5 Tips on How to Evaluate dvLED Solutions

Executive Summary

• Evaluate: Successful dvLED deployments require evaluating space, structural backing, power requirements, and content aspect ratios early in the planning process.
• Key Technical Factors: Choose between All-in-One dvLED pre-configured kits and custom architectures and select pixel pitch using the 10X viewing distance rule to optimize budget and clarity.
• Integration & Support: Ensure native control system compatibility (e.g., Crestron, Q-SYS, and Extron) and partner with manufacturers for lifecycle support from design to maintenance.

Direct View LED (dvLED) technology has quickly evolved from a high-end luxury to an essential solution for corporate boardrooms, higher education facilities, retail spaces, and public venues. However, successful dvLED deployment requires navigating key considerations around space requirements, pixel pitch selection, control system compatibility, and ongoing maintenance.

In a recent interview, Cindy Davis, content director for AV Technology, sat down with Shane Roma, technical product manager for dvLED Commercial Displays at ViewSonic, to unpack the practical strategies AV integrators and IT decision-makers need to evaluate, install, and support dvLED solutions effectively.

Check out the full video interview with Shane Roma, technical product manager for dvLED Commercial Displays at ViewSonic, where he unpacks the practical strategies AV integrators and IT decision-makers need to evaluate, install, and support dvLED solutions effectively.

1: Start with the Application, and Ask the Right Questions

Before diving into pixel pitches or structural details, integrators must establish a complete understanding of the customer's operational goals and physical environment. This is true no matter the display type. "You actually start in the same place, which is to understand the application, understand the use case, understand what the expectations are from the customer," Roma said. "That really is going to drive everything that comes out of it. We can get mixed up with pixel pitches and LED technologies, controller types, things like that. And those are all very important, but in order to know which ones to specify and what's needed, you really need to understand the application."

Because dvLED displays are typically large-scale investments, integrators must evaluate structural backing, wall flatness, and electrical infrastructure early on. "Once it gets into Direct View LED, it's very much a measure twice, cut once type of product," Roma noted. Proper planning ensures accurate upfront pricing and prevents delays during installation.

2: Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Power, Wall Surfaces, and Content

Even seasoned integrators encounter unexpected hurdles during dvLED installations. Among the most frequent issues are power requirements and wall readiness. Large dvLED walls consume significantly more power than traditional commercial flat panels, often requiring dedicated 20-amp or 30-amp circuits installed by licensed electricians.

“Walls are never flat, ever," Roma said. "I would say always assume it's not and be ready to compensate."

Beyond physical site preparation, aspect ratios and content resolution represent a major area where project expectations can derail if not managed early. Because dvLED displays allow custom shapes and sizes, building a non-standard aspect ratio display requires specialized content creation.

"Part of setting those expectations and gathering that information is: are they creating content? Who's creating that custom content?" Roma asked. "Having those conversations upfront saves a lot of heartache on the backend. Make sure that's addressed ahead of time and either making a plan to create the content or adjusting the system appropriately for the content they do have."

3: Pre-Configured vs. Configurable Solutions: Choosing the Right Architecture

Integrators evaluating dvLED options generally choose between two primary product architectures: pre-configured kits and fully configurable custom systems. Both are considered All-in-One solutions because they include everything that’s needed.

Pre-configured solutions arrive as complete, standardized kits in popular diagonal sizes such as 108-, 136-, or 163-inch models with fixed 16:9 aspect ratios. "Pre-configured, think of it as standard kits. It would be almost as if you were specifying any other display," Roma said. "These kits include everything that's needed for the install... standard resolutions that you know your sources are going to be compatible with. That is going to be the easiest way to specify, install, and manage a direct-view LED."

For spaces requiring unique dimensions, non-standard shapes, or specialized pixel densities, configurable dvLED systems provide complete design flexibility. Whether wrapping a column in an architectural lobby or outfitting a large auditorium, configurable systems allow custom screen dimensions and resolutions built to order.

4: Balancing Viewing Distance and Pixel Pitch

A common misconception among end-users is that lower pixel pitch (higher resolution) is always better. However, selecting a tighter pixel pitch than necessary unnecessarily inflates hardware costs and video processing overhead.

"Pixel pitch is really dictated by the viewing distance to the audience," Roma said. To help integrators specify appropriate hardware, Roma shared a simple guideline: "General rule of thumb that we use is a 10X rule. So if you have a 1.5 millimeter pixel pitch, that would equate to about 15 feet as the optimal viewing distance."

While executive boardrooms may require a fine 0.9mm to 1.5mm pitch due to close seating proximities, venues like auditoriums or gymnasiums benefit far more from 2.5mm pitch displays. Viewers positioned farther back cannot discern the visual difference, allowing project budgets to be optimized without sacrificing image quality.

5: Control System Integration and Long-Term Manufacturer Support

Modern dvLED displays rarely operate as standalone units; they must integrate seamlessly into broader enterprise AV ecosystems, communicating natively with major control platforms. Roma highlighted that ViewSonic displays feature open APIs and native compatibility, including Crestron, Q-SYS, and pre-built drivers for Extron and AMX systems. Verifying driver availability and control protocols during design ensures effortless switching, automation, and remote telemetry.

This compatibility enables remote health monitoring and status tracking across the network, simplifying ongoing IT management and system maintenance.

Bonus!

Roma emphasized the value of strong manufacturer partnerships throughout the project lifecycle. From preliminary design consultations and pre-install alignment calls to hands-on installation support and certified training programs, working with established display vendors minimizes risk.

"The manufacturer really should be a partner as much as the integrator wants them to be throughout the entire process," Roma said. "You want to have that trust that the manufacturer has your back and the end user's back to make it right."

When evaluating the total cost of ownership compared to traditional projection systems, factoring in high ambient light performance, low maintenance, and long lifespan, dvLED stands out as a compelling, highly effective investment for modern commercial environments.