By taking the above factors into consideration, AV integrators have shown wireless networking can be both reliable and customizable for digital signage systems in the current market. It is also important to consider total cost of ownership (TCO); while a wireless network may be more expensive upfront than a wired one, it may be less expensive in the long run, given the costs of installing and servicing wired network infrastructure, e.g. when walls need to be taken down for access.
Speaking of which, walls also need to be considered with regard to the digital signs themselves. When installing a display on an uneven wall or in a recessed area, a micro-adjustable mount with quick-release functionality may be necessary, allowing the display to be hung with precision and, when needed, tilted for ease of cabling and service. In busy and/or hard-to-reach places, especially, such access is crucial for keeping the network up and running smoothly, without any gaps in functionality.
Another choice is whether to hang a display from the wall or instead enclose it in a kiosk. This is partly a question of practicality and function, such as the incorporation of touch-interactive capabilities, but also a question of accessibility, serviceability and safety. If a display offers touch capabilities, after all, it must be safely reachable. Slim displays and mounts, meanwhile, help prevent hardware from becoming an obstruction to the visually impaired.
Finally, network integrators may be tempted to support the highest screen resolutions available, but it is important to consider content, much of which is not yet available in an ultra- high-definition (UHD) ‘4K’ format anyway.
Ultra-slim and smooth bezels help a video wall appear to display a single, seamless image.
Outdoor digital signage
There are many more considerations that come into play when selecting digital signage components for outdoor networks, where environmental elements can more easily have a negative impact.
The advent of fully sealed digital displays has certainly expanded the range of suitable options. With a 100 per cent sealed display, even cable entry has been engineered to endure the outdoor elements through all seasons.
Built-in thermal systems protect display components by warming them in severe cold climates and cooling them in severe heat. They also reduce electricity costs.
The International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC’s) Ingress Protection (IP) Marking Standard 60529 rates a display’s degree of protection against intrusion by water, dust and other irritants. Signmakers should look for displays with an IP68 rating, which indicates tolerance against dirt, ice formation and temporary submersion in water, as well as the ability to operate in extreme temperatures from to -40 to 60 C (-40 F to 140 F).
Shatterproof, impact-resistant glass is also a must for outdoor displays, especially in settings where a piece of machinery could inadvertently hit the display. (For this same reason, ruggedized outdoor displays are suitable options for factories’ indoor digital signage networks.)
Indeed, the most important factors for outdoor digital signs—upon which their lifespan and performance depend—are how well they can repel dirt, water and bugs and endure extreme temperatures. At the end of the day, it does not matter how bright a display is if it cannot handle the elements. If the display cannot function, nobody’s goals are accomplished.
Further advantages extend into maintenance. The use of fully sealed outdoor displays and kiosk enclosures negates the need to rely on vents, filters and fans, thus eliminating the maintenance need to regularly change out filters as they fill with debris. For that matter, rugged digital signage can reduce operational costs compared to static signage, which needs to be continually printed, laminated, securely mounted and removed if it is to be updated time and again.
Of course, beyond weatherproofing concerns, outdoor digital signage needs to communicate effectively, in a visually pleasing manner. Ultra-slim and smooth bezels, for example, enable multiple screens to be joined to build an outdoor video wall that can be clearly viewed from typical distances, appearing to display a single, seamless image.
Optically bonded screens reduce glare, prevent damage from solar loading and are stronger than their non-bonded counterparts. Polarization is also important; without it, displays may appear blacked out and unreadable to anyone wearing polarized lenses. And an ambient light sensor can help ensure content is always legible in terms of its brightness at different times of day.
