“Keep it outside” has been the mantra during the pandemic. Whether company events or public gatherings, creative thinking has been key, and digital signage is playing an important part in helping to keep people safe and socially distanced. 

Art and Messaging

Midtown Plaza is a new, vibrant revitalization of Carmel, IN’s old industrial area. It is located in the heart of a thriving center of entertainment, urban-style living and commerce. Midtown brings its own unique urban atmosphere, distinct from its adjacent districts, serving as a connection between the Arts and Design District and City Center.

Serving as a piece of art, an avenue for communication, and a source of entertainment, a large LED video wall sits in the center of the Midtown Plaza. LED display company Neoti worked with an architect and audio visual integrator CCS to supply a custom solution.

Neoti’s product approach is to gather the “4 D's”: distance, domain, design, and details. The viewing distance would range from 30 feet to 200 feet, depending on how the screen was being used. Neoti suggested a 6mm pixel pitch to provide the best experience for all applications. The second D is “domain,” or environment. This use case required a rugged panel that could withstand the harsh Midwest winters. The next element Neoti studied was the design. Design renderings conveyed a stair-stepped edge on both the top and bottom of the display, prompting custom-sized modules to accomplish the goal. The final D culminates in the details, such as the content (communication, art, entertainment), structure, and media controller.

Flex Space

At a new BASF location in Research Triangle Park, NC, a large pavilion was built as a flex space for corporate events, gatherings, presentations, and formal meetings. 

“We needed a system that offered high image visibility and that would not be affected by the elements, including high temperature, humidity, and pollen,” said Jeffrey Coger, BASF facilities engineer.

BASF engaged audiovisual systems integrator AVCON. “They’re objective was to create an environment that would appeal to their workforce—more companies today are investing in experimental facilities as a way to differentiate themselves and compete for talent,” said Chuck Jones, senior project developer, AVCON. “We began exploring LED technology, and specifically, a solution that was fully outdoor-rated with low pixel pitch and ultra-high brightness.”

“The Planar VVR Series LED video wall meets all of the client’s needs: it is bright, high resolution, weatherproof, and blends with the pavilion from an aesthetic standpoint,” Jones said. “They now have a display technology that gives the pavilion the impact they were looking for. It looks just phenomenal.”

In Their Own Words

Neoti

Neoti provides a variety of direct-view LED displays that have remained relevant during the pandemic. Large video displays in houses of worship, retail signage, drive-in theaters, and outdoor, high-bright displays for drive-through restaurants.

Possibly the most relevant display type during the pandemic has been the outdoor display for restaurants. Many restaurants were not prepared to provide a socially distant and touchless experience. Now, many restaurants are adding drive-through or curbside service. Large, daylight-viewable displays are instrumental in the efficiency of a drive-up or drive-through experience. Restaurateurs now see the importance of bright, weatherproof displays—especially in areas exposed to direct sun and rain. Many products in the market identify themselves as “outdoor” or “high bright,” but verifying specifications will help. 

Most companies recommend that a display have a minimum of 2,500 nits and be IP56 certified. This will assure viewability during the peak brightness of the day and protection against dust and water. However, Neoti’s high-resolution LED displays offer unlimited sizes with no bezels, brightness levels over 3,000 to 4,000 nits, and IP ratings as high as IP65, therefore providing a larger display that lasts longer. As the display ages, brightness will diminish. So, for example, if the display starts at 3,000 nits, it will still be viewable at nearly half its brightness—especially when protected at IP65.

Drive-up and drive-through restaurants with Neoti high-bright outdoor displays will provide a great way to communicate with customers, as well as a socially distant and touchless dining experience for years to come.

Panasonic

From restaurants, to museums, to theme parks, each business and venue planning to reopen will benefit from deploying solutions that assist in a smooth transition from traditional procedures to newly updated processes. To ensure the health and safety of employees and customers, businesses and venues should look to incorporate new and existing solutions that help everyone clearly understand what safety procedures are in place—this is where digital signage technology is key. 

In light of changing health and safety standards, digital signage solutions help businesses emphasize the safety protocols they put into place, encouraging employees and customers to follow them, and ultimately, helping the businesses stay open. As the technology develops, we will see new use cases that help businesses not only connect and engage with customers, but also create technology-enhanced experiences. Integrating software like facial recognition may be particularly useful today when it comes to identifying whether a patron wears a face mask, but in the future, this technology could lead to other positive experiences like identifying a frequent shopper and helping her find her way to her favorite section of a store. Ultimately, digital signage technology can help keep both the end user and the business that deploys it more connected and informed.

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Planar

This year, the pandemic has dramatically changed in-person gatherings and pushed more people outdoors. What has remained consistent is an organization’s need to advertise, relay information, and engage target demographics. Higher resolutions are one way to bring visual experiences to life for companies and end users alike, and thanks to current technology advancements, we find that more customers are looking to achieve this outside—even in direct sunlight.

This is why we recently introduced the Planar HRO Series high-resolution outdoor LED video walls, which offers our customers a high-brightness, fine-pixel-pitch LED offering built for close-up daylight video viewing. Planar HRO Series features 3,500-nit brightness, an aspect ratio of 16:9, and some of the finest pixel pitches available for outdoor LED displays—1.5 millimeters and 1.9 millimeters. Plus, Planar HRO Series LED Displays are built to endure the weather without negatively impacting the viewing experience.

We also released the Planar FX Series in May, providing customers with a solution that brings to high-ambient light environments the same level of close-viewing image detail and resolution historically reserved for lower-light, private spaces. The new line of fine-pitch LED video wall displays is available in a range of pixel pitches for indoor and outdoor applications.

The industry will continue to turn to video wall solutions that allow for close viewing in bright, sun-lit public environments, even after the pandemic. We’re proud to offer our customers product lines uniquely suited to these applications.

Sharp

Since the start of the pandemic, collaboration tools have become more important in our communication with one another—whether that’s remote or in-person. The Windows collaboration display from Sharp has emerged as one such essential solution for enabling more effective collaboration in our new normal—especially in hybrid office settings with some participants in-person and others joining virtually.

The 4K Ultra HD 70-inch Class interactive display comes equipped with a built-in microphone, 4K camera for video conferencing, and IoT sensor hub for the highest-quality audio and video. It is also Skype for Business-certified and equipped with Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams. Its built-in sensors can connect to the Microsoft Azure Digital Twins IoT platform and other commercially available cloud services, such as Sharp Synappx WorkSpaces—a SaaS solution that uses data on meeting room conditions taken from the display’s IoT Sensor hub to provide actionable analytics for the modern workplace. This provides enhanced collaboration no matter where you are.

Solutions like the Windows collaboration display have become increasingly necessary as we collectively fluctuate between working remotely and in an office space. It’s important to have tools that work effectively in either environment, so work and collaboration can continue uninterrupted in a safer space. While this is an issue that was brought to the forefront by the pandemic, we anticipate that there will be continued demand for hybrid solutions moving forward. 

ViewSonic 

With Zoom meetings, hybrid learning, and other non-face-to-face methods being used to communicate, people are being more creative in finding ways to connect and remain productive during this pandemic.

ViewSonic developed a variety of display solutions that allow people to view and share content from a safe distance. This includes the LD-series of displays, which are direct-view LED, all-in-one displays that can be used to deliver messaging and digital signage messaging.

We see that larger-screen displays are being used for meetings or in classrooms; one user is on site with the display, while other participants are brought in via webcam. The displays are large enough that each person has their own “square” without bezels cutting through faces, and ensuring that everyone can be seen and is able to share. The LD135 is larger than four 67-inch LCD displays, while the LD163 is larger than four 81-inch LCD displays combined. 

The ViewSonic LD-series comes in both 163- and 135-inch sizes, and includes software that allows for screen sharing, content mirroring, and a 4-in-1 split-screen function that allows up to four presenters. Features include native 1080p resolution, 120-percent Rec.709 color gamut, and an Android 8.0 operating system. 

These LD-series displays are easy to install—two people, two hours—and come with built-in software for sharing content. The large size and crisp image quality ensure that messages and faces are vivid and clear.

The What: Among a range of new Adamson products available immediately for the installation market is an extension to the company’s IS-Series of installation loudspeakers. Weatherized versions offer AV professionals a loudspeaker family purpose-built to withstand the most extreme climates. The weatherized enclosures are ideal for marine and coastal venues, outdoor stadiums, open-air performance spaces and other permanent outdoor installations.

[The Latest in Outdoor AV Solutions]

The What Else: IS-Series weatherized models achieve an IP55 rating without sacrificing performance or aesthetics. All structural steel elements of the IS-Series Weatherized cabinets are made of a high yield strength stainless alloy that offers 100 percent corrosion resistance. The new models also feature an interior and exterior coating with a distinctive smooth finish that provides a water-resistant seal and allows for easy cleaning and removal of dirt, grime, salt water or sand.

The Bottom Line: To supplement the product release, Adamson is also releasing an update to its suite of design tools for integrators, including new Autodesk Revit and SketchUp libraries for the IS-Series, and updated EASE and CAD files for the complete Adamson loudspeaker line. The design tools are available now for download on the Adamson website.

The What: Bose Professional has added four new pendant loudspeakers—the DM3P and DM5P loudspeakers, the DM6PE outdoor-rated loudspeaker, and the DM10P-SUB subwoofer—to its DesignMax loudspeaker range. 

[Bose Introduces AMM Multipurpose Loudspeaker Line]

The What Else: The DM3P, DM5P and DM6PE pendant loudspeakers all feature the Bose Dispersion Alignment system, providing a consistent listening experience throughout the room by matching the coverage of the woofer to the pattern of the tweeter.

With coaxial two-way drivers, the 30-watt DesignMax DM3P features a two-way 3.25-inch woofer and 0.75-inch coaxial tweeter mounted within the Bose Dispersion Alignment system. Delivering a frequency range of 75 Hz – 20 kHz.

The new 60-watt DesignMax DM5P is a coaxial two-way pendant loudspeaker with a 5.25-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter mounted within the Bose Dispersion Alignment system, delivering a frequency range of 65 Hz – 20 kHz.

The 125-watt DesignMax DM6PE is a coaxial two-way pendant loudspeaker and is IP55 outdoor-rated. It features a 6.5-inch woofer and 1.25-inch tweeter mounted within the Dispersion Alignment system and delivers a frequency range of 62 Hz – 20 kHz.

[The Latest in Outdoor AV Solutions]

Completing the new additions to the range, the DesignMax DM10P-SUB subwoofer adds bass for use in a wide variety of commercial installations. The 300-watt model features a 10-inch woofer with a 40 Hz – 125 Hz frequency range.

First introduced in 2019, the DesignMax family includes coaxial two-way loudspeakers and subwoofers with in-ceiling and surface-mount models available, plus high-SPL compression-driver options, compact models for tight spaces, and various IP55-rated outdoor options. All models deliver impressive performance with no DSP or EQ required. They can also be paired with select Bose DSPs and amplifiers to enable Bose loudspeaker EQ and SmartBass processing, expanding performance and response at any listening level.

With the addition of these four pendant models, system designers and installers can now choose from a total of 16 DesignMax products to curate complete, tailored solutions for background and foreground audio applications. Installation of every model is made easier with industry-standard accessories and Euroblock connectors; in-ceiling models include plenum-rated backcans, tile bridges, and front-access audio wiring to improve fitting and troubleshooting.

The Bottom Line: Engineered for open-ceiling installations, each unit is designed with sleek aesthetics and provides a recessed single-point suspension system, enabling hardware to be kept out of sight, and a service loop to be held and hidden for easy access in the future. Each loudspeaker is available in black or white and is paintable. The DM3P and DM5P are available to ship in most regions. DM6PE and DM10-SUB availability to follow.

The National Theatre of Iceland is one of two main theaters in Reykjavík, drawing attention for its stunning architecture highlighted by dramatic contrasting dark gray surfaces and lighter grey decorative elements. Everything about the building is majestic. Designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, the theater opened on April 20, 1950. Acknowledging popular sentiment on the island nation, the programming schedule set by artistic director of Magnús Geir Þórðarsson and venue management features varied seasonal productions consisting of new and old classics, foreign and locally written scripts, musicals, dance pieces, and more.

[The Latest in Outdoor AV Solutions]

Last summer, the theater’s technical team was tasked with researching an outdoor digital signage solution to replace the old traditional static signage at the front of the building. The objective was to be able to show regularly updated schedules and teaser trailers of upcoming productions in dynamic, high-definition video to visitors and audiences passing by the theater, attracting them inside to enjoy all the arts and stage performances on offer.

The artistic challenge was ensuring that the digital signage would complement the building’s unique Art Deco design. Technically, displayed imagery had to be visible and vibrant at any time of day and from any viewing distance, and the display itself needed to be able to withstand sometimes harsh Icelandic weather.

The Solution

Nordic IT service company Origo, based in Reykjavík, provided start-to-finish project management. Origo considered various outdoor LED and LFD options, and ultimately chose to specify Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays from Peerless-AV.

“Since the National Theatre is a listed building, it was important that the outdoor screens were in line with the simple, clean shapes, and streamlined style,” said Agust Gylfason, product manager, Origo. “The Xtreme 65-inch offers a slim frame and sits close to the wall, hence an ideal look overall for this application.

“In addition, due to the variable weather in Iceland and the exposed location of the screens, it was important to have the most robust and weatherproof solution available. Peerless-AV’s Xtreme displays were the only choice in the marketplace with an IP66 rating and an [such a wide] operating temperature range. Origo is happy, since the customer was pleased with the both the installation and end result.”

The 65-inch Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display from Peerless-AV offers outstanding video quality, along with the durability and longevity for any digital signage or entertainment application, according to the company. Sunlight-readable, the display offers 2,500 nits of brightness and is optically bonded, which increases the perceived contrast ratio and cuts down on glare. Fully sealed, without the need for exhaust vents or additional HVAC equipment, the Xtreme operates from -31°F to 140°F, is IP66 rated against the ingress of moisture and dust, and features IK10 rated impact resistant safety glass.

[Digital Signage Best Practices Guide]

The Installation

Origo began the installation of four 65-inch Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays (model XHB652) in portrait orientation in July 2020, but project completion was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic to mid-September 2020. The Xtreme displays were mounted to the building’s exterior with included outdoor flat wall mounts, and Origo provided customized frames for an enclosed finish. BrightSign XD234 4K Media Players enable remote access and control of content by the theater’s marketing department.

“We can easily say that this has been a truly positive transformation. Where we used to have backlit, printed posters that took both time and energy to change, we now have controlled, high-quality screens that we can operate from anywhere,” concluded Sváfnir Sigurðarson, marketing executive at the National Theatre of Iceland. “The change has made the staff proud and we have people stopping in front of the theater admiring the displays. What really impresses me is how clearly you can see the images on the screens, even when the sun is shining directly on them.”

Click here to read more stories from the April 2021 issue of SCN.

The What: Neptune by Peerless-AV has launched the Neptune Shade Series Outdoor TVs. The new Shade Series product line includes 55-, 65-, and 75-inch outdoor TV options, all of which come with a free Neptune Outdoor Tilting Wall Mount ($199 USD value).

[The Latest in Outdoor AV Solutions]

The What Else: An all-season solution for year-round outdoor entertainment and living, Neptune Shade Series Outdoor TVs can be installed in backyards, patios, outdoor kitchens, pool areas, and more. Created with Peerless-AV’s technologies and maintenance-free construction, the Neptune Shade Series can withstand harsh weather elements such as rain and snow as well as operate in temperatures ranging from -22°F to 122°F (-30°C to 50°C). 

Neptune Shade Series Outdoor TVs, powered by LG Displays, feature a high dynamic range that offers brighter highlights with more contrast—resulting in deeper and richer colors for a more realistic, natural image. Complete with 4K, UHD resolution, and an IPS panel to boost color performance and consistency, Neptune Outdoor TVs offer 178-degrees of viewing angles so consumers can enjoy stunning views from anywhere in their backyard oasis. 

The Bottom Line: Neptune Shade Series Outdoor TVs are available in 55-, 65-, or 75-inch sizes and their respective mounting solutions can be found at neptuneTV.com and authorized distributors.

Peerless-AV is giving away a 55-, 65-, and 75-inch Neptune Shade Series Outdoor TV to three lucky winners; the contest ends May 31. To learn more, visit https://neptunetv.com/pages/2021sweepstakes.

With medical experts declaring group outdoor activities safer than indoor ones during the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are moving their operations outside. Be it a restaurant operating under outdoor-only dining regulations or a house of worship holding a service outside to allow for social distancing, these venues need a solid AV systems to make it all work.

Outdoor AV is experiencing huge growth, so what are the key factors and products integrators need to know about right now?

Growth Areas for Outdoor AV

With the COVID-19 pandemic persisting into a second year, the need for outdoor AV solutions continues. The most obvious outdoor applications are bars and restaurants.

“Outdoor patios for restaurant dining is seeing the most activity,” said Scott Normand, senior director at SnapAV. “Restaurant owners are working diligently to bring their dining experience outside in light of COVID-19. This includes outdoor-rated displays, speakers, and lighting systems.”

This growth has spilled into dining options in the hospitality industry. Megan Zeller, business development director at Peerless-AV, has seen an uptick in digital signage solutions in hotels, but particularly in the areas that include bars and cabanas.

The growth in various segments of the hospitality industry doesn’t just include AV designed to enhance the experience; it also includes outdoor AV designed to keep the operation moving. “In terms of restaurants, the quick-serve restaurants (QSRs) and fast casual market is growing at a rapid rate. With a lack of indoor dining, people are turning to drive-thrus and curbside pickup options, creating a higher demand for digital menu boards and digital signage solutions,” said Zeller.

David Sexauer, business development manager for outdoor signage at Sun Vision Display, has seen significant movement in the stadium segment, insisting that there is still a large demand in terms of public arenas. “While this does include some sporting events, it may not always be the stadium setting we are all familiar with. Outdoor concerts, public parks, and places like golf courses and ski resorts are showing potential to benefit from digital signage upgrades,” he said.

“Technologies such as LED video walls with 2mm to 5mm pixel pitch are pushing the combination of being both affordable and popular enough to justify the investment, though additional solutions are also being innovated that address known environmental challenges, namely bright ambient light and cost of high power consumption or full replacement,” Sexauer added. “Reflective LCD technology is emerging as one of those potential solutions, as there are companies like Sun Vision Display that bring the sunlight-readable and ultra-low power technology to large-format outdoor digital signage.”

On the flip side, Normand believes the stadium market has “slowed down,” as they’re seeing many projects put on hold.

Special Considerations for Outdoor Displays

We’ve all seen the neighborhood bar that bought several cheap TVs at Costco and hung them outside for patio season—and we all know those TVs weren’t meant for either commercial or outdoor use. But what do integrators and their clients need to know when choosing a true outdoor display?

“There are so many factors that come into play when installing outdoor displays, including where the display will be installed, what display is used, and whether the accompanying components are outdoor-rated,” said Zeller. She suggests researching screen placement (particularly whether or not the display will be in direct sunlight), considering whether the structure can support an outdoor display (outdoor displays tend to be much heavier than indoor), and looking into local ordinances that may require special permissions or certifications.

SnapAV’s Normand said understanding the environment is key for integrators when it comes to installing outdoor solutions. “This helps them to select the appropriate brightness, glare resistance, and ruggedness of the display—as well as the water and dust IP rating,” he said. “Not every outdoor system is a full-sun application, so the super-high brightness levels are not always needed. For example, in a nighttime dining experience, the brightness level needs to be customized for the application. Glare reduction coatings can also reduce the image clarity or be a necessary requirement for high-sun applications.”

[Reinventing and Reinvigorating Outdoor Signage in the World of COVID]

Zeller agreed, stating: “In addition to considering the display’s complete environment, one needs to ensure the display and components have a proper IP rating to withstand Mother Nature.”

Products receive an IP (ingress protection) rating, standardized by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), which grades the resistance of an enclosure against the intrusion of dust or liquid. The first digit in the rating indicates protection against intrusion (tools, dust, etc.), while the second digit measures moisture protection (from droplets of water to submersion abilities). Peerless-AV’s line of Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays, for example, features an IP66 rating, which means the displays are fully sealed and protect against water, dust, moisture, and insects.

Lastly, it is important to consider the warranty for an outdoor display. “The warranty term is important, but [so is] the warranty repair process—does an outdoor display need to be removed and sent back for a warranty repair or can it be field-serviced?” questioned Normand. “Sunbrite has a two-year warranty with field service options, which sets it apart from other outdoor displays.”

Keeping Outdoor AV Secure

Outdoor AV faces different security concerns than a standard indoor installation. For example, most bars and restaurants close up shop and lock their doors at some point during the night, but outdoor installs are often left vulnerable on a patio. Normand suggests owners install a surveillance system—also available from SnapAV—to protect their AV investment, in addition to protecting them from litigation from accidents that may occur on their property.

Zeller agreed that a surveillance system should be part of a security plan, but she also suggested installing outdoor-rated security in the form of keyed locks or security hardware.

“Many display mounts include locking mechanisms, but these often are not used,” Normand pointed out. “Integrators should have a process for using the padlocks and managing the keys for the customer.”

In addition to physical security, integrators should consider the material of the outdoor display. Will it withstand a drink being thrown at it in a bar? Can it survive being hit by a foul ball in a baseball stadium? To keep assets safe, Sexauer suggested using a cover lens to add strength and durability to the display. “We recommend 6mm thermally tempered glass. If you hit that straight on, you’d likely break your hand before you broke that glass,” he said.

Additionally, “There are products like vandal films and even coatings that prevent graffiti from adhering to the displays. These can act as deterrents and sometimes as a sacrificial component that is easier and cheaper to replace than the entire unit.”

Final Thoughts

As outdoor AV installations surge in popularity, don’t forget the basics like maintenance and monitoring.

“Remote management is becoming an important factor for all integrators,” said Normand. “Our Sunbrite units have OvrC management built in on some models, which is key to knowing when there is an issue at a customer’s location and alerting us so we can take a proactive management approach to ensure the customer has more uptime.”

To keep the uptime high, outdoor AV also needs regular maintenance and check-ins. “Monthly or quarterly maintenance schedules are needed for outdoor displays, to check on cables or possible vandalism, and sometimes to remove spider webs,” concluded Zeller.

Click here to read more stories from the April 2021 issue of SCN.

It’s no secret that outdoor digital signage has always been an important tool for businesses, but the current state of the world has made that fact increasingly true. With many health recommendations providing insight that anything outdoor is for the best of the general public’s health and wellbeing, businesses are trying to adapt as quick as they can to attract customers and help streamline processes. 

Two facets of business that have been quick to embrace new tactics for outdoor signage are restaurants and retail/grocery establishments. With many of these businesses being deemed essential, or at least allowed to stay open if certain guidelines are followed, there are ways outdoor signage—whether it be for wayfinding, menus, and beyond—can help these corporations thrive in a COVID world. 

The ongoing pandemic has placed an increased importance on distance, which has led to more takeout dining via drive-thrus or curbside pick-up areas. With many wanting to stay at home while still enjoying their favorite meal, this has been a quick way to gain more normalcy in dining. With this switch in our habits, many QSRs and Fast Casual restaurants are investing in innovative, digital menu board and signage solutions. 

Digital menus can be changed in real-time as specials become unavailable or available, they can adapt to the time of day and the items being served at the hour, and can even be installed both inside and outside, whether behind a counter or in a drive-thru lane. Many of the latest solutions are not only all-weather rated but are truly universal solutions that are able to easily accommodate 55-inch outdoor displays.

Who would have thought the grocery store or shopping would become a place of respite to get out of our homes? To meet the demand of ever-changing health protocols, digital signage in grocery and retail settings need to have the capability to be updated easily with the latest news and even technologically advanced enough to provide occupancy control. COVID-19 alerts can be easily displayed on kiosks in malls or grocery stores and, these kiosk solutions can even help with wayfinding so that customers can find new routes to avoid crowds and properly social distance. 

In addition to in-store shopping, many customers prefer to order online and pick up their orders curbside to avoid coming in contact with too many crowds or people. Digital signage has become advanced enough to where software can now be incorporated into store-side kiosks and pick-up zones to ensure that a quick phone scan alerts employee of arrivals for those looking to pick up orders. 

As the pandemic changes and health solutions like vaccinations and more are introduced, digital signage, especially in outdoor settings, will continue to be prevalent. Who knows—perhaps soon we will see kiosks that track more than just a temperature reading, such as health progress and stats of individuals as they pass through! But, for now, companies can look to digital signage to help adapt and grow their various QSR, food service, and retail businesses.

Megan Zeller spoke at The Digital Signage Event on the "Opt Outside: Digital Signage Heads Outdoors" panel.

During a time of social distancing and gathering in open, outdoor spaces, outdoor fine pitch LED technology is quickly gaining popularity as businesses small and large need ways to engage audiences and relay information. This is true for cities providing residents and visitors with updates ranging from traffic and weather reports to emergency situations, as well as airports, shopping malls, and stadiums deploying display technology for wayfinding. 

Until recently, outdoor LED display technology was limited in terms of the visual performance it could deliver for both organizations and end users. Outdoor venues have often had to sacrifice either details or brightness in their on-screen content. Today, both are possible because of ongoing advancements in areas like pixel pitch and seamless, high brightness imagery. Companies can finally present the clear, captivating visuals they’ve been longing to share.

A mixed-use development in the City of Burnaby, BC, for example, incorporated an innovative and compelling LED canvas on the exterior of the building as part of an initiative to promote pedestrian and transit-friendly spaces in the fast-growing Metrotown area. Showcasing digital artwork from local artists, the installation measured 144 feet long by 33 feet high and featured a high-transparency LED mesh that allowed the building to preserve the availability of natural light. 

Are you wondering whether deploying outdoor fine pitch LED display technology is the right move for your company? Let’s address some of the most significant ways the technology is changing the game for the display industry today.

Withstanding Weather Conditions

Design elements ranging from UV protective treatments and dust-tight enclosures to waterproofing, wear-proof masking, and mesh for low wind resistance are crucial for protecting your outdoor display technology’s image quality and all-around system operation. Fortunately, these are available today and better yet, manufacturers are increasingly mindful about designing features that will preserve the viewing experience. This not only maximizes your use of the display, but more importantly, your investment.

Enhancing Viewing Distances

Outdoor LED display technology has come a long way in recent years, especially in the case of pixel pitches. Manufacturers are offering pixel pitches as low as 1.5 millimeters and we’re already seeing demand for even finer pitches. Considering 10 to 16 mm used to be the industry standard for outdoor LED displays, we can expect to see even more incredible innovations in the future.  

Unlocking Applications Previously Unimagined

While outdoor LED displays were previously selective to key markets, today we’re seeing options for nearly any application environment. The technology is adaptable to nearly any size or shape and as a result, industry demand and advancements are fueling a strong rise in custom, breathtaking LED video wall installations. From immersive video art installations at tourist destinations and vibrant scoreboards electrifying crowds in sports venues to durable video wall flooring that offers a platform strong enough to hold people, vehicles and much more, modern-day outdoor LED display technology allows customers to bring visual creativity to life. 

Extending Lifespans and Demonstrating ROI

Traditionally, the industry turned to LCD technology to deliver precise visual messages, especially in situations requiring very close viewing distances, but few outdoor solutions were available, they came at a high price, and they lacked the long-lasting brightness that was needed. By comparison, today’s outdoor LED displays demonstrate an ability to stay bright for nearly 10 years. This, combined with the fact that more manufacturers are introducing display solutions with front serviceability and simplified maintenance for reduced downtime and costly repairs, now makes it easier for companies to justify the expense of purchasing an outdoor LED video wall solution.  

David Thibeau spoke at The Digital Signage Event on the Opt Outside: Digital Signage Heads Outdoors panel.

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown fastball after fastball at businesses, but perhaps no sector has been dealt a tougher hand than the hospitality industry. Mask mandates, social distancing requirements, occupancy limits, rolling forced closures, and even statewide travel restrictions have all affected people’s ability and willingness to dine out.

Through it all, U.S. business owners have strived to abide by local guidance while providing moments of “normalcy” that customers are surely looking for, and it’s become clear that investing in outdoor AV is a crucial tactic for hospitality providers to survive the next 12 months. That’s where the integration community comes into play.

Taking the Indoor Experience Outdoors

The first and most obvious solution for hospitality businesses was to move tables outdoors wherever possible. Establishments placed tables on patios, sidewalks, and in parking lots; invested in umbrellas and standing propane heaters; and some even tested futuristic-looking plastic “bubbles” that envelop a single table to offer a degree of privacy and protection from weather. But what about video and music?

While it’s easy enough to serve food and drinks outside, the permanently-installed displays and speakers inside a building become essentially useless when everyone has to stay outside. At that point, it’s clear that owners are losing out on some of the benefits of their technology investment, but they still may not consider adding AV outside, or even be aware that it’s possible to create comfortable, high-quality digital entertainment spaces outdoors.

With the right technologies, any commercial outdoor space can be digitally transformed to offer the modern bar and dining experiences customers expect. From weatherproof 4K displays and speakers to wheeled mobile displays and tabletop audio selectors, commercial integrators have the knowledge and tools required to help these businesses attract customers. For installation firms, now is the time to reach out to existing hospitality clients to ask how their business is doing and what tactics they are using to attract customers and encourage spending.

Recommending the Right Tech

No business owner wants to make an unnecessary investment, especially in a turbulent year, so it’s important for integrators to approach the conversation carefully and listen to the business’ needs and expectations before making grand recommendations about luxurious high-tech patios. Depending on the location and the audience, having one display with speakers on a mobile cart could be the ideal solution. For a sports bar, it may be appropriate to hang multiple weatherproof displays, or a single video wall display that could be windowed to present multiple live feeds.

[Overcoming the Environmental and Placement Hurdles of Outdoor AV]

Live TV—particularly when it comes to major events like the World Series—is huge for sports bars and many restaurants, but audio is even more important and more widespread. Whether your client is a sit-down Italian restaurant, a quick-serve pizza joint, or a beverage-only bar, music is nearly a must-have.

Adding music to outdoor spaces may be as easy as adding new speaker pairs to existing distribution networks from inside, or it could involve adding new zones to a multizone system. Knowing that cost is going to be an even bigger factor right now, integrators should be prepared with multiple options at various price points to show hospitality business owners that they are here to help, and not just to land a job.

Keeping Everyone Connected

The last piece of tech typically required for premium outdoor experiences is a rock-solid wireless data network to support mobile point of sale (POS) systems, enable Media over IP (MoIP) music and video distribution, and provide a fast, reliable connection for guests’ mobile devices. For integrators more familiar with indoor wireless networks, it may help to research the latest outdoor-specific wireless access points and extenders—and gather an accurate estimate of how much bandwidth is required and how many simultaneous users may be active.

[The Integration Guide to AVoIP]

With displays, audio, and networking all on the table, there are also more advanced solutions, such as tabletop speakers that allow each party to choose their table’s audio source from among multiple options.

Whether the client uses a full control and media distribution system or just has one display thrown up on the wall, there are affordable, immediate solutions to bring their traditional indoor experience to outdoor seating areas.

Long-Term Thinking

As long as the economic prospects of in-person businesses remain uncertain, we must do everything we can to help struggling owners fill their seats and sell their wares so they are still around to help support our businesses when we regain some semblance of normal economic operations. When we think about how deeply the custom integration field is intertwined with the industries it serves, there’s one oft-repeated phrase that really seems to say it best: we are all in this together.

Scott Normand is a senior director at SnapAV. Based in Charlotte, NC, SnapAV is a manufacturer and exclusive source of AV, surveillance, control, networking, and remote management products for professional integrators.

Visitors and bettors in Las Vegas looking for bright lights and large displays can visit Circa Resort & Casino Las Vegas to view what it calls "the world’s largest sportsbook" LED video wall designed and manufactured by Daktronics. Located at 8 Fremont Street, Circa, the first ground-up resort built in Downtown Las Vegas since 1980, also features a massive pool display at Stadium Swim to improve the entertainment experience at the resort.

“Circa’s centerpieces are the world’s largest sportsbook and Stadium Swim, and our partners at Daktronics brought our vision for these amenities to life,” said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Resort & Casino. “We tasked them with developing experiences that have never been seen before in Las Vegas and they went above and beyond with the final products. We’re excited to show them off to the 24 million guests that visit Fremont Street Experience each year.”

The six-display installation totals 98 million pixels throughout the property to engage and entertain Circa’s visitors.

“Being involved from the beginning of the process, working with visionaries like Derek and Greg Stevens as well as Steve Hamlin with Tre’ Builders, has been an amazing experience,” said Josh Francois, Daktronics director of the Western region. “Circa continues the tradition of high-profile installations in Las Vegas.”

Indoor Displays

Inside the resort, the three-level sportsbook is the focal point. The entire Circa sportsbook experience features 78 million pixels to share all the sportsbook and information critical for bettors. It also shows live sports broadcasts and resort-relevant information and advertisements to keep visitors informed.

Outdoor Displays

The attention-grabbing outdoor display is by the six pools at Circa’s Stadium Swim. It measures 41 feet high by 135 feet wide for a total of 5,535 square feet of digital real estate. It features a 6-millimeter pixel spacing to bring high-resolution imagery to viewers and guests in the space.

The north façade display features a mix of LED technology including a 15HD pixel layout and freeform technology employing a 25-millimeter pixel spacing. Together, they form a display measuring 228 feet high by 52 feet wide along the skyline of Downtown Las Vegas to catch the attention of people as they pass by the resort.

[Overcoming the Environmental and Placement Hurdles of Outdoor AV]

“Building a large outdoor display in the harsh desert heat of Las Vegas is challenging,” said Nathan McGillivray, senior Daktronics project manager. “Daktronics engineering was able to overcome these challenges with unique solutions to manage high temperatures with proper ventilation."

"When the display was first installed, we were able to design the 15HD technology and the 25-millimeter freeform LED sticks to blend together and look like one seamless screen," he added. "We relied on our team—comprised of an installation supervisor, field engineers, design engineers, service and application engineers—to get the display dialed in and looking fluid and dynamic. This team effort allowed us to have a strong showing at the grand opening and exemplified the strength of Daktronics' problem-solving capabilities.”

The What: INFiLED, a global manufacturer of LED displays, announces the new MV series suitable for a wide range of fixed outdoor advertising applications. The product features a light-control sensor for day and night automatic brightness adjustment as well as a remote display monitoring system. The MV Series will be available in multiple sizes, and has a brightness of 5,000 nits, with a 10.4-pixel pitch. More pixel pitch options are forthcoming. 

The What Else: The MV Series will be available in multiple sizes 1000x1000mm, 1000x500mm, 500x1000mm, and 500x500mm. The high-performance large format LED solution is customized for outdoor installations. It features slim and lightweight aluminum profile system frame, which offers the best balance between weight and durability. The MV is built to withstand harsh environmental factors such as direct UV rays, varying temperatures, constant vibrations, and severe weather conditions, while maintaining vivid image quality with high brightness, high refresh rate and high contrast.

[Digital Signage Spotlight: LED Video Walls]

The Bottom Line: The MV series lobal Display Monitoring System (DMS) allows remote live monitoring of the screen´s key working conditions and functionality from anywhere around the globe. Light-control sensor is available for day and night automatic brightness adjustment, making it an ideal choice for DOOH applications. The MV series is available May, 2020.

With a stunning view of Lake Tahoe as its backdrop, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is nestled in a dune at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. This year the Festival transformed their sound system with the help of Audio Logic Systems (ALS) of Minneapolis, MN. 

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival operates in the summer months and beginning in early June, the crew arrives to assemble the entire venue including the seating, towers, rigging, lighting, and speaker systems. At the end of the season in September, the entire venue is stored for the winter leaving only a bare stage deck. Below the deck is permanent infrastructure including the dressing rooms, bathrooms, a small amount of storage, and a room for electrical service and amplifier racks. The Festival season consists of two shows in repertory: one a musical, the other a Shakespeare play, as well as weekly live musical concerts. This year’s season included The Taming of the Shrew and Million Dollar Quartet. 

“An outdoor theater space, the festival area is fully open to the elements where the audience attends as much to socialize as they do to watch the performance,” said John Markiewicz, owner/CMO, Audio Logic Systems. 

The resident designer for the Festival is David Gotwald, and along with sound supervisor Brian Chismar, they selected d&b as the system of choice. “We went to John at ALS because we were interested in an all d&b system. Brian and I had specified a d&b rig for our sister venue, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, two years ago, and we were thrilled with the response from the patrons as well as our artists. So we knew we couldn’t go wrong with a d&b system for Tahoe.” Gotwald goes on to say that “the transparency and linear response of the cabinets are a huge selling point for me as a designer. Since our venue is completely exposed to the elements, I wanted weather resistant cabinets, which could withstand the blistering sun as well as constant exposure to sand dust. The fact that d&b offers this option was a plus for us. It was a pleasure designing this system with John and the result of our tuning process was extremely successful. A constant complaint we heard before this install was about inconsistent coverage, ‘too loud up front and can’t hear in the back’. With the new line arrays and the point source delay and fill cabinets, we have really solved this problem.”

From a design perspective, the venue is a very complicated and asymmetrical space built on a sand dune peninsula. According to Markiewicz, “If you were to stand in the back seating position and line yourself up with the center of the stage you would be sitting house left, third seat from the extreme side. The first row is three feet from the stage and the last row ends 150 feet to the rear of the dune with 36 feet of elevation. An additional section of seats extends far to the side of the venue, adding to the asymmetrical issues of coverage.... With many measurements, I was able to build an accurate ArrayCalc file for the venue. Most difficult were the vertical heights and getting an absolute trim height estimated for the new array using the existing vertical truss towers.”

The main PA consists of two left and right arrays of 8 x Y12 each. Because of the trim height limitations as well as the 36' rise in elevation, Markiewicz was unable to cover the entire depth of the seating area with this hang alone. To cover the rear seating area, he implemented a delay system from lighting towers halfway back. “This was tricky since the seating is not symmetrical and the two towers are at different heights. To provide coverage for the first few rows and to bring the image forward and down to the stage, we provided two Y10P loudspeakers mounted at the left and right proscenium location. The front fills are six 4S loudspeakers mounted to the stage lip with low frequency handled by the B22-SUBs. Additionally, the four 4S downstage foldback speakers and two 8S can be implemented as monitors or effects speakers as needed. The Yamaha CL console feeds the d&b DS10 Dante bridge.” To complete the audio system for the Festival, ALS also supply Audio-Technica mics and 2 Yamaha Ri8-D input boxes.

While the design itself proved challenging, Markiewicz said that a major installation difficulty was sand everywhere. “Trenching in sand and running new conduit is difficult. Add to that working outdoors for weeks and squirrels eating everything you set down...”

“I’ll start with how thrilled I was to be working with a full d&b rig,” states Bart Fasbender, sound designer, Million Dollar Quartet. “I arrived at the venue after the system had already been installed and tuned to measurements. In walking around the house, and after consulting with John Markiewicz and David Gotwald we made a few EQ and timing changes to taste but generally we stayed pretty close to what the numbers and meters predicted we would need. That first session was mostly about getting the system aligned and neutral. After that was locked, I made tweaks to make the show sound how I wanted it. It was just a pleasure having that reliably blank canvas to work with. As was mentioned, the seating area was just nuts in terms of there being no symmetry; John did an amazing job with David to cover all the idiosyncrasies of the house. The d&b gear was so accurate and predictable that it was easy to get the results we were looking for from the system and for me to get the sound of the show I wanted. I couldn’t have been happier, and I’m looking forward to getting to the next all d&b venue in a few weeks!”

Peerless-AV will showcase its latest and most advanced display at APTA's 2018 Rail Conference, June 10-11 at the at Colorado Convention Center, Hall A, Booth 202.

The Peerless-AV Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display is capable of year-round outdoor digital signage with an IP68 rating and a patented Dynamic Thermal Transfer system; the display also offers an operating temperature range or -31 degree Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display can be used in a variety of transportation services, like on a subway platform or inside of a monorail car. According to the company, it features the highest environmental rating in its class, optic bonding, and an IPS and High TNI panel; the display is designed to work in direct sunlight without compromising the life of the panel or its color accuracy.

Peerless-AV will be showcasing its new Xtreme™ High Bright Outdoor Display at the 2018 Rail Conference, June 10-11 at Booth 202.

The What: Peerless-AV is introducing its new Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display at InfoComm 2018 in Booth C2947. It features a patented Dynamic Thermal Transfer system that allows the display to operate in extreme temperatures ranging from -31 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

The What Else: With the highest environmental rating in its class and a high TNI panel, the Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display thrives in all applications, especially in direct sunlight, without compromising the life of the panel or its color accuracy, according to Peerless-AV.

"We are excited to expand our line of Xtreme outdoor displays to include a solution with advanced features, like increased brightness and remote monitoring functionality, that end-users are looking for," said Todd Mares, director of emerging technologies, Peerless-AV. "With the Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display, our customers are able to create compelling messages in a bright atmosphere while having the capabilities to tunnel through an IP address and monitor their displays' health and wellness, viewing data in real time."

The Bottom Line: The Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays, available in 43-, 49-, 55-, and 65-inches, 2500 nits 2500 nits of brightness to combat high ambient lighting conditions, a IK10 rated impact resistant safety cover glass for protection against damage, optic bonding for improved direct sunlight readability and contrast, and are completely sealed IP68 encasement to ward off any liquid or solid particle ingress.

Peerless-AV's Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays will be available in June 2018 through Peerless-AV direct sales representatives and authorized distribution networks.

d&b audiotechnik will debut its newly launch d&b Custom Solutions at InfoComm 2018 in Booth C982. The introduction of d&b Custom Solutions consolidates the company’s long-term appreciation for individuality and character. According to the d&b, no matter the project size or the rigging challenge, color and weatherization of any d&b system can be matched to even the most challenging interior and outdoor spaces.

Also being show in the booth, the company's largest in over a decade of exhibiting, will be loudspeakers from the xC, Y and xS-Series, representing line array, point source, and column options, together with the installation specific 10D amplifier. Alongside will be the new DS100 Signal engine, and an open V7P. The stadium and arena targeted Yi-SVS array also makes its U.S. exhibition debut.

As always, the d&b Workflow, comprising d&b ArrayCalc, R1, ArrayProcessing, and NoizCalc, is brought to life at the booth’s central workstation. Here, visitors can get hands-on with this toolkit, designed to incorporate every detail of a d&b system, including all new and future d&b technologies.

Away from the stand, the team will be welcoming visitors to Audio Demo Room N119 for two presentations: the d&b Soundscape, and Integration and Interoperability, which will both be running multiple times a day.

Visit http://www.dbaudio.com/en/events/infocomm-2018 for more information and session times.

The What: Global Outdoor Concepts has developed a way to customize Samsung’s latest TV technology—QLED—by turning Samsung QLED TVs into Outdoor TVs and Digital Displays. The company's uses its proprietary MirageVision weatherization process and picture enhancement technology for the transition.

The What Else: The MirageVision Outdoor TV (MV-QLED) design incorporates Samsung’s QLED (4K) Quantum Dot and HDR Smart TV technology with the MirageVision Picture Calibration (MPET) and special Video Processor (MVVP). When the technologies are combined, it creates a 1,500+ nit outdoor TV/digital display bright enough to view in direct sunlight.

The displays also features UHD upscaling, auto-dimming, mobile to TV mirroring, a voice control remote, and are Bluetooth and WiFi capable.

The Bottom Line: This newly-developed MV-QLED Series, priced from $2,950 MSRP, is available in 49-, 55-, 65-, 75-, and 82-inch sizes, and carries a two-year limited warranty.

The new TV can be see at InfoComm 2018 in Booth N2934.

The What: Five years after they first came to market, Elements series speakers by Peavey Electronics are now even more weather-resistant in the most demanding climates. The IP-56 rated Elements C series of composite speakers are now protected from dust in addition to being waterproof, ensuring sonic performance and longevity.

The What Else: The Elements C series enclosures are constructed from a composite material that is dimensionally stable in wet conditions and resists contamination, yet has the resonant properties of wood. The Black Hammerhead polyurea finish is similar to a high grade of truck-bed liner, further sealing the waterproof composite cabinet panels from the environment.

On the front, a stainless steel moisture-repellent grille has reticulated foam and a layer of hydrophobic water-repellent cloth for triple-layer performance that doesn’t affect the speaker’s sonic quality. On the back, gland nut entry into the water-sealed input cup plate ensures no water will leak where the speaker cable comes in.

The Bottom Line: The weather-resistant Elements C series speakers are available in three two-way, full-range configurations and as a flyable subwoofer; the new Elements C series loudspeakers will be available from authorized Peavey retailers.