Round table: The luminaries of LED

Roundtable: The luminaries of LED

From light bulbs to panels, the latest advancements in LEDs are reshaping all corners of AV.  Our expert panel discusses their evolution and what the future has in store for this bright sector

The Panel

Matt Cole, Founder and CEO, Entice Studio

Trevor Nichol, Head of technical production and sustainability lead, Pixel Artworks

Ross Noonan, Technical sales and marketing manager, LED Studio

Ben Díaz, Head of product management, Astera

Andreas Voss, Vice president of sales (Europe), InfiLED

Matt Cole, Founder and CEO, Entice Studio

Trevor Nichol, Head of technical production and sustainability lead, Pixel Artworks

Ross Noonan, Technical sales and marketing manager, LED Studio

Ben Díaz, Head of product management, Astera

Andreas Voss, vice president of sales (Europe), InfiLED

How has the LED landscape evolved over the past ten years?

Matt Cole Perhaps most importantly, the industry has embraced a content-first approach. LEDs are no longer just screens; they’ve become a medium in their own right, encouraging tailored content creation that complements the environment and application. This blend of affordability, flexibility and creative potential has made LEDs transformative across diverse sectors, from retail to film production to live entertainment.

Trevor Nichol The evolution of the LED landscape has been really exciting to witness. In the past ten years, direct view (DV) LED has progressed in resolution, reliability and cost. This has transformed its use from exclusively arena-scale events to being a viable display solution for almost any environment. Reductions in cost have made this tech accessible to many more markets.

We’re finding that VFX teams of larger film and series studios are choosing to invest in setting up large LED volumes for their stages to create scenes for capture in-camera as opposed to filming on location or using green screens, then embarking on costly rotoscoping effects and reflections in post-production. As well as providing a dynamic backdrop for scenes, the LED surface also provides light that is naturally reflected on actors’ faces and surfaces of the set and props. When paired with camera tracking, XR can be deployed to create a virtual extension of LED volumes.

Ross Noonan One of the most significant advancements has been in resolution. A pixel pitch as tight as 0.6mm was unimaginable a decade ago – just like the idea of a 100in+ TV seemed far-fetched back then – yet here we are today. While tighter pixel pitches are impressive, they’ve also introduced challenges. People often want the latest and greatest technology, even when they might not actually need such high pixel density for their application.

Our guiding principle has always been: “Don’t pay for pixels you don’t need.” We focus on understanding the specific application and audience to ensure the right display is chosen. The manufacturer is also responsible for maintaining the display’s performance and keeping pixels functioning over time. That’s why we aim to avoid producing unnecessary pixels, prioritising function over cost for the end client.

"This blend of affordability, flexibility and creative potential has made LEDs transformative across diverse sectors, from retail to film production to live entertainment"

Ben Díaz LED technology was already boiling ten years ago but had not yet established itself as the absolute standard that it is today. Its technical evolution has historically tended towards integration, as lighting sectors that had been separate in the past (architecture, film and broadcast, performing arts) began to have the same basic needs, while specificities were concentrated in very particular areas.

What has also happened is that some segments have been feeding others. For example, installations began to feature all-weather luminaires, while high-quality colour reproduction needed on film sets is now helpful to architects as well.

Andreas Voss The LED industry has seen significant advancements over the past decade. Pixel pitches have become tighter, enabling higher-resolution displays, while brightness levels within the existing range of pixel pitches have continued to improve.

Technologies such as mini LED, COB (chip on board), and MIP (micro LED in  package) have become more affordable and mainstream, making high-quality solutions accessible to a wider audience.

Additionally, we’ve seen an influx of brands entering the western market, offering competitive LED panels. This increased competition has driven down prices, encouraging manufacturers to push the boundaries of innovation. As a result, LED displays have become a viable replacement for traditional projection and LCD displays in many applications, with adoption growing steadily as costs decrease.

What is one of your favourite LED products, and why?

Trevor Nichol Fine pitch, flexible and damage-resistant products provide the most creative freedom in the immersive experience space, allowing us to fit to existing architecture and surround audiences with content, so they can get up close without risk of damage.

We’ve also recently seen increasing interest in transparent products like Muxwave’s transparent LED display, particularly in architectural applications. When it comes to visual storytelling and creating a more immersive environment, it can be a game changer. The appeal lies in their glass-like transparency, which provides crystal-clear visuals without obstructing the view behind them.

The modular nature of these displays also makes them highly scalable. Some of the most effective applications we’ve seen have been in a retail environment, as it attracts the attention of customers without obscuring the products inside the store. To push this even further, these displays can be paired with sensors to trigger personalised animations as customers approach, delivering a more tailored and interactive experience.

"Transparent LED is one innovation that stands out. This technology combines visual impact with subtlety, delivering striking visuals while blending seamlessly into the environment"

Matt Cole For me, it’s not just about the LED panel but the entire ecosystem that surrounds it. The technical capabilities of a screen – such as black levels, colour depth and brightness – are undoubtedly important but equally critical are the systems driving the content. The performance of media players, including frame rates, compression handling and playback quality, can significantly influence the overall experience.

Transparent LED is one innovation that stands out. This tech combines visual impact with subtlety, delivering striking visuals while blending seamlessly into the environment. Ideal applications include retail windows, allowing for engaging displays without obstructing the view of products; or car showrooms, enhancing the luxury feel without overpowering the vehicles on display.

LEDs are deployed in an increasingly diverse array of settings. Can you highlight a recent example that stands out to you?

Ross Noonan I don’t think we can overlook Sphere in Las Vegas – it’s a perfect example of the relationship between viewing distance and pixel pitch. From a distance, it looks absolutely stunning but when you get up close, as I have, you wouldn’t even realise the building is covered by a screen.

It actually appears more like scaffolding with flashing lights, which reinforces my earlier point about not applying extra pixels where they aren’t needed. From the intended viewing distance, its an incredible merging of technology and engineering.

Once inside, we see the incredible potential of LED for driving immersive storytelling. As the cost of LED tech continues to decrease, I believe we’ll see even-more captivating applications which were once solely the domain of projection technology.

Of course, projection will likely remain the most cost-effective way to cover large surfaces with imagery, but it has its limitations – particularly outdoors. Given LED’s durability and brightness, I expect a growing trend of outdoor immersive experiences utilising LED displays in the coming years.

Ben Díaz The best example of LED versatility is our Lunabulb. We created it as a high-quality LED light bulb for the film world – a professional luminaire that looks exactly like a traditional light bulb. We know practicals are used in almost every film sequence, as motivating lights are still essential in cinematography.

But what’s happening now is amazing; the event crews are using large numbers of Lunabulbs to create huge banners in the style of traditional advertising in Las Vegas or Broadway. We’re also seeing it at festivals as festoon lighting and in fashion events or corporate dinners.

Now we’re even starting to see theatrical technicians wanting not only to use Lunabulbs on stage, to simulate traditional lamps, but in hallways or as house lighting due to its inbuilt CRMX control capabilities.

Andreas Voss The Qatar F1 track and the Dubai Mall both come to mind: they’re flagship installations and serve as exceptional reference cases for 2024.

How are vendors and customers improving when it comes to considering sustainability?

Trevor Nichol Manufacturers are constantly innovating for more efficient power usage and more refined controls. We see great benefit in network power switching and sequencing, which allows a control system to completely power down the LED when not in use, then energise in sequence, to mitigate the often problematic surges of inrush and earth leakage during start-up. Many users aren’t aware of the large amount of energy that DVLED screens consume, even when turned to black. Network power management alleviates this issue.

As with most electronics, the product life cycle of DVLED remains problematic for end users with sustainable goals. Manufacturing is no longer limited to Shenzhen and there are now sources much closer to home which can help us meet our clients’ sustainable goals by reducing transport emissions. However, that’s just one aspect of a complex issue.

Matt Cole At the operational level, content adjustments – such as lowering unnecessary brightness levels – can further enhance efficiency. Modular designs are gaining popularity, as they allow for individual components to be upgraded or replaced rather than discarding the entire unit. This not only extends the product’s life cycle but also reduces electronic waste.

The second-hand market for LED displays is thriving as well. Displays that are no longer suitable for high-profile applications are being refurbished and re-purposed for use in less-demanding environments, ensuring they continue to deliver value rather than being discarded or decommissioned prematurely.

Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on tracking both operational and embodied carbon. Vendors and customers are collaborating to measure and mitigate emissions, making sure sustainability is not just a buzzword but a measurable outcome.

"Astera has implemented the eight-year rule, whereby we design all our products to last at least that many years in the sales catalogue, and longer in the hands of the user"

Ben Díaz I firmly believe this is a crucial topic and no manufacturer should ignore it. It’s difficult to talk about radical changes in the area of innovation, since LED technology is relatively new, but I believe that our industry must make an effort to extend the life cycle of LED lighting products. It is of little use for a diode to be able to offer 50,000 hours of operation under TM-21 measurement if the drivers can’t manage it or the design of the housing isn’t prepared to dissipate the heat generated by the engine.

Making an LED last requires complex engineering and we’ve taken this task very seriously, because in addition to the usual components, we incorporate batteries and wireless control systems that are built to be exposed regularly to bad weather and hostile operating environments. On top of this, users also want high output, perfect colours and excellent dimming.

At Astera, we’ve implemented the eight-year rule, whereby we design all our products to last at least that many years in the sales catalogue, and much longer in the hands of the user. We encourage all manufacturers to imitate this model for product development.

What are some of the challenges faced by this sector and how can we overcome them?

Andreas Voss While the LED market is still growing (InfiLED has achieved annual growth of 20 to 30% in EMEA), the slower economy in some European countries could pose challenges. 

The digital out-of-home (DOOH) market also faces hurdles in mainland Europe, where obtaining permissions can be complicated. In other regions, this sector is more developed and represents a larger share of the market.

Ben Díaz There are the many technical issues, of course. LED efficiencies are now stuck; we’ll no longer see those huge price drops in components and lumen outputs doubling every year. We have to start working more on thermal and optical management systems, electronic optimisation and better software architectures, which will undoubtedly involve creating robust, future-proof ecosystems.

It’s difficult because manufacturers often don’t communicate enough about these complexities.

Ross Noonan One of the biggest challenges in the LED sector has always been maintaining the reliability of pixel functioning over time. As pixel pitches continue to tighten and there are more ground-level installations, pixel durability, reliability and longevity have become even more critical considerations.

Innovations like GOB (glue on board) and COB technology, where pixels are encapsulated in resin, have significantly improved both the protection and preservation of pixels. However, these advancements have also made diode repairs more complex – not impossible, but more challenging compared to traditional methods.

A promising development to watch is micro LED in package technology, which could address many of these durability and repair challenges.

Matt Cole The flexibility of LEDs – capable of taking on virtually any shape or size – means bespoke content is often necessary. This complexity extends to pixel mapping, playback systems and media servers, all of which add layers of technicality that not every team is equipped to handle.

Another challenge is maintaining consistency in colour and brightness across displays, particularly in large-scale installations. Even small variations can detract from the visual impact and require meticulous calibration.

Educating users about the many nuances of LED technology and content management can empower them to maximise the potential of their systems.

Are there any future trends in LED that sound exciting to you?

Ben Díaz There will be lots of things happening over the next decade but, in my opinion, it will have much more to do with software and protocol integration than with core hardware technologies.

Of course, we have to see whether the promises of laser technology end up becoming versatile realities because today its application is limited. Then we also have to see how the content evolves because lighting virtual studios isn’t the same as lighting large locations.

Obviously, LED video screens and luminaires will become more and more integrated. Many features, such as all-weather protection, will remain and then there’s the issue of colour, which I consider very important. I think, in the coming years, we’ll see users who are much more aware of the kind of colour mix they need. They will inevitably have to balance the need for sufficient chromatic information with the urgency for equipment that is more compact, lighter, easier to manage, prepare and adapt to spaces – but is also powerful, with a versatile beam aperture and great optical quality.

Trevor Nichol Flip chip COB screens are fast becoming the future of DVLED. COB screens typically have finer resolution, better heat dissipation and viewing angles, improved brightness and are more power efficient. Streamlined manufacturing processes and the resulting reliability means COB also comes in at a much more affordable price point. This is particularly exciting because it expands the accessibility of DVLED displays to broader markets, encouraging innovative applications across various industries.

We’ve also seen some fascinating R&D and prototypes using lightweight and biodegradable composite chassis frames which aim to remove the use of virgin plastic or alloys. We’re excited to witness and support the growth of innovative products that can help reduce the environmental impact of display technologies.

"The competition between emerging technologies like COB and MIP is intensifying – it’s an exciting time, as we watch the industry determine which will become the standard"

Matt Cole Driven largely by innovations in integration and immersion, the future of the LED industry is brimming with potential. Technologies like transparent and flexible LEDs are paving the way for displays that can blend into their surroundings and take on entirely new forms, such as wrapping around objects or conforming to curved surfaces.

We’re also seeing LEDs merge with other technologies for multi-sensory experiences. For example, combining LED displays with drones, projection mapping and interactivity allows for immersive and unprecedented audience engagement. These integrations are particularly exciting for live events and experiential marketing, where the goal is to captivate and amaze.

Another key trend is the use of LED tech in architectural applications, such as wrapping skyscrapers in dynamic displays or integrating LEDs into interior designs. These applications demonstrate how LEDs can transcend their traditional role as screens to become integral elements of the built environment.

Ross Noonan As mentioned earlier, MIP is definitely a technology to watch closely. It offers a more cost-effective way to produce tight-pitch LED displays, since a single diode package can be used across multiple pixel pitches. This differs from traditional SMD, where a different pixel or package size is required for each pitch.

MIP also shares many of the benefits associated with COB technology, such as reduced energy consumption and enhanced contrast. However, it stands out because it’s far easier to repair, making it a more practical choice for many applications. Since MIP uses mass transfer techniques, it also allows for more efficient large-scale production.

Andreas Voss Sustainability will remain a driving trend in the LED industry. At InfiLED, we’re committed to developing products that align with this focus, such as the WP series with ColdLED tech. We’re also seeing a shift towards all-in-one LED systems, particularly in the corporate sector. To meet this demand, we’ll be introducing our new Orion all-in-one series at ISE 2025, which offers MIP tech at a competitive price.

Additionally, the competition between emerging technologies like COB and MIP is intensifying. It’s an exciting time as we watch the industry determine which will become the standard. ISE 2025 will be an excellent opportunity to explore the latest developments from manufacturers across the board.

This feature was first published in the Jan/Feb 2025 issue of LIVE.