Planning Outdoor Events - Choosing LED Screens

If you are planning an outdoor event, either for a presentation or part of a festival, concert and are expecting a large crowd, one of the questions to ask is "how will the crowd be able to see the performers"?
One of your options is to add LED screens. Because of the costs involved, usually LED screens will be placed on either the sides of the stage or in the middle of the stage depending on corporate backdrops, set pieces, etc, on the stage itself.

For very large events over 20,000 attendees you will need to consider delay screens. These are usually positioned half way between the front of the stage and the back crowd to enable people at the back to be able to see clearly.

LED screens come in a variety sizes, makes and models from standard definition (SD) to high definition (HD). Starting from 9×12ft for standard definition or 9x16ft for high definition going up to 19×26ft wide or larger. They can either be free standing and flown from structures, stage roof or can be part of a self contained semi trailer.

Determine what size of LED screen you would like at the event and approach a number of vendors for pricing. You will be surprised how much difference there can be from one vendor to another, and also allocate enough funds in the budget to allow for extras that will be required. Like overnight accommodation for the driver and Tech for the screen, additional set up time on site, is there any planning permission required?

At many large national events they now have permanent fixed LED screens in prominent places above the field, above the stands/bleachers at concerts and festivals, basketball games, football and baseball games. All sizes of portable screens are available for rent for one day to month long tours.

Numerous companies rent LED screens or Jumbotrons depending on your size requirements and definition, and the prices can start as low as $4,000 rising to $20,000 per day.

Obviously one of the things to remember about having a video screen at the event is that you will also need video production gear to capture the event, i.e. cameras, switcher, etc, and the tech staff required to run it.

The screen can also double as a huge billboard providing advertising, playback for video/DVD's during the breaks and if required, PowerPoint or Keynote presentation for the speaker.