When choosing your digital signage hardware, the sheer volume of options can be overwhelming. The variety of LED or projection displays, combined with the variety of player options (system on a chip and cloud-based or media players?) can make it hard to select the right digital signage hardware for your job.
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When choosing your digital signage, the sheer volume of hardware options can be overwhelming. The variety of LED or projection displays, combined with the variety of player options (system on a chip and cloud-based or media players?) can make it hard to select the right digital signage hardware for your job.
First, you'll want to decide which display hardware you want to use. This will depend on your use case. For example, if you are installing a screen in a high-brightness area, like the front of a store or a daylit concourse in a transportation hub, you will need a high-brightness LED screen or an alternate solution that doesn't try to "beat the sun," such as ePaper displays, which can also serve well as lower-cost/more sustainable digital menu boards. If you are installing an informational or wayfinding kiosk, then you might opt for a smaller touchscreen (along with the kiosk furniture).
By contrast, if you are choosing hardware for a dark area, such as the side of an entertainment venue at night, you may want to consider traditional or laser projectors from suppliers like Epson, which can transform entire surfaces into display surfaces for less cost than would be involved in blanketing the side of the building in LED panels (which would also require weatherproofing hardware).
Let's say you're choosing display hardware for a fast-food drive-thru ordering system. You'll need to select a screen that is visible in variable light conditions, including sunlight, so you'll want to invest in high-brightness LED. You will also need to select brand-appropriate furniture, along with a dedicated speaker system, with appropriate weatherproofing for heat, cold, and moisture. If you're installing in an area prone to lots of severe weather, such as hurricanes, you'll probably want to make the investment in ultra-durable mounting and furniture for your screens, along with screen protection.
Lastly, a note on quality ' it can be tempting to go with the cheapest TV you can find, and to put some menu images on a USB thumb drive, but investing in quality can actually save you money in the long run; a consumer-grade television is simply not designed for the kind of 24-7 operation most businesses require. Doing your research and investing in a professional-grade display from a supplier, such as Philips Professional Display Solutions, that will run reliably for years to come can be a great step 'not only to save money in the long run but to reduce e-Waste and boost sustainability.
System-on-a-Chip TV's, smart TV's, and cloud-based digital signage can present benefits such as central control and lower initial installation costs (dedicated media players can be costly). However, these systems depend on reliable Internet connection to operate correctly; if you have an Internet outage for any reason, you won't be able to run your content and dependent operations until you restore Internet connectivity.
In our restaurant example, this means you would face potential outages of your drive through unless you have built in redundancy (say, investing in 5G connectivity in case of Internet outages, which would entail another layer of cost).
By contrast, media players tend to be more robust and to keep running even in case of Internet outages, and the best media players enjoy very long shelf lives (sometimes running twice as long or more than the average cloud-based display would do). However, media players tend to require heavier investment during your installation, and you may have to factor in budget costs for things like ongoing maintenance or licensing fees.
Whether you choose media players or cloud-based/System-on-a-Chip signage, make sure to look for robust service and warranty options, and ensure that your chosen hardware is compatible with all relevant business software from your operations. Choosing hardware that doesn't play nicely with your software systems is a recipe for chaos and inefficiency, all of which can eat into your bottom line.
Some firms like Screencloud have online tools to help you select your hardware.
Having good relationships with your ecosystem of suppliers, or making sure that you choose an integrator who cultivates those relationships, will greatly simplify your journey as you select your hardware.
For example, sourcing the right integrator (or having relationships in place with suppliers) can help you find good pricing on your mounting needs, along with making it easier to select the right mounts and furniture for your job. For example, if you're installing your drive-through digital signage in a hurricane-prone area, having an integrator with the right supplier connections can save you money on ultra-heavy weatherproofing hardware, which could cost you more if you try to source the hardware yourself.
Also, if you have an extremely unique or intricate installation, you may need to select a specialty integrator that has experience with unusual use cases; for large projects like digital signage in Allegiant Stadium (home for the Super Bowl), Samsung Electronics America provided a wide spectrum of installation services, but for smaller boutique projects, you might find a specialist like Red Dot Digital Media installing a digital koi pond in an LA bank transformation project.
Speaking of which reading interviews with integrators like Red Dot Digital Media president Darryl Kuder can be a great way to get insight into solid hardware options ' for instance, Kuder does not have a promotional relationship with BrightSign, but he enthusiastically recommends the famously purple media players from his many years of installation experience.
Don't be shy! If an installation catches your eye, and you think that you would like to install a similar system, don't be shy about reaching out to other business owners to learn more about their suppliers. It could be as simple as noticing a DOOH advertising screen at your local gas station or EV charging station, or a touchscreen at your local self-serve fast-food restaurant. Get a list of all relevant hardware and software contacts from the project, including the integrator that installed the system; happy business owners are usually glad to share details on a project that went well.
There are a number of helpful references online as well, such as Screencloud's Buyer's Guide to Digital Signage Hardware, along with useful resources like the Digital Signage Today Supplier Directory. Make sure to follow topics related to your business; in our drive-thru example, following Restaurant news can help you get a feel for trends in your industry, and you just might find a few suppliers mentioned in a story about a successful deployment that you may want to choose your hardware from.
Additionally, industry non-profit organizations can sometimes be sources of information for starting your digital signage journey, such as the Digital Signage Federation, Women in AV and IT, or AVIXA.
If you already have selected your desired software systems, reach out to your vendor to see what hardware recommendations they have; that will save you time on compatibility questions later on!
Events can be helpful depending on your industry; you may want to start with well-reputed networking events in your sector, such as restaurant summits or small business mixers, rather than digital signage focused events.
In our drive-thru example, you might start not with digital signage industry events but with restaurant-focused events, where you can meet not only suppliers but fellow operators who can offer you insights illustrated by their own successes and failures; summits like the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit or the Self Service Innovation Summit can be powerful tools for selecting your digital signage hardware.
If you do decide that you'd like to attend a digital signage summit, well-known examples can include the Exertis Almo E4 Experience for North America businesses. If you're based in Europe, you may want to check out Integrated Systems Europe (a.k.a. ISE), which is the European digital signage industry's biggest event.
Whichever route you follow, don't forget the growing importance of topics like sustainability and accessibility in your digital signage installation.
Outdoor Signage Insights and Affordability
Outdoor signage is key for most businesses today. The demand for digital signage is growing. Data from Grandview Research suggests that the global market size will reach $31.7 billion by , and given the consumer demand for digitized information on the go, this might actually be a conservative number.
The benefits of outdoor digital signage are extensive. Video signage is taking over the outdoor signage world. Advantages such as the ability to show movement which catches attention, show unlimited colors and content, utilize sound or touch if needed, streamline and automate information delivery, and more are undeniable. We have answered some common outdoor signage questions below and put together some key considerations regarding the importance of outdoor digital signage. We will also cover important savings options that businesses around the world are loving.
Article Table of Contents:
Part 1: Outdoor Digital Signage Insights
Part 2: How to Save Money on Outdoor Digital Signage
Outdoor Signage Insights
Over the years, digital signage has become more and more vital for businesses. The following is a list of some common outdoor digital signage uses.
Outdoor business sign
Wayfinding boards
Information center sign
Digital scoreboards
Digital menu board
Outdoor advertising
Outdoor TVs showing sports, movies, etc.
Weatherproof interactive entertainment (touch screens with games and more)
Safety signs
Factory communication displays
For more information, please visit advertising display solutions.
Making a good first impression ' Everyone knows first impressions are vital. Outdoor signage is the first impression for businesses. A tattered old broken sign with chipped paint sends a different message than a new top-of-the-line digital display. The same is true for various uses of outdoor digital displays' digital displays show businesses are keeping up with the latest technology.
Catching attention and improving impact ' Did you know that digital signage captures 400 percent more views than a static sign? That's an astounding statistic nobody can ignore! Digital signage significantly increases audience engagement.
Communicating more information ' A stagnant sign means much less real estate for communicating information than a digital/video sign that can show endless information.
Streamlining and updating outdoor signage anytime, anywhere ' Businesses love outdoor digital signage because it can be updated at a moment's notice. The content can be changed or tweaked as needed anytime. In addition, with digital signage, displays in numerous stores located throughout the country can all be changed at the same time from one remote location.
Taking customer service to the next level ' Digital signage is often used for interactive customer service solutions. Making information such as directions, inventory, store hours, prices, and more accessible at the tip of a customer's fingertips means happy customers.
What Materials are Best for Outdoor Signs?
What materials are best for outdoor digital signage? Typically, the best solution is going to be to protect a digital display in a sturdy enclosure. This is the most durable solution as long as the enclosure is made of the best materials. Top materials to look out for when it comes to outdoor digital signage enclosure housing are HMWPE, aluminum, or steel. Polycarbonate is ideal for front screen protection because it is shatterproof.
Before and After Examples of TV and Digital Signage Enclosure Installs:
How to Save on Outdoor Digital Signage
Outdoor TV and Digital Signage Enclosures Save Businesses Thousands of Dollars'.
Outdoor digital displays are known for sky high prices and lack of dependability. Though some brands try to create TVs or displays that truly endure outside, at the end of the day electronics just aren't designed in such a way to withstand weather and true high impact. That also means that when expensive outdoor displays get damaged, they are expensive to repair. Fortunately, there is a solution'.
A quality outdoor digital signage enclosure (or outdoor TV enclosure) offers true durability and affordability. Over the years, businesses have saved thousands upon thousands of dollars by utilizing outdoor digital display cases paired with the TV or display of their choice. From true outdoor (or harsh environment) protection to lower costs as well as being able to protect other media devices such as Apple TV or Roku in addition to the TV or display, TV and digital display enclosures are an ideal outdoor digital signage solution. In addition, certain enclosures like The TV Shield PRO can even be turned into a touch screen. Below are some of the best modern outdoor digital signage options this year'.
Here is a quick comparison chart of popular PEC enclosures including indoor and outdoor models followed by the list of top outdoor TV and outdoor display enclosures (which protect various screens such as monitors, OLED, LCD, etc.).
Popular Outdoor Digital Signage Enclosures:
1) The Display Shield
(Portrait or Landscape Format)
The Display Shield ® is an affordable indoor and outdoor digital display enclosure that offers comprehensive protection for digital signage, displays, or TVs. It is the most cost effective, light weight, weatherproof display enclosure on the market for protecting signage investments in almost any environment. These weatherproof display cabinets are manufactured using HMWPE (High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), which is a specific plastic rated for outdoor usage and durability.
The front panel of the outdoor display cabinet is an industry leading .220 inch thick ultra-clear LEXAN® polycarbonate which is perfect for direct viewing of the display and complete defense against a flying object or tampering. The Display Shield has a semi permanently affixed front shield that is designed to stay closed at all times but does give you the ability to remove and/or upgrade or replace the front panel if needed. The Display Shield uses a custom security screw system that requires a specific tool to remove the front panel. This makes the unit completely tamperproof and provides optimum safety for your digital display or TV. The price point for The Display Shield offers the biggest savings for customers.
2) The TV Shield PRO (Landscape) and The TV Shield PRO Portrait
The TV Shield PRO:
The TV Shield PRO ' is a weatherproof, secure, and robust protective outdoor TV enclosure and digital signage cabinet that was researched, designed, engineered, and is manufactured in the USA. The "hybrid" design is built with a combination of lightweight aluminum and steel, which is powder-coated for the ultimate strength and durability in environmental TV protection.
Designed for use with any standard indoor TV or digital display, it is ideal for residential, commercial, and professional markets, and has numerous proprietary features based on extensive customer feedback (such as the "ExactSeal'" proprietary triple sealing system for superior dirt & water intrusion prevention). Developed for outdoor areas, The TV Shield PRO's proprietary "Quick Install'" system is faster to install and maintain than any other metal TV enclosure and effortlessly opens with gas shocks for easy access to the display. The included internal full motion, fully articulating mount with depth, and height adjustment allows for perfect placement of the screen as well as easy access to the back of the display and inputs after it is mounted (unlike most alternative outdoor TV cabinets), and is specifically engineered to be a superior solution for our worldwide customer base. In addition, The TV Shield PRO outdoor LED TV enclosure can be used with any external standard VESA mount. The entire unit is secured with dual high strength chambered key locks and comes standard with a thermostatically controlled and filtered air circulation system. The TV Shield PRO professional-grade weatherproof digital display and outdoor LED TV enclosure also comes standard with an anti-glare acrylic protective front shield and has larger size options up to an industry-first 85 inches.
The TV Shield PRO Touch ' is a weatherproof, secure, and robust outdoor touch screen display and weatherproof TV enclosure that is made in the USA. We have combined The TV Shield PRO enclosure and our IP-65 rated IR touch frame to offer the best solution for outdoor touch screen needs.
The TV Shield PRO Portrait:
The TV Shield PRO Portrait ' is a weatherproof, secure, and robust protective outdoor display enclosure that is made in the USA and built completely from triple coated steel for ultimate strength and durability. Designed for use with any standard indoor TV or digital display, it is ideal for commercial and professional markets where a monitor is needed in a vertical orientation.
With its sleek and aesthetically pleasing picture frame design, it will seamlessly integrate into any high-end environment. Developed for outdoor areas, The TV Shield PRO Portrait's proprietary "Quick Install" system is faster to install and maintain than other metal TV enclosures and the front frame opens effortlessly with our lift off tab system. The internal mounting system can be used with any VESA pattern from 75x75 to 600x600 with depth and height adjustment (with supplied hardware) which allows for perfect placement of the screen as well as easily added input and back of display access. In addition, The TV Shield PRO Portrait can be used with any external standard VESA mount. The entire unit is locked down with our high strength security screw system that requires a specific tool to remove the front panel and comes with a thermostatically controlled and filtered air circulation system boasting multiple 120mm high powered fans and 60ppi filters. The TV Shield PRO Portrait is a professional-grade weatherproof digital display and outdoor LED TV enclosure which comes standard with a shatterproof anti-glare polycarbonate front panel for ultimate safety of your equipment and patrons. Unlike safety glass, which can shatter, polycarbonate does not. The TV Shield PRO Portrait also comes standard with a custom-built aluminum commercial-grade power strip with a 12 ft. cord and 15-amp breaker. Size options range from 40 inches to 65 inches.
The TV Shield PRO Portrait Touch ' is a weatherproof, secure, and robust outdoor touch screen display and weatherproof TV enclosure that is made in the USA. We have combined The TV Shield PRO enclosure and our IP-65 rated IR touch frame to offer the best solution for outdoor touch screen needs.
3) The TV Shield PRO Touch and The TV Shield PRO Touch Portrait
The TV Shield PRO Outdoor Touch Screen Solution (Landscape Orientation):
The TV Shield PRO Touch is a weatherproof, secure, and robust outdoor touch screen display and weatherproof TV enclosure that is made in the USA. We have combined The TV Shield PRO enclosure and our IP-65 rated IR touch frame to offer the best solution for outdoor touch screen needs. With The TV Shield PRO Touch you can use any standard off the shelf flat screen TV, completely enclose it and turn it into an outdoor interactive touch screen. Featuring extremely tough metal housing that encases the TV and a high strength shatterproof anti-glare acrylic front shield, this innovative water-resistant interactive display solution eliminates the risk of having to replace an expensive outdoor touch screen TV or interactive digital sign if the screen breaks. The TV Shield PRO also allows you to enjoy the newest TV technologies on the TV of your choice, rather than being restricted by the technology lag of weatherproof TVs.
The TV Shield PRO Portrait Outdoor Touch Screen Solution (Portrait Orientation):
The TV Shield PRO Portrait Touch is a weatherproof, secure, and robust outdoor touch screen display and weatherproof TV enclosure that is made in the USA. We have combined The TV Shield PRO Portrait enclosure and our IP-65 rated IR touch frame to offer the best solution for vertical outdoor touch screen needs. It has been featured more than once in the Sound and Video magazine Tech Showcase as well as highlighted by various other industry publications such as Sound and Communications magazine. With The TV Shield PRO Portrait Touch you can use any standard off the shelf flat screen TV, completely enclose it and turn it into an indoor or outdoor interactive touch screen. Featuring extremely tough metal housing that encases the TV and a high strength shatterproof anti-glare polycarbonate front shield, this innovative water-resistant interactive display solution eliminates the risk of having to replace an expensive outdoor touch screen TV or interactive digital sign if the screen breaks. The TV Shield PRO Portrait also allows you to enjoy the newest TV technologies on the TV of your choice, rather than being restricted by the technology lag of weatherproof TVs.
Key Points to Remember
To recap, the first key point to remember is digital signage significantly increases views (remember digital signage captures 400 percent more views than a static sign). So, digital signage is the way of the future and the key to success. Secondly, outdoor digital signage is on the rise and taking outdoor communication to a new level' it is worth every penny of investment. And finally, quality outdoor TV enclosures make outdoor digital signage affordable by offering a case that can go with any TV or display, which gives shoppers control on costs.
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