LED vs. Projection: Which One is Right for Your Event?

The Visual Production Question

Half of the AV production at your conferences is VISUAL. When designing a new event, the visual elements are key to bringing your event message and theme to life. LED walls and projection are two of the most common ways to bring your event visuals to life, but how do you decide what to use?

NOTE: A lot of the LED vs projection design tips we’ll provide in this blog can be found in this video if you’re more of a, “put on a video” kind of planner.

LED Walls

You want visual curb appeal? LED walls are the way to go. They’re the attention seekers of the AV world. Think backdrops, immersive tunnels/arches, scenic branding/sponsor displays. They’re as customizable as they are eye-catching. And while the first thing people think when they hear “LED” is usually “cha-ching,” the truth is prices have dropped over the last decade. Not as much as projection, but still enough to make it a solid contender. Plus, their flexibility can actually save you money, doubling as your sponsorship signage, event agenda, banners, and more.

Pros:

• Very bright and eye-catching (ideal for high-impact branding).
• Flexible shapes and sizes (arches, tunnels, smaller LED “ticker” walls).
• Content flexibility: video, graphics, live camera feed (iMAG).

Cons:

• Higher cost than projection in some cases.
• Potential for “moiré” or array lines when in less than ideal conditions (Discuss with your provider about the potential situations).
• May not be effective for all types of content or smaller budgets.

Projection

Projection is easily the most common medium for visual presentations, content, and large scale visuals. It’s always been the cheaper and easier solution. Just like with LEDs, projectors have newer technology and instead of using lamps which are dimmer and hotter, they use lasers which have better contrast, are usually brighter, and are quieter/colder. Projectors are best when paired with functional or presentation-based content. Projection recommended when the budget is really tight, as projectors remain more cost-effective for large-format informational content.

Pros:

• Typically more economical for large-format displays.
• Great for presentation-heavy events (text, slides, IMAG).
• Can work well alongside LED for balanced stage designs.

Cons:

• Less bright than LED. The brightness difference is noticeable if placed side-by-side.
• Image quality can suffer in brightly lit environments.
• Requires careful setup to avoid shadows, keystone issues, and washout.

Blending LED and Projection 

A cool tip when looking for great visuals and high impact is to use both projection and LED technology. For example, use LED for scenic/branding and projection for side-screen presentations. If you decide to go this route, you’ll need to pre-plan for brightness matching to avoid visual imbalances between the mediums. It also will require some costs for content creation across both technologies. Using both (rather than just LED) is still cheaper than solely relying on LEDs to fill the space of your entire room.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives

Whether using one or the other, or a combination of both, consider these budget friendly ideas to enhance the vibe of your space and presentations.

• Use Gobos (stencil to make logos or design with lights) and other lighting to fill blank space in the room.
• Print graphics or use hard set logos with a mixture of creative lighting to add texture.
• Build a smaller “LED ticker” wall to reduce module count but maintain impact (Think 4ft high instead of a “wall”).

To LED or Not To LED

Work With Clarity Experiences

Here at Clarity, we love taking any budget and squeezing every drop of impact out of it. We’re all about your goals and making sure every single attendee walks away with an experience worth remembering. So if your event calls for filling the room with dazzling LEDs, keeping it classic with projection, or mixing the two for maximum wow, we’ll help you figure it out and make it happen. But hey, that’s what a good AV partner does.

Great Production Starts with Great People

If the concepts discussed here have intrigued you and you're interested in working with us, click below to contact us for a free quote!