Whether it is used outdoors or indoors, the security of digital signage is a factor that cannot be ignored. The following editor will give you the following specific suggestions on this aspect and how to choose a commercial or consumer-grade screen:
1. Screen protection
If you plan to use a consumer-grade screen outdoors without any protection in place, any resulting damage will void the warranty. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a commercial-grade screen designed for outdoor use. Most screens designed for outdoor use come with a warranty, but you should also check them frequently for weather, sunlight, and other damaging elements.
In order to use it more safely, it is definitely worth investing in the environmental protection of outdoor digital signage, such as installing outdoor cabinets, and usually the cabinet system also comes with its own warranty.
2. Consumer-grade or commercial-grade screens
Commercial monitors are obviously more expensive, but they are designed for 16 hours of continuous outdoor use and tend to be of much higher quality than consumer-grade screens. But that doesn't mean you have to buy a commercial-grade screen. From experience, there are three common shortcomings of consumer-grade screens:
1. Border
Consumer-grade screens tend to have thicker bottom bezels. If you plan to install and use a digital signage screen in portrait orientation, it will look uneven. Commercial-grade screens have thinner, more even bezels, which make them more suitable for portrait orientation.
2. Quality
Commercial grade screens are more durable. They can stay on for extended periods of time, whereas consumer-grade screens aren't designed for that kind of use.
However, if you desperately need to cut costs, you can also opt for a consumer-grade screen. Be aware, however, that they may not last very long, as exposure to direct sunlight can cause them to lose power and be more expensive to use in the long run.
3. Function
Compared to commercial-grade screens, consumer-grade screens do not have some of the features required to support software. In fact, no matter whether it is consumer or commercial, you always have to check whether the screen has the functions you need.
3. Use the screen outdoors
Here are a few things to consider when using digital signage screens in outdoor environments:
1. Sunshine
Standard (consumer grade) screens are not readable in sunlight. As a result, a large number of high-brightness screens began to appear on the market. A high-brightness screen, a display that is sunlight or sunlight readable, maintains screen readability in extreme sunlight.
This is achieved by emitting high brightness. So-called brightness is a measure of how much luminous intensity an area has, and how much light the human eye can perceive when viewing the screen from a certain angle. Brightness is measured in candela per square meter, also commonly referred to as nits.
What you need to know is that for the screen to be readable in extreme direct sunlight, a bright screen of at least 2000 nits is required.
2. Weatherproof
Rain, snow, condensation and temperature are the main threats to outdoor digital signage screens. The best way to prevent it is to install cabinets for protection.
Cabinets are less expensive and more flexible than dedicated outdoor screens, and as technology improves, screens can be upgraded individually. In addition, the cabinet requires very little maintenance.
3. Number of screens
Since there are so many variables, it is difficult to give an exact formula. As a reference, the amount of space you have, and the necessary permissions to deploy digital signage outdoors, will ultimately determine how many screens you can place outdoors.
