Digital signage software is growing in popularity, making its mark as a popular tool for marketing and communications. As a new and developing technology, digital signs can come in a plethora of different screen types, each with its own features suitable for its intended application. Each kind of digital signage screen offers unique advantages for specific environments and use cases. Digital signage screens are designed to catch attention far more effectively than traditional signs, thanks to their dynamic visuals and engaging content.
Before you invest in a digital sign, you need to know everything you can about the various screen types and their respective features. Understanding these differences is crucial, especially considering factors like screen fatigue, which can impact viewer engagement and the overall effectiveness of your digital signage. Careful selection of the right screen is essential to ensure your digital signage meets your operational and content requirements.In this article, we discuss the screens used for digital signage, their features and applications, the best manufacturers of digital signage, and more.
From interactive screens to the new OLED display, it’s important that you choose the right type of digital signage screen that will support the content you’re looking to integrate and complement your display’s location and purpose. Selecting the ideal screen ensures you meet your specific business needs, considering factors like viewer proximity, aesthetics, and cost-effectiveness. There are various sets of digital signage screens available, each designed for different environments such as retail stores, hotels, or galleries.
Interactive displays feature touch-screen technology, enabling the viewer to press on certain elements of the display to prompt new content. They can use it to learn more about your business and offers, search for answers to their questions, and satisfy what they need to make a decision about your brand.
This type of digital signage screen allows the viewer to personalize their experience, resulting in more engagement and longer dwell time. It’s especially useful when integrated with manufacturing dashboard software, enabling real-time tracking of production metrics and equipment performance.
Because the user interacts with the display, you can also maximize your use of analytics to get live data feedback about how viewers are interacting with your digital sign. You can learn about what products or services they’re searching for, what content they spend longer looking at than others, and more. In turn, this allows you to tailor your content to suit their needs and behaviors.
The most common screens used in digital signage are LCD or LED liquid crystal displays. These are considered the standard because they provide good resolution and brightness suitable for any type of content. LCD or LED screens also come in a plethora of sizes and orientations, so you’re likely to find one that can support the content you’re looking to display.
While both LCD and LED are good options, it’s best to go with an LED screen. The main difference between LCD and LED screens lies in their technology and performance, LED displays generally offer better energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and improved image quality. Not only are they thinner and have superior display quality compared to LCD, but they’re also more energy-efficient. For outdoor digital signage, high brightness is essential, and LED screens provide the luminous intensity needed for clear visibility even in direct sunlight. LCD screens are in the process of being phased out, so there’s a potential for you to have trouble sourcing parts and maintenance for them in the near future.
The newest technology being used in digital signage today is OLED. Compared to the standard LED screens, OLED is thinner and more translucent, able to show content on both sides of the screen. This maximizes audience viewership and gets your message across from whatever angle it’s being viewed. The visual experience of OLED displays is similar to other high-end screen types, offering familiar aesthetics and usability.
OLED also has a brighter resolution and great contrast ratio, which makes colors vibrant and visible even in bright lighting conditions. OLED displays are also known for their wide viewing angles, ensuring consistent color and clarity from multiple perspectives. This new digital screen technology is already available in the market and utilized by various industries. While more improvements need to be made to it, there’s no doubt that it’s going to be an important part of digital signage’s future.
Digital signage screens can come in small packages, such as in the form of tablets. While smaller than standard digital signs, tablets can be very valuable assets that are high impact. They’re portable and can be placed atop any surface, plus they’re easier to use and navigate compared to large interactive displays.
In retail stores, for example, customers can use tablets to browse information about a product online, such as supplemental videos, reviews, or comparisons with other products on the shelves. In restaurants, tablets can be used to peruse menu items and make an order. And in hotels, tablets allow self-service to browse options and book rooms.
A video wall comprises a series of digital screens placed next to each other to present a single, whole display. This is usually used to showcase content far larger than possible with a single digital screen. Video walls are also quite versatile in the sense that the individual screens can be positioned in unique patterns to supplement or emphasize the message.
You’ll often see this type of digital screen in spacious and high-traffic areas such as airports, shopping malls, or live events.
When choosing a digital signage screen for your display, one of the most crucial factors to consider is whether you’ll be placing it indoors or outdoors. Screen features can differ based on their intended location. Digital signage screens are used in various locations such as shopping malls, corporate offices, retail stores, banks, and health centers, making it important to select the right display for each environment. Outdoor digital signage is especially effective for advertising, as it attracts attention, boosts brand recall, and delivers dynamic content in high-traffic areas. Specifically, indoor and outdoor digital signage screens will have different brightness, connectivity, security, and weather protection capabilities.
Outdoor screens should have a larger light output than an indoor display in order to remain visible even under intense sunlight. If you plan on putting your digital sign outdoors, make sure that it has at least 700 nits of light output or more. Most outdoor digital signs also have ambient light sensors that enable them to change brightness as required by the lighting conditions.
Digital signs today can support Wi-Fi connectivity, either wirelessly or connected to the router through an ethernet cable. In addition to wireless options, having the right connections is crucial for integrating your display with various external media players and existing signage infrastructure, ensuring versatility and compatibility in your setup. While connectivity isn’t that big of a problem when it comes to indoor signs, there may be more unique requirements needed if you’re looking to place your digital sign outdoors. This is because you have limited reach and access to power sources.
For outdoor screens, you may need to invest in additional hardware that will enable you to connect your display to a cellular network. Without it, you might have trouble maintaining live updates and accessing the display via remote control.
Signs that are positioned indoors are naturally safer than those placed outdoors because they are enclosed and protected by the building’s security. Outdoor signs, on the other hand, are less monitored and more prone to hacking. In order to prevent security breaches, you’ll need a sign with built-in safeguards against hackers and other data security threats.
Unlike indoor signs, outdoor displays need to be able to survive harsh weather, whether that be rain, snow, dust, or humidity. Find options made of annealed glass, which is four times stronger and more shatter-proof than the regular glass used in indoor displays.
Most outdoor screens will also come with enclosures that are rated a minimum of IP65. These effectively seal the display and protect it from weather elements.
You know, when you're setting up digital signage, there's this one component that can honestly make or break the whole thing, the built-in media player. Think about it: this little piece of tech is what handles all your content playback and management right inside the digital signage screen itself. It's kind of like the brain of the operation, and when it works well, everything just flows seamlessly for you and whoever's watching your displays. When you're planning out your digital signage setup, whether it's for a corporate lobby, retail store, or any spot where you really need to grab attention and keep people engaged, picking the right built-in media player is pretty crucial.
Here's what's cool about these built-in players, they can handle a ton of different file formats, scheduling options, and connectivity features. That flexibility? It makes your life so much easier when you're creating, uploading, and managing content, no matter if you're working with small displays or those massive LED screens. A lot of the big brands out there offer built-in media players that work with pretty much any screen type and size you can think of. The result? Your visuals always look sharp and professional.
Now, let's talk energy efficiency for a second. This is something people don't always think about upfront, but it really matters in the long run. A well-designed built-in media player won't guzzle power, which means you're saving money on operational costs and doing something good for the environment too. Some of these models even come with advanced features like remote management—imagine being able to update content, tweak settings, and get email notifications for important updates all from wherever you are. It's especially handy when your digital signage screens are in tricky spots or high-traffic areas where you can't just walk up to them easily.
If you're thinking about applications where people actually interact with your displays—like in stores or corporate lobbies, you'll want to look for built-in media players that support touch screens and other interactive tech. These features can really boost how engaged your audience gets because viewers can explore products, learn about your brand, or even complete transactions right there on the screen. It's pretty amazing when you think about it.
Protection and durability. These are big deals too, especially if your digital signage screen is going to face dust, moisture, or other environmental challenges. You'll want to choose a built-in media player that's built to handle whatever gets thrown at it, offering reliable operation and a solid warranty so you can sleep easy at night.
When you're comparing different brands and models, pay attention to how they operate, what kind of warranty coverage they offer, and the range of templates and design tools they provide. Some platforms make it super easy to create eye-catching content with ready-made templates, while others give you more advanced customization options. Going with an industry leader ensures you get a built-in media player that's not only compatible with your digital signage screen but also comes with ongoing support and updates.
Cost is always on everyone's mind, right? But here's the good news—many manufacturers now offer competitive pricing and flexible plans, so finding a built-in media player that fits your budget and application isn't as tough as it used to be. Some even let you try before you buy with free trials or demos, which is honestly a smart way to test out features before you commit.
At the beginning of your digital signage journey, take some time to really think through what you need. Consider what type of content you want to display, the size and location of your screens, and how interactive you want things to be. When you choose a built-in media player that matches these requirements, you'll be able to easily create and manage engaging content that really stands out, no matter where it's installed.
In summary, a built-in media player is pretty much an essential piece of any digital signage screen. It offers a seamless, energy-efficient, and flexible solution for all kinds of applications. When you select the right built-in media player from a reputable brand, you're setting yourself up for outstanding visuals, better customer engagement, and reliable performance that'll keep going strong for years to come.
If you're looking for a screen that eliminates setup headaches, Avocor displays represent what modern digital signage hardware should be. These aren't just monitors, they're complete digital signage solutions with the media player built directly into the display.
Currently available in the United States only, these displays are configured to work exclusively with Rise Vision's platform. That software lock streamlines security and setup, though it does mean you'll need different hardware if you ever switch digital signage providers down the line.
Traditional digital signage setups require you to buy a screen, purchase a separate media player, connect them properly, troubleshoot compatibility issues, and hope everything plays nice together. Avocor skips that entire process. The media player is integrated into the display from the factory, which means you're plugging in power and ethernet, then you're done.
The displays deliver 4K resolution with professional-grade visual quality designed for commercial environments, not consumer TVs repurposed for business use. They're built to run continuously in high-traffic areas without the performance degradation you'd get from a standard television. Available in 43" and 55" sizes, they fit classrooms, offices, lobbies, and meeting rooms without dominating the space.
Avocor displays integrate with Rise Vision's cloud platform, giving you remote control over content, scheduling, and updates from anywhere. No need to physically access the screen every time something needs to change. Push updates from your desk, your home, or while you're traveling.
Emergency alert capabilities come standard through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), making these displays suitable for schools, offices, and facilities where urgent notifications matter. Screen sharing functionality is built in, turning the display into a wireless presentation hub without additional hardware.
Jeremy Bolden from a university campus sums up the practical benefit: "Rise Vision has transformed our campus communication. The media players are reliable, and the templates and remote management tools make promoting events effortless."
That reliability matters when you're managing displays across multiple buildings without dedicated IT staff babysitting each screen.
Rise Vision offers Avocor displays through a Hardware-as-a-Service subscription model, which spreads costs over time rather than requiring full upfront payment. The subscription includes hardware management and technical support, meaning when something goes wrong, you're not Googling troubleshooting forums at 9 PM on a Friday.
For organizations preferring outright ownership, that option exists too, backed by a two-year warranty. Either way, you get support within one business hour from a team with a 99% customer satisfaction rating.
This approach works particularly well for organizations deploying multiple screens across different locations. You get consistent hardware, centralized management, and predictable monthly costs instead of unpredictable maintenance expenses.
Avocor displays make sense for U.S.-based organizations that value simplicity over custom configurations and are committed to the Rise Vision ecosystem. If your team isn't technical, if you're deploying across multiple buildings, or if you just want screens that work without becoming someone's part-time job, the all-in-one approach eliminates variables.
Schools managing dozens of displays, corporate offices coordinating content across departments, and facilities needing reliable emergency communication all benefit from reducing the hardware complexity. Fewer components mean fewer failure points, which means more uptime and less troubleshooting.
Turning TV screens into digital signage is becoming more common as businesses look for economical ways to better market their products and services. Many businesses use a consumer tv, such as a smart TV, for commercial signage in retail or hospitality environments due to their affordability and ease of use. However, consumer tvs are generally designed for personal use and may not offer the durability or specialized features required for commercial-grade displays. There are various sets of TVs and displays available for digital signage, each with different configurations and performance levels to suit specific needs. When viewers are close to the screen, the ideal display size and resolution become even more important for clear visibility.
Digital signage screens are built to withstand the demands of commercial use and are created to display your content in the best possible light. Unlike a consumer tv, a commercial display is engineered for higher durability, better performance, and advanced features tailored for professional environments. Aside from greater performance, a screen dedicated to digital signage utilization also has:
If a screen is used beyond its intended operational capacity, the result can be reduced performance, overheating, or even device failure.
Digital displays must be durable, secure, versatile, and have features that enable them to display high-quality images. To find screens that meet these requirements, you should look to the most reputable and trusted digital signage brands in the market. Your best options are:
Each of these manufacturers offers a range of product lines, such as Q-Line, D-Line, P-Line, and H-Line, designed to meet different commercial needs and environments.
Digital screens from these manufacturers have high-resolution displays that can present your content in the best quality. They’re also compatible with most media players, which broadens your scope of options. Among these, certain models and series have become a popular choice for businesses due to their reliability, performance, and suitability for high-traffic or outdoor settings.
Purchasing a digital screen from any of these competitive brands guarantees that you’ll be able to find the best option that suits your business. You can also expect innovation and lots of improvements when it comes to the screen’s features as these brands aim to be a step ahead of their competitors.
You see, digital signage screens come in wide varieties. They each differ in size, application, features, and more. Before you decide, make sure you’re taking your business requirements into account. Ask yourself the following questions:
When considering hardware, pay attention to specifications like RAM, as it directly impacts the performance and multimedia capabilities of your digital signage display. Also, remember to update your content frequently to keep your messaging relevant and engaging.
Ironing out the basics can go a long way in pointing you to the right digital signage screen that will cater to your needs and meet the demands of your marketing and communications strategies.
When you’ve decided on the perfect screen for you, the next step is looking for reliable and easy-to-use software. Choose a digital signage platform that integrates both hardware and software for seamless management and remote updates. Many solutions now support apps, giving you flexibility and customization options to tailor your content and features. It’s also important to consider how easy it is to install software or apps directly onto your digital signage displays, as this can save time and simplify setup. Rise Vision is the number one cloud-based digital signage software provider. Visit our website to learn more about our solutions and try our digital signage software for free.
Alternatively, you can purchase your digital signage hardware and software all in one place with Rise Vision’s subscription-based offers. Our Avocor R Series Hardware as a Service subscription comes with a display and built-in media player, allowing you to reduce your hardware costs and simplify digital signage procurement.
We also have the Rise Vision Media Player Hardware as a Service, a subscription media player that’s optimized for the Rise Vision software and features an easy plug-and-play setup.
Both subscriptions will entitle you to complete hardware management and support from Rise Vision so you don’t have to worry about the technical aspect of managing your digital signage.