Digital Signage: Sign Me Up

Whether hung on a wall or attached to a stand, commercial displays come in many sizes and are designed specifically for the purpose of displaying advertising or information in a public setting. The feature set included in the firmware of digital signage screens will usually have added functionality, such as timers and networking ability. Most will also have a variety of additional input connections aside from those found in home versions. Some models, such as ViewSonic's OP4710, have an open frame design, which allows them to be installed into custom housings. These displays are usually placed in kiosks.

Although each situation is different, and requirements will vary accordingly, digital signage equipment is generally expected to withstand much more usage and abuse than its consumer-grade counterpart. Depending on the setting and application, digital signage displays must be able endure demands that many customers don't take into consideration when choosing a solution. Screen size is also a factor to be considered, as the information that is displayed must be viewable from a distance. Viewing angle specifications are not as much of a concern since most current displays now have viewing angles of 178 to 180 degrees.

One of the largest digital signage displays we've ever had the chance to see is NEC Display Solutions' MultiSync LCD8205. This 82-inch monitor includes many of the key features necessary for commercial applications, including technology designed for 24x7 usage, full high-definition (HD) 1,080p resolution (1,920 x 1,080), an optional protective panel, which protects the display from damage, and thermal protection and internal heat sensors for increased longevity. Multiple types of mounting hardware are also available to position this giant just about anywhere.

When used in a transit location such as an airport or train station, the monitors will likely be on and in use around the clock. A normal consumer screen is designed to be used for less than eight hours per day. If the same components were used in a commercial setting, the display's life span would be diminished to approximately one-third. For the same reason, consumer model warranties do not cover such installations. On the other hand, components designed for commercial use will typically be built using heavy-duty parts and have warranties to support the added demands that most likely will be placed on them.

Other location considerations include eating establishments and outdoor applications where the screen needs to be able to tolerate the additional stress of environmental concerns of grease, extreme temperature and weather factors. Manufacturers counter these issues with enclosures that are sealed to keep out oil, dust and the elements, while incorporating cooling systems to keep the internal parts from overheating. Displays with a high-brightness screen usually perform better outside, helping to prevent glare, as well as increasing the viewing angle. These models generally use glass that can withstand the extra factors of ultraviolet light, while also contributing to around-the-clock operation.

Typically used for multimedia exhibitions, multiple screens can be mounted in an array to create what is known as a video wall. Once a literal wall built of cubes that housed CRT monitors, these are usually LCDs configured in a matrix consisting of an equal number of rows and columns (2 x 2, 4 x 4, etc.), although the displays are sometimes arranged to create irregular shapes or cover a specific area.

Video walls bring with them additional concerns to take into consideration--primarily heat. While running a screen 24x7x365 within an enclosed case is enough to require extra cooling methods, mounting several units in such close proximity demands an adequate amount of ventilation and/or fans to keep internal temperatures consistent and within normal operating specifications. Without appropriate consideration, specifically in LCD displays, excessive heat can cause various issues to arise, including permanent damage referred to as mura, which is a phenomenon consisting of a clouding of the screen with irregular patterns.

The size of the bezel surrounding the screen is also of interest when designing a video wall since the bezel's existence alone can distract from the flow of an image from one monitor to the next. The software used to create the video wall can sometimes take the bezel size into consideration, and some displays even have internal programming to compensate.

One of the narrowest available, the ultra-narrow bezel on NEC's MultiSync X461UN allows for a screen-to-screen distance between two neighboring MultiSync displays of only 7.3 millimeters. Designed with the company's TileMatrix technology, the X461UN can enable video walls of up to 100 displays in a 10x10 matrix, creating barely discernable transition gaps between displays across a total surface area of approximately 645 square feet.

Samsung recently released its UTn series, including the 46UTn, which features bezels of just 2.4 millimeters on the bottom and right, and 4.3 millimeters on the top and left, for a total of 6.7 millimeters screen to screen. Additional features of the 46UTn incorporate improved air ventilation and backs that can be removed for servicing without having to disassemble the complete video wall.

Overall, flat-screen prices continue to fall and, while the price of commercial-grade displays are still higher than their consumer electronic counterparts, their additional features and superior build make them the only logical choice for signage applications. With a variety of manufacturers, screen sizes and feature sets, there is sure to be at least one to fit most requirements and price ranges.