Looking for digital signage screens? Discover key tips and facts about screen types, software and installation to make the best choice for your organization.
Digital signage screens: important facts and tips
Digital signage is indispensable if you want to communicate with your target audience in a targeted and clear way. Whether you have a store, restaurant or bar, office, or healthcare facility, digital signage screens offer an efficient way to present specific information to your target audience. In this blog, we will discuss what digital signage screens are, how they work, and the benefits they offer to your organization.
What are digital signage screens?
Digital signage screens are displays that you use to show targeted content to a specific audience. Unlike broadcasting, which targets a wide audience, digital signage screens are intended for a specific group of people in a specific location. These screens can range from displays in retail stores to info channels and entertainment boards in waiting areas, and even large LED screens outdoors.
There are different types and sizes of digital signage screens available, tailored to the needs of each use. Unlike ordinary televisions, these screens are specifically designed for commercial use and meet higher standards. But what exactly is the difference? We explain it to you.
TVs and digital signage screens: the difference
⏰ Duration of use
TVs are designed to be used for up to 8 to 12 hours a day in a living room environment. In contrast, digital signage screens are designed more for more continuous use (16/7 or even 24/7), which is needed in a commercial environment. TVs and LCD monitors typically have a lifespan of 20,000 to 30,000 hours, while digital signage screens last up to 50,000 hours.
☀️ Brightness
Digital signage screens are often used in commercial spaces, where everything is often well lit. TVs and LCD monitors usually have a lower brightness of 250-300 nits. Digital signage screens have a higher brightness starting at 350 nits and often increasing to 450-500 nits. For applications in bright rooms or display windows, there are screens with a brightness of 700-1500 nits. For extreme outdoor applications, there are even screens with a brightness of 2500 nits, which is only possible with professional digital signage screens. Curious about how bright a screen for your digital signage needs to be? Read it here.
🔋 Longevity and durability
Digital signage screens specially designed for continuous use. They are made of durable commercial-grade LCD panels and include additional features such as ventilation and cooling systems to maintain the right temperature during prolonged use. In the end, you save on power, maintenance and replacements with a digital signage screen, while getting much better performance.
Can you use a TV as a digital signage screen?
Yes, a TV can be used for digital signage, but it is not ideal. Consumer TVs are not designed for long-term, intensive use. They break down faster and lack the brightness and durability you need for digital signage. A digital signage screen is built specifically to run continuously, with better image quality and longer life. In the end, you'll save more money and effort with a screen that's really made for this kind of work.
Either way, a TV can be used in, say, a doctor's office or a soccer canteen. So an environment where the screen is not constantly running.
How to choose the right digital signage screens?
When choosing digital signage screens for your organization, consider the following things:
- Location: Make sure the screens are appropriate for the location where they will be placed, such as indoors or outdoors.
- Size and resolution:Choose screens with the right size and resolution for your needs and environment.
- Safety: Consider whether a screen is hanging in an area where there is supervision. If not, a screen with a built-in player is the best choice. Or you can place the screen in an additional protective enclosure.
- Software: Choose a digital signage software that meets your content management and scheduling requirements.👉🏻 Join our free 14-day trial here and discover all the benefits of Bizplay.
Read 5 common digital signage mistakes (and how to avoid them) here
How do digital signage screens work?
A digital signage screen is connected to a playback device that can display the content. This can be an external device connected to the screen with an HDMI cable, or a device invisibly built into the screen. The playback device displays the content created with the digital signage software. Some vendors have their own specific hardware that works only with their own software. Software vendors like Bizplay run on lots of different types of playback devices and displays because the software runs in a generic Web browser. Wondering how to use digital signage? Read 20 digital signage examples here.
Digital signage software
The digital signage screens run using digital signage software. With that software you create the content, schedule it at the right playback times and publish it to the screens of your choice. This ensures that your screens always display up-to-date information and can be quickly adapted to changing needs. Additionally, you can often integrate with online services so you can automatically display current information, such as news releases, weather forecasts, social media posts, calendar updates, etc.
Examples of the application of digital signage screens
Digital signage screens can be used in a variety of industries. Some examples include:
- Retail: Show promotions, new products, and seasonal offers on screens at the entrance or in specific areas of your store.
- Bars and restaurants: Use digital menus and price lists, and share information about special events and customer reviews.
- Corporate Communications: Present internal announcements, KPI dashboards, and safety information on screens in offices and conference rooms.
- Healthcare: Offer signage, background entertainment, and health information to patients in waiting rooms and other healthcare environments.
Experience the benefits of digital signage screens: try Bizplay
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