Which Screen for Inside an LCD Enclosure
Which Screen for Inside an LCD Enclosure
Which Screen for Inside an LCD Enclosure
LCD enclosures protective cabinets that allow the use of screens in hazardous and hostile areas such as outdoors are used for all sorts of reasons from outdoor digital signage to information screens in transport hubs.
These protective enclosures can house virtually any type of flat screen display as the universal mounting system VESA (Video Electronics Standard Association) is commonly used in these. But what are the best types of display to house inside?
There are, essentially four choices of screen type that can be used inside an LCD enclosure and each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages:
Commercial Grade
Most digital signage screens utilise commercial grade screens. These are very similar to the types of devices we have in our homes, but unlike these consumer grade devices they are designed with permanent use in mind. They are far more resistant to continual use and while they are more expensive, the price isn't prohibitively so.
Commercial grade screens have a longer life span than consumer grade screens and if you use them inside an LCD enclosure, they can be taken outdoors or placed in hazardous areas such as factory floors but for some areas you may need to go a step further. The LCD enclosure will also lengthen their lifespan.
High Brightness Screens
For outdoor areas, especially when direct sunlight is a factor, commercial grades screens can be washed out due to the brightness of the sun. The problem increases the brighter the sun and where the sun is directly facing the screen. While using a hood or shroud is one solution it is not always practical or aesthetically pleasing.
High brightness LCD TVs are designed for exactly this sort of area and can generate up to three times the brightness of a standard TV device. TV luminance is measured in nits (or candela). Most commercial and consumer grade LCD screens generate around 500 nits while a high brightness screen can top 1500.
High brightness screens can generate a lot of heat so sufficient cooling systems should be installed inside the LCD enclosure to carry this away.
But some of these high brightness screens even use transflective technology. Transflective technology uses the sun's brightness to boost the luminance of the screen. So, the brighter the sunlight, the brighter the screen this saves both energy and the need for excessive cooling.
Outdoor Grade
Recently, due to the growth of outdoor digital technology, outdoor screens have begun to emerge on the market-place. These are not only high brightness but are also waterproof and able to cope with wide temperature ranges; however, they do come with some disadvantages. Firstly, they are incredibly expensive in comparison to commercial grade screens with comparative sizes three or four times the price.
Secondly, while these outdoor TV are waterproof and resistant to wide temperature ranges, if they are to be used outside they will still require some from of physical protection, most likely a steel LCD enclosure or similar. As LCD enclosures are waterproof and allow even greater temperature ranges, the more cost effective solution is to simply use the enclosure with a commercial grade or high brightness screen.
Consumer Grade
Finally, there is the budget solution. The cost of consumer grade screens, the type we have in our homes, is now incredibly low and continuing to fall. While they do not have a life as long as that as consumer grade screens, and are not designed for continual use, an LCD enclosure will increase both the lifespan and due to its temperature controlled environment allow them to be used for long periods of time.
Many installers of outdoor digital signage even use them outdoors inside the LCD enclosure and are surprised by the length of time they can operate before failure; not quite as long as consumer grade screens, but the optimum conditions inside the LCD enclosure helps lengthen their life, prevents overheating and protects from hazardous elements, weather and impacts.
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