Want an overview of all the types of digital signage?
There are many different types of digital signage, from TV-sized LCD displays and touchscreens for close-up indoor use, to vast video walls in weather-proof outdoor enclosures.
In this guide to the different types of digital signage displays, we’ll take a look at some of the technologies, sizes and applications for digital signage screens to help you decide what you need.
It’s also worth noting that each type of digital signage screen might be known by a number of names and acronyms. We’ll do our best to give you the names and technical terms you might encounter, to remove any confusion.
Not sure what digital signage displays are? Our article & infographic are a handy starting point before you read on!
Screen types
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen
LCD screens are among the cheapest digital signage displays and are available in a range of shapes and sizes, including portrait, landscape and even square screens. The screen itself is a standard-definition (SD) flat panel with an image made from backlit liquid crystals.
The picture quality is good but the overall image is typically less vivid than high-definition (HD) screens due to the lower brightness of LCD displays. Because of this, LCD screens are less suitable for outdoor use and viewing from a long distance.
LCD screens have a shorter lifespan than some other technologies and can be less energy efficient, but the upfront cost is lower. LCD displays can be interactive touchscreen kiosks as well as display-only screens, adding further to their versatility.
Best for…
- Interactive touchscreen kiosks
- Lobby/reception screens
- Over-counter menu screens
LED (Light Emitting Diode) screen
LED (Light Emitting Diode) screens are actually a specific type of LCD screen. They use LED backlighting, which makes them brighter than standard LCD displays while typically using less energy. They can also provide higher definition than a traditional LCD screen.
LED displays are available in the same range of shapes and sizes as standard LCD screens but offer a significantly increased lifespan. With good care, LED screen life can be almost double that of a standard LCD screen.
Just like standard LCD screens, an LED screen can be display-only (i.e. not interactive) or can incorporate touchscreen capabilities. Organic LED (OLED) screens are also available. These are used in some commercial settings, but are less common than LCD/LED displays, because they are not as bright and have a shorter lifespan.
Best for…
- Airport departure info screens
- Bus stop/station displays
- Drive-thru menu boards
Touchscreen
As mentioned above, touchscreen displays include a screen (usually LCD/LED) with a special coating. This uses the human body’s ability to conduct electrical currents to detect when and where your finger makes contact with the screen.
Touchscreen devices use software to process the data regarding your touches on the screen, and to display specific content in response.
While it is possible to retrofit standard display-only screens to have touchscreen capabilities, this is quite rare. Purpose-built touchscreen displays are generally more reliable and effective, making them the go-to choice.
Best for…
- Fast-food order kiosks
- Interactive shopping mall maps
- Public information screens
High Bright Screens
High bright screens live up to their name, with output up to 8x brighter than standard large-format screens. They are generally used in window displays and outdoors, where glare from the sun can make standard displays hard to see.
Screen brightness is measured in ‘candela’ which is a unit roughly equal to the luminous intensity of a single candle. High bright screens can range from 700 to 7,000 candela per square metre, with a typical range of between 1,000 and 3,000. Again, the technology behind the screen can be LCD or LED, which delivers all of the benefits of those formats mentioned above.
Best for…
- Bright sunlit windows
- Outdoor sunny locations
- Under high-glare floodlights
Large display types & their uses
Video Wall
A video wall is a series of digital signage screens tiled together – typically starting from four square or landscape screens, or three portrait screens tiled alongside one another. The content of these screens is synchronised, allowing them to function together as a single large-format digital signage screen.
This modular construction allows video walls to be almost any size and aspect ratio, but a typical smallest ‘starting point’ is 2m x 2m.
Video walls are seen as the cheapest way to create a large-format display and are very flexible in use. However, they are only suitable for indoor settings and if one of the screen modules fails, the entire video wall cannot be used.
Best for…
- Retail anchor stores
- Stage backdrops
- Transport hubs
LED walls
LED walls are HD displays with no bezel or visible frame. They usually start from 85 inches and larger. They are made up of individual LED tiles that fit together inside cabinets to create one seamless display. Unlike traditional video walls, damaged tiles can be replaced individually, making maintenance quicker and more cost-effective.
LED walls are highly flexible, available in a range of sizes, flat or curved designs, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. While they typically have a higher upfront cost than LCD displays, they offer greater durability, lower maintenance requirements and exceptional brightness, making them ideal for large-format displays.
Image quality is determined by the pixel pitch, the distance between each LED. A smaller pixel pitch delivers a sharper image for close viewing, while a larger pitch is better suited to displays viewed from further away.
Other types
Displays within an enclosure
There are three main types of digital signage displays that are placed inside an enclosure. This typically creates a standalone unit with a conventional screen plus other essential hardware including cabling and media player, all inside a protective cabinet.
Depending on the enclosure, these digital signage displays can have different uses, including IP-rated weather ingress protection for outdoor digital signage enclosures.
Outdoor
Typically IP65-rated for protection against dust ingress and low-pressure water (e.g. rainfall and water spray from passing traffic). Outdoor enclosure displays need to be bright enough to compete with sunlight, capable to withstand different temperatures, and can be battery-powered for short-term use in remote locations.
Best for…
- Advertising and information
- General outdoor use
- Temporary remote locations
Totems/Freestanding
Freestanding ‘totem’ displays are a great way to provide information in a specific context. They are often used to increase brand visibility, to promote special offers in situ, or to advertise high-value products like cars.
Best for…
- Specific in-context content
- Premium/high-value items
- Targeted promotional content
Kiosks
The third – and for many consumers, most familiar – digital enclosure display type is the kiosk. Touchscreen kiosks have become a common sight in almost every retail and foodservice setting, allowing customers to take control of the order process while maximising throughput for faster revenue generation.
Best for…
- Cinema and theatre box office
- Foodservice and fast-food orders
- Self-service retail checkout
Screen categories & their uses
Finally, let’s look once more at the different sizes of digital signage displays – and especially the different applications for small-format and large-format digital signage screens.
Small Format Screens
Small format screens, also known as ‘SFD’ for ‘small format display’, are designed to be used by one person at a time and typically measure up to about 20 inches. These can display useful information in a specific (usually indoor) context, and are usually viewed from close-up.
Best for…
- Car showrooms and other premium retail
- Escalator/elevator status displays
- Meeting room occupancy/availability
Large Format Screens
Large format screens, or ‘LFD’ for ‘large format display’, can range from 20-100 inches in size. These are the larger information displays often found in high-footfall areas such as cinema foyers, shopping malls and anchor stores. Groups of people can view the screen simultaneously – typically 10-30 people when the display is elevated slightly over head height.
These are still individual screens. For very large formats, multiple screens or modules are connected together to create a video wall or LED wall. Specialist software is then used to coordinate the individual panels to display a single high-resolution image.
Best for…
- Brand-name anchor retail
- Cinema foyer advertising/trailers
- Shopping centre infotainment
