Digital Signage Displays: What’s the Difference?

The adoption of digital signage solutions is on a steady rise, with 60% of enterprises without digital signage in their stores planning to invest in the technology within the next two years. Once you decide to invest in commercial digital signage, you have to identify the right hardware for your business. You may be tempted to grab a consumer TV on Amazon to fulfill your digital signage requirements. However, the capabilities of domestic televisions don’t suit a commercial environment.

For example, the constant use of consumer TVs results in image retention problems due to the overheating of the LCD panel. In contrast, digital displays withstand long, continuous usage and maintain high picture quality.

Additionally, commercial displays offer more input types, including HDMI ports, VGA, USB, and DVI. Most commercial signs come with a three-year warranty and post-sales support that is helpful for problems during installation.

The numerous options in the digital signage screen market can overwhelm any marketer or business owner. Fortunately, we have compiled a guide below to help you identify the right digital signage display for your needs.

1. Tablets

If you want a personal approach to digital signage, you can transform an Android tablet or iPad into digital signs. Commercial tablets result in the best experiences as they support continuous use and feature durable hardware. Moreover, commercial tablets boast eye-catching displays that stand out in retail stores.

The major advantage of tablets is their portability, as they range between 7 to 21.5 inches. So, marketers can adapt tablets as digital signage in pop-up locations, food trucks, or trade shows. Tablets can be great additions to your digital signage network if you have limited spacing.

For example, retail stores can integrate tablets in shelving or furniture pieces to save space. Also, magnets or suction cups can attach tablets to the wall, or you can prop them up on a stand.

2. Digital Posters

Digital posters are simple digital signage solutions, which are ideal if you want to save space. The posters typically sit flat against a wall in a simple enclosure that also houses a media player. Additionally, digital posters can come in free-standing units for installation in public spaces. Poster sizes depend on the manufacturer, with popular screen sizes between 19 to 55 inches.

You can use digital posters in either landscape or portrait mode, depending on your needs. What’s more, the displays work for both outdoor and indoor applications in a variety of industries. Some digital signage applications to consider are:

Digital Menu Boards

Digital menu boards modernize restaurant menus with tantalizing images, videos, and animations. In addition to the enhanced visuals, digital menu boards allow quick menu updates without reprinting paper menus. Also, you can adapt the displays to show entertainment, weather, and promotions.

The viewing distance determines the screen size, and the board should be easy to skim from 10-15 feet away. Common sizes range from 32 to 55 inches, but you can order larger screens.

If you want outdoor menu boards, get a high-brightness screen to ensure visibility in different light conditions. In addition, consider weatherproof features to promote the display’s durability.

Digital Directories

Digital directories are popular in malls, airports, and commercial buildings. The digital signage displays show the location of different stores and offices. Further, digital directories promote on-site amenities and services.

The major advantage of digital directories is the capability to make real-time updates. Traditionally, building managers made physical changes to a static directory after a tenant change. Consequently, commercial buildings wasted much time and money on content updates. In contrast, updating a digital directory is fast and straightforward via digital signage software.

Digital directories in lobbies and waiting areas also entertain visitors and reduce perceived wait time. For instance, you can broadcast local events, current news, and social media feeds. Moreover, digital directories in schools or businesses can show welcome messages.

3. Digital Billboards

Billboard advertising is a popular medium that businesses use to reach their audience. 75% of travelers recall seeing a digital billboard within the past month. Digital billboards are gradually replacing static billboards as they are more effective and flexible. The billboards feature hundreds of LEDs to produce an image. However, a smaller indoor digital billboard can use an LCD screen like that on a computer monitor or television.

Large outdoor digital billboards are popularly situated along crowded streets, highways, and skylines. On the other hand, indoor billboards provide entertainment in sporting arenas and concerts and offer information in airports.

Common digital billboard sizes vary from 10ft by 30ft to 14 ft by 48 ft. Also, most digital signage manufacturers quote a pixel size when you order a digital billboard, depending on the size. For instance, the standard pixel dimensions for a 14ft by 48ft billboard are 400px (h) × 1400 px (w).

Digital billboards are ideal for ad campaigns that are constantly changing. Some advertisement ideas include holiday countdowns, daily deals, and limited-time sales.

4. Video Walls

A video wall features many displays tiled together to form a single, cohesive display unit. Common display technologies include LED, LCD, blended projection, and projection cubes. LEDs are prevalent because they generate bright and sharp images without overheating.

The displays feature thin bezels that minimize the gap between displays. Video walls come in a range of sizes to fulfill both simple and complex needs. Specifically, the screen diameter ranges between 46 to 80 inches.

Consider the viewing distance and the type of content you will show when choosing video wall sizes. However, keep in mind that large video walls cost more as they require powerful operating systems to tackle the high resolution. You can configure every display area on the video wall to show different content, or the screens can project a single image.

Also, consider the system control of your video wall, which varies with the display’s complexity. Generally, expect to use either an inbuilt hardware control or software-based PC. While the former provides impressive performance, it lacks flexibility. In comparison, software-based solutions leverage the video wall’s full pixel resolution for outstanding displays.

Video walls suit both indoor and outdoor applications. However, outdoor video walls have specific requirements due to weather hazards. The signage display must withstand dust, moisture, snow, and other elements, depending on where you install it.

Additionally, account for the mounting requirements to simplify the installation process. A ground-supported solution is more straightforward, but a flush-mount installation on the wall looks sophisticated and modern.

5. Interactive Digital Displays

Touchscreen technology has revolutionized the way people interact with devices like cameras, phones, and tablets. Fortunately, you can use the technology to personalize the interactions between your digital signage display and customers. Brands like LD and Samsung offer cutting-edge interactive touchscreens for various applications, from classrooms to boardrooms.

Interactive digital displays allow visitors to interact with your content and select the most relevant information. 64% of digital signage users cite increased customer engagement as the main benefit of digital signage. For example, interactive maps present wayfinding information to manage traffic in malls and transport facilities. Further, a customer can access QR codes to find out more information on their mobile devices.

Interactive kiosks are perhaps the most common interactive displays. These self-service solutions display engaging content via user-friendly interfaces. Additionally, digital kiosks broadcast ad campaigns to encourage customers to make purchases. Some smart cities use interactive displays to provide Wi-Fi and wayfinding services that help tourists get around.

Although interactive digital displays are common in indoor areas, you can situate them in outdoor environments. However, invest in commercial-grade displays with ultra-HD capabilities and anti-reflective coatings. Additionally, look for advanced temperature control systems and water and dust resistance. An ultra-bright brightness panel will maintain visibility even in sunny conditions.

In Conclusion

Now that you appreciate the difference between digital signage displays, you will find it easier to choose the right solution. Talk to us at Mvix to explore your hardware and software options.

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