MiniLED

MiniLED Technology Explained

MiniLED represents an enhancement to LCD display technology, using smaller LEDs for backlighting to enable finer local dimming control and improved image quality.

Understanding the Technology

Traditional LCD displays use a limited number of LED backlights:

• **Edge-lit LCD**: LEDs only around the edges, light distributed via light guide
• **Direct-lit LCD**: LEDs behind the panel, typically 50-100 zones
• **MiniLED LCD**: Thousands of small LEDs enabling 500-5,000+ zones

LED Size Classification

The industry roughly categorizes LED sizes as:

Traditional LED: 300+ micrometers

MiniLED: 100-200 micrometers

MicroLED: Under 100 micrometers

MiniLED is small enough for dense local dimming but large enough for efficient manufacturing.

Local Dimming Benefits

More dimming zones provide several advantages:

Improved Contrast: Zones containing dark content can dim independently, approaching OLED-like blacks.

Reduced Blooming: Smaller zones minimize the "halo" effect around bright objects on dark backgrounds.

HDR Performance: Better control enables more accurate HDR reproduction with high peak brightness.

Comparison to OLED and MicroLED

| Feature | MiniLED LCD | OLED | MicroLED | |---------|-------------|------|----------| | Per-pixel control | No (zones) | Yes | Yes | | Peak brightness | 2,000+ nits | 1,000 nits | 5,000+ nits | | Black level | Near-black | Perfect | Perfect | | Burn-in risk | None | Yes | None | | Cost | Moderate | High | Very High |

Applications in Professional AV

MiniLED is relevant to the LED video wall industry primarily in:

Reference Monitors: Color grading monitors using MiniLED LCD for affordable HDR reference

Control Room Displays: LCD video walls with MiniLED backlight for improved contrast

Confidence Monitors: Better image quality for on-set preview displays

Relationship to Direct-View LED

For direct-view LED video walls, MiniLED as a backlight technology is not directly applicable. The comparable advancement would be:

• **COB technology** for improved durability and finer pitch
• **MicroLED** for ultimate per-pixel performance
• **Advanced SMD** with smaller packages for finer standard pitches

Market Position

MiniLED LCD represents a bridge technology between traditional LCD and true per-pixel emission technologies. It offers significant image quality improvements at moderate cost premiums, making it popular for professional monitors and high-end consumer displays.