P2.8 High-Resolution Digital Billboards in Lyon, France

In July 2025, VMX Visual deployed two high-resolution outdoor advertising screens in the heart of Lyon, France. Utilising the MR-280 P2.85mm series, this project sets a new benchmark for fine pitch outdoor advertising in European city centres — combining ultra-high image clarity with full outdoor weatherproofing designed for the diverse conditions of the French climate.

For city centre advertising in Lyon, the client required close-viewing clarity without compromising on outdoor resilience. P2.85mm pixel pitch at this location delivers UHD-level image detail at typical pedestrian viewing distances of 3 metres and beyond — significantly sharper than standard outdoor advertising panels in the P4–P8 range. The MR-280 series was selected for its combination of fine pixel pitch, 6,000 nits maximum brightness, and full IP65 front and rear protection.

• ▸ 7,680 Hz ultra-high refresh rate for broadcast and smartphone compatibility — At 7,680 Hz, the MR-280 produces a flicker-free image at all standard camera shutter speeds including professional broadcast cameras and modern smartphones shooting at 1/1000 or faster in daylight. Content appears clean and artifact-free in all photography and video capture scenarios common to a high-footfall city centre location.
• ▸ IP65 front and rear — fully sealed for all-weather operation — Both front and rear surfaces of the MR-280 cabinet are rated IP65, providing complete protection against dust ingress and water jets from any direction. This covers the full range of French outdoor weather conditions including sustained rainfall, humidity, and seasonal temperature variation from sub-zero winters to summer heat.
• ▸ Front and rear module and power box serviceability — Both LED modules and power boxes support full access from the front or rear of the cabinet. For urban installations where rear access may be restricted by wall proximity or structural constraints, front-only maintenance ensures that any fault can be addressed without requiring access to the back of the installation.
• ▸ 6.06 kg per cabinet — lightweight die-cast aluminum construction — At 6.06 kg per cabinet, the MR-280 imposes significantly lower structural load than standard outdoor advertising panels. This simplifies mounting structure design, reduces installation labour, and expands the range of architectural situations where the display can be installed without engineering a heavy-duty support structure.
• ▸ Common cathode technology for energy efficiency — Average power consumption of 192W/m² is achieved through common cathode LED circuit design, which reduces heat at the chip level and improves luminous efficacy compared to standard common anode panels. At 24.6m² total installed area running 14 hours per day, the energy saving relative to a 280W/m² standard panel equates to approximately €730/year at European electricity rates.

To support the long-term commercial operation of the Lyon deployment, VMX Visual provided a comprehensive service package alongside the display hardware.

• ▸UHD outdoor image quality at close pedestrian viewing distances — P2.85mm pixel pitch delivers image detail significantly beyond what is achievable with standard P4–P8 outdoor advertising panels, making the Lyon installation visually competitive with indoor-grade display quality at typical city centre pavement viewing distances.
• ▸Flicker-free performance across all photography scenarios — 7,680 Hz refresh rate ensures the displays appear clean and artifact-free in all smartphone photography and professional video capture — a critical requirement for urban advertising locations where social media visibility multiplies the effective reach of the installed content.
• ▸Full-weather operation confirmed through French seasonal conditions — IP65 front and rear protection confirmed reliable operation through the Lyon climate including winter rainfall, spring humidity, and summer heat since the July 2025 installation date.
• ▸Reduced energy operating cost versus standard outdoor panels — Common cathode technology at 192W/m² average consumption reduces annual electricity cost compared to standard 280W/m² outdoor panels — a meaningful operational saving for a permanent commercial installation running 14+ hours per day.