When deciding to deploy outdoor digital signage, the LCD you choose really does matter!  For many customers, it is very common to want to purchase the "best deal" that they can find.  The honest and simple truth: consumer-grade HDTVs found at big box stores or on the web are not the same type of screen that should be used when installing digital screens outdoors.  A consumer-grade television will not work in the same way as a commercial-grade LCD.  They are quite different.

There are a number of challenges that exist if you attempt to use a consumer-grade screen outdoors. 

On average, most consumer-grade televisions are only rated at 350 nits of brightness (a Nit is 1 candela per square meter of light; a measure of brightness). It is recommended that you choose a screen that is at least 1,500 nits to be visible in an outdoor environment. Consider what happens when you try to view your iPhone or Android phone outdoors on a sunny day. The screen appears black and you can barely make out the text. The exact same effect occurs when using a screen outdoors that is insufficiently bright.  

The majority of consumer HDTVs only offer a 90 day warranty. It is common for retailers to "upsell" you with an extended warranty for a year or two. However, the warranty will be 'void' if you use the screen for more than the recommended length of time per day. Commercial-grade displays offer a standard 3 year warranty with the option to upgrade up to 5 years. This is an important detail when planning an outdoor signage project. You need longevity and peace of mind that a solution is going to work for an extended period of time.  

Most digital signage applications dictate that the LCD needs to deliver a message 18 hours or even 24 hours a day! A consumer-grade television is meant to be used approximately 4 to 6 hours a day. Prolonged daily use will result in premature failure. HDTVs purchased at a retail store are not built or designed to be powered on for long periods of time. Plus, when the sun beats down on the screen, it will quickly show wear and begin to lose clarity. The effects of solar gain can be very dramatic, and overheating will cause isotropic effects (screen will turn dark).

Many integrators/end users simply do not understand why they should purchase an LCD that can be up to 4 times the expense of what they can buy at a "big box store" or online. A significant amount of time and money is invested in making the transition to outdoor digital menu boards/signage. A direct sunlight environment presents many more challenges to overcome than a shaded area, all of which can be resolved if you choose the correct LCD and Enclosure Solution. Skimping on your LCD or enclosure budget will be detrimental to the quality of the overall solution. 

 

The next to step to a successful outdoor digital signage project is selecting the right outdoor LCD enclosure.

For helpful tips with this issue, check out our post "4 Types of LCD Enclosures" and remember that we're always here to help!

 

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