Vanguard LED Displays, based in Lakeland, FL, released a new product this year to compete in the P1-and-under range of video products (where pixel pitch resolution is less than 1mm). Vanguard’s Chromium Micro LED Video Display Series features leading edge technology that allows for stable, reliable pixel pitches at P1 (1mm) and below. Products on this line of display delivery produce very high quality resolution output for distances ranging from ten feet to the back of the arena. P1 is an achievement that was unheard of just five years ago.
The Technology
Micro LED Technology in the Vanguard product ostensibly consists of soldering three Micro LED chips — one red, one blue, one green — directly onto a PCB board. Then, these Micro LED chips get a very precise encapsulation of an epoxy resin that produces a perfectly flat, uniform LED module. Along with the size and material achievements, the manufacturing process is also slim-lined, comprising of two steps as opposed to the four step standard SMD diode process.
The Micro LED manufacturing process eliminates the need for a bracket and supports on the diodes, which does two critical things for the overall end-user product: it reduces the number of soldering points needed in the construction of the diode assembly, which in turn reduces the amount and placement of soldering points. The result of this is a complete reduction of failure points, which reduces the amount of damage that can be done to the product in normal production wear-and-tear. According to Vanguard, their Micro LED Technology is up to ten times more reliable than SMD technology — with the Micro LED at 10ppm (or 0.0001 percent) versus SMD technology at 50-100ppm (0.005 — 0.001 percent) failure rate.
The SMD process, or Surface-Mounted Diode, is still one of several industry standard process for LED manufacturing. SMD chip manufacturing is outstanding for pixel pitches above P1 (1mm); the process consists of inserting three LED chips into a bulb/lamp assembly, which is then attached to a PCB assembly. Because of the way SMD chips are made, they cannot be perfectly flat — and when you make an SMD LED module, the surface of the resulting LED module won’t be perfectly flat. When you encapsulate SMD chips in epoxy resin, you won’t get results of a perfectly flat LED video wall.
Part of the technology of Micro LED technology is the encapsulation covering — the epoxy that is applied to the LED modules. Within this Micro LED technology, using this clear epoxy resin in its manufacturing creates a protective surface that is seriously impact resistant. Vanguard’s Micro LED Technology is also a safeguard against humidity, which, simply put, kills LEDs, and is anti-static, anti-dust, and waterproof on the front of the display. That technology also provides for a higher contrast ratios, clearer sharpness, and more saturated colors than surface-mounted (SMD) or Glue-on-Board (GOB) technologies.
Another issue with products below P1 pixel pitch is that there’s just not enough physical room on the board to use SMD technology. When trying to get down to such a fine pixel pitch, the SMD 1010 LEDs just can’t get below P1 reliably, according to Vanguard. Some also contend that SMD 0808 — a magnitude smaller than the SMD 1010 — and the 4-in-1 technology LEDs out there are not stable or reliable in creating pixel pitches below 1mm. Vanguard’s Micro LED technology is said to have perfected an impressive 0.94mm (P0.94) pixel pitch product, and the company will soon be unveiling one with a 0.78mm (P0.78) pixel pitch. We’ll be looking forward to that at the trade shows coming up.
Physically, the cabinets are designed with a 2:1 ratio in mind and cabinets measuring 600mm x 337 mm. The sturdy frames are made out of die-cast aluminum, each one weighing in at 13.2 lbs. One person can easily lock each cabinet in place by themselves. The wall I viewed was standing by itself on a simple ground supported frame.
Visually, the image is stunning and incredibly seamless as I stare at a 20-foot-wide wall from six feet away. The brightness is not overpowering at a level of 300-500 NITs, yet the colors and saturation match the clarity of a projected image easily. The refresh rate is running at 2980 Hz while the frame rate can run from 30-60 Hz. The 160 x 160 degree viewing angle is exemplary to these eyes.
Vanguard’s Chromium Micro LED Video Display series recently won several industry honors including a Gold Star Award from PLSN for Best High Res Video Cabinet of 2019. (See page 43, this issue). This product is certainly a contender for best in any show. We recommend getting ahold of Vanguard to check out the Chromium with your own eyes.
Chromium Micro LED Video Panels
FEATURES
- 2:1 Array of Modules
- 160° x 160° Viewing Angles
- 144W Max Power Consumption
- 45W Average Power Consumption
- Front Access for Maintenance
- Die Cast Aluminum Construction
- Durable Clear Epoxy Coating
- Soldering/Failure Points Reduced
SPECS
- Resolution: 0.9375mm
- Cabinet Size: 23.622” x 13.287”
- Pixels per Cabinet: 640 x 360
- Cabinet Weight: 13.23 lbs.
- Brightness: 300-500 NITS
- MSRP: Contact dealer
- Manufacturer: Vanguard LED Displays
More Info: www.vanguardled.com
