Scan Ratio

What Is Scan Ratio?

Scan ratio defines how LED panels multiplex their driving circuitry to control individual pixels. Instead of powering every LED continuously (which would require enormous amounts of circuitry), panels rapidly cycle through groups of rows, creating the illusion of a fully-lit display.

How Multiplexed Scanning Works

In a 1/16 scan configuration, the panel divides its pixel rows into 16 groups. At any instant, only one group (1/16 of all rows) is illuminated. The panel cycles through all 16 groups rapidly enough that human perception integrates these into a continuous image.

Common Scan Ratios

Static (1/1): Every pixel has dedicated driver circuitry. Maximum brightness and refresh rate, but extremely expensive. Used primarily in very high-end applications.

1/2 Scan: Half of all rows illuminate simultaneously. Excellent brightness and refresh rate, common in premium outdoor displays.

1/4 Scan: Quarter of rows active at once. Good balance of performance and cost for broadcast applications.

1/8 Scan: One-eighth active. Common in mid-range indoor panels.

1/16 Scan: Standard for cost-effective indoor panels. Acceptable for non-broadcast use.

1/32 Scan: Budget panels, not recommended for any professional video production.

Impact on Display Performance

Scan ratio directly affects several key specifications:

Brightness: Lower scan ratios allow higher duty cycle per LED, increasing maximum brightness proportionally.

Refresh Rate: Static and low scan ratio panels achieve higher refresh rates more easily.

Power Efficiency: Lower scan ratios produce more brightness per watt but require more driver hardware.

Cost: Each step from 1/16 to 1/2 roughly doubles the driver IC count, increasing panel cost.

Matching Scan Ratio to Application

Production rental companies typically stock 1/4 scan panels for versatility. This scan ratio handles broadcast requirements while maintaining reasonable cost. For permanent installations without video capture, 1/8 or 1/16 scan offers significant cost savings without visible quality loss to the human eye.