In practical applications, choosing the right LED rental screen is crucial for ensuring the visual effect of an event, controlling costs, and avoiding equipment failures. However, many users often feel confused when faced with a wide range of brands, specifications, and types of LED rental screens. Below, we provide a scientific selection guide from three core dimensions: scene matching, content adaptation, and budget balancing.

(I) Principles of Scene Matching
The scene is the primary basis for selecting an LED rental screen. Different scenes have significant differences in environmental conditions and functional requirements. Only by achieving precise matching between the equipment and the scene can the value of the LED rental screen be maximized. During the scene matching process, focus on four core factors: ambient light, space size, audience distance, and safety requirements.
1. Matching Ambient Light with Screen Brightness
Ambient light directly determines the brightness requirement of the LED rental screen. If a low-brightness device (e.g., an indoor screen with brightness ≤ 3000 nits) is used in an outdoor scene with direct strong light (such as an open-air music festival or outdoor sports event), the screen will appear whitish with blurred details, making it difficult for the audience to view clearly. Conversely, using a high-brightness outdoor screen (e.g., brightness ≥ 5000 nits) in a dimly lit indoor scene (such as a small conference room or theater) will irritate the audience’s eyes due to excessive brightness, affecting the viewing experience.
Selection Recommendations:
- For dim indoor scenes (e.g., small meetings, exhibition halls), prioritize devices with a brightness of 2000-3000 nits.
- For bright indoor scenes (e.g., conference rooms or exhibition halls with glass curtain walls), semi-outdoor screens with a brightness of 3000-4000 nits are suitable.
- For outdoor scenes, select outdoor screens with a brightness of 5000-8000 nits based on light intensity. Additionally, confirm whether the device has an automatic brightness adjustment function to adapt to light changes at different times of the day.
2. Matching Space Size with Screen Dimensions
The size of the venue determines the appropriate dimensions of the LED rental screen. An overly large screen may cause the image to exceed the audience’s field of view, creating a sense of visual oppression; an overly small screen cannot meet the viewing needs of audiences at a distance, affecting information transmission.
Selection Method:
First, measure the effective viewing area of the venue (e.g., the length and height of the stage background area or exhibition display area) to ensure the screen size does not exceed this area. Second, estimate the minimum screen size using the "Audience Distance-Screen Size Formula": Screen Height ≈ Maximum Audience Distance × 0.16 (e.g., if the maximum audience distance is 20 meters, the screen height should be ≥ 3.2 meters).
For example:
- In a 50㎡ small conference room (audience distance: 3-5 meters), a 2m×1.2m screen (approximately 2.4㎡) is sufficient.
- In a 500㎡ large exhibition hall (audience distance: 10-15 meters), a screen of 4m×2.4m (approximately 9.6㎡) or larger is required.
3. Matching Audience Distance with Pixel Pitch
The distance between the audience and the screen directly affects the selection of the LED rental screen’s pixel pitch. Using a screen with too small a pixel pitch (e.g., P1.8) for long-distance viewing wastes costs; using one with too large a pixel pitch (e.g., P5) for short-distance viewing results in obvious pixel granularity, reducing image clarity.
Selection Reference:
Choose based on the "Audience Distance-Pixel Pitch Correspondence Table":
- Audience distance: 1-3 meters → Pixel pitch ≤ P2.5
- Audience distance: 3-5 meters → Pixel pitch: P2.5-P3
- Audience distance: 5-10 meters → Pixel pitch: P3-P4
- Audience distance: 10-20 meters → Pixel pitch: P4-P5
- Audience distance: ≥ 20 meters → Pixel pitch: P5-P8
For example:
- The main screen of a product launch (audience distance: 5-8 meters) uses P3 modules, ensuring clear images while controlling costs.
- The side screens of a concert (audience distance: 15-20 meters) use P4-P5 modules, meeting viewing needs while reducing rental expenses.
4. Matching Safety Requirements with Equipment Structure
Different scenes have different safety requirements for LED rental screens. Especially for scenarios such as high-altitude hoisting and outdoor installation, focus on the equipment’s structural stability and protection performance to avoid safety accidents.
Key Selection Points:
- For hoisting scenarios: Confirm the equipment’s cabinet load-bearing capacity (≥ 50kg/㎡), the material of the hoisting accessories (preferably aviation aluminum alloy), and the safety factor (≥ 1.5).
- For outdoor scenarios: Confirm the equipment’s protection level (≥ IP65), wind resistance level (≥ Level 8), and lightning protection design.
- For crowded areas (e.g., children’s activity venues, shopping mall atriums): Select devices with rounded edges (no sharp parts) and install a protective net behind the screen to prevent module falling.
(II) Content-Adapted Selection
The core function of an LED rental screen is to display content. Different types of content (e.g., text, images, videos, dynamic effects) have significantly different requirements for the device’s display performance. If the content does not match the device’s performance, even high-parameter equipment cannot deliver the desired visual effect. Select based on three dimensions: content resolution, content dynamic attributes, and color requirements.
1. Matching Content Resolution with Screen Resolution
Content resolution (e.g., 720P, 1080P, 4K) determines the screen resolution of the LED rental screen. If the screen resolution is lower than the content resolution, the content will be stretched or cropped, resulting in lost details; if the screen resolution is higher than the content resolution, resources are wasted without improving display quality.
Selection Steps:
First, confirm the resolution of the core display content (e.g., a product promotion video with 1920×1080 pixels, i.e., 1080P). Second, calculate the number of pixels required for the screen based on the content resolution (Horizontal Pixels = Content Horizontal Resolution; Vertical Pixels = Content Vertical Resolution). Finally, calculate the number of modules needed based on module specifications (e.g., a P3 module has 128×64 pixels) to ensure the screen resolution matches the content resolution.
For example:
To display a 1080P video (1920×1080 pixels) using P3 modules (128×64 pixels), 15 horizontal modules (15×128 = 1920 pixels) and 17 vertical modules (17×64 = 1080 pixels) are required, forming a 4.8m×1.088m screen for stretch-free content display.
2. Matching Content Dynamic Attributes with Refresh Rate
Different dynamic attributes of content (e.g., static images, slow-motion videos, fast-moving scenes) require different screen refresh rates. Static content (e.g., corporate logos, text slogans) requires a lower refresh rate (≥ 1920Hz); dynamic content (e.g., live sports broadcasts, stage dynamic effects) requires a high refresh rate (≥ 3840Hz). Otherwise, image trailing, flickering, or even audience eye fatigue may occur.
Selection Recommendations:
- If the core content is static images or text, choose a device with a refresh rate of 1920-3840Hz to balance effect and cost.
- If the content includes fast-moving scenes (e.g., dynamic demonstration videos at an auto launch, stage effects at a concert), select a device with a refresh rate ≥ 3840Hz. Additionally, confirm whether the device supports the "low-brightness high-refresh" function (maintaining a high refresh rate even in low-brightness mode) to avoid flickering in dim light.
3. Matching Color Requirements with Color Gamut Coverage
Different industries have different requirements for color reproduction. Industries focusing on color display (e.g., clothing, cosmetics) require devices with a wide color gamut to ensure accurate product color reproduction; industries such as machinery and electronics have lower color requirements, so standard color gamut devices are sufficient.
Selection Reference:
- For general scenarios (e.g., meeting text, machinery product displays), choose devices with color gamut coverage ≥ 70% NTSC.
- For color-sensitive scenarios (e.g., clothing launches, cosmetics exhibitions, digital art displays), select wide-color-gamut devices with color gamut coverage ≥ 85% NTSC. Additionally, confirm whether the device supports "color calibration" to adjust color temperature and gamma values using professional tools, ensuring colors match the physical object.
For example:
After color calibration, the LED rental screen at a cosmetics brand exhibition achieved over 95% accuracy in lipstick shade reproduction, significantly enhancing the product display effect.
(III) Budget Balancing Strategies
Budget is an important constraint in selecting LED rental screens. Blindly pursuing high-parameter equipment leads to cost overruns; excessive budget cuts and choosing low-quality equipment may affect event effects or even cause equipment failures. Achieve "balance between effect and budget" through three strategies: prioritizing needs, optimizing rental plans, and cost control techniques.
1. Prioritizing Needs: Focus on Core Requirements
First, sort out the core needs of the event (e.g., "ensuring audiences at a distance can read text clearly," "accurate product color reproduction," "achieving irregular splicing effects"). Rank the needs by importance, prioritize core needs, and make compromises on non-core needs to avoid budget overruns caused by pursuing "all-in-one equipment."
Practical Case:
An enterprise had a limited budget (≤ RMB 50,000) for its annual meeting, with the core need of "ensuring the audience can read text clearly" and the non-core need of "dynamic effect display." During selection, priority was given to ensuring the screen size (4m×2.4m) and pixel pitch (P3) met text clarity requirements. Compromises were made on non-core parameters: a refresh rate of 1920Hz (instead of 3840Hz) and a color gamut of 70% NTSC (instead of 85% NTSC). The final rental cost was controlled at RMB 42,000, meeting core needs while saving the budget.
2. Optimizing Rental Plans: Flexible Combination to Reduce Costs
Optimize rental plans to reduce costs without compromising core effects. Common optimization directions include "mixed module specifications," "adjusting rental duration," and "negotiating package services."
- Mixed Module Specifications: For scenarios with multiple screens (e.g., main stage screen + side screens at a concert), use high-parameter modules (e.g., P3, high refresh rate) for the main screen (core display area) and low-parameter modules (e.g., P4, standard refresh rate) for the side screens (auxiliary display areas). This achieves "high quality in core areas and low costs in auxiliary areas."
Example: The main screen (20㎡) of a concert used P3 modules, while the side screens (15㎡ each, total 30㎡) used P4 modules. Compared to using P3 modules for all screens, the cost was reduced by 25%.
- Adjusting Rental Duration: LED rental screen fees are usually calculated "per day," and long-term rentals (e.g., ≥ 7 days) may qualify for discounts (10%-20%). If the interval between event preparation and use is short, negotiate with the rental company to "shorten installation and debugging time" to reduce rental days. If the event requires a rehearsal, combine the rehearsal and official use into a single rental period to avoid double charging.
- Negotiating Package Services: LED rental screen fees typically include four modules: "equipment rental," "transportation," "installation and debugging," and "on-site maintenance." Separately selecting each module is more expensive; negotiate a "package service" with the rental company to secure an overall discount.
Example: For an exhibition’s LED rental screen, the separate costs were RMB 30,000 (equipment rental), RMB 5,000 (transportation), RMB 8,000 (installation and debugging), and RMB 5,000 (maintenance), totaling RMB 48,000. After negotiating a package service, the cost was reduced to RMB 42,000, saving 12.5%.
3. Cost Control Techniques: Avoid Hidden Costs
Hidden costs exist during the rental process (e.g., equipment damage compensation, temporary overtime fees, additional accessory rentals). Without advance planning, these may cause the final cost to exceed the budget. Control hidden costs through the following techniques:
- Check Equipment Condition in Advance: Jointly inspect the equipment’s appearance, display effect, and accessory completeness with the rental company before signing a "Equipment Condition Confirmation Form." Clarify liability for damage to avoid compensation fees for "pre-existing damage" after rental.
- Clarify Rental Time Range: Specify the "start and end time" of the rental (down to the hour) in the contract, including installation, debugging, official use, and disassembly/transportation. Avoid additional overtime fees (usually 30%-50% of the daily rental fee per hour) caused by "ambiguous time terms."
- Confirm Included Accessories: Confirm with the rental company in advance whether the rental fee includes "essential accessories" (e.g., power cables, signal cables, control computers, backup modules). Avoid additional charges for missing accessories (e.g., renting a control computer costs approximately RMB 500/day, and a backup module costs approximately RMB 200/day per unit).
By implementing the above three strategies—scene matching, content adaptation, and budget balancing—you can accurately select the right LED rental screen while meeting event needs. This avoids misunderstandings such as "choosing the expensive one instead of the right one" or "focusing only on price and ignoring effect," ensuring the event’s visual effect meets expectations while achieving reasonable cost control.