Outdoor LCD screens are used for all sorts of tasks: providing information in a transport hub, such as railway station; outdoor digital signage, displaying advertisements and promotions; or an outdoor TV used in a bar, pub or hotel garden – or in a back yard. For all these applications LCD cabinets are commonly used as protection. An LCD enclosure is a waterproof steel housing that contains climatic systems and protects from weather, temperature and impact – ideal for using standard commercial grade screen in an outdoor location. Protecting outdoor digital signage and LCDs outside, is only half the battle. Another important factor to consider is mounting the device in the right location because no matter how large your screen is, how great your content looks, and no matter how high the footfall of your chosen location – it will all be for nothing if the screen and LCD enclosure is not mounted correctly.
Outdoor digital signage
Mounting and the angle is a key aspect of a successful outdoor digital signage campaign. The fundamentally most important thing to remember with an outdoor screen for digital signage is that it should be as near as possible to eye-level. If a screen or LCD enclosure is mounted too high, then you run the risk of people not seeing it and walking under. The same can be said for a screen too low, or bolted flat against a wall. Obviously space and ensuring walkways are clear mean that there has to be a compromise between height and position but even if a screen is located at a less than perfect height, the LCD enclosure can be angled forward, ensuring the content is facing the oncoming audience’s eyes.
If using an LCD enclosure, there are several methods it can be mounted: on a wall mounted bracket, on a ceiling bracket, or on pole mounts (floor, ceiling and wall). Information screens Angle and mounting are less crucial for information screens as typically, people search for information displays, rather than have the content forced on them. For this reason many screens in railway stations are suspended from the ceiling for space saving reasons. Touch screens are now commonly used for information provision, especially things like way-finding, so this has a big impact on how it is mounted – obviously a touch screen needs to be low enough to operate.
Outdoor TV
Viewing angle is also important when using a TV for outdoor entertainment. The screen does not only have to be viewable from as wide an angle as possible, but also it is advisable to tilt the screen away from the sun to prevent glare and the screen from being washed out.
Mounts
There is a wide range of mounting options for LCD cabinets (see above) but many mounts can be customized and adapted. Some of the best protective LCD enclosures are compatible with VESA mounts (Video Electronic Standard Association). These provide a standard mounting option so no matter who the manufacture of the mount is, if it is VESA compatible it will fit the LCD enclosure. LCD enclosures are a cost effective and practical solution for protecting LCD screens in outdoor locations and in other harsh areas. LCD enclosures can be used outdoors or in industrial type locations such as factory floors.