Color Temperature For LED Displays

LED Color Temperature chart

What Is Color Temperature

Yes, colors can have a temperature, yet in the case of color measurement, temperature has more to do with wavelengths than the physical feeling of hot or cold. Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light. It is the measurement of what temperature the color needs to be to have an ideal black-body radiator, often referred to as the measurement of “whiteness” of a light source. Color temperature may not be a topic of everyday conversation for you, but it’s an important component of a variety of visual applications, including LED video displays.

Cool & Warm Colors

Color temperature is relative to a small spectrum of colors. Hues that have color temperatures include the red and orange spectrum via yellow as well as white to bluish white. Color temperature is expressed in Kelvin, which is based on an absolute thermodynamic temperature scale.

It may seem strange to assign light a temperature. After all, light, by itself, is not necessarily something that heats up or cools down. However, when heat or cold are applied to materials, changes in color do occur. Think about how when coils heat up, they glow red. When you raise the temperature even higher, the coils could turn white and eventually blue. Thus, while red is hot, blue is even hotter – even though blue is traditionally considered a “cool” color.

That’s Interesting, But Is Color Temperature Really That Important?

Without color temperature, two sources of light with small differences would be hard to differentiate. So, this scale and its Kelvin number act as a way to give context to similar colors. With an LED display, the LEDs are the light emitters. The screen is the light source. Because of the properties of light, color temperature, and the design of the panels, viewers of LED enjoy more colors than viewers of traditional projection.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of this attribute when designing content, as a greater range or contrast of colors offers a more engaging experience. LED displays can create the appropriate lighting for any setting—as we all know a setting can very much influence how the screen looks to those engaging with it. Even the lack of color, black, is blacker on LED screens.

How do we get all the colors?

Clusters of LEDs combine red, green and blue sources to blend light into millions of distinct colors. When different colors are added or mixed together in varying amounts in these clusters, hues are created. Color perception depends on a given light’s brightness, referred to as luminance, and chromaticity (or color) in terms of the dominant wavelength viewed. Hues may have similar wavelengths but different luminances or vice versa – creating a very wide color palette. Because of these differences, every color will have a unique measurement.

In light mixing, the areas that matter in color space are chromacity and flux, which is an additive metric. The RGB color model, itself, is additive, meaning the three light beams are added together to make the final color’s spectrum. In the end, light is color and color is light. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) can handle the color mixing, flux, and luminence – and even match the color temperature to the environment.

Color Is a Science

It’s amazing to think that these small little lights can turn into dramatic content with a measurable impact on viewers. At Neoti, we believe it’s important to share technical information so that you can build a better LED video wall.

Keep learning by reading our Direct View LED 101 post.

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[Neoti] has gone above and beyond our expectations! They truly are a partner that puts the Colts’ best interest first.
Joe Fonderoli
[Neoti] has gone above and beyond our expectations! They truly are a partner that puts the Colts’ best interest first.
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Joe Fonderoli
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These cutting edge displays truly separate our locker room as one of the finest in the country.
David Beaty
These cutting edge displays truly separate our locker room as one of the finest in the country.
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Ilya Livshits
We used Neoti due to a combination of pricing, customer service and ease of install.
Ilya Livshits
We used Neoti due to a combination of pricing, customer service and ease of install.
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Ilya Livshits
Rick Streb
It was so easy to work with Neoti on a very challenging and unique
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Rick Streb
It was so easy to work with Neoti on a very challenging and unique
project. They were incredibly responsive and knowledgeable throughout the entire process.
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Rick Streb
Travis Askew
The entire Neoti team was fantastic to work with. Their sales and technical support were very responsive and made it easy for us to bring our booth to the next ...
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Travis Askew
The entire Neoti team was fantastic to work with. Their sales and technical support were very responsive and made it easy for us to bring our booth to the next level.
Travis Askew
Travis Askew
Keith Bride
We are pleased with the wall and most certainly pleased with the entire Neoti team. Working with Charles, Joe and the entire crew has been a pleasure.
Keith Bride
We are pleased with the wall and most certainly pleased with the entire Neoti team. Working with Charles, Joe and the entire crew has been a pleasure.
Keith Bride
Keith Bride
Paul Pamer
Don't buy a projector until you look at an LED wall.
Paul Pamer
Don't buy a projector until you look at an LED wall.
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Paul Pamer
Dale Kivimaki
They know what they’re talking about and what I’m talking about. I’ve dealt with sales people who don’t understand what we do and it’s a lot of ‘Let me...
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Dale Kivimaki
They know what they’re talking about and what I’m talking about. I’ve dealt with sales people who don’t understand what we do and it’s a lot of ‘Let me get back to you.’ When I talk to Neoti, it’s an answer right away. Having that expertise means a lot to us.
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Dale Kivimaki
Keith Bride
My CFOs need me to have all the information so they can give a thumbs up. Neoti responds very quickly and I have become an expert in my own right.
Keith Bride
My CFOs need me to have all the information so they can give a thumbs up. Neoti responds very quickly and I have become an expert in my own right.
Keith Bride
Keith Bride
Kevin Winkler
Working with Neoti was great; Neoti worked closely with us every step of the way to create a one-of-a-kind screen that far surpassed our and the clients’ expectations.
Kevin Winkler
Working with Neoti was great; Neoti worked closely with us every step of the way to create a one-of-a-kind screen that far surpassed our and the clients’ expectations.
Kevin Winkler
Kevin Winkler

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