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How to choose the best screens for Digital Signage

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

So you want to start with Digital Signage? Great idea! But you might wonder what you need to get started. As experts in the business of digital signage, we gladly share with you how you can get the perfect screens for digital signage at your business.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as *the* best screen for digital signage. It all depends on your business and goal. Where will you utilize digital signage? What do you wish to accomplish with digital signage? Showing fast moving images, like sports, requires a different kind of screen than displaying more static content, like stocks or even a menu in a restaurant. Also consider the location of the TV. The greater the distance, the bigger the screen you need.

Size does matter

The size of the screen is the most important thing to consider. After all, the size of the screen determines whether people can see your content, read your message and notice your digital signage at all. You can determine the size you need by simply measuring the distance between the people you want to reach (e.g. your co-workers, clients or visitors) and the screen itself. When they are only 8 feet away, a 40-inch television screen is perfect. But when people are 18 feet away, you’ll need a 60-inch screen.

screens for digital signage screensize

Type of screens for Digital Signage

Now, you can determine what kind of screen you need. Manufacturers love to slap all kinds of fancy abbreviations on their televisions, like LCD, LED, OLED, QLED and so on. Just forget about most of them immediately. OLED, for example, really is not suited for digital signage, as these screens are prone to ‘burn in’, just like Plasma screens. Stick with the classic LCD or newer LED screens for digital signage.

LCD and LED screens all basically work the same way and are perfect for digital signage. LED Screens, thanks to the more advanced backlight technology, are brighter while using less power and generating less heat. They often support the latest video technologies like 4K (higher resolution) and HDR (better colors). They are also more expensive than older LCD screens.

Higher brightness might be useful in well-lit environments and better resolution might be useful depending on your content, but at the end of the day even a cheap LCD TV will do the trick. Once again, it all depends on what you want to use it for. Ask yourself: do you really need to show corporate news or emergency alerts in 4K HDR with the best technology money can buy? Probably not.

screens for digital signage examples

Additional hardware to display your digital signage

You should also think about how you want to show your content on the screen. Some digital signage solutions work with native apps available for only a few specific brands, while Netpresenter, for example, works with software available on all Windows devices and Thin Clients. Great for TVs with integrated PCs, but with smart solutions like a budget friendly compute stick or a small form factor PC you only need a screen with a HDMI port to get started.

Need more tips and tricks to get started with digital signage? Download our free infographic and you will have your digital signage up and running in no time!

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Richard Renkens

IT-specialist Richard Renkens has been with Netpresenter for well over a decade. Besides solving IT-related mysteries, Richard likes to blow off steam on his mountain bike.