Real Pixel, Virtual Pixel, and Pixel Sharing in LED Displays

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Real pixel, virtual pixel, and pixel sharing are core technologies in LED displays that determine their visual performance and cost. The following analysis expands on these from four dimensions: definition, principle, application scenarios, and differences.

1. Definition: A real pixel is a physically existing light-emitting unit (such as an LED lamp bead) on the display screen. Each pixel is controlled independently for brightness and color, directly constituting the image. For example, each physical pixel point in a P2.5 screen has a pitch of 2.5mm, with a pixel density of 160,000 dots/㎡.

2. Working Principle: Independent Control: Each lamp bead is individually adjusted via a driver IC to mix the three primary colors (red, green, blue), producing different colors. Stable Structure: Real pixels are arranged closely without relying on algorithmic interpolation, making them suitable for long-term, high-reliability display (e.g., surveillance footage in command centers).

3. Application Scenarios: High-Precision Requirements: Such as monitoring centers and medical imaging displays, where ensuring no image delay or distortion is crucial. Close-Range Viewing Scenarios: Like meeting rooms and museums, where audiences can clearly observe details from 2-5 meters away, highlighting the advantage of real pixels' fineness.

4. Advantages and Disadvantages: Advantages: High display stability, accurate color reproduction, no motion blur in dynamic images. Disadvantages: Higher cost for high-resolution real pixel screens (e.g., P1.2 screens cost 2-3 times more than P2.5 screens), and physical pixel density is limited by lamp bead size.

1. Definition: Virtual pixels are virtual light points generated through software algorithm interpolation between physical pixels, making the screen visually appear to have a higher resolution. For example, a P2.5 screen using virtual pixel technology can achieve a display effect equivalent to P1.25 level.

2. Working Principle: Spatial Virtualization: Generates virtual points in the gaps between physical pixels by blending the brightness of adjacent physical pixels. For instance, in a four-lamp virtual scheme (RGBG arrangement), each physical pixel point generates 4 virtual pixels, theoretically increasing resolution by 4 times. Temporal Virtualization: Rapidly switches the brightness of different physical pixels, utilizing the persistence of vision effect to superimpose virtual pixels. For example, one frame of an image is split into 6 sub-images displayed at different moments, alternating to form 35 virtual pixel points.

3. Application Scenarios: Medium to Long-Distance Viewing Scenarios: Such as advertising screens in shopping mall atriums (viewing distance 5-8 meters), where the high-resolution advantage of virtual pixels can compensate for the lack of physical pixels. Cost-Sensitive Scenarios: Like KTV rooms and small studios, where virtual pixel technology can improve image quality while reducing lamp bead costs by 30%-50%.

4. Advantages and Disadvantages: Advantages: High cost-effectiveness (cost is 40% lower than real pixels at the same resolution), flexible adjustment of display density. Disadvantages: Slight blurring may occur in dynamic images (requires a refresh rate ≥7640Hz to support 60fps shooting), and text display precision decreases (e.g., text on a P2.5 virtual pixel screen is equivalent to that on a P5 real pixel screen).

1. Definition: Pixel sharing is a technology where multiple virtual pixels share the same physical pixel through hardware arrangement and software algorithms, aiming to balance resolution and cost. For example, in an RGBG arrangement, virtual green pixels share drive circuits with physical green pixels.

2. Working Principle: Hardware Reuse: Changes the lamp bead arrangement (e.g., from traditional RGB to RGBG), increasing the number of green pixels to enhance color reproduction. Software Algorithms: Uses dynamic contrast algorithms to strengthen image boundaries and optimize text clarity. For instance, Colorlight's average display algorithm can eliminate brightness and chroma differences in virtual pixels, ensuring text appears clear at viewing distances of 1-2 meters.

3. Application Scenarios: Small to Medium-Sized Displays: Such as display cabinet screens in mobile phone stores (3-8㎡), where pixel sharing technology can increase information density within a limited space. Low-Power Demand Scenarios: Reduces overall power consumption by decreasing the number of lamp beads (e.g., virtual pixel technology reduces lamp bead usage by 50%).

4. Advantages and Disadvantages: Advantages: Significant cost control (saving over 50% on receiver card costs), improved color uniformity. Disadvantages: Relies on specific hardware design (such as COB integrated packaging), and the dynamic response speed of virtual pixels is limited by driver IC performance.

By understanding the core differences between real pixels, virtual pixels, and pixel sharing, users can select the most suitable technical solution based on specific scenario needs (such as viewing distance, budget, and display content), achieving a balance between cost-effectiveness and display quality.