Transparent LED
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Technical guide · Updated October 2026

COB vs GOB vs SMD LED display: which one do you need?

Quick answer

SMD mounts each packaged LED on the board: mature, easy to repair, and the basis of see-through transparent LED. GOB pours a protective glue over an SMD module for extra protection. COB bonds bare chips to the board under one sealed surface, for fine pitch below P1.0 and a robust front. MDS uses SMD2020 for its Mesh PCB Transparent LED Display and COB for its LED video walls.

By the MDS Display engineering team

LED packaging compared
SMDGOB (glue on board)COB (chip on board)
How it is builtEach RGB pixel is a small packaged LED soldered onto the PCBA standard SMD module with a clear protective glue layer poured over the LEDsBare LED chips bonded directly to the PCB and sealed under one flat layer
Typical pixel pitchMost common from about P1.5 upward, including transparent LEDSimilar to SMD, as it starts from an SMD moduleFine pitch, including below P1.0
Surface protectionLEDs stand proud and can be knocked offGlue layer protects against knocks, dust and moistureFlat sealed surface, resists knocks and dust, can be wiped clean
Close-up lookVisible individual pixels up closeSimilar to SMD, slightly softerSmooth, even surface, comfortable from about 1 m
RepairSingle LEDs can be replacedHarder: the glue layer must be removedUsually a module swap
Typical useTransparent LED, rental, general indoor and outdoorRental and floor screens where knocks are likelyMeeting rooms, control rooms, studios, fine-pitch events

Why transparent LED uses SMD

A transparent display only works if most of the board is open. Small SMD LEDs on a perforated mesh PCB leave the gaps between pixels clear, so the MDS Mesh PCB Transparent LED Display keeps over 80% transparency and weighs 3 kg/m², light enough to be adhered directly to the glass.

Why fine-pitch video walls use COB

When people sit 1–3 m from a screen, pixels need to be close together and the surface needs to look smooth. COB packaging allows the MDS P0.93 and P1.25 indoor walls, with front maintenance and a front that can be wiped clean. The EH-PRO outdoor COB series in P1.56 and P1.95 brings the same sealed surface to events, with an IP65 front.

How to decide

  • Must the glass stay see-through? Choose SMD on mesh PCB: a transparent LED display.
  • Viewers closer than about 2 m, solid wall? Choose COB: a fine-pitch video wall.
  • Screen will be handled, moved or touched often? Ask about a sealed surface (COB or GOB).
  • Not sure? Send a photo of the site and the viewing distance; we'll recommend one honestly.

FAQ

Packaging questions

Which is better, COB or SMD?

Neither is better for every job. COB suits fine pitch and close viewing, such as meeting rooms and studios, and its sealed surface resists knocks. SMD is mature, flexible and easy to repair, and it is what makes a see-through mesh display possible.

What packaging does the MDS transparent LED display use?

The MDS Mesh PCB Transparent LED Display uses SMD2020 LEDs on a perforated mesh PCB, in P3.9 and P6.25, with over 80% transparency at 3 kg/m². Small individual LEDs leave most of the board open, which is what keeps the window see-through.

What packaging do MDS LED video walls use?

MDS indoor video walls use COB in P0.93 and P1.25, and the EH-PRO outdoor series uses COB in P1.56 and P1.95 with an IP65 front.

Is GOB the same as COB?

No. GOB adds a protective glue layer on top of a finished SMD module. COB mounts the bare chips directly on the board and seals them, which is why it can reach a finer pitch.

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