Color Matching

Understanding Color Matching

Color matching ensures that LED panels from different sources appear identical when combined into a single display. This is especially critical for rental operations where panels from various batches and ages are mixed.

When Color Matching is Needed

**Mixed Inventory:** Rental companies accumulate panels over time:

• Different purchase dates
• Multiple manufacturing batches
• Varying usage hours
• Previous rental environments

**Cross-Rental:** Events using panels from multiple vendors require matching for seamless appearance.

**Replacement Panels:** New panels added to existing installations must match aged panels.

Color Matching Methods

**Processor Adjustment:** LED processors offer per-panel color controls:

• RGB gain adjustments
• Gamma correction
• Color temperature shift
• Individual cabinet addressing

**Calibration Software:** Dedicated calibration systems:

• Camera-based measurement
• Automated correction
• Batch processing
• Saved profiles

**Visual Matching:** On-site adjustment by experienced technicians:

• Reference test patterns
• Side-by-side comparison
• Iterative adjustment

Technical Approach

**Reference Selection:** Choose a target:

• Best-performing panels
• Manufacturer specification
• Custom client requirement

**Measurement:** Capture current panel performance:

• White point
• Primary colors
• Gray scale tracking

**Correction:** Calculate and apply adjustments:

• RGB gain coefficients
• Gamma curves
• Individual pixel correction (if available)

Challenges

**LED Type Differences:** Panels with different LED technologies may have different spectral characteristics, making perfect matching impossible.

**Age Differences:** Heavily used panels may not reach the brightness of new panels, requiring compromise.

**Temperature Sensitivity:** Match achieved in one environment may not hold in different conditions.

**Gray Scale Tracking:** Panels may match at 100% but diverge at lower brightness levels.

Best Practices

**Preventive Measures:**

• Track panel hours and batches
• Rotate inventory for even aging
• Maintain calibration schedule
• Document panel histories

**On-Site:**

• Allow panels to warm up
• Use consistent test patterns
• Check at multiple brightness levels
• Verify in final configuration

Quality Verification

**Delta E Measurement:** Quantify color difference between panels using Delta E metrics.

**Visual Assessment:** Trained observers evaluate:

• Seam visibility
• Color consistency
• Gray scale uniformity