Digital Signage Need to Know: CMYK vs RGB and Other Design Factors for Digital Content on LED Signs.

-Scott Hofheins

There is a reason why we talk about content so much on this blog. Content is the driving force behind your viewers ability to notice your sign, retain the information, and act. You want them to do this quickly and without confusion or delay. This is why investing in a content creation service who specializes in LED signs, or training your own in-house designers on outdoor content is worthwhile. The days of text only signs are going away, making way for full color advertising machines, ready to take whatever you can throw their way.

What is CMYK and why won’t it work on an outdoor LED sign? Why do some signs look great and others look blurry and hard to read? Content for print media is different in many ways than content for digital media. Additionally, content on an outdoor LED sign is different than content on an indoor Digital Sign (LCD Monitor). Knowing how to handle these differences is key to providing a dynamic readable message on an outdoor LED sign.

CMYK vs RGB

This is a common difference that comes up a lot when designers familiar with print media are working on digital media. The bottom line is this: CMYK is for print media, and RGB is for digital media.

• CMYK: Stands for “Cyan (blue) Magenta (red) Yellow and Kent (black)” These are the colors of the ink that printers mix together to created printed media.

• RGB: stands for “Red, Green, and Blue”. These are the colors of light, that mixed together can create all the different colors we see on TV Screens, HD Projectors, and of course outdoor LED signs.

Any content made for digital displays of any type is being converted to RGB in one way or another. CMYK works for print media because you are ‘coloring’ the paper with ink. This ink will reflect light to produce a certain color. However, displays are physically producing this light to create colors, so they work in terms of Red Green and Blue. When mixed together in equal values they create white light. When they are all off, they create black.

In most cases you need to physically change the ‘color pallet’ of any files you send to a digital device from CMYK to RGB. This embeds the correct color information into the file so there is a direct translation value for the colors in the file, and the corresponding Red, Green and Blue light values.

DPI Value

This is another common term used in print media. It stands for Dots Per Inch and measures the amount of data the file contains “per inch” of the printed page. This is an important value in print media because a print with 300 dots per inch is going to be higher resolution than a print with 72 dots per inch.

However, it means absolutely nothing for digital media. Digital media is being displayed directly on a display with a set number of pixels that will not change regardless of how large the display is in inches. Saving content used for digital media with a high DPI only increases the file size, not the quality of the file.

Content Pixel Resolution

Monitors are typically 1024x768 or higher. This means 1024 pixels wide by 768 pixels high. However, outdoor LED signs are much larger and viewed from a distance, so they don’t need that many pixels. They range from 16x48 pixels all the way up to digital billboards that push 200x400 pixels.

Designers who feel comfortable with web design, or print media won’t usually have a hard time with billboard content. However, most outdoor LED signs are not billboards and have a lot less space to work with. Knowing how to use this space effectively can mean the difference between a viewer saying “Wow, that’s a great deal!” or “What did that sign say? I couldn’t read it.”

Font Size and Style

Font’s take up a certain number of pixels depending on their size. Sizing these fonts correctly according to the size and pitch of the sign is important. Fonts that are too small won’t be readable, or appear blurry.

Font style is important as well. The quick readability of a font is important and there are some that are good for LED signs (thick and bold) and other that are not (fancy and thin). Knowing how to use a variety of font styles while maintaining readability is extremely important for LED sign content.

These are just a few of the factors that designers need to take into account when creating content for outdoor LED signs. There are many others including pixel pitch, road speed, color matching, viewer distance, and a host of others that must be taken into account. This is why I feel the investment in a content service or an in-house designer is worth the cost. It’s not enough to just have funny quotes and smart text on an LED display anymore. Viewers expect dynamic, colorful content that is readable and memorable. Let a pro handle it, and give yourself a little more time to focus on what you do best, operating, building and expanding your business.

-SH

I hope this post has been informative and helpful. As usual, I welcome ALL constructive comments. Please feel free to comment and add anything I’ve missed, or additional tips you may have regarding this topic. Please visit www.vantageled.com for many other resources, white papers, and of course: Great looking LED Signs!

**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 Signage Need To Know: New technology making things simpler with LED Signage

-Deacon Wardlow

Depending on your age and or location, you may have come across a piece of living history either through personal use or at an antique store or flea market. At the company's peak, Underwood typewriter sales equaled (in quantity) the sum total of all their competitor's typewriters and they were churning out typewriters in Hartford, CT at a rate of one per minute. many of the classic Underwoods (specifically the No 5 model) are still around and work just as well now as they did when they were fresh off the factory floor. Simple elegance.

Technology is complicated, but manufacturers are constantly striving for simplicity. Smartphones have few, if any, buttons and rarely come with instruction manuals as the interfaces are very intuitive. At one time, computers were massive machines for business or science and now a powerful PC can fit in your back pocket (just be careful when you sit down). The driving force behind this systematic simplification is both ease-of-use and to lessen points of failure.

SSD (Solid State Drives) were developed to lower the weight and power consumption in computers, increase efficiency, and decrease failure rates (as "regular" hard drives contain spinning discs which can become damaged corrupting data and possibly outright making a paperweight out of a decent computer). LED and Digital Signage (DS) systems, are constantly moving towards streamlining and simplification taking place as well. Controllers take advantage of SSD technology, photo cells are being replaced with software programming (no more photo cell failure at midnight "blinding" passer-bys). Where are manufacturers going from here?

Temperature probes are dinosaurs. Asphalt and Concrete cause temperature readings to spike during the day and wind/rain can cause actual temperature readings to drop down. Manufacturers are starting to rely on national databases for accurate readings. Even software (the old standby) is going away and being replaced with Mobile Device Apps, cloud-based controls, and more universally accessible "anytime, anywhere" driven control systems. It's interesting how the more our technology is driven forward, the "simpler" and more streamlined it gets.

Keep an eye on the market, you'll see changes for the better with manufacturers who care about influencing the direction of the industry. The dinosaurs will likely fall behind, but that's how technology works. Typewriters are replaced by computers, computers are replaced by tablets and smartphones, old technology makes way for new. Make sure you're working with a manufacturer who's ahead of the game and not falling behind.

-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, Need to Know: Insurance and Warranty

History:

In the time of King Hammurabi the first hint of today’s modern insurance appeared, carved into a Babylonian obelisk monument. It came to be known as the “Hammurabi Code” and offered a type of basic insurance when a debtor couldn’t repay loans due to a catastrophe- death, flood, disability and more.

Insurance underwriting appeared in the 1600’s as shipping interests between Europe and the Americas started to develop.  Edward Lloyd, an owner of a coffee house, was one of the first to explore this new concept as he provided a meeting place welcomed ship owners and merchants seeking insurance. Does the name Lloyd seem familiar? It should be as Lloyd’s of London is now universally known as a provider of insurance across the globe.

Today fire insurance, property insurance, health insurance and life insurance provide protection and, in the case of life insurance, establish immediate estates for the surviving family.

The basics are simple- spread the risk around, so everyone pays a little to prevent any one person from losing it all.

LED Signs:

If anyone has been involved in the LED sign industry one truth should be clear- stuff breaks. No argument there. If you sat on a pole, 24/7, through storms, heavy traffic, power surges and other insults eventually one of your LED modules might give up too!

What separates a quality LED display from a poorly designed LED display is how often it breaks.  Is it okay for an LED display to fail once per year?  While you may see a service truck out monthly repairing an imported LED display, that high frequency of repair is not common on USA produced products. So, let’s assume one service call per year on your quality LED sign.

Assumptions & Calculation of Service Cost for a Quality Sign Ownership:

Average length of time the sign is owned- 8 years.

Average man hours per service incident- 4 hours at $100/hour.

Average parts cost- $150

Lifetime service cost of ownership = 8 x (($100 x 4) + $150) = $4,400

That’s a lot of money. Wouldn’t it be better to help defray that cost with a 3^rd party insurance plan that had a guaranteed life even beyond the life of the manufacturer or the insurance company?

Warranty versus Insurance:

Is insurance a warranty, or is a warranty some kind of insurance? I think the answer to both questions is “yes”.

It’s smart to ask “what iron-clad assurance can you give me that your LED Sign warranty obligations can be met?”

What if the manufacturing plant slides into the ocean? What if an F-5 tornado hits the plant and wipes out everything?

Did you know that many warranties extended by LED sign distributors and so-called "manufacturers"are not even legal technically? State law tries to help determine how warranty execution is guaranteed in the event the company offering the warranty fails. Many companies ignore these laws against "self insuring" and attach some ridiculous warranty period to their product at the same time they are struggling to pay for their next imported project from Shenzhen, China. They may be one sales deal away from failure as their cash flow approaches zero.  The warranty is as good as their next sale.

Remember the old game of chance where you have 3 cups and a ball? What cup is the ball under? Don't let the old chancy game of "self-insurance" make you guess who's paying for the service.

Having a 3^rd party warranty provider, an insurance company, one deeply involved in the industry who conforms to the legalities of warranties, with reserve funds established is the best way to go. This way service execution is guaranteed even if the 3^rd party warranty provider’s company were to fail. The warranty, or the “insurance” has a life of its own.

Many sign companies and certainly many end-users of LED displays never consider this. However when the time comes for warranty servicing and the upstart "flying by the seat of their pants" LED sign "manufacturer" has long ago closed its doors and folded its operation, the installing LED sign company quickly realizes it has to service that cheap LED sign over and over again. Live and learn, huh? Not too many times however to stay solvent.

Ensure that your project is insured, and that a warranty creates true added value for you and your customer. A 3rd party insurance protection plan provides that assurance.

These comments belong to me, Mike Prongue, and do not reflect the views, opinions, hopes or dreams of anyone else, anywhere else and this includes Vantage LED. I appreciate your constructive opinion which may be sent to me at michael@vantageled.com.   

Digital Signage Need to Know: What is Pixel Pitch and How Does it Relate to LED Signs?

-Scott Hofheins

Pixel Pitch (or dot pitch) is a term used on a daily basis in our industry. It is a core specification that will determine the clarity, effectiveness, and cost of an LED sign. Although Pixel Pitch is also used in any type of digital display (computer monitor, LCD TV, etc...) it is still not a common term for the general public and can sometimes be difficult to understand it’s role.

I’ve listed some common questions about LED signs below. You may feel like they move off the subject, but I promise it will make sense at the end.  

What is Pixel Pitch?

At it’s core, it is a measurement of how close each pixel is to another on a display, typically measured in millimeters. The lower the Pixel Pitch, the more pixels you can fit together on a display.

Great...so what is a pixel?

A pixel is a single point of light on display, consisting of (3) individual colors: Red, Green and Blue. When each is lit at the same full intensity, the pixel produces white light. When they are at different intensities, shades of colors are produced.  

A display contains thousands of pixels, laid out on a grid. The actual number of pixels high, and the number of pixels wide is call the “Native Resolution” of a display. The computer monitor I am using to write this post is 1600 pixels wide, by 900 pixels high, or 1600x900. An HD, LCD Television would be 1920x1080. Notice the “1080”? This is where the HD 1080p classification comes from. It designates that the display is 1080 pixels high.

What does that have to do with LED signs?

They use pixels just like LCD TVs and Monitors. However, LED signs are outdoors, large, and fighting sunlight so they must use physical Red, Green, and Blue LED’s instead of liquid crystals. Additionally, they use significantly less pixels than monitors or LCD TV’s (unless you're in Las Vegas) because they are viewed from a distance.

We call the “Native Resolution” of an LED display it’s Pixel Matrix. Typical digital billboards will have matrixes like 168x584 or 216x763, while typical commercial displays would include smaller matrixes like 32x128 or 48x96. The larger the matrix, the more information you will be able to fit on the sign.

What does the Matrix have to do with Pixel Pitch?

The more pixels you can fit into a sign (higher matrix) the higher the resolution will be, and the closer you can be to the display and still clearly see the image or text. Believe it or not you may be more familiar with Pixel Pitch than you realize. Do you know why Apple’s “Retina” displays are so crisp? Because they have been able to squeeze more pixels into the same amount of space. This is done by decreasing the Pixel Pitch. In fact, pixels are so close to each other these days that they are now measuring them in PPI (pixels per inch).

How does Pixel Pitch affect an LED sign?

The same way it affects a computer monitor, but on a larger and more noticeable scale. Pixel pitches on LED signs may include 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12.5mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm. Most commercial outdoor LED signs will stay in the 16mm - 25mm range.

16mm and lower pitches are typically used for smaller signs to fit more pixels into a smaller area and maintain a quality image. However, they can be used for larger systems where the intended viewers will be close to the sign.

The 20mm pitch is a good middle ground for many sign owners who need to have a little of both worlds. A larger sign, but with the viewers a little further away.

25mm and sometimes 32mm pitches are commonly used for digital billboards. You may see a 20mm or 16mm on smaller billboards, or where the sign is closer to the viewers.

How does “Virtual Resolution/Pixel Sharing” relate to Pixel Pitch?

The simple answer is: it doesn't really. It’s like comparing ounces to inches. They both work together in the real world, but are not directly related. However, I am a big fan of Virtual Resolution technology when done correctly. Deacon Wardlow posted a great article about it awhile back.

Virtual Resolution technology allows a sign to share the other pixels around it to smooth out lines and graphics providing a higher quality image and increased clarity at closer distances. When this is done correctly, the actual video signal size will be double the pixel matrix of the sign. For example, a 64x144 sign would use video data sized at 128x288.

This will make a 20mm sign using virtual resolution look better than a standard 20mm sign. However, a 10mm sign of the same physical size will always look better than a 20mm sign (even with Virtual Resolution). This is because a 10mm sign physically has more LED’s, they are physically closer together, and it has a higher “Native Resolution” than the same sized 20mm.

Remember, Pixel Pitch determines how many pixels you can fit onto a display. The more pixels you have, the higher resolution the display will be when viewed close up. However, larger signs viewed further away do not require a low pixel pitch. Keep in mind that Virtual Resolution technology is great, but is not directly related to pixel pitch so make sure you compare apples to apples. I hope this post has been helpful, and for those looking into buying an LED sign I encourage you to educate yourself as much as possible; I promise it’s worth the effort.

-SH

I hope this post has been informative and helpful. As usual, I welcome ALL constructive comments. Please feel free to comment and add anything I’ve missed, or additional tips you may have regarding this topic. Please visit www.vantageled.com for many other resources, white papers, and of course: Great looking LED Signs!

**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.

LED Sign Tech & Spec: What to Expect when you're expecting your LED Sign...

-Deacon Wardlow

Expectations don't always match reality, as such it's important to know what to expect what you're getting before deciding whom to buy from. There are a lot of variables out there, this is why we've worked hard over the last year+ on keeping the blog informative and fact-based. Here's a quick outline of things you should be looking for and questions to ask any manufacturer:

Documentation:
What documentation is available for installation and after-service (while many manufacturer's have installation directions, few provide documentation on component replacement which is crucial for proper & quick field work). After service should not be an after-thought!

Specifications:
Does the quote contain the specifications you need for the job (i.e. power requirements (max/average), system dimensions, #of colors and performance specs, etcetera)? Is a simple cut-sheet available referencing the system specifications and highlights?

Support:
Do you have multiple lines of access? In a pinch, can your rep help you get whatever you need? Does your rep provide you with the basics (just the quote) or do they go further to get you information to help sell, support, and understand the product?

Partner vs Vendor:
Can you get marketing material co-branded (after all, you're the one putting rubber to road and spreading the word to sell the product)? Is training available so you can learn more about the technology (hardware/software) and how to promote it well?

Production:
Do you have an option to receive engineered drawings on a project soon after ordering? Do you have access to a gallery so you can show a client similar projects? Does the manufacturer have control over production and can you visit their facility (in the USA) to see the production process?

Delivery:
If you have a custom rush project, what is the fastest the manufacturer can produce a system? We've all been with that one client who waited too long and needs something in a three weeks as opposed to a month or more, but doesn't want to skimp on quality.

Options:
How custom is custom? Can the manufacturer make the cabinet to specific dimensions (height/width) for you? Are you stuck to a set stock listing or can you get creative with options?

Before getting in too deep with a manufacturer, make sure you know what to expect before you inspect the system. Making sure the manufacturer can provide everything you, your team, and the end-user require before placing an order is crucial; a mistake with display can cost you more than money, it can cost you present and future business. A good reputation is hard to earn and easy to lose, know what to expect before your expecting...

-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.

A year+ in review - Articles from the Vantage LED team for your edification & education.

-Deacon Wardlow

It's been a little over a year now since we first started the blog. We've delivered new content 2x/week every week since the start (including this post, that's 123 articles in 13 months or an average of 9 articles every month). When we first started off, some friends and colleagues asked if we'd run out of things to write. The great thing about DS (Digital Signage) is it's constantly evolving and there's always something new to learn/share.

We're taking a short break (the next post will start up again from August 6). After the short break, we'll continue to bring you fact-based approaches to education on DS issues relating to technology, sales, end-user support, technology, and more. If you'd like to see something in particular, please email us (deacon@vantageled.com) and we'll be happy to get right on it for you.

For all of our fellow Americans, "Happy Fourth of July!" Play safe and come back with all your fingers and such intact on the other side of the holiday (there've been a few times I wasn't as careful as I should have been and am grateful for nothing more than a slight burn to teach me a lesson...).

So you don't have to sort/search and dig around for what you need, I've broken the articles into categories. Here's everything going back to last May 2012:

Digital Signage Sign Tech & Spec:

1. Providing Correct Power Voltage to LED Signs and Why 120 VAC and 240 VAC are Both Important
2. Power Supplies
3. Don't get screwed, modern module securing systems
4. Front Access Design Considerations for Digital Signage and Hinged Faces
5. Factors Affecting Image Quality on Outdoor Digital Signage
6. How Color Values are calculated
7. Viewing Size vs Cabinet size (big differences can add up to false $$ savings)
8. Controller options for LED Signage
9. Virtual Resolution (aka pixel sharing)
10. LED Sign Components
11. Service Access options for LED Signs
12. The truth behind "ultra bright" LEDs
13. Communication Methods for LED Signs
14. Myths and Misunderstanding about LED Signs
15. The good and bad of LED Signs and how to tell the difference
16. Powder Coating
17. New Coating materials (Dragon Skin)

Digital Signage Content:

1. Professional Content is a Must!
2. Real World Effects of LEDs per Pixel on Outdoor Digital Signage
3. Time and Temperature on LED Signs...to Be or Not to Be
4. Quality LED Signs Managed Responsibly Improve the Community
5. Professional Quality Content on LED Signs Benefit Resellers Directly
6. How 'LinkedIn' is Digital Signage for you/your clients?
7. Why DS Fails
8. Keeping Content Current/interesting
9. Ensuring text comes through LOUD AND CLEAR
10. LED Signs & Free Speech
11. Create a call to action with Digital Signage
12. The benefits of PSAs (Public Service Announcement)
13. Get the most from your website (Digital Signage is online as well)
14. Being a good neighbor with LED Signage
15. Content scheduling/creation (planning ahead)

Digital Signage Sales 101:

1. Sell your company first, product second...
2. Why Cheap LED Signs Sell Well But Fail
3. Door to Door is Dead
4. Sticker Shock Syndrome; dealing with cost objections
5. LED Sign Sales- Closing Technique Suggestions- 1 of 3
6. Closing Technique Suggestions- Installment 2 of 3
7. Closing Technique Suggestions- 3 of 3
8. Objection Handling Part 1 of 2
9. Objection Handling Part 2 of 2
10. Stop selling and start solving - Customer Centered Selling
11. Better is Better, Always!
12. Value Based Selling Is a Win for Local Sign Companies
13. The cost of a system - Good/Quick/Cheap... Speed, Quality, and Price with LED Signs/DS Solutions.
14. Wow Your Customer
15. Build bridges, don't burn them
16. Business Relationship Suggestions

Why LED Signage?:

1. Outdoor Digital Signage Helps Focus and Sustain Advertising to Potential Patrons
2. A Road-Map to Success is Important With Digital Signage
3. Common Misconceptions About LED Signs
4. How an LED Sign can help business
5. LED Signage earning potential

Costs for Digital Signage:

1. How much can an LED Sign Cost?
2. Short term gain, long term costs (cost of a "cheap" LED Sign)
3. "Value Line" vs. Single Level of quality (i.e. why there aren't iPhone or Droid "lite" versions)
4. Is an LED Sign (or any Digital Signage) an investment or a purchase?
5. Selling the value of a Digital Signage Solution (LED Sign, LCD, or other)

Digital Signage 'How To':

1. Securing Wireless ( WiFi ) Communications for LED Signs
2. System monitoring obstacles and options
3. Check The Power! Electrical Supply and Outdoor Digital Signage
4. Basic LED Sign Troubleshooting and Logic
5. LED Sign Permitting Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
6. Finding a reputable installer for LED Signage
7. Sourcing the best LED Sign manufacturer for your business
8. Calculating Power Costs
9. Information on the National Electrical Code as applied to LED Signage
10. Electrical Safety Certification Marks explained
11. Different LED Sign Sales approaches
12. Project Management with LED Signage
13. Embracing new technology for business
14. CRM/ERP Options for your business
15. Simple LED Sign troubleshooting

Digital Signage 'Need To Know':

1. Explaining LED Sign Technology Simply and Effectively to Your Audience Directly
2. The Cloud, Cloudware, and LED Signs
3. Statistical Analysis of the Relationship between On-Premise Digital Signage and Traffic Safety
4. Educate yourself and your clients, before the competition does it for you!
5. How an LED Sign Manufacturer's Approach to Design and Engineering Can Affect Installations
6. Don't Be the Beta for a Manufacturer
7. China Manufacturing Stumbles
8. Parts and Labor doesn't always equal warranted repairs...
9. Exponential Growth for the LED Sign Industry?
10. When comparing LED Sign solutions (EMC/EDS/CMS/Etc), make sure you're getting what you expect
11. You Deserve to Make a Profit on LED Signs
12. What does Web App/Cloudware mean for Digital Signage/LED Signs?
13. US Based Support for LED Signs is More Than Phones and Technicians
14. Own It! Be The Trusted Authority on LED Signs and Educate Truth
15. Is Anything Really ‘Made’ in the USA?
16. Domestic LED Sign manufacturers vs. off-shore
17. Importing from China
18. Low quality systems' affect on business
19. Supply Chain Logistics on components
20. Beware of a "bait-and-switch"
21. The Ghost of LED Signs past (the cost of going with the cheapest option)
22. Heat
23. How to protect against heat
24. Power (undervoltage)
25. Power Supplies
26. Is after service an after-thought?
27. The Value of a warranty
28. On Site Service Warranties (underwritten vs. carried by the manufacturer)
29. Proper Conformal Coating
30. Silicone Coating on the back of LED Modules
31. The cost of going cheap on component choices from a manufacturer

-DW

*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 my 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.