Macroblock

Some novel applications of outdoor LED displays are happening now. Outdoor LED displays are not merely seen as digital billboards on the buildings or by the highway. Actually, it is very popular to use outdoor LED displays as backdrops for commercial events (ex. Movie premiere, Live concerts).

However, during the coronavirus pandemic, drive-in cinemas become a premier entertainment selection that can remain social distancing. Recently, more and more drive-in cinemas reopen across the world. There are LED display and projection solutions for drive-in cinemas. Unlike projection solutions, LED display solutions have a superior brightness advantage that allows cinemas to be opened all day, not only at night. This results in better economic efficiency for cinema owners. The drive-in cinema owners can use the “LED display on the truck roof" or rental displays for the display screen. The “LED display on the truck roof" solution is easy to install while using rental displays is definitely better to have diversity and flexibility for screen designs. The screen can also be a marketing tool to show sponsors' logos and slogans. Rental displays extend drive-in entertainment to drive-in concerts, drive-in night clubs, or any innovative drive-in event. Outdoor recreation is more amazing by using LED displays and revives the LED display industry.

As the specification of digital content upgrades continuously, 2K or 4K resolution content and HDR visual performance have become common. Besides, the viewing distance from the audience in the first row (drive-in cinema) becomes closer. Predictably, the pixel pitch of LED displays would be lower to 10mm or less. Thus, if we want to increase the screen resolution to 2K or 4K, it can be achieved by shrinking the pixel pitch and adopting the time-multiplexing design. The latest Macroblock’s LED driver IC, MBI5251 is designed for outdoor LED display applications. MBI5251can not only support the time-multiplexing design but bring 16-bit grayscale and 3,840Hz refresh rate for HDR visual performance. Moreover, MBI5251 is embedded with the "Current Gain" function that helps to adjust the screen brightness according to the ambient light for day-and-night use without losing grayscales when turning on the function. For the power-saving consideration, MBI5251 has Dynamic+ power-saving function that can reduce power consumption according to the rendering images. It benefits screen owners for long-term business by decreasing operating costs significantly.    

Furthermore, MBI5251 meets three elements of “New Basics” that is launched by Macroblock this year, including Image Quality (without 7 common image problems), Minimum Gray (smooth and accurate gradient of the lowest brightness level), and Low Power (lower surface temperature and power consumption). Users can regard MBI5251 as the most comprehensive driver IC for outdoor LED displays.

Before the world is fully back to normal, we believe LED displays for drive-ins will be prosperous. Better user visual experience will bring long-term business benefits. Macroblock hopes to collaborate with customers to take the opportunity to upgrade the industry together.

*For more thinking about outdoor LED display applications, welcome to contact us via marketing@mblock.com.tw