Outdoor digital signage is perhaps the fastest growing form of advertising. Even with new media such as mobile technology and various internet advertising platforms, outdoor digital signage is continuing to expand. This article discusses one particular aspect of using LCD screens in outdoor environments and its cost-effectiveness-the LCD enclosure.
Outdoor digital signage is perhaps the fastest growing form of advertising. Even with new media such as mobile technology and various internet advertising platforms, outdoor digital signage is continuing to expand. This article discusses one particular aspect of using LCD screens in outdoor environments and its cost-effectiveness-the LCD enclosure.
Digital signage has been around for many years now. Most of us are used to seeing screens in airports, shopping malls and retail stores that advertise and provide useful information and promotional content. Outdoor digital signage is an obvious extension to these out of home screens, but has one distinct benefit: audience.
While indoor digital signage is an effective means of promotion and is able to reach large audiences, outdoor digital signage has a far greater potential audience. Indoor systems, such as those in shopping malls or retail stores, only provide content to those already in the premises who are also already potential customers. Outdoor digital signage, however, reaches not just far greater audience numbers, but can help encourage people to visit stores or malls after seeing the offers and promotions.
Large-scale advertisers operate most outdoor digital signage systems; the reasons for this is that using screens outdoors, is often considered highly expensive and not something that smaller businesses and retailers can afford. And with the price of most outdoor TV systems often up to ten times the price of a similar sized standard screen, this is no surprise.
Increasingly, though, more and more small businesses are realising that outdoor digital signage is possible at a reasonable price, by utilising outdoor LCD enclosures.
LCD enclosures do away with the need for buying expensive outdoor TV systems as they provide all the necessary protection for running an LCD in an outdoor environment. And as they house standard screens, they provide a cost effective method of providing outdoor digital signage content.
These protective housings are waterproof, often to IP65 or NEMA 4, the same as outdoor TVs; temperature controlled, containing climatic systems such as cooling fans heaters; tough, made from steel and with shatterproof screens; and produced in most of the major LCD screen sizes. Using the VESA mounting system, LCD enclosure can also accommodate virtually any make and model, enabling flexibility to choose any type of LCD screen.
LCD enclosures come in a variety of guises from landscape and portrait models, that can be wall-mounted or hung from a ceiling to standalone totem system that provide a prominent method of providing outdoor digital signage content.
Physical protection is crucial for all outdoor digital signage systems. Even LCD TVs, designed for outdoor use, need protecting, and often require some form of enclosure, anyway. LCD enclosures provide both the physical and weather protection. Usually made of steel and with shatterproof screens, LCD enclosures are tough and resistant to vandalism and attempts at theft.
Another distinct advantage of LCD enclosures is their ability to be reused. Even when a screen needs replacing (and all LCDs whether indoors and out have a finite lifespan-usually only about five years) the same enclosure can house the next generation of screen, making the enclosure save even more money over time.
LCD enclosures provide a cost effective and flexible solution for providing outdoor digital signage, outdoor information screens and even outdoor entertainment. Often, LCD enclosure can be custom built to suit almost any outdoor requirement and environment. Able to withstand sub-zero temperatures, and temperatures exceeding forty degrees, LCD enclosures enable outdoor digital signage in almost any location.