Outdoor digital signage has come a long way in such a short time, and now some pub chains are looking to cash in using similar technology on the World Cup, there are two ways, one is to offer customers the chance to watch the game on large screens (and ever being the optimist) in good sunny weather.

So what are the options?

1. Put a large screen outdoors and provide “meal deals”, keeping the customers fed and watered during their stay, this will keep them at the bar or pub for much longer and consume more food and drinks.
2. Do the above and sell advertising slots to local businesses that are shown during half time, this in itself could pay for the outdoor screen and the other hardware.

Things to consider.

Rain, wind, snow and hopefully sunshine.
The weather is a main concern especially in the UK, as sunny weather is never guaranteed. So an outdoor LCD enclosure is required to protect the standard screen from the weather, these offer a weatherproof solution from all the elements and provide a safe environment for the screen to be in, ensuring the screen and internal hardware are kept at the right temperature preventing any problems with the screen failing.

The viewing screen is manufactured from a special anti glare material and offers UV protection for the LCD crystals, so even the strongest sunshine will not damage the screen.

Protection when things turn nasty.
Well when you mix high emissions and alcohol you will always have a situation were a volatile situation could be present. Saying this you should consider protecting the screen from frustrated fans if things don’t go their way, for example someone throwing a pint glass at an LCD screen that is not protected will certainly smash the screen, resulting in costly repairs and lost revenue.

Protection from theft.
This is probably the last consideration and should offer a solution that totally covers the LCD screen. The ideal unit needs to restrict access to the screen, from all sides. However we all know if a thief is in an unlit area and undisturbed they will succeed, all we can do is throw obstacles in their way.

LCD Enclosure Global have developed an outdoor LCD enclosure that offers weather protection and an LCD armourcase that is constructed from heavy gauge steel and comes complete with a steel roller shutter that is locked by high security locks, restricting unauthorised access to the screen.

LCD Enclosure Global – anything else is a compromise.
“Manufactured in the UK-Supported in the USA & Australia”

These video wall are created by using a rear support frame, this frame comes in sections and provides a way to store the LED or LCD panels that are inserted into them.

The frame is manufactured from galvanized steel, making the solution ideal for outdoor applications. The screens that fit into the frame are 1 metre square and are also in a weatherproof and vandal proof case, once in the frame and connected to a power source the software that controls each individual screen is tiled using the software that comes with the screen – this is rather cost effective as no further controllers are needed reducing the cost by some 25% on previous solutions.

This solution ensures that it can be re-configured and even dismantled and taken to a different venue, perfect for stage signage or even to future proof the outdoor digital signage solution should a business decide to have this on their exterior wall.

A typical installation for a 40 metre wide x 10 metre high solution can take as little as 2 days, configuring the hardware should only take a matter of hours.

The only limitation with this type of video wall is how deep your pockets are, but if you want advice on a more cost effective method call (Europe) +44 (0)844 3578687 or USA toll free 888-460-3573.

LCD Enclosures Global – anything else is a compromise.
“Manufactured in the UK – Supported in USA & Australia”

Keeping errors to a minimum is critical so that the display can produce its premium marketing effect to the passing public and making a return on the investment. Any problems of servicing can easily be overcome. An access panel should be planned during design to be located at a suitable point on the LCD monitor enclosure to ensure smooth servicing and easy access to the media player, for changing the advertisement content. Also slide-out technology, like the digital controllers, power supplies and interface boards all drastically reduce the down time and service/repair costs, enabling the unit to be back up and running within minutes.

The main contributors and factors in the display failure, like dust, moisture and heat can easily be eliminated by installing relevant sensors and this testing can even be done remotely, which is another important part of the benefits of outdoor digital signage.

LCD Enclosures Global – anything else is a compromise.
“Manufactured in the UK – Supproted in the USA & Australia”.

Air conditioning is a suitable way of combating this overheating issue, though installing a small cooling unit (opposite effect to a heater) inside the outdoor LCD enclosure, will provide adequate protection against overheating and lessening the damage to the screen from the sun’s glare and heat.

As condensation may also build up inside the outdoor TV cabinet, it is worth contemplating a combined cooling/heating unit (known as a closed-loop system). If a sealed LCD monitor enclosure for digital signage were placed outdoors and the overnight weather was cold and damp, then the build up of condensation from the morning sun could cause untold damage to the display unit, as damp will enter the electrics and destroy the screen and possibly blow the power supply.

Using a closed-loop system eliminates the need for external air being brought into the enclosure, thus minimising the possibility of bringing in external elements, like dust, dirt and moisture, all of which would damage the signage. This system features a regulator which operates at a specifically set temperature, so as the temperature dips; the system kicks in to reach its optimum operating temperature.

LCD Enclosure Global – anything else is a compromise.
“Manufactured in the UK – Supported in the USA & Australia”.

Outdoor digital signage has progressed to a point where, no longer can advertisers and businesses rely on a static and captive audience, sitting whilst watching TV or listening to the radio in their car, but are now casting their nets wider to include everyone on the move. In a shopping mall, or walking down the high street, moving images will catch the attention of the passing public. As people are moving, digital signage has only a few precious moments to catch a customer’s attention.

Making the content effective is highly desirable – if it is a single content, a consumer may wait to watch it again as it loops the system. It must be relevant though, as acknowledged by all advertising companies, as being ignored, the advertisement becomes expensive as it is ineffective.

Digital signage can be used for both indoors, i.e. in a retail store, and outdoors, for example on the side of a bus shelter. Both have different requisites to make them suitable for their surroundings. Indoor digital display boards may require specialist screens to cope with inside lighting, humidity and temperature regulators, whilst outdoor kiosks and screens should be weather proof, vandal proof and serviceability should be considered.

LCD Enclosure Global – anything else is a compromise.
“Made in the UK – Supported in the USA & Australia.”

So as a light hearted way of looking at this, if I was running for Prime Minister, I would give a free 42″ LCD television to everyone who voted for me, (at least you know what I am after from the start), but you would have to buy an outdoor LCD TV enclosure, this way it would fun the campaign, then I would get all the people canvasing for me and have them put large 32″ stretch screens display on the top of their cars in digital vehicle signage enclosures showing cheesy images of me.

Then when I was appointed PM, I would then try to compromise myself in an embarrasing manner.

Please do not take me serious – this is a light hearted way of looking at the election.

The first video wall I saw was at the Meadow Hall shopping Centre in Sheffield when it first opened some 20 years ago, man have these come a long way!

Now the technology is so advanced, we have recently been quoting for a 25 screen arrangement on an external wall, this wall comprised of twenty five screens of 46” in size and the technology allowing the screens to be tiled is amazing.

About a video wall.
These displays are specially manufactured by Samsung with a very small bezel around the edge of the screen, when placed together with other screens they provide a seamless large image.

Now this type of signage is available in two categories, one with a controller and one that does not need the controller to tile the screens.

The best screens have a viewable angle of 178 degrees and can be mounted in either landscape or portrait for maximum flexibility and come equipped with LAN connections – perfect for connecting to a signage network. The screens come in sizes from 40 inches up to 80 inches; the larger screens need some serious mounting hardware.

To achieve the tiling, the screens are daisy chained together and then fed by a computer with the software that dictates what part of the image is displayed on which screen at what time.

LCD Enclosure Global have years of experience in the digital signage market, providing indoor as well as outdoor digital signage solutions.

LCD Enclosure Global – anything else is a compromise.
“Manufactured in the UK –Supported in USA & Australia”.

How do these work?
These are similar to the iposters, but these have a touch panel that is normally 5 wire resistance touch, so it will work with the heat from a human finger but will not work for a gloved hand – there is a solution for outdoor use where gloves are worn!

There is also infrared touch screen, this works as the wired variety, but using infrared beams, when they are broken the break acts as a mouse would on a computer screen.

Uses.
Due to the cost implications these are used for wayfinding and for interacting with customers, so customers can browse products then using the touch screen LCD, they are directed to different areas gaining more detailed information on the particular product they are interested in.

The size range from 20” up to a whopping 80” and are priced from £700 to £15,000.

Some times these digital interactive displays move more towards a kiosk due to the more approachable look of the kiosk, seeing that we have gotten used to using ATM’s we are no longer concerned with technology!

Digital Interactive Display’s are normally mounted to walls, were as kiosks are either mounted to stands in the floor or are floor standing and have a body manufactured from steel. Kiosks have the facility to store a PC, however only use a company who has experience manufacturing and supplying kiosks to the signage market, as there has been cases when a company manufactures a kiosk and it is top heavy and topples over, this could kill someone, so be careful with your choice of kiosk supplier.

LCD Enclosure Global have years of experience in the digital signage market, providing indoor as well as outdoor digital signage solutions.

LCD Enclosure Global – anything else is a compromise.
“Manufactured in the UK –Supported in USA & Australia”.

We will look at the budget entry for the indoor digital signage market for now, over the next week we will look at the other solutions available.

Indoor Digital Signage.
Now these can be seen in almost every company reception, from dentists through to multi-billion pound corporations, these are an effective way to showcase the products or services the business has to offer, but let us look at the different solutions in cost order, especially when money is tight all businesses are looking for that extra sale whilst stretching the advertising pound.

Digital Posters (also known as eposters and iposters).

Now these are digital posters, also known as eposters or iposters and are the budget entry solution and ideal for a local business with little if any technical knowledge.

How do they work?
These units are made up from commercial grade screens (normally Samsung), and have an integral media player, the content is stored on a memory card and inserted into the media player, then from an on screen menu the user preferences are set by setting the unit up as they require. These are wall mounted and can be positioned in either landscape or portrait position.

This menu controls everything from dwell time, ad frequency, you can even set them to shut down at the end of the day and reboot just before the office opens.

What formats will it support?
Any JPG and most videos can be played on these iposters, you can even add MP3 audio files, some gaming and movie companies use these units to demo their new product releases, due to the portability and instant attention grabbing appearance they have.

These units are manufactured in sizes from 20” up to 70” and range in price from £400 up to £10,000.

Next we will look at Digital Interactive Displays.

We have many years experience in the digital signage market, from manufacturing outdoor LCD monitor enclosures through to deploying video walls.

LCD Enclosure Global – anything else is a compromise.
“Manufactured in the UK – Supported in USA & Australia”.

Self-service LCD displays make patient records more accurate and up to date and considering the amount of patients on a database, this is an enormous amount of duplicate tasking and paperwork. This automated check-in facility eliminates one of the biggest problems facing the health-care sector, that of duplicate records, which is a billion dollar problem.

Another benefit of a patient facing device is the collection of data, for example in the case of cancer patients. Far more information was captured using electronic records than would have been by paperwork. This has led to creating one of the country’s first comprehensive genetic cancer data warehouses, whilst holding important drug research and treatment data banks and releasing crucial data for clinical trials and studies.

Having this immediate information results in the most effective and higher quality of care and treatment for the patient. Eliminating excessive paperwork enabled staff to do their job of caring, it also cut down significantly on the costs associated with the paper based system. Interactive, patient self-serve facilities replace the expense of printing, scanning, storing and destroying of medical records.

LCD Enclosure Global are the leading manufacturers of LCD monitor enclosures that used in the digital outdoor signage industry.

LCD Enclosure Global -anything else is a compromise.
“Manufactured in the UK – Supported in the USA & Australia”.