SPEC TO SPEC
FLAT-SCREEN DISPLAYS FOR DIGITAL SIGNAGE Network connection: RJ45
Sharp
Durability, control, and bezel size will be key features in 2009. www.sharpusa.com Control capability: IR remote and LAN port; RS-232C via
D
option card
, , about the ins and outs of how liquid crystals make a display last longer, so [vendors] Model: PN Series Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait
adoption may stabilize in 2009. “We still see growth,” says Chris Con- back it up by offering a three-year warranty versus the traditional one-year warranty,”
nery, vice president of PC and large-format commercial displays for Connery explains. Some companies are adding ruggedizing features, such as NEC’s Pricing: $4,550–$14,225 Bezel size: 127 mm
DisplaySearch. “Projects started in 2008 will continue on in 2009.” forced-air cooling, which Taylor says is a selling point where displays run 24/7. Other Warranty: 3 years Designed for digital signage and emergency information
Sam Taylor, president of AV distributor Electrograph, is only slightly companies add protective glass overlays and discreet IR solutions that aren’t program- display in high-volume traf c areas. With full HD reso-
Class sizes: 52 and 64 inches
less optimistic. “The digital signage market will show growth that’ll be somewhat mable with universal remotes. “If an integrator were to install a consumer TV in a lution of 1920x1080, this 52-inch LCD panel is housed
tempered by the economy,” he says. While the market catches its breath, though, restaurant, anyone could get a remote control and ip channels,” Taylor says. Resolution: 1080p in a dust- and tamper-resistant aluminum chassis. It has
Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait
there are several display trends to watch this year. Durability is a high priority in the Moreover, the growing popularity of videowalls is inspiring thinner bezels, espe- HDMI connectivity? Yes a eld-replaceable, tamper-resistant glass front panel, as
signage market. Perhaps the biggest indicator of a display capable of withstanding a cially for restaurants. “There’s a push right now for the installation of electronic menu Bezel size: 16 mm well as a eld-movable Sony logo, so it can be changed
Network connection: RJ45
digital signage environment is the warranty. “It’s hard to talk to resellers or end-users boards,” Connery says. —Kimberly R. Grif n Built to endure the rigors of industrial and professional between landscape and portrait modes. Built-in LAN
Control capability: RS-232C connectivity allows centralized control and monitoring
use, the LCDs offer commercial-grade panels resis-
tant to image retention, low operating temperatures, Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait (PN-S525); of several networked displays. It can be ush-mounted
LG’s 29-inch class (M2900S-BN) and 38-inch class rugged design that starts with an additional thermal landscape (PN-S655) with little need for ventilation, and the lack of external
LG Electronics programmable operating hours to increase panel life,
(M3800S-BN) Stretch Screen LCD HDTV digital layer on the panel, a sealed panel for protection from air holes gives users more installation exibility.
www.lgcommercial.com rugged metal chassis with scratch-resistant surface, Bezel sizes: 48.6 mm x 44.6 mm (PN-S525);
signage monitors feature slim-display technology and the elements, metal enclosure, sturdy hand grips, and
protective front glass option, VESA mount design 70 mm x 58 mm (PN-S655)
are roughly one-half the height of traditional LCD premium components. Protective glass versions of the
that withstands four times the weight of the display, ViewSonic
displays. Additionally, the displays offer 1,000:1 con- display will be announced this month. The PN-S525, designed for use in both landscape and
no front panel buttons (IR remote can be disabled to www.viewsonic.com
trast ratio for clear images and an RS-232C input for portrait mode, and the PN-S655, designed for extended
prevent malicious activity), remote system monitoring,
control and content delivery. use in landscape mode, offer high image quality and per-
Panasonic and locking internal cable connections. Model: CD Series
www.panasonic.com/proplasma
formance. The displays feature a new LCD component
panel for improved resistance to image retention, as well Pricing: $1,299–$1,999
Mitsubishi
www.mitsubishi-presentations.com Samsung as additional inputs including HDMI and RJ45 for net- Warranty: 3-year limited on parts and backlight
Model: 11 Series (PH and PF models) www.samsung.com working. Also part of this pro LCD monitor lineup are
Class sizes: 32 to 46 inches
the PN-S525P and PN-S655P, each with an integrated
Model: LDT Monitor Series Pricing: $1,280–$7,850
protective acrylic overlay for high traf c areas. Resolutions: 720p, 1080i, and 1080p
Model: LCD Digital Information Display (DID) Series
Pricing: $2,995–$18,995 Warranty: 2 years
HDMI connectivity? Yes
Pricing: $250 to $20,000
Warranty: 3-year parts and labor Class sizes: 42, 50, 58, 65, and 103 inches Sony
Model: M4224C Network connection: No
Warranty: 18 months www.sony.com/professional
Class sizes: 32 to 65 inches Resolutions: 480i to 1080i
Pricing: Contact vendor Control capability: RS-232
Class sizes: 32 to 82 inches
Resolutions: 1366x768 and 1080p HDMI connectivity? Yes, via plug-in boards
Warranty: Limited 3-year parts and labor Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait
Resolutions: 720p and 1080p Model: FWD-S42H1, FWD-S47H1
HDMI connectivity? Yes Network connection: Not available
Class size: 42 inches Bezel sizes: 44 mm (CD4220); 14 mm (CD4230)
HDMI connectivity? No Pricing: $2,800, $3,500
Network connection: Not available Control capability: RS-232, optional IR
Resolution: 1080p The LCD product series can be ruggedized via exter-
Network connection: Not applicable Warranty: 3-year parts and labor
Control capability: RS-232C Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait in PF models, nal enclosures and upgraded with a networked media
HDMI connectivity? Yes
landscape in PH models Control capability: Not applicable Class sizes: 42 and 47 inches player and digital signage software. The displays can
Network connection: RJ45 Orientation modes: Landscape, portrait, or universal
Bezel size: Varies; contact vendor Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait Resolution: 1080p be daisy-chained via RS-232 into a 5x5 videowall.
Control capability: RS-232C Bezel size: 43 mm
These plasmas can be mounted horizontally or verti- Bezel sizes: 2.7 mm x 4.6 mm (super narrow) and HDMI connectivity? HDMI to DVI cable or directly via option card
Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait Engineered for rapid video and data response, Mit-
cally and offer blend dual-picture functionality, which 15 mm (narrow), 30–35 mm (normal) Westinghouse Digital
subishi’s LDT Series LCD monitors are optimized Network connection: RJ45 www.westinghouse.com
Bezel size: 16.9 mm overlays text information onto base motion images, Samsung LCD offers a wide range of digital infor-
for video display or messaging content. With native Control capability: IR remote and LAN port; RS-232C via
while also enabling superimposing of a motion image mation displays suited for indoor or bright outdoor
The M4224C is a full HD 1920x1080 resolution 1366x768 and 1080p resolutions, users can effectively option card Model: D42FMP1
onto a text message. An onboard weekly command environments. The LCD DID displays are available
digital signage LCD monitor that features new LAN engage an audience with video and digital display in Pricing: $2,799
timer automates display operation. Users can also check ruggedized—for 24/7 use in a variety of applica- Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait
control, videowall control, and an ultra-slim bezel. LG retail, education, and corporate applications.
the signal via remote system monitoring capabilities. tions—and basic—for more limited retail use. Sizes Warranty: 3 years
uses a “public display” panel for this model, which is Bezel size: 19 mm
In addition, the company’s 103-inch, $69,995 range from 32 inches to 82 inches diagonal for single-
optimized for use in portrait mode orientation and is Class size: 42 inches
NEC Display Solutions TH-103PF10UK is the largest commercial plasma panel displays and 40 inches or 46 inches diagonal Designed for high brightness and high resolution in a
resistant to image retention. www.necdisplay.com available in the world, with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio with narrow bezels for tiled videowalls. Each comes range of commercial installation applications, includ- Resolution: 1080p
and a 100,000-hour service life. equipped with a heat shield and a heat spread sheet ing digital signage, the LCDs have been rated for 24/7 HDMI connectivity? Yes
Model: Stretch Screen Series
and are housed in airtight casings. operation in portrait and landscape use. They have full
Pricing: $4,600 and $3,060 Model: MultiSync 20 Series Network connection: Not available
1920x1080 resolution—ideal for displaying content in
Warranty: Limited 3-year parts and labor Pricing: $1,899–$4,499 Planar Systems stadiums, arenas, and event halls; for showing trailers Control capability: RS-232, IR remote
www.planar.com
Warranty: 3-year limited in movie theaters; or for featuring promotional content Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait
Class sizes: 38 and 29 inches
in retail settings. They’re also designed to accommo-
Resolutions: 1366x398 (M3800S-BN) and Class sizes: 40, 46, and 52 inches Bezel size: Contact vendor
Model: M-Series date Sony’s VSP-NS7 HD player, with screw holes so
1366x480 (M2900S-BN) Resolutions: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p users can mount the player to the rear of the display. The 42-inch D42FMP1 LCD display monitor is de-
Pricing: $2,800–$20,550
HDMI connectivity? No HDMI connectivity? Yes signed for use in shopping malls, sports venues, or any
Warranty: 3 year (40–52 inches); 1 year (57–70 inches) Model: GXD-L52H1 public location. It showcases images and content in
Network connection: Not available Network connection: Not available
Class sizes: 40 to 70 inches Pricing: $6,500 landscape and portrait modes and uses Westinghouse
Control capability: RS-232C Control capability: RS-232 for multiple monitor control, DDC/CI Digital’s 1080Pure for 1080p resolution out of all HD
Resolutions: 720p and 1080p Warranty: 3-year parts and labor
Orientation modes: Landscape Orientation modes: Landscape and portrait connectors. DayBright technology allows for high-
HDMI connectivity? No Class size: 52 inches contrast viewing day and night; expansion modules
Bezel size: 31.75 mm Bezel sizes: 15.5 mm x 15.5 mm (LCD4020);
Network connection: RJ45 Resolution: 1920x1080 support signage add-ons. Monitors come with handles
Suited for retail environments and hard-to- t loca- 16.5 mm x 17 mm (LCD4620); 19 mm x 19 mm (LCD5220) on the back for easy movement and installation and
tions, including restaurants and lobby displays, LCD4020, LCD4620, and LCD5220 have a durable, Control capability: RS-232, IR remote HDMI connectivity? HDMI to DVI cable or directly via option card
are encased in a metal frame for durability.
: .
46 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009 | proavmagazine.com proavmagazine.com | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2009 47