Our 60-second, 3-Step Guide to Display Success : Visual Displays Ltd

Our 60-second, 3-Step Guide to Display Success

The Fastest Way to Get Display Selection Right

Ensure every project delivers the best image size, clarity, and viewing experience with our 3-step display success guide – the quickest way to get it right, first time.

There are many complex factors involved in choosing the right display, including display size, type, contrast, brightness and content. We have created this simple 3-step guide for a quick and easy way to choose the right display with confidence.

Need expert advice on a specific project?

At Visual Displays we do the work for you, using our unparalleled expertise, tools and calculators to specify displays that offer the best user experiences. Our specialists are on hand to help you choose the perfect display solution.

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Our 3-Step Guide

Step 1

Q. What size should my screen be?

A. Getting the right screen size is essential. A screen that is too small for user requirements will not be viewable from everywhere in the room, giving a sub-standard result. This leads to a poor viewing experience (distraction, eye strain etc) and makes social distancing difficult. Make sure your screen is big enough. Find the right screen size using this simple 6:1 rule.

The 6:1 rule

The screen height must measure at least ⅙ of the distance of the farthest viewer.

Use this table for quick reference.

Farthest viewer from screen (m)	Minimum screen height (m)	Screen size ("/diagonal)
4	0.8	65
5	0.95	75
6	1.1	86
7	1.25	100
8	1.4	110
9	1.5	120
10	1.7	135
11	1.85	150
12	2	160
13	2.25	180
14	2.4	190
15	2.5	200

Step 2

Q. What type of display do I need?

A. Choose the type of display, based on the required screen size. Use our simple Displays Continuum to help you select the right type of display.

Farthest viewer from screen (m)	Screen Size ("/diagonal)	Screen Height (m)	Screen Width (m)	Ambient light levels	Display type
1.5m - 6m	40" - 90"	0.5m - 1.1m	0.9 - 2m	Up to brightly lit spaces	Flat Panel Display (FPD) or Large Format Display (LFD), mostly LCD panels backlit with LEDs
6m - any size	90" - any size	1.1m - any size	2m - any size	Up to brightly lit spaces	ALR Laser Projection (laser projector with ambient light rejecting screen)
Not applicable	110” - any size	1.4m - any size	2.4m - any size	Up to brightly lit spaces	Videowall (Digital Signage only. Large screen display made from smaller individual LCD panels with LED backlighting)
15m - any size	200" - any size	2.5m - any size	4.4m - any size	Daylight	dvLED (direct view LED)

Step 3

Choose your display

Flat Panel Displays / Large Format Displays

Farthest viewer from screen (m)	Screen Size ("/diagonal)	Screen Height (m)	Screen Width (m)	Ambient light levels	Display type
1.5m - 6m	40" - 90"	0.5m - 1.1m	0.9 - 2m	Up to brightly lit spaces	Flat Panel Display (FPD) or Large Format Display (LFD), mostly LCD panels backlit with LEDs

For single image use in smaller spaces
For multi-screen installations in public and high traffic areas
Easy to install and cost-effective up to 90”

NEC Large Format Display

Critical specification and purchasing requirements:

Use professional grade displays to avoid reliability, monitoring, and controlling issues
Use displays with anti-reflective screens to avoid ‘cheap seats’ where reflections from lights or windows create ‘veiling glare’ for some viewers - and try before you buy
Cost-effective only up to 90”, from 90”-98” (max. available size) choose ALR Laser Projection for best benefit-cost ratio
These are commodity items. Procure from any mainstream AV/IT distributor which can genuinely provide product as per the two points above - and offers good demo and support facilities.

Find out more here.

ALR Laser Projection

Farthest viewer from screen (m)	Screen Size ("/diagonal)	Screen Height (m)	Screen Width (m)	Ambient light levels	Display type
6m - any size	90" - any size	1.1m - any size	2m - any size	Up to brightly lit spaces	ALR Laser Projection (laser projector with ambient light rejecting screen)

Professional ambient light rejecting (ALR) screens maximise the power and contrast of the projector giving flawless images even in brightly lit spaces
Unbeatable value - less than half the cost of FPD/LFD
Can be scaled to exact size needed, up to any size
Exact resolution is maintained at any size
Matt surface of ALR screens mean no reflected glare
For detailed, comfortable and extended viewing of content / presentations - no eyestrain

Critical specification and purchasing requirements:

VDL Supernova Digital Canvas

Our VDL Supernova Digital Canvas range makes it easy to choose the right ALR laser projection solution. These complete display packages are sold as single SKUs (order codes), making specification and purchase as simple as any standard FPD/LFD.

Each all-in-one system includes an Epson high-brightness 3LCD laser projector with extended 5 year warranty, VDL Supernova TrueALR optical screen and a choice of wall/ceiling/floor mount or freestanding credenda unit. Additional options include installation CAD drawings, site surveys, and installation services. We also offer the Digital Canvas without a projector, giving you the option to source your own.

Flawless, high-contrast images, even in brightly lit environments
Available in the ideal size to suit your space and viewing angles
Seamless, ultra-wide display surface
Totally matt and non-reflective – no unwanted glare or reflections
Easy to use and maintenance-free
Unbeatable value for money

Click the banner below to find out more.

For extra-large screen sizes, see our VDL Supernova Digital Canvas INFINITY solutions.

Call 01234 581 000 to get a quote or book a demonstration.

Choose from our VDL Supernova Digital Canvas range - or create your own using our VDL Supernova TrueALR Screens and Displays with your preferred projectors

Videowalls

Farthest viewer from screen (m)	Screen Size ("/diagonal)	Screen Height (m)	Screen Width (m)	Ambient light levels	Display type
Not applicable	110” - any size	1.4m - any size	2.4m - any size	Up to brightly lit spaces	Videowall (Digital Signage only. Large screen display made from smaller individual LCD panels with LED backlighting)

Large screen displays made by ‘tiling’ smaller displays, such as a 110” display made from four 55” panels, arranged two high and two wide (this example known as 2 x 2 array)
Bright displays with wide range of luminances available (350-3000cd/m²)
Not seamless - there is always a small gap between the panels, typically 1-2mm
Used only for signage applications - not suitable for meeting rooms, teaching, business presentations as users find the gaps/mullions between the individual display panels to be too distracting
Lower capital costs than dvLED, but needs regular maintenance (calibration), so running costs must be factored

Direct View LED (dvLED)

Farthest viewer from screen (m)	Screen Size ("/diagonal)	Screen Height (m)	Screen Width (m)	Ambient light levels	Display type
15m - any size	200" - any size	2.5m - any size	4.4m - any size	Daylight	dvLED (direct view LED)

Huge, super-bright screens, ideal for advertising and signage
High-impact viewing for medium to long distances
Use where viewers can look away to avoid eyestrain from continuous viewing
Avoid dvLED for serious content or presentations where resolution needs maintaining or under normal room lighting levels as their brightness can create eyestrain, choose ALR laser projection instead

Critical specification and purchasing issues:

These are expensive systems of widely varying quality. Let us guide you through the complexities of resolution, brightness and LED ‘binning’ selection.

See our VDL Digital Canvas Infinity for a premium-quality, cost-effective alternative to LED screens.

Bigger, cheaper, better…

This versatile range of all-in-one displays guarantees the best large-screen viewing, collaboration and presentation experience, even in brightly lit rooms.