Digital Signage Need To Know: When comparing LED Sign solutions (EMC/EDS/CMS/Etc), make sure you're getting what you expect.

-Deacon Wardlow

It's not all apples and oranges in the Digital Signage world. With all the "geek speak" and "tech terms" it's difficult to tell the difference between good and gimmick. Comparisons used to be a lot more straightforward. What LEDs are you using? What's your software like? Now things are a lot more complex and many manufacturers will play a bit of a game with dealers and end-users. When manufacturers play games, the winner isn't likely to be the buyer. Here are a few ways to tell the difference between good and gimmicky to sort product in the right places and be sure the comparison is on equal footing or not.

Size Matters
As written in my blog last June be sure to compare the proposed solutions by not just size, but the active matrix. Different LED Sign manufacturers have different borders on their product (some have no borders). A 16mm 4'x8' sign can have VERY different active matrices. A smaller active matrix means smaller viewing area = smaller display. Some companies will promote the "low cost" of their system compared to other displays of the same size. Make sure the "same size" means the active viewing area and not the cabinet.

Support
As Scott Hofheins explains in his October blog, "When looking for a good LED sign supplier, don’t trade short term value for long term headaches." Back-end support is critical for any system. This is not just limited to the techs available on the other side of the phone, but rather the complete package. Can you get in touch with your sales rep whenever you need them? Does the company have comprehensive documentation/guides on installation and service for the system? When you speak with the company reps, are they knowledgeable on the product and do they make recommendations when you're unsure of the best solution for a particular opportunity?

Experience
Zenith, RCA and others used to be leaders for in-home entertainment (TV/Radio/etc.), but they were quickly put the wayside by competitors who were able to take advantage of newer technologies and options in the market at a better price. New companies will come along all the time, the question is how long will they be around after the sale? Look for companies with a presence in the market and a strong background. We're not talking a century or so (Microsoft is a monolithic company and they've only been around for 22 years, Google for about 14 years). Make sure the company has a solid position in the market, experience with the product and they're in a place where they'll be around for another 5, 10 or more years. Age doesn't always mean reliability, but a company who's been in business for five or ten years is more reliable than one who opened their doors a year or so ago...

Quality Control 
As I wrote back in November, take a deep look at who you're working with and the alternatives and make sure the company is a solid partner. What makes the company different? When considering an off-shore alternative, keep in mind how quality control can be ensured along the entire build process through to delivery. With many off-shore companies you get what you inspect, not what you expect. With a domestic company, they (usually) have to answer to the authorities and there are remedies to be pursued when something goes wrong. With a non-domestic company, there are few options/remedies available and A LOT of trust required.

After Service 
As mentioned on support, don't let after service be an after-thought. What steps has the manufacturer taken to protect both you (the dealer) and the end-user in case something goes wrong? Does the manufacturer offer an insured/bonded 5 year on-site service program option along with the standard 5 year parts/labor? Are parts readily available at the manufacturer's factory and what's the fastest they can get a part to a dealer/end-user? Will the components come with a replacement guide or is the field tech reliant solely on phone support? Is the system capable of auto-diagnostics and reporting? For large-scale spectacular systems, can redundancies be built-in to the system and does the manufacturer have prior-experience with redundant data/power/etc.?

Innovation
Change, in all things, is inevitable. Scott Hofheins wrote a blog last December where he points out a company which isn't moving forward is standing still and being left behind by the companies who choose to grow/change. Technology is constantly in flux (faster network connections, bigger storage, faster processors). It's important the manufacturer chosen as a partner is consistently looking to the future and working to ensure their product is changing to meet not just the needs of the present but the future needs ahead.


When a close look is taken at an "apples to apples" comparison, you'll start to see the difference show through. Two systems which look similar at first glance can be almost completely different depending on what the partner is bringing to the table.

-DH

*I invite you to comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment. Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically noted.

LED Signs 101: LED sign system components

-Deacon Wardlow

Driver board, LED Tile, Modules, Panels, Quads, etc. If one were to look at all the different titles, they’d be misled into thinking they were different things when they’re all component titles for the same thing; an LED “panel” made up of a matrix of either 8x16, 16x16, or even 32x32 pixels (LED groups) with connectors for power and communications meant for LED Signage. LED components can be confusing and even though the industry has been in existence for decades, the terms are not standardized across the board.

Many manufacturer’s don’t want you to understand the systems. The more complex it seems, the less likely they figure you are to dig deeper and get to understand what they’re really using to produce the product. Here’s a quick tutorial (which will be expanded and expounded upon later):

Power Supplies: Be wary of private-labeled systems. A sign shop doesn’t make it’s own ballasts and power supplies for signs. They reach out to the top manufacturer and get the best product at the best price. It’s possible to specify some particular component tweaks, but the reason they do this is reliability. A main manufacturer who specializes in power supplies builds millions of units (not thousands) and they work to ensure the clients get the best quality. It’s nice to have a private-label, but who stands behind that brand should something happen to the manufacturer of the LED Display?

PCB (Printed Circuit Boards) and LED Panels: A lot of companies are claiming to be “made in the USA” when in fact they buy off-the-shelf product from somewhere in Asia and put it in a cabinet. This is akin to me claiming a paint-by-numbers set I’ve done is my own masterpiece. If the company is not engineering their own solution, they’re handing control over to someone else and they have little/no control over quality and the ability to modify the product to meet consumer demand or to match changes in technology which may offer a better, cheaper alternative technology solution to those able to change with the times.

Controller: The controller is the engine which drives the LED Sign forward. There’s a reason auto manufacturers spend so much money and time on their engines, the engine makes a huge difference. While standard components are somewhat important (i.e. what type of power and connection cables are selected) the controller NEEDS to be something specified and engineered by the manufacturer. The controller is the heart of their Display and it’s important that heart get the maximum number of beats and performs optimally for the lifetime of your system. Make sure the manufacturer you’re dealing with can go over their controller and explain how they engineered a solution specifically for their systems. You can’t go online and find a great solution for LED signage. The solution has to be specifically engineered to the use and controllers (more than anything) need to be product-specific.

Control boards (logic board, receiver cards, etc.) and Control Chips: While this is digging deeper than most people prefer to go, it’s important (again) to make sure the company has sourced the product properly. A year ago, Thailand had some major floods and over 80% of the world’s market were getting hard drives from Thailand. When the source “dried up” from the flood, hard drive levels were at an all time global low and prices were driven up. Several companies ate the loss and others had to increase cost on their systems (causing dealers to lose a lot of sales)/ Without solid sourcing (including a backup source in a different country/location) it’s too easy for a localized event to suddenly cause issues with the ability for a manufacturer to meet market demand. When the 6-8 weeks you were expecting for production on an LED Sign turns into 12+ weeks, nobody will be happy. Proper sourcing avoids these kind of pitfalls.

Software: Is this a component? Most definitely! All too often I see the standard Chinese software on systems “made in the USA.” What the end-user gets is a sub-standard control system, software which is not simple and straightforward to use, and software which DOES NOT meet the market requirements. EVERY LED Signage manufacturer should have a unique solution for their clients. When an end-user comes back to the manufacturer with a special request (i.e. someone who’s display needs to be tied into a scoring system for a sports arena), you’ll find how important it is to have this component sourced through the manufacturer. A request to a “standardized” control system manufacturer in Asia will either never be answered or get the, “We will see” response. LED Sign Manufacturers need to be able to respond to market demand and customer requests and this means software which they can modify as needed.

Don’t accept a mediocre solution at a low price. Fight for the best combination of quality and price possible and always dig deeper. Make sure the system you’re getting is the best possible and unique to the manufacturer of your choice. You don’t always get what you pay for. Make sure what you’re getting is what you expect and the manufacturer can meet your needs.

*Please comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), check out the site periodically as we’re constantly adding new material.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

The Ghost of LED Signage to come...

-Deacon Wardlow

Jacob Marley warned Scrooge if he continued on the path he chose in life, things would not turn out well for those around him (not to mention things going south for Scrooge as well). There are towns in the USA where the ghost of Programmable LED Signs has come and gone. The warning was given and not heeded. Now these towns are becoming LED Sign graveyards with systems which half-work or are completely down. What happened? Short-term gains overcame long-term expectations.

There are a lot of manufacturers who can give you a song and dance and paint a beautiful picture of the future to come, yet the systems fail to deliver over time. The old saying comes to mind, the bitterness of a poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of a low price has faded from memory. A lot of companies are playing a short game, selling a “high quality product” at a premium price with an “economy line” product at a low price. What they hope you don’t notice are the details.

Always dig deeper. Companies should have ONE level of quality. Do you see an iPhone sold with the “economy line” series available? How about any of the game console companies? Reputable companies build their name around their product quality and don’t take chances associating themselves with a “cheap” series. All manufacturers should be able to streamline production to the level where the buyer can get the highest quality at the best price.

Where to dig? I’ve added some hyperlinks to previous blogs and resources to make research a little easier. How can you tell a cheap system from a cost-conscious build? Get the details. What are the frames per second? How is the refresh rate? What color quality does the manufacturer have and how is it achieved? How is the system protected from surges? What is the system warranty on parts? Does the company offer a 3rd-part warranted on-site service option for the lifetime of the parts warranty? What’s under the hood (controlling the display)?

Make sure a comparison is apples-to-apples on systems and not, as one friend recently said, “Apples-to-2x4s.” Quality systems with content properly managed will really help communities see the value in the medium. Poorly constructed systems which have high rates of failure and which are hard to manage lead to the nightmare towns with failed systems and towns/cities scrambling to restrict usage as quickly as possible.

Don’t let your choice of investment be short-sighted by a manufacturer with short-term goals. Dig deeper and make sure you’re getting the most for your money.

*Please comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), check out the site periodically as we’re constantly adding new material.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Which LED Sign manufacturer is the best?

-Deacon Wardlow

Comparing LED Sign manufacturers is difficult. The terms aren’t standard from one manufacturer to another which makes comparison challenging and many are often very tight-lipped about the processes which go into building their systems. Of course I'm going to be heavily biased and say the company I work for (Vantage LED) is at the top of any manufacturer comparison for Programmable LED Signs but as LeVar Burton famously said, “Don’t take my word for it.”  At the end of the day, it's about what you want/need to succeed.

This blog is written with the main goal of educating people on Programmable LED Display and Digital Signage topics and information so they can make an educated choice. Eventually there'll be a niche for every part of the Digital Signage market, filled by various companies making their specializations. The key is knowing which manufacturer will be a resource for your company and not just another source pushing the product.

It's frightening, you're out there pushing to get the jobs and a lot of sign shops have heavy costs they need to meet. LED Displays can be a lifesaver for sign businesses as they're such a quick turnkey product which has the potential of giving end-users more versatility than ever to reach out to their target customers and community. Unfortunately a lot of unscrupulous companies sell bad LED Displays and unwitting sign companies buy them; many companies are primarily looking at the dollar signs and buying into the line, "It's like TVs, they're all the same really..." A few months or a year later, the sign company seriously regrets the choice. Any profit quickly goes away to service work which has to be written-off to avoid potential unhappy customers, lawsuits and other issues. The biggest hit is to the brand (both the customers’ and the sign company's reputation) which has taken so long to build.  Both businesses watch as the brand quickly goes down the drain and a reputation which has taken a long time to build up is quickly ruined.

You've got to dig deep. There are once great companies who built in the USA and now they're going to China. They won't openly state where the systems are coming from, they'll still claim they build in the USA, which is sometimes partly true, and will hide the fact they’re exporting work and importing product. There's nothing wrong with using a balanced global supply chain, but manufacturers need to be open about where they get what they have and who's really designing, engineering, programming and quality-checking the product line.

At the end of the day, don’t be tricked by magic numbers, slippery geek speak or misdirection. Make sure you’re getting straight answers to straight questions. The more you know, the more you can be sure the manufacturer you choose is the partner who’ll help you succeed. A successful, supportive partner will make the difference between losing bids and winning them. That supportive, winning partner is going to be the best manufacturer for your business.

*Please comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), check out the site periodically as we’re constantly adding new material.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

The Future's so bright: Issues with "bright" LEDs for EMCs

-Deacon Wardlow
NITs, Lumens, Flux, Foot Candles*, however light output is tested you have to be sure the reported measurement is giving you the complete story. The output on your EMC (Electronic Message Center) may not be what you think it is. Overdriving LEDs still occurs in the industry because people believe brighter is better. When you look at the brightness rating on a system, be sure you get what you’re paying for.

The practice of overdriving LEDs has been around as long as LEDs themselves. An LED has a given rating for performance. Go under the rating for an LED and you’ll have mid to fair performance. At optimal rated driving (current passed through the LED) an LED will shine its brightest for the longest measure of time before it depreciates below useful levels. When someone overdrives the LED, they cause more current to flow through the LED.

LEDs work via PWM (pulse width modulation). The faster an LED pulses, the brighter it appears. The slower the pulse, the dimmer the LED appears. By increasing current to the LED, it’s overdriven and made to appear/test at higher levels than normal.

More current = more/brighter pulses = brighter LEDs. Unfortunately more current = more heat = faster degradation of the LED = shorter lifespan for the LED sign. Here’s a short example of the Overdrive factor and how much the lifespan of an LED is reduced:

While a manufacturer may claim higher brightness, be wary on how they obtain that brightness. If in doubt, ask them to name the manufacturer of the LED and go direct to the LED manufacturer to check brightness capability claims. A reputable manufacturer should be able to show proof the LEDs are all within rated ranges and not being overdriven and they should have no qualms with you verifying the information yourself. Don’t let claims of high brightness on an EMC blind you to the truth.

*For a deeper description of the abbreviations and terms, please check the online EMC glossary here.If you like it, please drop a thank you email to me (and the team at Vantage LED) for the info! Also read about NIT Values and Measurements here.

**Always feel free to comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment.

***Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Content for LED Signs/Digital Signage: ENSURE your WORDS have IMPACT!

-Deacon Wardlow
I came across a great article written by Kevin Larson Titled, The Science of Word Recognition or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bouma. This was written for Microsoft in 2004 (who would’ve thought, Microsoft has personable articles which are easily read and enjoyed by non-geek individuals). Today’s blog is abbreviation of the article (and some other research) with an eye towards digital content creation.

My curiosity was peaked when I was debating whether people should use all caps or sentence case (words with upper and lowercase) on a display for text or perhaps a mix of both. Solely all caps is a no-no because it takes longer to read/comprehend while mixed case allows for faster reading because we’re more familiar with words containing sentence  case as opposed to all caps. In 1886 a psycholinguist (great job title) named Cattell suggested we read by associating shapes with words:


Zip ahead about 100 years and further research found the way we read is by recognition of a word’s component letters and then use visual information (the first and last letters in a word) to recognize the word. This is why you can read the following paragraph:

I cnduo't bvleiee taht I culod aulaclty uesdtannrd waht I was rdnaieg. Unisg the icndeblire pweor of the hmuan mnid, aocdcrnig to rseecrah at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mttaer in waht oderr the lterets in a wrod are, the olny irpoamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rhgit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whoutit a pboerlm. Tihs is bucseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey ltteer by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Aaznmig, huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghhuot slelinpg was ipmorantt! See if yuor fdreins can raed tihs too.

What does all this have to do with content?
The ability for your target audience to quickly read, imprint and recall the message is based on how you present your content. If you’re in an average situation, you’ve got a 5 second window to make an impression. Weird font choices aside, the more legible, short and to-the-point your message, the easier the target gets the message and recalls it. Coming back to CAPS. A message in all CAPS will force the target to slow down to read the message. Great if you have a 10+ second window of opportunity, if you have the 5 here’s the best way to go about it:
Think of it like a Monster truck ad:
MONSTER TRUCKS! Fri and Sat. TEN DOLLARS for a SEAT.

Or a sale notice::
SALE! 2 days only, Fri. and Sat..
STOP IN NOW! 
Because of current technology (i.e. email, Twitter, Facebook, etc.), you likely read the CAPS as a shout with the mixed case as a “regular” level voice. CAPS definitely have a place in content as both an emphasis and combiner. The human mind likes patterns and order and groups things. Whatever is in CAPS will likely be grouped in the mind (SALE! - STOP IN NOW!) the lower case is set in the background impression.

When you’re putting together that new message, try out the mix and have someone take a quick look at the display (less than 5 seconds) and see what they remember. The CAPS will stand out, the rest will likely be there. Short, powerful, direct and to-the-point messages will leave the imprint you’re hoping the target walks away with. What they remember, is up to you.

If you like to dig even deeper, this is the article the blog was based on:http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ctfonts/wordrecognition.aspx

*Always feel free to comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

On site service warranties - Make sure your investment is adequately protected!

-Deacon Wardlow
Underwriting has been around in one form or another for centuries. Lloyd’s of London is perhaps one of the most famous underwriters (with policies insuring trade goods dating back to the 17th century). Having an underwritten insurance has been a standard “must” on trade, isn’t it time the same rules applied to underwritten warranties for on-site service?

A common complaint in the Digital Signage industry (specifically relating to Programmable LED Signs) is the concern on dealing with manufacturers and vendors who are around one day and gone the next (usually around the time when warranty-related issues start cropping up). With so many fly-by-night resellers and manufacturers coming-and-going, there’s a standing distrust of manufacturers and the companies selling the systems. Even companies who’ve been around for more than a decade have fallen to the pains of an ever tightening economic downturn. These pains are, unfortunately, no stranger to the sign industry.

How can a company ensure parts and warranty are covered through the lifetime of a Programmable LED Sign? Where should dealers and end-users turn when they need help with their system? A third-party underwritten service warranty is the answer. No company can say with 100% assurance they’ll be running strong 5 years from now. Businesses change hands, financial issues occur, some companies close their doors and others are merged with larger corporations. A 3rd party underwritten warranty protects both dealers and end-users against future issues.

While many reliable (and several not-so reliable) manufacturers offer a five year parts warranty, few follow-through with a standard option for an underwritten on-site service warranty. Often when they offer the service warranty, it’s through a division of the manufacturer’s own business. The problem with this is the contract resides with the manufacturer and if something happens to that manufacturer, the warranty is meaningless.

Having a third-party company come into the mix allows for everyone to be covered. Should something occur to the manufacturer which made the display or the sign business which sold the LED system, the third party company will be around to ensure the parts and service warranty is covered. Should something happen to the third party underwriter, there are several other qualified companies who will pick up the contract and continue coverage.

When you’re looking at your source for Programmable LED Signage, do they work to ensure you’re covered in every possible way? Check their standard policy with on-site warranties and make sure they have this offered through a third party. A reliable Programmable LED Sign manufacturer should be looking after the interests of your investment for its lifespan and working to ensure you’re covered should even the worst situation occur. This is the difference between being just another vendor and an active partner for your success. Make sure there’ll be someone answering that phone several years down the line should there be a problem. Make sure your choice of manufacturer offers the option for a 3rd party underwritten on-site service warranty. The underwritten policy is your life jacket when treading the uncertain waters of business.

*Please comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), check out the site periodically as we’re constantly adding new material.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

The hidden cost of "free."

- Deacon Wardlow

Is anything really free these days? When the word “FREE!” appears on an advertisement, is there some part of you which questions, “Ok, but what’s it really going to cost me?” I’m a partial pessimist on things like this and I often wonder where the catch or cost is. I can walk into my favorite ice cream shop for a “free” taste sample, but both the store and I know the chance is good I’m going to leave having bought something and you can rest assured those free samples have been factored into the cost of my cone.

“Free” software for a Programmable LED Sign is a dangerous thing. I’ve been around the block a few times with Electronic Message Centers (EMCs, LED Signs, EDS, etc.). I’ve seen a lot of manufacturers take the route of the generic control system (but the software is free for download). The software may be free to download, but it’ll cost you a lot of time and effort to learn it well enough to support it (you’ll find free support lacking with your free software), and an even larger amount of time to track down someone responsible when something in the software doesn’t work the way it should. All this time (money) wasted because a manufacturer wanted something “free” and didn’t want to spend more to develop their own software. That bit of free will cost you in the long term.

Another issues with the word “free” is it's often masked by the word “included.” Anything that’s included is paid for by you, it’s just not itemized. Make sure the real cost on non-standard add-ons is given to you up front and a manufacturer can show you what is really “included” and what’s not. Do customers need wireless radio communications “included” if they’re going to use a direct-connect cable? A good manufacturer (and their sales reps) will work with you to ensure an end-user gets what they need and doesn’t end up pay for an awning on a submarine.

The last bit on free I have is the “free” support offered by many manufacturers. That support isn’t free, it’s included in the cost of your message center. Things like this shouldn’t be labeled as “free” or “included” they should be standard. Finding a manufacturer who will stand behind and support their product line is a must. If they list something as “free” or “included” be wary because they may one day decide that option comes at a higher cost than you want to pay. Remember, the first taste is free, but one way or another you’ll end up paying.

*Please comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Virtual Resolution (VR) Demystified

-Deacon Wardlow

Virtual Resolution (VR), Pixel sharing, Enhanced Pixel Performance, whatever you want to call it, the technology has been around for more than a decade, but has only recently begun to truly shine with regard to performance.

A Pixel is a grouping of LEDs (1 red, 1 green, 1 blue aka 1R1G1B, sometimes 2R1G1B). A pixel pitch is the measurement from one center point of a pixel to the next center point. The tighter the pitch, the closer the pixels and the higher the resolution of the display. As you can see from the images, virtual pixel technology improves the resolution of letters and images.

         20mm Non‐Virtual                 20mm - 10mm Virtualized



Virtual Resolution (VR)
 
Virtual Resolution: LED pixels are able to share LEDs between them, thus halving the distance from one pixel to another and virtually doubling the resolution of the display (ex: If you have a 20mm display with a 48 x 96 matrix, its virtual resolution would be double at 96 x 192). This results in smoother graphics (less blocking) and extremely dynamic and fluid video.

This improvement is achieved by sharing individual LEDs between pixels. While a “regular” pixel only has single red, blue and green LEDs available, a virtual board can use blended LEDs from any other nearby pixel thus making a sharper, cleaner image. With any technology which is hard to reproduce, there are the nay-sayers and rumor-mongers.

A few of the biggest myths out there regarding virtual resolution:

1. The technology overdrives LEDs and causes them to burn out faster.
2. LED Signs using VR has blurry text and static images don’t look clear.
3. VR puts a strain on the system causing the controller to fail prematurely.
4. VR makes a 20mm sign look exactly like a 10mm sign.

There is a small amount of truth in the best of lies and it's important (as always) to pay attention to the details. In brief:

1. LED Early Burnout Some unscrupulous manufacturers overdrive their LEDs to make them brighter. Unfortunately these same manufacturers also utilize VR technology. The overdriving of LEDs has nothing to do with VR. Overdriving LEDs is a poor choice for a short-game sale which causes a display’s LEDs to depreciate faster and the sign to lose performance over time; a sign which should have been good for five to ten years is only good for two or three (at best). Because the two were coming hand-in-hand when the technology first was in use, people still associate VR systems with overdriving.

2. Poor Resolution
Take a look at the picture above, if anything the e is vastly improved and not “fuzzy" at all. The same is true with images. VR helps tremendously with animated content (especially video). Video runs at 25 frames per second and often has a slight "blur" with heavy motion. Real Pixel displays often have issues replicating the blur where a VR display can smoothly duplicate the effect. Some people mistakenly associate the "blur" explanation with VR overall and thus the fuzzy understanding.

3. System Strain
VR technology simply shares LEDs. The way it shares each LED is complex but doesn’t burden a controller with any additional computing power which it isn’t already pushing to the sign. Most of the “work” is done in the chipsets themselves and how the chips are “addressed” in a system.

4. I can't believe it's not a real pixel
A lot of salespeople will tell you a 20mm virtual looks just like a 10mm real. This simply isn’t true. The real thing will always be better. A 20mm virtual will make the display look crisper, more defined with sharper images and smoother lines. It’s an upgrade on the system which makes it stand out from the competition and usually the upgrade comes at a lower cost than buying a tighter pixel pitch (great for end-users who just can’t afford the next step up).

Virtual Resolution technology is here to stay and with the vast improvements in the technology, it’s just going to keep getting better. It’s a cost efficient option to improve sign definition for end-users and should definitely be an option carried by your manufacturer. If the manufacturer you’re looking at doesn’t offer VR, ask them what other technologies they aren't offering/integrating. Make sure they're giving you the best system options possible. Don't make the very real mistake of overlooking the virtual option for your LED sign.

*Always feel free to comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Digital Graffitti, make sure you're protected.

-Deacon Wardlow

Taki 183, Cope2, Banksy, all are renowned names in the graffiti world. Some do it for fun, others as a form of social protest, regardless of the reason graffiti is prolific and continues to grow with the advancement of new technologies. There’s a new form of graffiti “artist” emerging. Graffiti taggers who have technical know-how.

One branch of technology which had been previously thought “immune” to graffiti was digital signage. This is rapidly changing as technology becomes more accessible. Graffiti “hackers” are finding ways to gain access to digital signage and are using the medium as they see fit. This undermines the large investment you (and your clients) have put into digital signage.

How can you shield your signage from digital graffiti attacks? Here are a few simple steps to check with a Programmable LED sign manufacturer to ensure you’re protected:

1. Is the software secured?
The software for the Programmable LED Sign should be protected either with an activation code, a physical USB key or locked-down to a specific computer with restricted access. This ensures only the people you want communicating with the sign can do so. Unfortunately, a lot of systems purchased from China use standardized software from a few manufacturers who make their software readily available for download online. These manufacturers have “serial codes” to activate the software, but the codes are useless as they list the activation code online alongside the download link. Anyone can download the software suites and then it’s a simple matter of testing the system to see which piece of software you’re using. Make sure the software you’re getting with the sign is specific to the manufacturer and secured.

2. Is the sign communication protected?
If you have a hard-wired communication line (ethernet or fiber), make sure the line is secured within the sign and conduit and can’t quickly/easily be accessed from the sign base. If you’re using wireless ethernet, make sure the SSID (Service Set IDentifier, the name your wireless radio utilizes) is suppressed (not showing on a search for wireless devices). Wireless radios should also be locked-in to only accept signals from a paired radio/device. Any openings allow someone the opportunity to “piggyback” on the signal and communicate with the display.

3. What steps has the manufacturer taken to secure the system?
Check with the manufacturer and see if they’ve had any problems with digital graffiti before. Any reputable Programmable LED sign manufacturer should be able to give you recommendations on securing your system properly against attacks.

Don’t let your LED Sign be a digital graffiti target. While some people find it amusing to see a sign messed with, neither you nor the end-user will be smiling if they wake to see Zombie warnings on their system...



*Always feel free to comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage LED has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment.

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Conformal Coating; check if they're doing it right.

Fig. 1 - example of moisture permeation

-Deacon Wardlow

Conformal coating on PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) is a must for proper protection of your investment with an LED Sign (or any digital signage system components exposed to the elements).  Conformal coating is a thin polymeric layer which “conforms” to the exposed face of the printed circuit board and its components. Conformal coating acts as an insulator, protecting the circuitry and components against shorts and contact with moisture and other contaminants. It also provides mechanical protection from vibration and thermal shock.

Conformally Coated PCBs aren’t enough, the type of coating used and how it’s applied is just as important. Improper conformal coating can cause as many issues if improperly selected and applied. Selecting the appropriate coating and application reduces the risk of failure.

Moisture permeability has to be considered when choosing the right coating compound. Coatings are porous, so water and other materials permeate to varying degrees and cause failures. In Figure 1, solvent-based urethane allowed enough moisture permeation which caused corrosion underneath the coating. Some types of coatings are more permeable to moisture than others.

Though moisture permeation causes issues, permeability to moisture can also be an advantage. A coating which allows a board to “breath” creates a low static moisture level and trapped moisture can be a problem; one standard recommends baking a PCB for a minimum of 4 hours at 93+/- 5.5 ºC before conformally coating. Manufacturers which skip the cooling step or choose the wrong compound can expose your investment to serious issues.

Major issues to watch for with conformal coating compounds:

Shelf Life of the compound is often overlooked; a manufacturer can have the right coating but end up using product which is no longer at its prime. How often is the conformal coating used/replaced? Is the shelf-life of the product taken into consideration and old coatings replaced periodically to ensure optimal performance?

Uncured coating can result from the inability for a coating to obtain the optimum properties at the manufacturer’s specified time and temperature. Coatings can be inhibited by contaminants such as organic acids from flux residues. In the case of natural latex (a common masking agent), the residue alkali can reduce curing of certain catalytic-type coatings.

Adherance to the surface is critical for a coating. Since most coatings are liquids, the coating must be thick enough that it remains on the PCB surface as a uniform film but not too thick or have too high a surface tension to cause voids (liquid coating application is commonly referred to as “wetting”). This wetting is influenced by changes in the composition of the coating and compatibility with the PCB surfaces (solder masking, board or component surfaces, potting compounds, etc.). Wetting results in “spotting” and areas on the PCB which are flat/dull compared to the rest of the board/coated material.

When you’re looking at manufacturers of LED Message Centers, ensure they pay attention to the details. Many will claim to do conformal coating, but what steps have they taken to qualify the coating is done properly? Don’t accept a “standard” answer, dig below the surface to expose the truth.


* Always feel free to comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment. Advertisements/promotion for your business and inappropriate comments will be deleted.. Thank you!

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.

Silicone coating on LED modules, benefit or bane?

-Deacon Wardlow

Imagine the hot sun beating down on a dry July afternoon. The temperature is up past 95 and that’s in the shade. Now imagine grabbing a big rubber rain jacket, boots and rubber pants and putting them on. Not likely something anybody would want to do in the middle of a heatwave, right? Some people disagree and coat the back of LED module with a layer of black  silicone insulating material to “protect” the system.

It’s easy to see why someone would want to use silicone insulation:
·         Operational temperatures from -148F to 600F
·         Inherently good electrical insulation qualities
·         High level of functionality regardless of types weather (rain/snow/wind)
·         Low permeability (resistant to moisture and exposure to condensation buildup)

However, while the low permeability is great for the back of an LED module (no corrosion or exposure to the elements for the electrical connections) the low permeability causes issues. While some types of silicone are made to manage heat (thermal grease used on computer CPUs is one example), silicone used on the backing of LED tiles is an insulator material made to protect the tile components from water, chemical, ESD (electro static discharge) and other environmental hazards.

Unfortunately, insulators trap heat and will minimize the potential long-term optimal performance of the LEDs which make up the tile. LEDs do not radiate heat but rather hold the heat in and this leads to a breakdown in the material components, causing the LED to dim and lose color prematurely. To deal with this heat, manufacturers take great pains to draw heat away from the LED light fixture. In this case, the fixture is the LED panel itself.

A sign is an business’ image. The sign you sell to your clients reflects back on you and your hard earned reputation. Don’t take a chance, make sure you get all the facts up front. While it’s cool to see LED tiles functioning under water, shouldn’t the seal around the tiles keep water from getting to the back of the LED modules in the first place? Don’t let a poor coating choice get your clients hot and bothered.



* Always feel free to comment here and/or email me directly with requests at deacon@vantageled.com. Vantage has white paper resources and more educational material on the website (http://www.vantageled.com), please check it out when you have a moment. Advertisements/promotion for your business and inappropriate comments will be deleted.. Thank you!

**Note all posts/thoughts/writings are strictly the viewpoint of me and me alone and do not reflect nor speak for Vantage LED’s beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, etc. unless specifically stated.