Our guide to choose an interactive digital signage screen

Which screens to use for your interactive digital signage project? 

In theory, all screens can be used, from the simplest to the most complex:

• Televisions or so-called “mainstream” screens, for ad hoc display purposes.
• The tablets are adapted to the needs of individual interactions with customers and commercial applications.
• Professional monitors, suitable for wide operating ranges, demanding environments or purely interactive uses.
• Image walls combining multiple screens, allowing an extended display area in the points of sale.
• Totems that integrate all the display technology needed for your projects. They sometimes offer an interesting personalization surface for brands, ideal in the public space for your marketing campaigns.
• Projectors is a way to be free from the constraints of space and allow to project on all types of surfaces. Today some are even designed for touch display!
• Touch and interactive display terminals for placing orders, especially in fast-foods.

Questions to ask before choosing your interactive digital signage screen

At the outset of a digital signage project, it is important to define its specifications. Here are the questions to ask yourself to choose the right screen for your project:

The length of broadcasting

The same screen is not selected based on the display time. If broadcasting is intensive, that is to say with an extended operating range, it is necessary to favour professional robust screens. If the project requires a one-time broadcast, during an event, then we can be less demanding on the characteristics.

The size of the place

The surface of the place and the distance from which one wishes to capture the attention of the people allow to determine the ideal size of the screen. The goal? Optimize the readability of messages.

In some cases, such as a digital signage screen suspended in a store aisle, there will be a tendency to identify an area rather than a specific distance.

Beyond the size of the screen, we will also ensure the legibility of the information: size of the images produced, videos, fonts...

The location

Inside, outside, behind a window... Digital technology must be adapted to the constraints of the place to ensure good visibility and durability of the equipment.

Thus, we will use a different display technology depending on the screen environment: in full sun, in a dark place...

Interactivity

If you want an interactive display screen, you need a touch screen. That’s when you get into the concepts of responsiveness, multipoint management....

Player integration or not

Some screens integrate directly the display player. As a reminder, the player is the integrated computer or the operating system of your digital display solution.

The choice of a screen without player can be made if you do not want to be limited in the choice and split the 2 for technical reasons, flexibility...

Compatibility with the display software used

Regardless of the media device you choose, screen with built-in player or not, make sure that the digital signage software supports the intended operating system.

The brand

The 'consumer' brands offer ranges of professional signage screens. For example, Samsung offers screens that are perfectly adapted to digital signage projects. There are also more specialized brands on the market, such as Speechi, which offers efficient interactive and collaborative solutions. We can also mention Vestel or Displax which offer robust products.

What characteristics should be checked? 

Once your specifications define in relation to your use, you will have an overview of the ideal screen. Some optional features remain to be considered.

Brightness

You should know that a screen installed outdoors needs a much greater brightness to be visible.

Many screens now incorporate brightness sensors to adapt the intensity of the lighting according to the time of day, with a day/night mode for example, or according to the ambient light. If your screen does not have one, it is still possible to use external sensors.

While a consumer TV offers a limit of around 300 cd/m2, restricting it to a use with limited sunlight, a professional screen can go up to 4000 cd/m2 and overcome lighting constraints.

Technology

LED, LCD, OLED, QLED... How to choose? You should know that technology has an influence on energy consumption and service life:

For example, an LED screen consumes 30 to 40% less than an LCD screen and up to 50% for an OLED or QLED screen.

Resolution

Full HD, Ultra HD... the resolution of professional screens allows to display the finest details and to offer high rates of contrast.

Viewing angle

Because unlike our sofa well in the axis of our TV, the display screens must capture attention from all angles. A wide-angle display usually offers 178° visibility regardless of your audience’s position. 

Energy consumption

The power consumption of a screen depends on many factors, the first being its quality. Consumption is generally higher on entry-level displays than on premium displays with equivalent technology.

Since reducing energy consumption is an important issue for component manufacturers, they invest in finding energy-efficient solutions and pass on R&D time to the sales price.

It should be noted that the use also has an impact on consumption, particularly in relation to the regulated light intensity.

The repairability index

It should be noted that an LED panel has a longer service life and remains repairable contrary to LCD technology.

Where can I buy an interactive digital display screen?

Many professionals, integrators, manufacturers exist. If your budget allows, we advise you to use French manufacturers known to implement quality, durable, and modular components for repairability.