Display selection guide

The display is the most visible — and often most expensive — part of a deployment. Choosing the right panel is mostly about matching three things to the environment: build quality, brightness, and duty cycle.

Commercial vs consumer

Consumer TVs are built for a few hours of home viewing; commercial displays are engineered for continuous operation, with better thermal design, longer warranties covering signage use, portrait-mode support and control ports (RS-232/LAN). A consumer TV is fine for a short pilot but usually voids its warranty in commercial 24/7 use.

Brightness (nits)

Brightness is measured in nits (cd/m²). Rough targets: 250–350 nits for controlled indoor light, 400–700 nits for bright interiors and semi-shaded windows, 700–1,500 nits for storefront windows, and 2,500 nits+ for outdoor and direct-sun locations. Under-speccing brightness is the most common — and most visible — mistake.

Operating hours & burn-in

Match the panel's rated duty cycle (e.g. 16/7 vs 24/7) to your hours. Static elements — logos, tickers — risk image retention on some panels over long runs; mitigate with commercial panels rated against it, subtle pixel-shifting, and occasional full-frame content. See the media player guide for what drives the screen.

Selection checklist

• Environment — ambient light dictates nits.
• Hours — match the duty-cycle rating.
• Orientation — confirm portrait support if needed.
• Size vs distance — use the size & distance calculator.
• Connectivity & control — ports for mounting and remote power.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a normal TV for digital signage?
For a short pilot, yes. For always-on use, commercial panels are built for the hours, support portrait mode, and keep their warranty — consumer TVs usually don't in commercial use.

How many nits do I need for a shop window?
Typically 700–1,500 nits for a window in daylight, and 2,500+ for direct sun. Controlled indoor spaces need only 250–400.

How do I avoid burn-in?
Use commercial panels rated against image retention, avoid long static elements, and vary content with occasional full-frame imagery.