Different Screens for Digital Signage

There was a time when television came in only one type-the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). Few of these bulky TVs ever made it out of the home, but now, with the rise of the flat screen television televisions are a common sight in our shopping malls, airports and even along our high streets in the guise of digital signage.

And no longer are we restrained to one type of television as modern flat panel displays come in several variants:

The Flavours of Flat Screen

Modern flat screens come in two major varieties, the plasma and the LCD (liquid crystal display). While at first sight, both may look the same there are major differences. Plasma screens do not require backlighting, the energised plasma providing the contrast and brightness of the screen. Generally, plasmas require more power than LCDs, but LCDs also some sort of lighting system to make the screen visible. Traditionally, cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) provide the backlight of an LCD, but the downsides to this is the amount of energy they require.

Recently, LEDs (light emitting diodes) are replacing CCFLs, which use far less power and produces less heat helping to extend the life of the screen. This has great advantages for digital signage; reducing running costs and helping to make the initial investment in the screen last longer.

Outdoor Digital Signage

While backlit LCDs are becoming common in the world of indoor digital displays, when it comes to outdoor digital signage-brightness becomes imperative. The difficulty with using a screen outdoors (besides having to protect screens from weather, temperature and attention of vandals) is something many of us who have tried to watch television on a bright afternoon may have faced-screen glare and fade out.

The sun causes both of these problems, reflecting off the surface of the screen causing glare and making the display unreadable, or washing out and fading the screen image as the brightness of the sun supersedes the screens maximum contrast level.

High brightness screens are commonly backlit LCDs that generate up to three times higher brightness than standard devices. A standard LCD normally puts out about 500 nits (unit of luminance) while a high brightness display will produce 1200-1800 nits.

Waterproof Screens

Another fairly new variant of the flat screen TV is the waterproof outdoor display. These devices, however are highly expensive and when you compare the cost of a normal commercial grade display-even high brightness-and the combined price of protecting it in an outdoor LCD enclosure, the excessive price of these outdoor displays can be difficult to justify.

Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the digital signage industry helping to develop outdoor digital signage and protection for plasmas. Please visit us for more information about LCD Enclosures or other digital signage solutions.

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Types of Data Cabling for the Transfer of Digital Information

Although many people take it for granted, data cabling is one of the most important frameworks for Internet, television and phone usage around the world. Data cabling refers to the structure of cables and networks that is used to transmit digital information from one place to another. Because there are many types of information that are transmitted in this way, there are a variety of types of equipment and supplies.

Unshielded Twisted Pair

One of the most common data cabling devices found throughout the country is the unshielded twisted pair cable, commonly known as a UTP. This can come in many different grades to allow the transmission of all types of data and at different data rates; for example, UTP commonly ranges from telephone-grade up to very high-speed wire. The unique fixture of UTP is that the individual wires within the cable are paired off and twisted together. This helps to eliminate interference from wires within the same cable, thereby allowing for a greater density of wires per foot and, following from that, a heightened opportunity for the transmission of data.

Shielded Twisted Pair

Any data cabling overview would not be complete without a mention of the shielded twisted pair cable, also known as a STP. While more expensive than UTP, the shield mechanism on the wires within an STP cable help prevent the interference of radio and electrical frequencies outside the data transmission source. Therefore, the data cabling use for shielded twisted pair cable is open to many more locations and options than UTP, and it is more secure as well.

Coaxial

One of the most common types of data cabling material found throughout many homes around the world is coaxial. This cable makes use of one single copper conductor. The copper conductor is shielded by a thick plastic layer and a metal shield. As a result of this thick insulation layer and the metal shield, coaxial cables are highly resistant to any form of interference from electrical or radio sources, making them a very secure way of transmitting data.

Fiber Optic

Composed of a central core of glass surrounded by layers of protective shielding materials, fiber optic cable operates by transmitting light instead of electronic signals. This effectively not only limits the problem of electrical interference, but it also allows for rates of data cabling transfer that are much higher than many of the other types of cabling. The fact that this can transmit data much farther than the other types makes it a natural choice for many types of cabling needs at this point.

The individual type of cabling that you'll need for any project at home or at work will depend upon the benefits and disadvantages of the types you're interested in. Consult with a data cabling specialist for more information about how to select the right setup for you.

Wayne Connors is the UK's leading expert and Author on Structured cabling, data cabling and fibre optic cabling. He is the Managing Director of ACC Ltd, and with over 25 years in the communication and networking industry is well placed to help you with your communication questions.

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