"Indoor modules are cheaper — can't I just mount them outside?" We hear this question all the time. The answer is no, and brightness is not the only reason. Indoor and outdoor modules differ in six ways: brightness, waterproofing, pitch, cabinets, power and brightness control. These differences explain the price gap.
Here is what differs and how, based on our lineup (indoor P1.25 / P1.53 / P1.86 / P2, outdoor P2.5 / P3).
1. Brightness — 800 vs 5,000
The biggest difference, and the first reason indoor modules can't go outside.
Indoor modules run 800–1,500nit; outdoor modules 5,000nit or more. Midday direct sunlight is far brighter, so an indoor module mounted outside looks switched off during the day. Conversely, an outdoor module indoors is so bright it hurts the eyes and wastes power (you can dim it, but you're paying for brightness you don't use). For in-between spots such as by windows or inside shop windows, there is a separate semi-outdoor spec at 2,500–5,000nit.
Our indoor modules are 800–1,200nit, outdoor P2.5 is 4,500nit or more, and P3 is 5,000nit or more (typical values per product; final values per spec sheet).
2. Dust and water protection — IP20 vs IP65
Outdoor modules aren't just exposed to rain — they're built to withstand it.
Indoor modules only need IP20–IP40. Outdoor modules are IP65 at the front (fully dust-tight + water jets from any direction) and IP54 or higher at the rear, with waterproof masks and silicone over the LED chips. Cabinet joints and cable entries are also sealed with silicone on site. Because of this waterproof construction, outdoor modules are thicker, heavier and more expensive even at the same pitch.
3. Pixel pitch — density vs distance
Indoors, viewers are close, so pitch is fine. Outdoors, they're far, so pitch is wider.
Indoor modules are mainly P0.9–P2.5; outdoor modules P2.5–P10. This follows the rule of thumb: viewing distance (m) ≈ pitch (mm). A screen 2m from a lobby sofa needs P1.5–P2, but a display 20m across the road is fine at P8–P10, and using P2.5 there just multiplies the cost. Outdoor P2.5 is a spec for outdoor spots viewed up close, such as shop windows and low-rise facades.
| Our lineup | Pitch | Recommended viewing distance | Main uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor P1.25 | P1.25 | About 1.5m or more | Control rooms · executive meeting rooms · studios |
| Indoor P1.53 / P1.86 | P1.53 / P1.86 | About 2m or more | Lobby media walls · exhibition halls · meeting rooms |
| Indoor P2 | P2 | About 3m or more | Auditoriums · event venues · in-store signage |
| Outdoor P2.5 | P2.5 | About 3m or more | Shop windows · close-range facades · low-rise shops |
| Outdoor P3 | P3 | About 4m or more | Store facades · mid-size outdoor displays |
| Outdoor P4 ~ P10 (sourced per project) | P4~P10 | 8m or more | Bridge piers · gates · main roads · rooftops |
4. Cabinets and weight
Indoor: light and thin. Outdoor: rust-proof and watertight.
Indoor cabinets are thin, light die-cast aluminum, making wall-mounted, recessed and mobile setups (cubes, events) easy. Outdoor cabinets use galvanized steel or powder coating with waterproof gaskets, and need ventilation to remove internal heat in summer. Weight ranges from 15 to 45kg per ㎡ depending on material, so outdoor installations almost always require a structural or wall reinforcement review.
5. Power consumption and supply
Higher brightness means more power. Outdoor displays get a dedicated circuit.
Outdoor modules draw 400–900W per ㎡ at maximum brightness (full white), and average 35–40% of that when playing real video. Indoor modules are dimmer and use far less for the same area. So indoor displays are sometimes connected to existing circuits, but outdoor displays require a dedicated circuit and distribution board as a rule. See the calculation method in our guide to dedicated power and distribution boards.
6. Brightness control
Outdoors, day and night differ. Automatic adjustment is standard.
Indoor lighting is constant, so fixed brightness or a time-based schedule is enough. Outdoors, leaving a screen at its daytime 5,000nit at night brings glare complaints. So the standard setup uses an ambient light sensor to dim automatically according to surrounding brightness. All our outdoor installations work this way, and we also set operating-hour schedules (e.g. 07:00–23:00).
① Which module fits which space
Organized by the spaces we're asked about most.
| Installation space | Suitable module |
|---|---|
| Executive meeting rooms · control rooms (within 2m) | Indoor P1.25 ~ P1.53 |
| Lobby media walls · showrooms · exhibition halls (2–3m) | Indoor P1.53 ~ P1.86 |
| Auditoriums · event venues · in-store signage (3m or more) | Indoor P2 |
| Inside shop windows · under eaves (no direct sunlight) | Outdoor P2.5 or semi-outdoor spec (check brightness) |
| Store facades · low-rise shops (3–5m) | Outdoor P2.5 ~ P3 |
| Roadsides · bridge piers · rooftops (10m or more) | Outdoor P6 ~ P10 (sourced per project) |
② Selection checklist
Once you've chosen indoor or outdoor, just check these.
Whether the spot gets direct sunlight (consider semi-outdoor spec by windows or under eaves)- Viewing distance (m) → pitch (mm)
- Exposure to rain and dust → whether front IP65 is required
- Whether the wall or structure can bear the cabinet weight
- A distribution board with room for a dedicated circuit
- Whether the surroundings require automatic dimming at night
Indoor vs. outdoor differences (brightness, IP, pitch): INFiLED, Indoor vs Outdoor LED Displays · EagerLED, Indoor vs Outdoor LED Displays · Unilight, LED Display Specifications Guide / Brightness standards: 4Wall · Litemax / Power consumption: DOIT Vision · NSELED. Lineup specs are typical values from LO-GIN IT product pages and are finalized per product spec sheet.
Recommended specs for this guide
- Indoor: P1.25~P2 · 800~1,200nit · IP20~40
- Outdoor: P2.5~P3 (+P4~P10 sourced) · 5,000nit+ · IP65
- Semi-outdoor: 2,500~5,000nit, reviewed separately
- Outdoor: dedicated circuit + automatic dimming