How do I select the RIGHT LCD for a digital menu solution?
Choosing the correct LCD to use in an outdoor digital menu board is crucial to the success of the solution. On average, 70% of a Quick Service Restaurant’s business comes from the drive-thru. It is important to select the correct outdoor solution that will not only increase sales but will be visible 24/7 despite the environmental conditions that may exist.
Many QSRs do not consider the importance of using a commercial-grade LCD outdoors. However, using the incorrect LCD can cause display failures, downtime and a poor customer experience. There are several factors to take into consideration when choosing an LCD for an outdoor digital menu board.
3 LCD Considerations for Outdoor Digital Menu Boards
High Bright LCD
Research the brightness, or the “nits” the LCD produces. In direct sunlight outdoor applications, 1500 nits of brightness (or greater) is necessary. Many display manufacturers use the buzz word “high bright” but upon closer review are 750 nits or less. For example, consider the outcome when viewing your iPhone screen on a sunny day –you can barely make out the display. The same effect occurs when you use aLCD that is not bright enough outdoors. The image below shows the drastic contrast between a high bright LCD and a LCD lacking the necessary brightness in a direct sunlight environment.
Length of Warranty
It is important to choose a commercial-grade LCD that is serviceable and readily available. Some manufacturers do not stock high bright LCDs because they are a specialized or custom product. Lengthy lead times could run 8 or more weeks before a replacement is available. Costs to service an LCD that is not under warranty can become quite exorbitant. Most commercial-grade LCD's have a 3 year warranty vs. a consumer-grade LCD that on average have a 3 month warranty. Most commercial-grade LCDs have the option to extend the warranty an additional year or two.
Prolonged Daily Use
Most QSRs require their outdoor menu boards to be in operation 16 hours per day or longer. Be sure to choose a solution where the LCD is rated to withstand continuous daily operation. Using the LCDs for a longer period of time than what is recommended in the manufacturer’s specifications can put your warranty in jeopardy!
Experience speaks for itself – do your homework! Ask your partner/integrator to provide you with a list of addresses where you can see successful deployments working in the field.
Remember to plan for the future and create a backup plan. For multiple deployments in the same geographic location, consider stocking spare LCDs. In the event of a non-warranty-related issue such as vandalism, you will have a replacement on hand!
Choosing the correct LCD is only a small part of deploying a digital menu board solution.
For more helpful information, reference our blog post:
"3 Tips for A Succesful Outdoor Digital Menu Board Strategy"
Ready to deploy outdoor digital signage? Research the options available.
