For many years now Volanti has been providing mobile digital display and signage solutions with its Forza range. This blog looks at the broader range of mobile signage and some considerations related to mobile signage.
The reasons for using mobile signage are varied, typically it will be for short term events of some type, indoor or outdoor. The ability to quickly setup displays providing information can greatly enhance the organization and communication. The following considers the technology and options.
Mobile digital signage considerations:
- Display Type:
- Size: LED is the display technology for larger signs but increasingly suitable for mid-size displays as the resolution has improved and the costs dropped. For example, Volanti can offer a mobile LED sign with 5,000nit brightness (suitable for outdoor sunlight readability) measuring 1m x 1m (ie square) with a pixel pitch of 2.5mm. LCD is still the display technology of choice for high-resolution small displays, ideal for indoor locations. Reflective display technologies are less well known (a separate blog is being prepared on those) but can be used for all sizes.
- Content: Depending on whether the content to be shown on the display is made up of video, animation, graphics, text, monochrome or color will influence the display selection. LED for example is available in color or monochrome. LCD is generally available in color and suitable for video. Reflective technologies are often monochrome and limited in colors, possibly also with slow refresh rates unsuitable for video or animation.
- Brightness: Various factors will affect the brightness requirements, for example, the time of day if outdoors, whether in sunlight or shade, indoors or outdoors, other lighting such as vehicle headlights. Bother LED and LCD are available for all brightness levels but LED has the advantage with brightness ranges available. As a note, LCD typically uses LED as a backlight technology. Reflective technologies inherently benefit from good ambient lighting but can also be used at night with added light sources.
- Environment: Indoor or outdoor. If outdoor then weather conditions such as dry or under a cover or at risk of rain or snow. Operating temperature is also a factor. Generally LED signs are the most adaptable solution for weather conditions. Another factor for mobile displays that people sometimes forget is access to the location and the suitability of the location for a display, simple things like stairs or uneven ground can present challenges.
- Power: Options include, access to a mains power source, stored rechargeable power, self-powered from a generator, solar. LED is fairly high powered as is LCD as these are both emissive type displays. Reflective technologies tend to be the clear winner with respect to power as many of the technologies only require power to change the image.
- Viewing distance & resolution: The choice of display will be impacted by the viewing distance and resolution required. For example in indoor locations LCD is a strong contender as it is generally the highest resolution, certainly for the cost. LED can be high resolution but is expensive. In outdoor locations, the viewing distances are often greater and a lower resolution display is likely to be suitable. LED signs are available in many resolutions. Also if the content is just text messages then the display layout and resolution can be chosen to match that, for example, compare a roadside traffic warning sign to an information display at the entrance to an event where people pass by on foot.
- Content update: The content on the display may be pre-recorded and pre-set or locally updated, for example from a USB memory stick, so no remote communication is required. If remote access and content change are required then factors such as local network access, Wi-Fi, or cellular wireless communication need to be considered.
- Setup, transport: Depending on the type of mobile display it may be carried, require a truck with a forklift, loading bay, or liftgate, or it may be integrated onto a trailer that can be simply driven to the location. Some displays such as the Volanti Forza (LCD or LED) require one or two people 10 to 15 minutes to remove a cover and then connect up the display, other displays may require a more involved setup.
Examples of mobile digital signs:
- Forza: LCD in a mobile road-case
- LED roadside signs
- Event signage
For more information about mobile display options contact us, Volanti Displays.