Munich, 17.11.2023 – Munich-based value-added distributor Concept International, a leader in the European digital signage market for many years, presents LED panels from the “Rubin” series. These offer exceptional image quality with homogeneous illumination thanks to patented RGBG or “pixel engine” technology. The LED panels are also particularly material and energy efficient thanks to FCCC, i.e. a flip-chip / common-cathode architecture. The displays are not only offered at a price that is around half that of a comparable LED wall, the Rubin is also intended for a particularly wide audience: from system integrators and shop fitters to home cinema aficionados. The new series therefore also appeals to customer groups that have previously had little to do with digital signage. Ordering and installing a new LED wall, previously a laborious process, “should become as easy as buying a television”, says Mike Finckh, Managing Director of Concept International. On top of this, Concept offers a three to five-year guarantee, service with batch-compliant LED modules, good advice, self-explanatory documentation and ready-to-use wall brackets.
The LED panels are at the cutting edge of technology: a pixel pitch, i.e. the resolution, of 0.79 / 0.93 / 1.25 mm, high brilliance with a contrast value of 10,000 : 1 thanks to COB (Chip On Board) and low energy consumption thanks to flip-chip architecture and common cathode. The wireless snap-in functionality for each panel is particularly robust and simple.
But what is really amazing is the “rock-bottom price”, as Mike Finckh explains. The displays are offered at around half the price of comparable panels. “In principle, the customer gets around 66 per cent higher resolution for the same price!” Rubin panels are therefore priced at a level that is currently called for displays with one to two resolution levels finer.
For a 4K/UHD home cinema wall, for example, with a standard size of 360 x 202 cm and a pixel pitch of 0.9 mm, the price used to be around 140,000 euros – the Rubin series, with its more extensive illumination, higher contrast, greater brilliance and pixel pitch of 0.79 mm, costs 65,000 euros. Another advantage: with a thickness of just 36 mm (plus mounting bracket), the video wall is hardly bulky.
RGBG eliminates shadow areas and reduces production costs
But how is this possible? The answer lies in “packaging” with RGBG technology, the patented solution to a persistently annoying problem for screen manufacturers: LED panels are always based on a square pixel, otherwise there is distortion. However, there are only three colour channels: Red, Green, Blue (RGB). No matter how the diodes are installed, three elements will never be square. As a result, there are always shadow areas, i.e. areas lost for the image composition. In the Rubin series, four channels are installed in a particularly cost-efficient way: RGBG – the basic colour green, which is particularly cheap to produce, is simply available twice. This “double channel” only shines half as brightly, so the overall composition fits again – and the annoying and expensive shadow areas are a thing of the past. Problem solved, production costs reduced. The side effect: high brilliance, excellent energy balance and important for cineastes: visibly better contrasts and the blackest black.
FCCC – cool and clever
The well-known but less common flip-chip design does the rest. With this technology, each diode is supplied with power directly from the underside, not from the top as was previously the case. The chip can therefore be rotated and mounted directly on the PCB. This benefits thermal dissipation and reduces production costs. With “Common Cathode”, simply put, the direction of current is also reversed: the individual RGB diodes no longer receive energy from a single source at the end of the circuit, but are instead at the beginning of the energy supply. Each channel has its own, regulated access to the current and is only then earthed. This reduces stray losses and enables considerable energy savings.
Concept also simplifies planning, procurement and installation for resellers
Resellers and AV system integrators who want to demonstrate expertise and consulting skills for LED displays in retail, hospitality and also for private individuals often do not have the opportunity to build up a professional team of experts. VAD Concept International steps in here and offers attractive complete packages including installation via a system of integrators, which currently still needs to be expanded. “Dealers have a strong customer focus, but don’t want to have to deal with purchasing in China, the associated mandatory disposal of old appliances or the construction of brackets,” comments Mike Finckh. “By requesting a maximum of five key items of data, AV retailers receive a package offer from us straight away!”
Billing is based on a simplified model that was previously unusual in the industry. For good reason: “It was just hellishly complicated and time-consuming – many interested parties dropped out as soon as the price was calculated,” says Mike Finckh. Previously, practically every provider charged by the square metre. Concept has switched to a calculation based on the number of panels for its 16:9 LED displays. Whereas previously the individual modules and the associated power supply units had to be calculated, a glance at the number of panels is now sufficient. Elaborate and time-consuming design drawings and price calculations are now a thing of the past. The need for LED tiles is simply scaled. In the event of a defect, they are replaced by the manufacturer with either a three or five-year guarantee and vandalism insurance is also available as an option. Or as Mike Finckh puts it: “The ruby is actually a diamond!”
Price and availability
The Rubin series is now available in three different pixel pitches exclusively from Concept International. The recommended retail price starts at 1,000 euros per display panel with approx. 27 inches or 600 x 33 cm. System integrators receive special conditions. On request, Concept offers resellers and AV system integrators – in cooperation with specialised technology partners – planning, delivery and installation from a single source.
Further information and product data sheets are available here: FutureLED RUBIN
The underlying technologies:
- COB (Chip On Board): Previously, each diode was installed individually; with COB, several LED chips are placed directly on the carrier board without the usual “protective housing”. The surface is then sealed. This results in a more homogeneous, stable surface and a higher-contrast, whiter light in contrast to multiple, individual light points. There are no optical crack layers as with the alternative GOB (Glue On Board), where several light-refracting materials collide. The light points are moulded into a single, particularly clear and therefore high-intensity substrate. The surface is extremely durable and resistant.
- RGBG: The patented double occupancy of the green colour channel with halved light output enables the “packaging” of always four light points in the optically necessary square. The previously unavoidable shadow areas and the cost-intensive waste of space with only three channels (RGB) have thus been eliminated.
- Flip chip: Each diode is supplied with power directly from below. The anode and cathode are on the back – not on the front as was previously the case. The LED chip is rotated and mounted directly on the PCB. This eliminates the need for the wiring previously required. Production is significantly cheaper and also offers lower thermal resistance.
- Common Cathode reverses the usual current direction. The individual LEDs are located at the beginning of the power supply. The cathodes are combined and designed as a single connection. This technology reduces power consumption by up to 40 per cent.
- Snap-in: The individual panels are easily clicked in or out with magnetic support and a wireless contact plate. The high installation effort involved in plugging in signal and power cables is eliminated. The LED modules are less susceptible to faults, assembly and disassembly times and troubleshooting are reduced. Significantly fewer expensive installation hours are required, and installation can also be carried out by non-professionals.