Outdoor Projector Use For Advertising And Entertaining

June 28, 2014
Posted by Stella

Outdoor projector for advertising.

Event management companies have seen an opportunity, by using projectors outdoor to promote an event in the form of advertising or just for entertainment value. But there are many other ways to use projectors outdoors.

Projectors or OHP as they were once called, OHP stands for Over Head Projector and acetate was used to draw on or write on and the image was then projected onto a screen. Allowing others to see the message, we then saw them in the early 2000’s being used heavily in school and educational facilities to deliver the lesson to the pupils. So you see from this little snapshot, the projector has come a huge distance from the 1990’s to 2000. Then in the past year the 4K digital projector has been launched, but currently it is not as popular due to the costs involved.

With the technology developing for projectors and the arrival of the 4K digital projectors, we have to look at the units for an outdoor home cinema, as the price has dropped now, becoming affordable for most households. Using a projector outdoor connected to a cable box will allow the football game, favorite programs to be displayed outdoors, on a garage wall for example. Allowing the home owner to enjoy life more; too many working hours during the week, then having super quality time with the family at the weekend is a perfect lifestyle balance. Imagine just kicking back in the hot tub watching your favorite show with your family.

Outdoor projector for bar advertising.

Bar advertising can now be used to promote guest DJ’s, guest beers and even events such as the soccer World Cup, this allows the bar to maximize their investment in the hardware, by increasing profits from sales of beverages. For example, during the current World Cup, you could have a message pop up on the projector wall that says half time and new beer coming up, 2 for 1 at $x. Then during half time they can refill and the bar make more profit. If the bar has its own car lot, they could use that to mount a projector in an outdoor projector enclosure to protect it from the weather. And project an image or video of a visiting music maestro with the time and date of the visit to promote the event to passing customers. Using the actual building as the screen, what a unique idea!

Restaurant advertising can use the hardware as a form as advertising as the bars could, but the restaurants can use them in a more entertaining way. They could also promote other third party, non-competing businesses on the hardware. As an example, a vacation rental may advertise and a couple, who are a romantic date, may see it and book a romantic break because of the advert. Another way would be for someone to see an ad for a local taxi cab company, realizing they had too much to drink and order a cab ride home, picking up the car the following day. Promotional meals could be advertised or even community events promoted through the projector.

Religious worship centers are using all kinds of technology to get the word of God across and that included projectors. Some are using indoor as well as outdoor digital signage hardware, to promote community events, as well as informing people. These are used to educate people on how much giving goes to the community, how the congregation’s donations are distributed and how the religious center is helping the community in need. Some floor standing electronic signs are used to engage with the congregation to celebrate other members birthdays or naming days. Most religious centers have white interiors, ideal for a projector hence the reason for the uptake of using projectors indoors. Now you can use an outdoor projector, too.

Isotopic Failure for LCD Digital Display Screens

June 24, 2014
Posted by Stella

Isotropic failure kills digital signage.

So, firstly let’s understand what ‘isotropic failure’ is… It is the failing of a digital signage screen through direct sunlight affecting the screen; causing it to turn black and render it useless. As highlighted in this white paper from Samsung.

There is no come-back from this, your only option is to buy a new screen. The problem lies in the technology of the display screen; the LCD or Liquid Crystal Display. Basically this is the liquid crystals being sandwiched between two panes of glass which have electrodes connected to them. The terminology of a liquid crystal is explained as both a solid and a liquid; at the same time. The features which identify them is that the crystals maintain their shape, whilst also being able to flow and transform into other shapes. Tiny electro charges applied to the liquid crystal create patterns for letting in more or less light, thus creating an image = picture. Two main problem for LCD screen failure are both caused by temperature; too hot or too cold. If the screen is subject to very low temperatures, the liquid crystals will freeze into a solid shape – an irreversible state and then there is the opposite of extreme heat (a main cause being direct sunlight) where the liquid crystals can not hold their shape, resulting in a BLACK screen – again an irreversible state.

Image courtesy of http://www.signmedia.ca

To eliminate this problem of isotropic failure there are several points to consider:

Repositioning the screen away from direct sunlight.
This is probably the most logical option, but maybe you don’t have a choice, for example, the screen is a main feature in your shop window and at certain times of the day will be in full sunlight. Installing a canopy or shield will help to a degree, or perhaps it can be switched off at certain times of the day.

Using Specific Commercial Grade Screens.
When budgeting for a digital advertising screen, one of the main components is the screen, so size, bezel depth, quality of the picture etc. It may be tempting to cut costs and buy a consumer grade TV screen, but this will just NOT be able to cope with the rugged demands of being on for many hours at a time. Also the contrast (also known as ‘nits’) is significantly higher and of a better quality than a household TV set.

A Sun-bright or Sun-Light Readable Screen.
A digital ad campaign is of no use if a customer can not see it because of direct sunlight distorting the picture or causing blindness. Check out commercial grade screens with sun-bright/sunlight filters to alleviate such problems.

An outdoor sunlight bright display enclosure.
The steel box of the protective housing unit has many positive features; as well as protecting the screen from damage – human and environmental, it features a thermostatically controlled heater and cooler, set to an ambient temperature. As the steel box creates an oven effect, it is important to release the hot air through vents but a cooling unit will always create an even temperature. Screens are temperamental pieces of kit, which have delicate elements and are permanently damaged.

So, now you know how to avoid isotropic failure – don’t let it ruin your screen!

Baptist Churches uses Projectors to Reach Out

June 24, 2014
Posted by Stella

Projectors in Churches?

When is going to Church like going to the Cinema?, when your preacher installs projectors and screens to display the teachings of the Bible. It is not intended to be disrespectful and even enhances the scriptures to a modern day method of understanding. Imagine a themed service where speakers, music and visual graphics create a production which relays the message to hundreds of worshipers.

Worshipers want to see the service – projectors allow this.

Many worship centers now have video equipment, but it is time to upgrade and encourage new members into the union. People are expecting to see modern technology in our everyday lives, so why should church be any different? Even the elders of the churches are impressed and not at all reluctant to accept and embrace it. The visuals appeal to all demographic ranges; the content is easy to upload and adapt or amend at the click of a button.

There are many screens sizes to suit your building; height, width and length are either adjustable, adaptable or supplied to a set size. And the technology of the projectors is beyond belief (excuse the phrase!). Electronic hardware has progressed at such a rate that surely the ultimate should all have been developed by now, but no; it is evolving all the time. The clarity of the images projected onto the walls is a cost saving way of delivering the images to the audience without sacrificing the sharpness and quality of the picture. It also adds to the ambiance and tone of the service with thoughtful tones, backgrounds and even textured surfaces, which are linked to the relevance and do not detract from the sacred teachings.

So where is the best place to position a projector within your place of worship? Perhaps there is access to install a projector onto a ceiling hung bracket, wall mounted bracket from a balcony or a floor standing unit; no matter where the projector is located, a remote control handset alleviates any need to have direct contact with the main unit, which also cuts down on willful or accidental interference. Being able to angle the projector gives a full floor-to-ceiling coverage when required. It is a practical and cost efficient way of modernizing the church without building work causing chaos and eliminates scene setting and building props for special events and biblical productions.

So… when is going to Church like going to the Cinema?, when your house of worship adopts projectors for an innovative form of bringing the Bible to life!

Protective LCD Enclosures Used For Digital Signage Hardware

June 21, 2014
Posted by Stella

Protective LCD enclosures for digital signage security.

Digital signage hardware can be a costly exercise, yet if the hardware is not protected using a protective LCD enclosure, the Return On Investment could be wasted, let us look at the digital signage applications and protection needed, reported LCD Enclosure Solutions Inc.

Indoor signage and protection.

Indoor electronic signage hardware includes many kinds of high end screens that can cost anywhere from $1500 to $7000 depending on the size chosen, then a media player is attached that can be either a networked solution or a non-networked solution. The advance of this type of electronic signage is that is can almost immediately yield a return on investment for the advertiser. The unique ways the displays can be mounted add to the interest. The commercial displays can be mounted either horizontal, or portrait or even at a set angle. As you can understand investing in this hardware can be a major part of the marketing department’s budget for a year, so the solution has to work. But think what would happen if the hardware was damaged, how would this impact on the company’s advertising campaign?

Protecting indoor digital signage is essential to maintain a return on investment, with the protection in place allows companies and advertising agencies to put electronic signage in locations and sites otherwise thought impossible. With this in mind, it then opens up the world to digital signage. You may have a location that has a high foot fall, that is open even after the offices or store are closed – such as a covered walk way or open foyer, normally you would not consider putting dynamic advertising here as it would be damaged or stolen, yet if you could somehow protect the advertising hardware, this would make an ideal location and this is when a secure digital signage housing is ideal.

Outdoor digital advertising hardware can be expensive if dedicated hardware is being used, but an affordable solution is to use commercial grade screens that are used for indoor advertising and put them into a protective housing. Dedicated hardware are used that provide weatherproof protection, so the screen and media player does is not effected with snow, rain, dust or direct sunlight. Direct sunlight causes what is called isotropic failure, this actually makes the screen blacken and is irreversible when the display is in direct sunlight. The best option is to put the screen in a location that is not in direct sunlight at any time of the day.

Secure LCD enclosures for outdoor sign protection.

Now with using commercial displays, businesses are deploying outdoor advertising using a range of secure LCD enclosures. There are many producers of these outdoor display housings, however when the displays are to be let outdoors or in public access areas unmanned they certainly need protecting. When selecting protective LCD enclosures you have to look at the locking system, as this is going to be 1 of the main issues in outdoor signage protection, if the locks are accessed by unauthorized people they can seriously damage the advertising solution. The easiest locks to open with very basic items we all have on our person are: compression locks, cam locks and barrel locks, the reason is they all reply on a barrel turning and moving a lever that is behind the door that secures on to the body of the housing. The most secure solution are outdoor LCD enclosures that is locked with high security locks, similar to safe locks that are virtually pick proof!

The second most import security feature is the viewing window, if this becomes damaged the display will be hard to see, so let us look at what is on offer. Most manufacturers of LCD enclosures offer a Lexan window around 1/16” thick, some offer 1/8” thick, yet the problem is Lexan can be damaged real easy, by running a key across the window, this will gouge out channels in the window and will certainly have to be replaced. The next solution is acrylic, similar to Lexan but less secure as this shatters when hit, so if anyone offers this, move on! The last solution that is provided by the best manufacturers of LCD enclosures is toughened glass and this is the best solution on the market, especially when it is offered with an AR coating, (AR stands for Anti Reflective). But not even anti reflective coatings can not reduce reflections 100%, so there will always be a small degree of reflections with outdoor signage. So you now know what to look for when picking outdoor, secure LCD enclosures.

Enrolling Digital Signage Into A High School

June 17, 2014
Posted by Stella

An enterprising US high school has enrolled various digital signage screens into its premises, to interact with students, teaching and non-teaching staff and the wider community. The educational facility is also looking at integrating the digital signage system with the smart phones and hand held electronic tablets of students and parents, giving access to the school website. The uses include the day’s notifications and announcements, events, classroom changes and emergency planning procedures. Optional feeds are also broadcast to allow teachers to show information on the Smart boards in each classroom.

Influencing students with digital signage.

One sure way of getting through to children is to display TV sets around – OK so the latest block buster movie isn’t being played, but there is opportunity to supplement the investment costs by ‘selling’ advertisement space. Of course this needs to be scheduled at an appropriate and useful time, but many educational suppliers, apparel retailers and local businesses will benefit from the air time. It is also appropriate to include infomercials of; dietary information and suggestions, health and safety issues, field trip notices, after school clubs and assignment reminders. The display screens can be incorporated into the schools morning announcements; no-one has a reason for missing information. It is also handy for students to revisit and remind themselves; there is NO reason not to know!

Deciding where to place the screens is a logistical consideration, but for most educational environments, one or two in common areas; for example at the entrance, but also in large meeting areas like the cafeteria. Don’t forget the screens can be placed outdoors, particularly if they are housed within a security enclosure. This protects the digital display screen from the elements, theft and vandalism or just about anything which would stop the screen from working. Internal heating and cooling – working on a thermostatically controlled internal unit, keep the temperature constant, averting overheating and condensation build up. The viewing window allows the screen to be clearly seen in any lighting conditions, is a tough material which will not smash.

It has been embraced with interest from all age groups and demographics, with requests to include content and announcements from the diverse ‘family’ of the school. Educational budgets are geared up to include the latest technology, like digital signage screens. Many of the schools own departments are involved in producing the content for the benefit of the whole school. It gives the students an in-site into how, why, planning and delivering content, which we find all over our urban landscape. It could open up new opportunities for career development, as students see the project through from start to end. Digital signage encompasses a wide range of the curriculum and within a short space of time, should take over altogether. It is seen as an educational tool as much as an informational means of bringing awareness to staff and pupils. As far a cost is concerned, after the initial investment costs, it is much more cost effective than printing ever was, can be altered or updated at a moments notice and can include the internet for an even wider information platform, now technology has changed we update content with digital signage.

The Technology Used for Outdoor Entertaining

June 11, 2014
Posted by Stella

Outdoor entertaining for everyone.

Creating a special outdoor area – an extension of your indoor living space, is a luxury which is well within our reach; whatever your budget.

How much are you prepared to spend on outdoor entertaining?

There is the cheep and cheerful approach; setting out some chairs, a stereo and some candles for atmosphere, or there is the other extreme; a hot tub, programmed lighting, surround sound system, with garden speakers and a mega expensive projector. Which is your choice? Well, mine is the second, but a compromise can be found somewhere in between.

For the basics, of any garden or outdoor entertaining, would be the power supply. Most of us have an external power point, which is safe and convenient. From this you can add all sorts of technology. There are a range of garden speakers, but one thing to bear in mind is the weather – rain and electrics don’t mix! There are water and weatherproof sets which are an economical price and these can also be placed near a water feature or hot tub – please read the packaging carefully for safety.

Another feature to add to the party is a projector. With this you can watch a sports event, music concert or film from the comfort of your sun bed, lounger or pool. Again, a major consideration for the projector is the security aspect and protection from the weather, dirt and other elements which will affect the performance and life span. If a projector and screen are just too big for your back yard; what about a television screen? Comfy chairs with a cold beer and the game on TV… For additional security and piece of mind you must seriously consider an LCD TV enclosure. With this you can leave the TV out all year round – it will be safe against vandals, theft and the weather as there is a thermostatically controlled heater and cooler to keep the temperature constant. How many TV screens would you have to replace, whereas the purchase of one security enclose will do the job.

So, there you are, proudly cooking a mouth-watering BBQ on the coals or spinning pizzas for your wood fired oven, ready to sit down to watch the ball game (think Baseball or the upcoming 2014 World Cup), you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood – you’ve just got to get it passed by the ‘boss’ (aka the wife). So now you know about outdoor entertaining and outdoor home cinemas.

Dynamic Advertising & LCD Enclosure Units

June 6, 2014
Posted by Stella

Dynamic advertising is a unique way for any business to market a brand, especially in this day and age of technology. Using a protective LCD enclosure now allows, almost anyone with a flat panel display such as plasma, LED or LCD to install them in outdoor and indoor spaces that have been previously deemed too risky.

Discover who uses a dynamic advertising LCD enclosure.

When someone is asked, if they have seen a flat panel protective housing, the question is usually answered with a questioning look. The reason is, we really do not notice them, for example if you go to a soccer stadium, or football stadium, the displays used to broadcast the game, highlights and future events are all in some form of protective housing, that are called LCD enclosures. The steel housings protect the hardware inside from hooligans and angry fans. So with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil just around the corner, many of these units have been supplied to locations, so that supporting fans can watch their team play and rally them on.

Another place that these protective boxes can be found is in transportation hubs, here the passenger information details are provided. This normally consists of a commercial grade flat panel display and a small computer to run the transit information and the advertisements, all connected up to form a network around the transit center, so that all the displays synchronize at the same time to provide information in real time. With transit locations being an open area most of the day, the hardware is under possible threat of damage every day, so protecting the hardware is one way to ensure the longevity of the display is at its maximum.

Bars and restaurants have also used these units to protect their outdoor digital signage solutions. Especially at the beach or near harbors, as the salt air can harm the displays in weeks, calcifying the internal circuit boards so much the digital signs no longer work. So, the best option is to put the display into a weatherproof LCD enclosure, this makes certain no matter if the weather is snowing, raining or bright sun shine the hardware is protected. But in this high sea salt application, the only solution that will last is a stainless steel digital signage enclosure; these are manufactured from 316 grade stainless steel. That has a much higher quantity of Chromium in its composition to prevent rusting.

Why bother with protecting the hardware?

You may ask the question above, but the truth is, if you have invested in a dynamic advertising project you want it to succeed. If any of the components in the system fail, due to the weather or theft, the project is stopped in its tracks and is not making a return on the investment. This is a frightening thought, imagine if you have invested you own hard earned money to develop your brand and the display gets damaged with a hooligan, you have no option but to replace the display, yet, if the display was in a protective LCD enclosure the hardware would be kept safe and away from harm.

3D Digital Signage Solutions

June 4, 2014
Posted by Stella

3D digital signage – what to look out for.

A major American technology company today announced a significant evolution of a fresh approach to 3D display signage, which the company claims to maximize this new optical phenomenon from an standard viewpoint to reduce the influence of 3D-crosstalk and display motion image and improve 3D displays.

3D digital signage tracking.

The new 3D eye-tracking system, is as near as any technology has achieved thus far as it produces “smooth and realistic” 3D images, according to the company, and by combining the company’s proprietary 3D image processing engine, there is no need for 3D glasses, as in the past. The company’s technological breakthrough in their “auto stereoscopic” display method, incorporates a specialized eye-tracking device that detects the individual’s eye position and engagement with a high level of accuracy.

As auto stereoscopic 3D digital signage displays become increasingly popular, there have been some issues to overcome that limit the value of 3D technology like; ghost images, image reversal and the limitation of suitable 3D viewing spaces. It is a fine balance between increasing the number of viewing points, yet decreasing the density of the 3D image. So, it is difficult to both minimize image reversal whilst achieving a high density 3D quality image. This dilemma appears to have been resolved without using a multiview 3D display, but by using only a two-view 3D display with high-density technology, its 3D image processing engine and an eye-tracking device. This system calculates the persons eye movements and varies the objects apparent position calculated on the view point without decreasing the quality of the 3D image.

The picture operation software converts dual images, optimized for the main features of the auto stereoscopic display; which correspond with the observer’s eye position, are detected by the eye-tracking device, and can optimize standard viewpoints to reduce the influence of 3D errors on the display position. The system monitors the observer’s eye positions and varies the twin lenses based on the viewing angle of the object. This is a phenomenal tool for the development of 3D digital signage, where a product can be seen by the customer with an all-round view. It then becomes a virtual product, reducing the need for shop floor stock – freeing up expensive floor space.

This new 3D Technology, with the new 3D digital signage eye-tracking system, will be demonstrated at SID Display Week 2014 this week in San Diego USA.

The Benefits of Digital Signage for Shopping Malls

June 3, 2014
Posted by Stella

Shopping is becoming more of an entertainment industry than a necessity of purchasing goods, which is where digital signage comes in. Where we were once influenced by static billboard advertisements, vibrant eye-catching digital signage screens bring a myriad of images to bombard us with the latest trends, special offers and discounts, and why we should spend our hard earned money in their store. It is an art form of entertainment, where you can watch anything from a beach scene; advertising holiday essentials (and it looks so real you could run the sand through your fingers) to persuasive advertising on a imaginative and dynamic screen, where you are influenced into purchasing a brand of trainers which are the current must-have accessory.

So where is the best position for the digital signage screens to be most effective? Obviously high-traffic areas are going to be a logical locations, but consider the prospect that it could also be a crowded and popular area, where the digital screen would be obscured from view. One of the most analytical places is around the escalator, where height offers a vantage point which can not be obscured. This is suitable for anywhere, not just shopping malls, but places like sporting venues, restaurants and hotel lobbies. Also most people look around when on an escalator, and take in their surroundings.

For an interactive and way-finding facility, the digital signage screen would be located near the entrance to the shopping mall enabling the customer to plan a route around the area, taking in the stores of interest. Clever content, within the advertising digital screen, also displays appropriate advertisements, according to the data collected from the customer. For example, a teenage girl may search for trendy clothes stores, which prompts the screen to offer promotional discount codes (or coupons), either by way of a printed ticket, a QR code or a bluetooth message, to be redeemed at the till. This can also incorporate promotions for the food outlets within the mall.

Designers have been able to incorporate digital signage screens into the fabric of the building, like encasing pillars with digital signage screens, tiled wall panels, window displays or many forms of independent floor standing kiosks or platforms: some concreted into the ground, mounted onto a pedestal or set within a frame. The design of which knows no bounds, as any style or color of frame and surround can hold an electronic advertising screen.

Audio technology can also be incorporated, which is particularly useful for people who are hearing impaired; a speaker at head height or a headphone port allows for a verbal advertisement, information, messages or routes to be broadcast. Other considerations for physically impaired customers are screens at ergonomic heights, even for wheel chair users.

Digital signage and advertising screens can be synchronized and choreographed to run simultaneously, scheduled at pre-set time intervals or run as individual and independent screens. Research over the past 5 years on digital advertising campaigns, has shown it to be one of the most successful forms of advertising ever.

Dynamic Advertising