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What is Direct View LED?

A woman stops to admire the large LG DVLED display, which advertises a new fashion collection.

Direct View LED is not like regular LED

- or any other display!

Direct View LED displays eliminate the LCD panel, instead using a surface array of LEDs as the actual display pixels. This allows for incredible contrast, vibrant colors, and brightness levels several times that of LCDs. Direct View LED displays can also be made virtually any size, including large sizes of 100 feet or more, making them the perfect choice for outdoor and indoor spaces alike. Thanks to the bezel-free design of Direct View LED displays, it’s possible to create seamless video walls too.


Your only limit is your imagination.

A DVLED display in a mall advertises a Summer Sale. It is an 'exploded view' to illustrate the makeup of a DVLED display, with four labels showing: the cabinet that holds the panel. The individual DVLED modules that form the panel. The pixels on each module. And the panel itself, which is the sum of all the parts.
A wall with a large scale display showing the earth from space. The scene is divided with a red line, with the left labeled LCD Panels and the right labeled Direct View LED. The DVLED example has bolder colors, deeper contrast, and no bezels between the panels.
Two technical illustrations on a light background. On the left is the Common Anode, showing how all colors are powered at all times. On the right is the Common Cathode, showing that each color LED is powered only when used for efficient power consumption.
A large bold DVLED display on the outside of a building.

Each Direct View display is made up of individual modules within a cabinet. Each module has thousands of tiny pixels, which illuminate to create the picture. Together, they form the DVLED panel.

DVLED's modularity allows for creative and innovative displays that can be custom-fit to a variety of spaces.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panels have a light source behind or at the edge of the glass. LCD panels also often are bulkier and emit more heat.
In contrast, Direct View LED (DVLED) panels do not need backlights, edge lights, and a shutter. The LEDs directly light the display without the need for a filter. DVLEDs panels are lighter, last longer, and emit less heat than LCD panels.

Common anode technology controls all colors, even when not used, causing high heat emission and energy costs. DVLED uses common cathode, powering only needed colors for efficient power consumption.

Pixel pitch is the space between pixels; the best width depends on the application of the display. Displays that will be viewed up close, like wayfinding or wall signage, require a tighter pixel pitch than displays whose audience will be farther away, like outdoor billboard displays.

LG recommends about 1 mm of pixel pitch per 5 ft of viewing distance. The correct pixel pitch can help you save costs.

Main Pixel Technologies

Pixels are an important force behind displays, and pixel technology has evolved significantly over the years. LG has solutions to best suit ...

A man in a city is walking past a DVLED display, advertising a luxury watch. In the bottom left corner is an illustration of a Chip On Board type DVLED pixel.

Chip on Board

Chip on Board (COB) pixels are constructed with the color chips mounted directly on the printed circuit board (PCB), allowing for tight pixel pitch, contrast, viewing angles and great color. Due to the layering techniques used on the surface of these pixels, COB pixels are very durable. COB pixels are suitable for indoor displays where the audience will be closer to the screen, such as wayfinding displays, advertisements, or menu boards.
An interior view of a luxury hotel, with LG DVLED on the far wall. In the bottom left corner is an illustration of a Surface Mount Diode type DVLED pixel.

Surface Mount Diode

Surface Mount Diode (SMD) pixels are composed of modularly packaged color mounted directly on the printed circuit board surface, hence the name. These pixels are suitable for indoor or outdoor use; most LED screens are composed of SMD pixels. Globally, SMD pixels make up the vast majority of indoor DVLED displays.
A modern office space with an LG DVLED display on the wall. In the bottom left corner is an illustration of a Integrated Matrix Device type DVLED pixel.

Integrated Matrix Device

Integrated Matrix Device (IMD) pixels are also known as 4-in-1 Surface Mount Diode. They're similar to the Surface Mount Diode but have four times as many pixels per module. SMD becomes fragile at tight pixel-pitch, creating an increased risk of damage at tighter pitches. With IMD-style pixels, fine pitch displays are less vulnerable to physical impact, excessive heat, and other environmental issues.
A soccer player kicks the ball. In the background is a cheering crowd and LG Stadium Series DVLED. In the bottom left corner is an illustration of a Dots In Place type DVLED pixel.

Dots in Place

Dots in Place (DIP) pixels are often composed of three colored dots mounted in the middle of the pixel. DIP pixels are coarse and bright, and are best for large-scale outdoor displays such as scoreboards, billboards, or other displays where the audience is further from the display.

DVLED Installation

Worker stands on a ladder to install LG Direct View LED modules onto the panel cabinet.

Mount Installation

The first step is to install the mounts and cabinets, and conduct cable and signal tests. It’s important for mounting to be installed correctly, since it’s the foundation for the rest of the display.
Worker stands on a ladder to install LG Direct View LED modules onto the panel cabinet.

Module Installation

Next the modules are put into place. Modules will light up with test visuals as they’re installed. Color and pixel calibration is done in-factory, so all that’s next is configuring the display layout.
An LG Direct View LED display in a dark room, lit with a colorful forest scene.

Fully Installed

With installation completed, the display is ready to go!

*LG does not install DVLED mounts or displays. Systems shown were installed by professional AV system integrators.

A close-up of a DVLED Controller. In the background is a luxury hotel with DVLED on the walls.

DVLED Controller Offers Complete & Easy Access

LG’s line of 4K direct view LED controllers offer wide flexibility of content playback, paired with webOS™ and the A7 2nd generation image processing chip you know and love from LG's flat panel LCD and OLED lines. There’s no need for post-installation control software when using an end-user friendly remote control.

Additional available features can include ambient light sensing for integrated auto-brightness, on-screen user interface, onboard content management system (CMS) for signage playback, and simultaneous display of up to 4 sources in a picture-in-picture or picture-by-picture layout.

A Variety of Options

Direct View LED offers unique solutions for businesses of all kinds

A media studio interior with curved Virtual Production LG DVLED as a backdrop.

Studio Series

Studio Series DVLED offers floor, wall, and ceiling panel options for your virtual production studio.

Explore Studio Series
LG MAGNIT DVLED Display in a sleek, modern living space.

MAGNIT MicroLED

MAGNIT is comprised of a colorful mosaic of MicroLED chips that can deliver stunning images with ultra-fine detail.

An interior of an airport with transparent LG DVLED on the large windows, displaying colorful fish swimming by.

Transparent Film

Deliver dynamic content while blending seamlessly with interior design with flexible Transparent LED Film.

A woman stands on stage giving a presentation with All In One DVLED.

All-in-One

High performance All-in-One DVLED offers versatile installation, easy management, built-in speakers and even more great features.

Explore all Direct View LED

Now that you've learned exactly what Direct View LED is, be sure to check out all of LG's incredible DVLED solutions

Explore Direct View LED

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Outdoor Direct View LED Lifestyle Image

All image simulations are for illustration purposes only.

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