The best digital signage screens for your project will depend on how and where you intend to use it. There are number of options on the market today make it easier to find the right screen for your purpose. Determining what features you need ahead of time will help you make an educated decision and find the best screens for your signage.

Commercial Grade Screens vs Consumer Screens:

When choosing screens for digital menu boards, you have to decide between commercial screens made for businesses or consumer screens designed for home use. While both serve the fundamental purpose of displaying content, the use-cases, engineering, durability, and price points vary significantly.

Pricing Differences:

Commercial grade screens are, on average, more expensive than consumer screens. This price hike is justified by their enhanced features, prolonged operational capacities, and durability. A 55-inch commercial grade screen might cost anywhere from $800 to $2,500 or more, whereas a consumer-grade screen of the same size usually ranges from $400 to $1,500, depending on the brand and features.

Features and Differentiators:

1. Durability and Lifespan: Commercial screens are built for longevity. They are designed to be powered on for extended hours, often without breaks, leading to better heat management systems and robust construction.

2. Orientation Flexibility: While consumer screens are generally viewed in landscape, commercial screens often offer the flexibility of both portrait and landscape orientations, catering to diverse signage needs.

3. Interactive Capabilities: Some commercial screens come equipped with touch capabilities, making them interactive. This feature is seldom found in consumer models.

4. Connectivity and Integration: Commercial screens tend to offer a broader range of connectivity options, including multiple HDMI ports, an ethernet port, and at times even onboard computers for natively running software. They might also incorporate features for daisy-chaining – connecting multiple screens together for synchronized content display.

5. Enhanced Brightness and Anti-Glare: Given that many commercial screens are used in well-lit environments, such as shopping malls or storefronts, they often boast higher brightness levels (measured in nits) and anti-glare technologies.

Top Brands:

So which one should I buy?

When evaluating the decision between commercial and consumer screens, it’s you need to weigh your specific needs against your budget. If you can afford to, go with commercial screens. While consumer screens might be enticing due to their price point, the longevity, adaptability, and professional advantages of commercial screens almost always offer better value in the long run, especially for businesses.

Recommended Sizes for Digital Menu Boards

The size of a digital menu board plays a pivotal role in ensuring the optimal conveyance of information to viewers. As simple as it might seem, the size consideration embodies various factors, from viewer distance and clarity to aesthetics and cost implications.

Understanding the Viewer Proximity:

Proximity to the screen significantly impacts size decisions. If a viewer stands closer, they’ll need to move their gaze or even their head to take in the entire screen if it’s too large. Conversely, a screen that’s too small will be difficult to read from a distance. This balance is paramount.

For instance, in intimate settings like coffee shops or boutique eateries, where patrons are relatively close to the menu, a screen size of 32 to 43 inches might suffice. On the other hand, in larger spaces, such as food courts in malls or large fast-food chains, where the viewer stands further away, screens from 50 to 65 inches, or even larger, might be more suitable.

Considering Clarity and Content Complexity:

The intricacy of your menu items and their descriptions also dictate the screen size. A menu with intricate graphics, detailed dish descriptions, and multiple items would naturally demand a larger display size for clear readability. However, for more straightforward menus with minimalistic design and fewer items, smaller screens can work effectively.

Multiple Screens vs. One Large Screen:

There’s a burgeoning trend to use multiple smaller screens arranged side by side or in a grid pattern rather than a single large screen. Here are the benefits:

• Cost-Effectiveness: Often, purchasing multiple smaller screens is more economical than investing in one vast screen of the same total display area. Plus, smaller screens tend to have lower failure rates.
• Versatility: Multiple screens offer flexibility. Each screen can showcase different content, or they can work cohesively to display a more extensive menu. This modular setup provides versatility in content management.
• Redundancy: If one screen fails in a multi-screen setup, the rest remain functional, ensuring continued operation. In contrast, if a single large screen fails, it brings the whole menu system down.
• Installation and Maintenance: Smaller screens are easier to install and replace if necessary. They’re also lighter, requiring less robust mounting solutions.

Potential Drawbacks of Multiple Screens:

While there are several advantages, it’s essential to also consider potential pitfalls. Multiple screens can sometimes lead to aesthetic challenges, especially if bezels (the border around the screen) are wide. This can disrupt the visual flow of the content if you have visuals or animations that occupy more than one screen.

Choosing the ideal size for a digital menu board is not just about measuring the wall space. It’s a nuanced decision based on viewer proximity, content complexity, aesthetics, and cost considerations. While larger screens can be eye-catching and impactful, leveraging multiple smaller screens offers flexibility, cost benefits, and an element of redundancy. As always, businesses should weigh their specific needs, budget constraints, and desired ambiance when making the choice.

Operating Hours: 16/7 vs 24/7 Screens

Introduction: When selecting a screen, especially for business purposes, one of the key considerations is the screen’s operating capacity. This refers to how long the screen is designed to run without turning off. The main categories in this area are 16/7 and 24/7 screens.

What Are These Numbers?

1. 16/7 Screens: These screens are designed to operate for up to 16 hours a day and then be turned off for the remaining 8 hours. This is similar to most regular business hours. If you have a business that operates from early morning to late evening, these screens are likely suitable.
2. 24/7 Screens: This category encompasses screens intended to stay on around the clock, every day. They’re designed to handle continuous operation without the need for shutdown periods. Businesses that run throughout the day and night, such as certain transport hubs or emergency services, often require these types of screens.

Why Does Operating Capacity Matter? Each screen is designed to handle a certain amount of work. Using a screen beyond its intended capacity can result in:

• Shorter lifespan for the screen.
• Possible technical issues or malfunctions over time.
• Increased power consumption and energy costs.

Selecting the Right Screen: Choosing between 16/7 and 24/7 depends on your needs:

• Cost: Typically, 24/7 screens might be more expensive due to their ability to run continuously. If your business doesn’t require all-day and all-night operation, opting for a 16/7 screen can be more cost-effective.
• Purpose: Consider the nature of your business. A cafe or boutique, which operates only during the day, won’t need a 24/7 screen. However, a hospital lobby or a 24-hour service center would benefit from a screen that can function non-stop.
• Durability: While both types of screens are durable, a 24/7 screen is specifically built to withstand longer hours of usage. They often come with features like better heat management to ensure they don’t get too hot during extended use.

Conclusion: Picking the right screen type is a balance between understanding your business’s operational needs and the budget at hand. It’s essential to choose a screen that aligns with your requirements to ensure longevity and efficient performance.

Screens for Outdoor vs. Indoor Digital Menu Boards

When selecting a digital menu board, it’s essential to understand the specific needs of the environment it will be placed in. While outdoor screens are technological marvels built to withstand harsh conditions, indoor screens focus on delivering quality content in a more controlled environment. Making an informed choice based on these factors ensures longevity and value for money.

Warranty Length and Types of Warranty

Warranties serve as more than just a safety net for your purchase; they can also be indicative of the confidence a manufacturer has in their product. Especially in the world of commercial screens, where investments can be significant, understanding warranty terms becomes crucial.

Duration of Warranty: Typically, commercial screens, given their professional-grade design and purpose, offer extended warranty periods. It’s not uncommon to find warranties that last up to 5 years or even longer. A longer warranty often speaks to the product’s durability and the manufacturer’s trust in its longevity.

Types of Warranties:

1. Parts-Only Warranty: This is a basic form of warranty. Under this, if your screen malfunctions or faces any issues, the manufacturer will provide the necessary replacement parts for free. However, there’s a catch. The labor required to fix the screen using those parts might come out of your pocket. So while you save on parts, you might incur charges for the repair job.
2. Comprehensive Warranties: These are the all-inclusive packages in the warranty world. They not only cover the parts but also the labor involved in fixing the screen. For businesses, this is often the preferred choice as it minimizes downtime and ensures seamless operation.
3. Onsite Repair Services: Some premium warranties take it a step further. Instead of you having to send the screen for repairs, they offer onsite repair services. This means a professional technician will come to your location to fix the screen, ensuring minimal disruption to your business.

Samsung’s White Glove Warranty – A Prime Example: Samsung, a leader in the screen industry, offers what’s known as the ‘White Glove’ warranty for some of its products. This warranty is illustrative of top-tier service. Not only does it encompass parts and labor, but it also provides clients with dedicated support, timely onsite repairs, and even preventive maintenance in certain cases. It’s a holistic approach, ensuring that clients receive the best care possible and that their screens are always in optimal condition.

In Conclusion: When investing in a commercial screen, diving deep into the warranty terms is as essential as evaluating the product’s features. A robust warranty not only safeguards your investment but also provides peace of mind, knowing that the manufacturer stands firmly behind their product. Always consider the type and duration of the warranty to ensure it aligns with your business needs.