Indoor vs outdoor LED: what really changes

Brightness

Indoor walls typically run at 500–1,200 nits and are dimmed further in dark rooms. Outdoor screens need 5,000 nits or more to stay readable in direct sunlight, with automatic light sensors that lower brightness at night.

Sealing and IP rating

The IP rating shows protection against dust and water. Indoor cabinets are commonly IP30–IP43. Outdoor cabinets are IP65 at the front and the rear, which means they are dust-tight and protected against water jets.

Thermal design and power

Outdoor cabinets are designed to dissipate heat without fans or with sealed airflow, and to operate from about −4 °F to 122 °F. They draw more power at full brightness, so electrical capacity must be checked early.

Pitch and viewing distance

Outdoor audiences are usually far away, so 3.91–10 mm is common; fine-pitch outdoor COB now reaches 1.5–1.9 mm for terraces and storefronts. Indoor spaces use 0.7–3.91 mm depending on the closest seat.

Semi-outdoor cases

Screens behind a shop window or under a covered patio face strong daylight but little rain. A high-brightness indoor model or a window-facing poster is often enough, at a lower cost than a full outdoor cabinet.