If you’ve read anything from this site, be sure that it is why outdoor digital signage can truly be a game changer. When outdoor digital signage first came on the scene, they were very big and very bulky. So, they couldn’t be hung freely on the walls. There weren’t many places to put them, because most walls were already covered with billboards. Now, thanks to new technology, outdoor digital signage displays can be hung just about anywhere.
Now, one way to broaden your choices is to go outdoor, not only for an even larger impact. Just think about what Times Square would look like without all those colorful ads and bright lights? Or, what about Denver’s Century Theatre, which used to have these huge, three-dimensional, digital screens? And, these kinds of displays aren’t just for theaters.
Outdoor digital signage displays are now being used inside of retail stores, museums, businesses, offices, conventions and sports arenas, just to name a few locations. Not only are outdoor digital signage displays used indoors, they are also used outdoors as well. Retailers, museums, businesses, conventions and sports arenas use them to attract customers, show information and promote products, just like traditional indoor digital signs.
How do outdoor digital signage displays work? In order to display words, images or videos on outdoor digital signage displays, a special type of LCD or plasma display is needed. It can either be LED or LCD. The LED and LCD displays do not need any backlighting in order to make them readable during the dark. Most outdoor LCD displays use one-cell LED technology, which ensures full brightness even when the light level in the sun is low.
Another difference between indoor and outdoor signs is the resolution, colors and contrast. When it comes to outdoor signs, the screens are designed in a high-definition format, which provides better clarity than the regular VGA displays. And, most digital signage panels come with anti-glare filters to reduce the glare from sunlight. Certain outdoor displays use a special algorithm to make full use of the available light, but this method doesn’t work at all if there are heavy rains.
What happens to the anti-glare filter when there’s a lot of sunshine? The filter will start to accumulate dust particles and other dirt in the air. These particles will cause the contrast to diminish. So, you will end up with a washout display screen if you don’t use an anti-glare screen protector. The solution is a clear, anti-reflection film.
It might sound strange that outdoor digital signage panels need to be protected from the sunlight, but in fact, this is not an issue. Digital signage technology has advanced to such a degree that outdoor displays can take full advantage of HD resolutions and are designed to be viewed in their true color spectrum. Standard indoor signage isn’t quite up to HD standards. This means that outdoor digital signage displays may not be as sharp as they should be for maximum effect. Also, don’t forget that the anti-reflective layer will be damaged by the sunlight; therefore, it is wise to purchase a screen protector that is specifically designed for outdoor use.
When it comes to energy consumption, outdoor displays are slightly more expensive than their indoor counterparts, but they pay off in the long run because they use less electricity. This is because they don’t have to constantly display graphics and ads in order to draw people’s attention. Outdoor advertising panels only need to be turned on for a short period of time throughout the day, and then they are off. This saves energy, which helps to reduce your overall costs. Keep in mind that if you do not turn your digital displays on at all, they will consume power even while they are not in use, so it is important to be aware of this when choosing which displays to purchase.