LED Education Center
We understand that finding an LED sign that is right for your organization can be a confusing ordeal. At Stewart, we strive to make the purchasing process as easy and straight-forward as possible.
The following information gives insight to LED technology, and applies to all of our lines of LED signs. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
LED Product Comparison
Which LED product is right for your organization? Some of the feature differences and similarities are shown below. Please speak with your Stewart representative for more information.
LED Display TekStar DayStar EXP DayStar Display position Integrated with
sign faceSeparate cabinet Separate cabinet Available matrix sizes 16x80, 16x112,
24x80, 24x112,
32x80 or 32x112From 24x72 to 80x224 or larger From 16x96 to 64x192 or larger Available display colors Red or full-color Red or full-color Red or full-color Lines of text Up to 3 (depending on matrix size) Up to 10 (depending on matrix size) Up to 8 (depending on matrix size) Pixel pitch 20mm 16mm, 20mm or 25mm 0.7" (18mm) Viewing cone 140 degrees horizontal, 70 degrees vertical Full 180 degrees horizontal and vertical Full 180 degrees horizontal and vertical LED display warranty 3 years 5 years 5 years NIT rating Up to 8,000 Up to 10,000 Up to 10,000 LEDs per pixel 2 monochrome,
3 full color2 monochrome,
4 full color2 monochrome,
3 full colorDynamic matrix (utilizing adjacent pixels to maximize display capabilities) 
100,000 hour (11+ years) LED lifespan Instant recovery from power outages Shaded graphics LED Cabinet TekStar DayStar EXP DayStar LED cabinet width options 6 or 8 feet
(in sign cabinet)Approx. 6, 8, 10 or 12 feet (custom sizes available) 6, 8, 10 or 12 feet (custom sizes available) Product compliance listing UL UL UL Weather rating IP 65 NEMA 4X-style LED display vandal cover Fan cooled cabinet Heated cabinet Software & Capabilities TekStar DayStar EXP DayStar Display programming Computer
softwareComputer
softwareComputer
softwareSoftware used Sign Command DayStar Media DayStar Media Online graphics library Transition and display effects LED brightness control Use your own images, pre-recorded video clips and animations Show different messages on each side of the sign Ability to reuse messages without rekeying Ability to scroll text Schedule messages to display during certain hours and/or on certain days Connect to computer network / control from multiple computers Current date and time Current temperature ID Cabinet & Support Structure (when applicable) TekStar DayStar EXP DayStar Vandal and graffiti resistant Makrolon SL® face TCI powder-coated frame UV resistant 3M™ vinyl graphics Lifetime warranty for support structure and faces
Using Your LED Display
The possibilities are endless. Your electronic sign can be a source of information, pride and even extra revenue! Here are just a few examples of how you can use your LED message center.
The graphics and text capabilities of your LED display will depend on its matrix size and model.
Please contact us for more information on these options.Show examples in: Special Occasion Announcements
Display birthday greetings or wedding and anniversary announcements complete with digital photos, special effects and customized messages.
Highlight Events
Show video clips from local events, parades, community fundraisers, holiday celebrations, parks & recreation sporting events and community center activities.
Traffic Control
Alert drivers of traffic conditions and special restrictions in effect. You can program your sign to display different messages during all hours of the day.
Thank Sponsors
Sell advertising space or acknowledge contributors. There are several ways to utilize your LED display as a significant marketing tool.
Serve the Community
Broadcast important information such as Amber Alerts, natural disaster hotlines, weather reports, even current time and temperature!
Why Does Brightness Matter?
There are two important things to consider related to the brightness of your sign: how well and how long it will compete with the Sun.
How well a sign competes with the Sun
Ensuring that your sign is readable during the day is vital to the success of having passers by read your sign. The brighter the display, the better able it is to compete with the Sun.How long a sign competes with the Sun
LEDs do not burn out, however they do grow dimmer with use. The closer an LED gets to 1500MCD, the less effective it is at competing with the Sun. Starting with a brighter display ensures that your investment will be readable for many years into the future.Stewart LEDs are among the brightest available to provide you with a sign that will be visible 24 hours a day, and for years into the future.
LED Definitions
LED
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that illuminates when electricity passes through it. LEDs do not contain filaments like regular light bulbs, and they do not have delicate parts that break or burn out over time. Industry standard LEDs are rated at 100,000 (11+ years) of constant use.
Pixel
A pixel is a point of light. An LED display is made up of an array of pixels, multiple points of light appearing as dots. A pixel can be as small as one LED or it may contain a cluster of LEDs that act as a unit.
Pixel Pitch (Center-to-Center)The pixel pitch or center-to-center measurement is the distance from the center of one pixel to the center of the adjacent pixel. Pixel pitch can be measured in inches or millimeters.
MatrixThe matrix of a sign is the number of pixels vertically by the number of pixels horizontally. For example, if a sign has a matrix of 32x96, this means it has 32 pixels from top to bottom and 96 pixels from left to right. A larger matrix allows more text and more of a graphic to appear on the display at the same time.
Millicandela (MCD)
A millicandela is a unit of measurement for the brightness of a single LED. A millicandela is equal to 1/1000 of a candela, which is comparable to a single candle's brightness.
Nit
A nit is a unit of measurement for the brightness over one square meter of a display. This value takes into account the number of LEDs per pixel, pixel pitch and millicandelas. Your sign's nit rating can help you determine which sign is a better value when comparing products and companies.
Viewing Angle & Viewing ConeThe viewing angle is the maximum angle that text and images can be seen on a display. A narrow viewing angle causes the text or image to "disappear" from the display as a viewer moves away from a position directly in front of the sign. The viewing cone is simply double the amount of the viewing angle.
Later that year, the courts found in the church's favor, agreeing that a substantial burden was placed on the religious exercise of this organization.
- Church Of The Good Shepherd Methodist Church
- Vienna, VA
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T E K S T A R
Choose TekStar for...
- LED display integrated into the sign cabinet
- Displaying mainly text & small images
- Maximum impact with a smaller budget
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E X P
Choose DayStar EXP for...
- Separate LED cabinet with exposed pixels
- Displaying video clips, images & text
- High value for a lower initial investment
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D A Y S T A R
Choose DayStar for...
- Separate LED cabinet with vandal cover
- Displaying video clips, images & text
- The premium LED sign experience
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