can disturb the experience, making smooth, discreet functioning a priority for indoor projectors: For such an installation, low-noise devices with efficient heat management are the right choice.
Choosing the Right Technology for the Right Setting
Whether outdoors or indoors, the key to success lies in adapting to the environment. The right technology ensures the best possible experience for the viewer under any conditions. From weatherproof, high-brightness LED cabinets to powerful outdoor projectors, each application requires its own solution. And when the technology meets the demands, the audience is left with only one thing: fascination.