When you see a gorgeous, large format display for the first time (or the second, or the fifteenth, or the five hundredth) you may want to snap a photo or video. Unfortunately, more often than not, the display you see on your camera screen will differ greatly from what you see with the naked eye, as squiggling black lines appear where a crystal clear image before. What you’re experiencing is the moire effect.
What causes the moiré effect?
Moire is an image artifact that shows up when two fine patterns overlap at an angle. Image sensors found in digital cameras have their pixels arranged in a very fine pattern; when photographing or videoing an LED display, the camera’s fine patterns will not line up with the fine pattern of the LED’s. The overlapping of the two patterns creates false colors and distracting, curved lines that seem to flicker on video footage, known as the moire artifact. See how the moving patterns below change as the moire artifact comes into play:
When is moire an issue? How can you correct it?
When it comes to digital signage, the moire effect can become an issue as it negatively impacts the visuals you’re trying to create. For in-person displays, such as LED displays for way-finding or in-person advertisements, moire isn’t as much of an issue; for broadcasters, set designers, and anyone videoing or photographing an LED display, moire can become a thorn in your side and a problem in your lens. By installing a seamless diffusion panel in front of the display, we are able to reduce the visibility of the LED pattern which would normally cause unwanted moire. Now all you see through the camera is a smooth colorful screen, giving you the visual you’re looking for instead of a garbled image with distracting lines:
Get moire out of your studio
If you’re a set designer, broadcaster, or just someone who dislikes the moire effect on a display as much as the NanoLumens team does, we have a solution for you. Contact us to talk about your specific project.