Schools, colleges, churches, community halls and public libraries all provide essential services but communicating with local services can often be a challenge, especially in today’s media savvy environment.

Local newspapers are on the decline, and few areas have parish magazines any longer, so getting information to the masses about events and community projects can be a challenge.

Traditional notice boards are an option, of course, however, they are not that effective or noticeable (when was the last time you stopped and read your local church’s notice board, or the one outside the public library?); so an outdoor display is one way of communicating messages far more effectively.

Often these institutions are not cash rich and need to watch budgets, and an outdoor screen is often considered as too expensive an investment; however, not only can they be inexpensive, far more engaging, noticeable and effective, but an outdoor screen can actually save money in the long-run.

When you consider annual printing costs of producing posters and other print media for such organisations, the cost of a display cost of display can end up paying for itself. Of course, you still have to buy the screen and produce content, but money can be saved here too.

While outdoor screens that can operate in outdoor locations are one option, these are expensive and unnecessary, as far cheaper alternatives are available.

A standard LCD screen, even a consumer grade one, can be used, if the relevant outdoor protection is provided. An outdoor LCD enclosure provides just such protection, encasing the display in a rugged and waterproof  cabinet that will not only ensure the weather doesn’t infiltrate the display, but will also protect an enclosed media player/computer device making a cost effective alternative to expensive outdoor media systems.

LCD enclosures also provide excellent impact and vandalism protection ensuring the screen isn’t damaged by accidents and thoughtless acts of vandalism.

Libraries, Churches and Community Centres – Using an Outdoor Screen is a post from: Armagard

Modern manufacturers face huge challenges, though. With stiff competition from the Far East, reliance on currency values abroad, and the increasing costs of raw materials mean that efficiency is increasingly vital for manufacturers.

Digital signage can help improve both processes and communication, two aspects that can increase efficiency and bolster revenue opportunities.

Information Technology has long been an important aspect to manufacturing with computers and other IT part-and-parcel of modern industrial practices, helping to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

Digital signage can also benefit manufacturers, particularly in communication, often difficult in industrial-type areas. Email and other modern communication methods are often not practical in manufacturing areas, which makes communication a challenge; often resulting to old-fashioned systems such as tannoys (often impractical in noisy environments); notice boards (reliant on people visiting and reading it); or word-of-mouth (also impractical in larger premises).

The advantage of using digital signage as a communication method in manufacturing is pretty clear. Relaying information to workers efficiently, clearly, and in real time, enables manufacturing processes to run smoothly and more efficiently, without the delays other communication methods present, but of course, there are disadvantages.

Many manufacturing areas are not conducive to running a digital signage screen with dust, variable temperatures, liquids and risks of impact, and as with industrial computers, protection is critical.

Perhaps the most flexible solution for protecting digital signage displays are LCD enclosures. These provide comprehensive dust and liquid protection (usually to NEMA and IP ratings), and contain climatic controls to maintain a steady internal temperature. They are also tough and rugged (usually manufactured from steel) essential in the rough and tumble world of manufacturing.

An LCD enclosure will also let you choose your own screen, replace it at will, and can keep media players encased too, ensuring all the hardware is protected from damaging elements.

Digital screen in a manufacturing environment

Related Information:

Article on Factory Digital Signage

A US-based creative content and management service are running a webinar on the benefits of digital signage in manufacturing.

Digital Signage in Manufacturing – Protection is a post from: Armagard

Not everything can be done outdoors, however, and often if there is something good on TV, perhaps the big game or a film premiere, you have to leave the sunshine and head back indoors.

Outdoor TVs are available but as they are highly expensive and perhaps only affordable to a select few and perhaps only be justifiable in locations where outdoor living is more than just for a few weeks a year. Outdoor TVs are also extremely vulnerable and make a tempting target for thieves so if you do install one it has to be properly secured.

For those of us unable to justify the many thousands of dollars for an outdoor TV, there is an alternative solution that enables you to watch TV outside, securely, safely and for a fraction of the cost.

An outdoor TV enclosure, as the name suggests, is an enclosure that allows standard TV devices to be taken outdoors. As these waterproof and weatherproof cabinets can house almost any make or model of modern flat screen TV—either LCD or plasma—you can choose to use either an old TV knocking around the home, or buy a new one, just for outside.

And whatever option you decide, the total cost of the outdoor enclosure and TV will be many times less than that of an outdoor screen. Furthermore, outdoor TV enclosures not only protect the TV from the elements, ensuring it stays dry, they also maintain a steady internal temperature so the screen can be left out throughout the year.

LCD enclosures are also tough, made from steel, with shatterproof screens that can be securely mounted making the outdoor TV resistant to both vandalism and theft.

Outdoor TV Enclosure

Backyard TV – Household Luxury on a Budget is a post from: Armagard

This is possibly due to outdoor digital signage not only being more engaging to consumers compared to traditional static media but it is also perhaps the only advertising sector that is not completely saturated so it becomes even more attractive to advertisers because of the lack of competition.

But there are other benefits to outdoor digital signage and it is not just advertisers and retailers that are finding outdoor displays and screen useful. Churches, schools and other public buildings are utilising outdoor digital displays to provide information as the advantages of such a media far outweigh the alternatives.

Advantages of Using Outdoor Digital Signage

• Remote uploading – Unlike other forms of outdoor advertising, digital outdoor signage enables content to be uploaded remotely. This means that ad agencies do not need to pay a technician to change content every fortnight but that advertising content can be changed more frequently and even scheduled for specific times and events – making advertising more targeted. For non-advertisers this is also allows important information to be uploaded in real-time which means important messages can be passed on almost immediately.

• Multiple content on a single screen – while the old six sheet outdoor advertising displays could revolve six different adverts on the same space, with outdoor digital signage the number of advertisements on a single screen can be unlimited.
• Modernity – and perhaps another factor that is helping to make outdoor digital signage a growing media is the modern and contemporary feel a digital screen provides compared to other outdoor advertising methods. This raises the profile of businesses and locations.

As more and more people get involved in the outdoor digital signage market then the less attractive the market may become – not least because the newness and uniqueness of outdoor digital signage will slowly wear away and the competition will inevitably increase; so if you are thinking in embarking in outdoor digital signage perhaps now is as good a time as any.

Advertising with Outdoor Digital Signage – A Growing Media is a post from: Armagard

New methods of advertising arise all the time, especially in the digital age with so many new technologies – such as mobile phones and the internet – being continually developed.

Nearly any medium can be used for advertising so it is no surprise with the advent of flat screen technology used outside the home for purposes of signage; advertising became the earliest adopters.

Digital signage has many advantages over other forms of advertising, including:

• The ability to reach large audiences without the excessive costs of TV, radio or newspaper advertising.
• Is far more eye-catching and noticeable than traditional printed media
• Flexible – messages can be uploaded centrally and even scheduled to appear at specific times – such as rush hour or lunch time.
• Advertisers can use the same screen for multiple messages and adverts with a single screen able to display endless number of adverts.

Digital screens used for advertising are now everywhere; even outdoor digital signage is spreading along our high streets and roadsides; seemingly there is no place where digital screens can go.

This is partly due to the all-weather technologies that are emerging to protect these devices in outdoor and hostile locations. Waterproof TV sets are readily available (at a price) as are waterproof LCD enclosures which can ensure even standard LCD screens are kept dry and at optimum temperatures in outdoor locations.

Digital Signage – an Ad Revolution is a post from: Armagard

Implementers of outdoor digital signage often look to securing their digital signage systems from theft and vandalism whilst also preventing rain and other weather elements from damaging the screen, few installers of indoor digital advertising look to the same protection.

But even commercial LCD (and plasma) TV screens are not manufactured with the conditions of a retail park or store in mind as most TVs are designed and built for the home entertainment market.

Digital signage (DS) is not only located in areas that differ to the operating conditions of a front room but DS screens are also left on a lot longer (sometimes 24 hours a day).

Protection for digital signage screens should do several things:
Firstly it should prevent the ingress of any hostile elements. Obviously in outdoor digital signage this means preventing rain water from damaging the screen but with indoor applications whilst the weather may not be a concern other elements maybe.

Dust is commonplace in some areas and too much will block filers and over insulate the digital signage screen. Keeping the dust from screen will go a long way in extending the life of the LCD or plasma TV.

Temperature is another consideration, especially when the DS screen is constantly left on. Ensuring that an adequate air flow is constantly transferring heat away form the screen is important in preventing hotspots from developing. It is also important to prevent any damage caused by direct sunlight which can also burn the screen.

LCD enclosures are a cost effective solution for protecting DS systems in both indoor and outdoor environments as the cooling and insulation that is required can be included inside the LCD enclosure providing the perfect environment for any standard DS screen to operate in.

Keeping Your Digital Signage Protected is a post from: Armagard

However, modern LCD screens (and plasmas) simply can’t be taken into these sorts of areas without some consideration in ensuring the devices are protected and able to operate in the optimum conditions.

However, digital signage is often placed in areas that are quite removed from the warmth and sterility of a front room. Busy retail centres and outdoor locations not only mean lots of people, which heightens the risk of accidental damage through knocks and impact (both accidental and deliberate) but also screens are often placed in cold or hot environments and even in outdoor locations.

Ensuring the LCD or plasma screen is able to operate, no matter the external conditions, is often the task often the task of the digital signage enclosure.

Any LCD enclosure or other housing for digital signage needs to ensure that the perfect working environment for the TV screen exists inside the enclosure.

Some protection that is required by screens is quite obvious. Outdoor digital signage for instance needs to be housed in a weatherproof or waterproof TV enclosure to ensure the screen is kept dry. However, not all the protection that an LCD enclosure offers is that obvious.

Air flow is vital for most electronic devices, TVs included. Without a flow of air to help carry away the heat build up hot spots can develop and the screen can soon fail. Any LCD enclosure therefore requires internal fans to help remove this heat.

In some conditions, such as in outdoor areas in hot climates, air conditioning has to be considered for inside the LCD enclosure as does heaters in locations where temperatures regularly drop below zero.
So while many people assume an LCD enclosure is just a waterproof metal box for protecting digital signage in outdoor locations, there is more to them than that as inside every LCD enclosure should exist the perfect operating environment for an LCD TV screen.

LCD Enclosures – the perfect environment for an LCD TV is a post from: Armagard

Normal TV systems have come a long way since the old cathode ray tubes. Most TVs are now either LCD (liquid crystal display) or plasma and are flatter, lighter and cheaper. However, despite this advance in technology the standard LCD or plasma TV are not designed to be used outside.

The advantages of using TVs outside are becoming increasingly relevant. Many bars, pubs and clubs are finding more people socialising outdoors due to smoking bans and an increase in warmer weather. While outdoor digital signage is an extremely cost effective method of marketing and is being implemented almost everywhere – including schools, colleges, hospitals and the retail sector.

However, making use of modern TV systems in outdoor locations is not as straight forward as just placing them outside and then powering up. TVs are sensitive electronics so any outdoor TV system, whether it’s for entertainment or outdoor digital signage, needs to be protected.

Protecting outdoor digital signage or exterior TVs is now a growing industry. There tends to be two solutions for protection of exterior TV systems.

The Outdoor TV

There are many manufacturers, including some of the big names that now produce flat screen TVs for outdoor use. These waterproof and weatherproof TVs have become commonplace due to the burgeoning outdoor digital signage market.

The advantages of an outdoor TV system are that they can be erected without the need for a waterproof enclosure or other weatherproof housing. However, there are disadvantages to this method. First, any outdoor screen that is to be left unattended needs to be protected from accidental and deliberate damage which would require some sort of protective housing. The other major disadvantage is the cost of such screens. The average waterproof TV costs many times more than an equivalent indoor model, a price many would-be users find difficult to justify.

The Outdoor LCD TV Enclosure

A far more comprehensive solution is to use a standard TV in an outdoor TV enclosure. These plasma and LCD enclosures not only cost a fraction of the price of a waterproof TV (even when you include the price of the standard screen enclosed) and they also provide protection against vandalism, accidental damage and theft.

Using Flat Screen TVs Outside? Methods of Protection is a post from: Armagard

However, as more and more people begin to take advantage of this relatively low cost method of advertising, more and more digital signage systems are being taken outdoors or to other areas where they are in need of protection.

Outdoor digital signage is perhaps the fastest growing sector of this new market with perhaps good reason. The potential audience for an outdoor signage campaign is many times greater than the number of people that will walk through a store in a day. For this reason there has been a huge rise in the number of digital screens being erected in outdoor locations.

But commercial plasmas and LCD TVs are designed for use in indoor areas such as living and bedrooms and cannot cope with the outside elements. Waterproof LCD TVs are a solution for many outdoor locations but the high costs of these outdoor TVs is often difficult to justify especially when the return on investment of digital signage is so hard to calculate.

However, outdoor LCD enclosures are manufactured to allow standard commercial TV sets to be used in outdoor locations. The protective cabinet of the LCD enclosure surrounds the TV system and ensures no water or other weather elements permeate the enclosure.

Other types of protection for outdoor digital signage have to be considered too. TV screens are not only vulnerable to direct sunlight which can cause hotspots that can damage the screen but direct sunlight can also make screens difficult to read. Anti-glare glass and coverings for the LCD screen will ensure maximum readability in bright sunlight whilst an air curtain – a flow of air over the screen – will prevent hotspots.

Industrial Digital Signage is another application that requires protection. Industrial areas are even more hostile for the use of plasma and LCDs. Not only do industrial areas often contain water they also contain other liquids, some of which can be corrosive. Dust is also another concern for the safe operation of digital signage in industrial locations as are heavy impacts and extreme temperatures.

Fortunately an LCD enclosure can also protect digital signage systems in industrial areas. Manufactured to NEMA 4 (IP65) they not offer waterproof protection and can prevent all liquids fro permeating the enclosure but they are also act as a dust tight LCD enclosure and containing heating and cooling systems for hot or cold areas as well as being able to withstand heavy impacts.

Types of Protection for Digital Signage is a post from: Armagard

Since the introduction of flatscreen display technology there has been a huge boom in the use of these LCD and plasma displays outside the home for advertising and information reasons.

The reasons for this boom in out of home advertising and digital signage can be put down to several factors but some of the main ones are:

* Dramatic fall in price of LCD and plasma displays

* Traditional advertising methods are becoming less effective due to the internet and increased television channels

* The newness and dynamic nature of digital signage is appealing to consumers

But this digital signage also known as moving billboards or digital advertising is not just being erected in shopping malls and indoor retail parks. There is a place for this new media in almost any organisation with digital signage systems being used in outdoor locations and even industrial, harsh or hostile environments.

Obviously these devices need to be protected from the elements such as the weather in outdoor locations; and dust and other hazards in industrial locations. This is where the LCD enclosure is most often used.

LCD enclosures are protective cabinets for outdoor digital signage and industrial applications. Not only do these display enclosures protect from rain, snow, dust, grease, oil and wash down environments they are also equipped with climatic control systems to allow their use in extreme temperatures. They are also constructed from solid steel so can protect against heavy impacts, vandalism and theft.

LCD enclosures are used worldwide in outdoor locations and anywhere where a standard LCD or plasma device needs to be protected from the elements. This has enabled a multitude of different types of business take advantage of the benefits a digital signage system can offer.

Industrial and Outdoor Protection for Digital Displays is a post from: Armagard