Thinking about using a consumer television for your digital sign? Think again. Many people assume they can perform just as well as commercial displays but quickly realise they have made a mistake. There are many drawbacks to using a standard TV. Here are some of the main disadvantages to using a consumer TV.

Security issues

On most televisions you can change the channel easily, which means people can mess with your settings and change the channel if they wish. Commercial displays don’t have buttons or controls on display to the public.

Another security concern is that consumer TV’s are unable to lock out infrared or IR, anyone can download a smartphone app and mess around with your display. They can change the information on your screen and put information up that could be potentially harmful to your business, or they could simply shut your screen down completely. Consumer TV’s also have USB ports which is another avenue for people to mess with your screen.

Warranty issues

As televisions are not designed for commercial use, they often don’t provide warranties if they are going to be used for this purpose. This means you won’t be able to get your TV fixed if it malfunctions because it is not made to be used as a digital sign.

They are not designed for digital signage

This is the main reason why you should not use a television as a digital sign. They are simply not designed to be used as a digital sign. They are not supposed to be used in hot or cold places where some digital signs need to be placed. Consumer TV’s can also overheat if used for very long periods of time, digital signs need to be on constantly all day.

Commercial displays use tempered glass and a metal casing to protect the screens. TV’s don’t have this and are more likely to get broken or damaged. Moreover, standard consumer TV’s do not have content scheduling software installed. They do not give you the control and flexibility that commercial displays allow.

They don’t have the correct display qualities

Televisions are made to be used in the home, where people sit no more than a few metres away. Digital signs need to be seen from far away and standard televisions don’t have the display quality to enable them to be seen from longer distances. They also lack the wide viewing angle that commercial displays have, they are designed so that people can see the display when they walk by.

They don’t look the part

TV’s are not specifically designed to attract customers like commercial displays are. People don’t really pay much attention to televisions that are on display as they are so used to seeing them. Digital signs need to have a unique look and feel about them in order to be noticed. Commercial displays are fit for their purpose, they are unbranded and people are more likely to notice that they are there to display a message.

The benefits of commercial displays

• Durable
• Fit for their purpose
• Better security
• Display quality created specifically for being used as a digital sign
• Designed for constant use
• Commercial warranty included
• Designed like a digital sign, not a television
• Contains correct hardware for use as digital sign
• Content scheduling software included