The exterior cabinets, meanwhile, are manufactured from durable, rustproof powdercoated aluminum and feature gasketing and filtration systems to keep out not only snow and other forms of moisture, but also the zoo’s many insects and spiders.
“Water of any kind, including rain, sleet and fog, can wreak havoc on electronic devices, which is why it’s hazardous and even dangerous to use indoor TVs outside,” says Johnson. “Connection ports are especially vulnerable to the elements, as even small amounts of moisture can corrode input terminals, causing screensto fail. Spider silk, meanwhile, is extremely conductive and can cause arcing across internal electronics. These displays’ watertight cable entry and filtration systems guarantee no foreign objects or organisms can tamper with the interior. There is also a protective glass panel in front of the screen, which can easily be replaced in cases of vandalism or other damage.”
The new digital signs help provide information to visitors about daily events and special exhibits, while also boosting advertising real estate for the zoo’s sponsors and partners.
Green screens
In addition to being able to function dependably under all weather conditions and to prevent damage from exterior forces, the displays were also chosen to help serve the zoo’s strict policies with regard to energy efficiency.
The 287-ha (710-acre) facility in the Rouge Valley—which houses more than 5,000 animals, representing more than 450 species—requires more than 11 million kWh of electricity annually for its operations. To demonstrate environmental leadership, the city-owned zoo has committed to lowering its carbon footprint. This has involved tapping into many alternative energy sources, including solar power, geothermal heating and solar thermal water heating, and adopting green roof technology and energy-efficient equipment.
“The Marquee-series displays fulfil each of our needs, but have been particularly successful in achieving our ‘green’ energy initiatives,” says Duncan. “Thanks to a power save feature, for example, as soon as our digital signage software stops transmitting a Video Graphics Array (VGA) signal when the park closes, the screens are automatically powered off—and then on again when the park opens the next morning.”
Further, SunBriteDS has field-tested its outdoor displays for more than 10 years—at venues like sports stadiums, amusement parks, university campuses, resorts, hotels and quick-service restaurant (QSR) drive-thrus—to ensure they are built to last, which also reduces the consumption of materials necessary for traditional printed signage.
“These are turnkey systems with everything integrated into the enclosure, but the screws and outrigs on the back make them easily field-serviceable,” says Johnson. “The filters and other components can be replaced to keep the displays going.”
With files from SunBriteDS. For more information, visit www.sunbriteds.com.
