Walk into any modern stadium or arena and the first advertising you notice is the perimeter LED display — a continuous ribbon of LED panels along the touchline or around the court, rotating sponsor videos all match long. The panels themselves are only half of that system. The other half is perimeter LED display software: the program that stores the sponsor content, arranges it into a timed show, and plays it out to the panels in perfect sync.
What a complete perimeter system includes
| Layer | What it is | Who supplies it |
|---|---|---|
| LED panels | The physical cabinets around the field, usually 800–1000 mm wide | Panel manufacturer |
| LED processor | The sending unit that maps a video signal onto the panels | Panel or controller manufacturer |
| Playout PC | A Windows PC wired to the processor over HDMI or SDI | You / your AV integrator |
| Display software | Media library, playlists, scenes, live control, reporting | A software vendor — this layer is brand-independent |
The first three layers are usually decided by the installation. The software layer is the one you are free to choose — and the one your operators and sponsors interact with every single event.
What the software actually does
- Media library. Import sponsor videos and stills; the software normalizes them to the exact pixel dimensions of your band, whether it is one long row or wraps onto a second line.
- Playlists and scenes. Build the running order, set durations, group simultaneous media into scenes, and loop the show for the whole match.
- Live control. Goal, time-out, substitution — one click cuts in the right visual and returns to the rotation. Brightness and ticker messages are pushed live without stopping playback.
- Proof of play. Every exposure is logged with date and time, so sponsors get a report of exactly what ran and when.
Hardware-independent by design
A well-built player produces a standard full-screen video output. The LED processor captures that output like any other source, which means the same software runs on any brand of perimeter hardware — you define the pixel size, not the panel model. If you ever change panels or processors, the content library, playlists and reports carry over untouched.
Software player → PC video output → LED processor → perimeter panels
One surface, many names
Depending on the market, the same band of screens is called pitchside advertising boards (UK), LED boarding (continental Europe), an LED hoarding (UK and India) or a ribbon board (North American arenas). Whichever name your venue uses, the software job is identical — and LedPlayMeter covers all of them from one control panel.
Choosing perimeter LED display software
- Seamless transitions — the next visual is prepared in the background, so swaps happen with no black frames.
- Any pixel map — single row, line-wrap, or an unusual custom layout; you should only ever enter module size and count.
- Offline operation — match day must not depend on an internet connection.
- Synchronized multi-screen playback — one command mirrored to every connected player.
- One-file backup — move a complete setup between PCs before an event.
- Sponsor reporting — per-exposure logs you can hand to an advertiser.
For a step-by-step setup walkthrough, see how to control a perimeter LED display.