LED Display Primer

8/2/2019 LED Display Primer

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1 LED Display Primer| LuminauticsCopyright

LED Display Primer

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Table of Contents

Introduction to LED Displays ....................................................... 5 1. What is an LED? ............................................................................................................................................. 2. What is a pixel? .............................................................................................................................................. 3. How do LED displays create images? ........................................................................................................ 4. LED displays seem to have different names. Do they all mean the same thing? ................ 5 5. What does pixel pitch mean? ...................................................................................................................... 6. What does resolution mean? ...................................................................................................................... 7. What is a matrix? .......................................................................................................................................... 8. What is the difference between red or amber LED signs and full color LED signs? ........... 6 9. What is viewing angle for an LED display, and how is it measured? ......................................... 6 10. What are the key factors affecting image quality? ............................................................................ 6

a. Pixel pitch ................................................................................................................................... 6b. Contrast ....................................................................................................................................... 6c. Color uniformity ....................................................................................................................... 6

d. Color accuracy ........................................................................................................................... 7e. Frame rate .................................................................................................................................. 7

11. What are the main components in a Luminautics LED sign? ......................................................... 7 a. LED Display Tiles ....................................................................................................................... 7b. Cabinet ........................................................................................................................................ 7c. Power Supplies .......................................................................................................................... 7d. Player ........................................................................................................................................... 7

12. What goes into a Luminautics LED Tile? .................................................................................................. a. LEDs.............................................................................................................................................. 8b. Printed Circuit Boards ............................................................................................................. 8

c.

Driver Chips................................................................................................................................ 8

d. Front cover ................................................................................................................................. 8e. Back cover .................................................................................................................................. 8f. Onboard controller .................................................................................................................. 8g. Data connectors ........................................................................................................................ 9

13. What product options does Luminautics offer, and how do I choose the right one? ...... 9 14. How many colours can an LED display produce? ................................................................................ 9

Cost ............................................................................................... 10 1. What type of price variations exist for LED display products? .................................................. 10 2. How are low-cost suppliers able to cut costs, and how do these decisions affect

quality? ....................................................................................................................................................................

3. How much do LED Displays Cost .............................................................................................................. 4. Are display prices coming down, and should I wait to adopt? .................................................. 12

Value of owning an LED Sign ..................................................... 13 1. How do LED displays compare to other display technologies like LCDs? ............................ 13 2. Whats the difference between a Digital Billboard and an LED On Premise Sign? 13 3. How do LED signs benefit on premise buyers? .................................................................................. 13 4. How do LED signs benefit billboard operators? ................................................................................ 13


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5. What other benefits do LED displays offer? ........................................................................................ 14

Reliability, Lifetime & Servicing ................................................ 14 1. What are the three most important results that LED display buyers should expect froma quality product? ................................................................................................................................................. 2. How can I be sure I'm buying a quality product? ............................................................................. 14 3. How long should I expect my LED display to last? .......................................................................... 14

4. What kind of service, maintenance, and technical support should I expect? .................... 15 5. How do displays perform in extreme environments? .................................................................... 15 6. What happens if one or more modules or dataline breaks? ....................................................... 15

Mechanical Design Considerations ........................................... 15 1. How much will my display weigh? Will changes to an existing structure be required? 15 2. Can displays be serviced from the rear? ................................................................................................ 1 3. How thin can an LED sign be? .................................................................................................................... 4. If an existing sign structure is in place, can I retrofit an LED display onto it? ................... 16 5. Are Luminautics LED signs susceptible to vandalism? ................................................................... 16

Software ....................................................................................... 16 1. What types of features does Luminautics software offer? .......................................................... 16 2. How is content sent to your Luminautics display ............................................................................ 16 3. Does Luminautics provide software training? .................................................................................... 16 4. Are my account and displays secured? .................................................................................................. 1 5. Will I need to buy a new computer to operate my Luminautics display? ............................ 17 6. What types of media are compatible with Luminautics LED displays? ................................. 17 7. What is proof-of-performance reporting, and does Luminautics provide this? .............. 17 8. Can the screen health be monitored remotely? ................................................................................ 17

Power Usage Considerations ..................................................... 17 1. How are Luminautics LED Displays powered? .................................................................................... 17 2. How much power does a Luminautics LED display use? ............................................................... 17 3. How can I calculate the maximum power use for my application? ........................................ 17 4. How can I calculate the average power use for my LED sign? ................................................... 18 5. How do I calculate the annual power cost for my LED sign? ...................................................... 18 6. What type of power feed will I need? .................................................................................................... 1 7. What is power factor correction, and does my Luminautics Sign Have it? ......................... 18

Network Requirements .............................................................. 18 1. Do I need an internet connection to operate my display? ........................................................... 18 2. Do I just plug my sign into an active internet connection? ........................................................ 19 3. Will my network security measures interfere with sign operation? ....................................... 19 4. What if an on-site internet connection is not available? .............................................................. 19 5. Can I use a Wi-Fi connection to a Luminautics LED sign? ............................................................ 19 6. What happens if my internet connection goes down? .................................................................. 19

Site Impacts and Regulatory Compliance ................................ 19 1. Do LED displays comply with local bylaws and zoning? If not, what will I do? ................ 19 2. Why are regulators increasingly accepting LED display technology? .................................... 19 3. My local bylaws regulate display brightness and require dimming, do Luminautics LEDdisplays have dimming capability? ...................................................................................................................


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4. How do LED displays compare with printed signs for vertical and horizontal viewangles? ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5. Do LED displays produce audible noise? ............................................................................................... 20 6. Do LED displays produce interference with other wireless equipment? .............................. 20 7. Are LED signs distracting and dangerous for drivers? ................................................................... 20

Next Steps .................................................................................... 20 1. I am ready to begin! How do I start? ...................................................................................................... 2

What if I dont have a sign manufacturer to build my sign? ............................................... 20

What if I have a sign manufacturer, but they arent familiar with Luminautics? ........... 20


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Introduction to LED Displays

1. What is an LED?Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are small lamps that emit light when supplied with electricity. Theycome in many colours and shapes. Unlike incandescent lamps that convert electricity to heatand light with a filament, LEDs convert electricity directly into light, have no breakable filament,

and are extremely efficient. LEDs are perfect for use in creating displays because of their highbrightness, extremely long lifetime, and their very small size. Most LEDs are less than 1/4 indiameter. Unlike incandescent bulbs which last just 1,000 to 2,000 hours, the useful lifetime of LEDs that go into Luminautics LED signs last typically for 10-15 years.

2. What is a pixel?The word Pixel is an acronym for picture element. Pixels are small points of coloured light ona display surface that combine to form an image. If you look very close at your television, youcan see the individual pixels that make up the screen.

3.

How do LED displays create images?LED displays create images using pixels made with LEDs. In a red or amber monochrome LEDdisplay, each pixel is normally made with just one red or amber LED. In a colour LED display,pixels are made with three LEDs (red, green, and blue) grouped together. Since any colour canbe made by mixing red, green, and blue light of various strengths, the exact colour of each pixelcan be controlled by precisely controlling the light output from each LED.

4. LED displays seem to have different names. Do they all mean the same thing?Because LED displays are new technology, they have been given various names in recent years.Names include: Electronic message centers, digital billboards, digital screens, electronic messageboards, marquee signs, LED displays, LED screens, video displays, etc. Each of these names issynonymous.

5. What does pixel pitch mean?"Pitch" is the center-to-center distance between pixels in a display, usually given in millimeters(mm). A smaller pitch means more tightly packed pixels and, therefore, higher resolution.

Luminautics offers both 12 mm and 16 mm pixel pitch products for a range of applications.

6. What does resolution mean?Resolution describes the ability of a display to show image details. In general, a display with a

larger number of pixels (smaller pitch) will have a higher resolution, and a display with fewerpixels (larger pitch) will have lower resolution.

7. What is a matrix?A matrix is a collection of pixels in a display surface arranged in a rectangular grid. A displaymatrix is usually described in terms of its size by the following:number of pixels high x number of pixels wide


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8. What is the difference between red or amber LED signs and full color LED signs?Monochrome displays produce images of one colour only. Typically red or amber, monochromedisplays are used to display text. By contrast, full colour LED displays are capable of displayingvibrant images comparable to television or high quality print ads.

9. What is viewing angle for an LED display, and how is it measured?

Viewing angle describes the ability of a display to show images when viewed from a non-head-on direction. As one moves from viewing the display head-on, to 90 degrees from head on, thedisplay brightness drops from 100% to zero gradually. At a certain angle, the brightness of thedisplay will drop to half of its head-on brightness. Because the display is symmetrical, whetherviewed from left of right, 2x this half-brightness angle is defined as the view angle.

The horizontal and vertical view angles for displays are usually different. The horizontal viewangle is usually wider than the vertical view angle to capture a wider audience and avoiddirecting light into the sky. Therefore, horizontal and vertical view angles are usually givenseparately.

10. What are the key factors affecting image quality?a. Pixel pitchThe density of LEDs is the leading determinant of image clarity - the more LEDs per squarefoot, the smoother the image. The closer a viewer is to an LED display the more the LEDdensity comes into play.

b. ContrastBecause LED displays are often used in brightly lit environments, especially in sunlit outdoorenvironments, it is important that the display surface does not reflect light. Reflected lightwill compete with LED light produced by the display to form images and cause a wash out

effect where the image loses visibility.

Luminautics uses specially textured display surfaces made from high quality, nonfadingengineering polymer, and will reflect less than 3% of incident light.

c. Color uniformityColour uniformity refers to how smooth an image will appear across the surface of a display.

Because LEDs are produced in batches by manufacturers, slight variations may occur in theamount of light that they produce from batch to batch this is true even for amongst theworlds best suppliers.

Luminautics measures each batch of LED tiles produced to determine the exact colour of each batch and employs a colour correction algorithm to adjust each tile for a flawlessimage.


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d. Color accuracyIn addition to producing an image with uniform colour, it is important that the colour of image produced is true to life. A perfectly uniform image that is too reddish in colour, forexample, will not look right.

Fortunately, internationally recognized standards bodies, including the InternationalCommission on Illumination (CIE) has produced stringent standards for accurate colourreproduction. Luminautics displays are measured and calibrated to conform to thesestandards.

e. Frame rateVideos are created on displays by rapidly flipping images at speeds too fast for your eye todetect. The images that compose a video are called frames. The speed of image play iscalled fame rate and is measured in frames per second or FPS. The faster the frame rate,the smoother the video will appear to the eye. Luminautics displays are capable of playingimages at a rapid frame rate of up to 60 frames per second the same as for mostcomputer monitors.

11. What are the main components in a Luminautics LED sign?Luminautics displays are made with a minimal component count and simplicity of constructionfor reliability, and ease of serviceability. Broadly speaking, each Luminautics display comprisesLED Tiles, Cabinet, Power Supplies, and Player. Each of these is described in more detail below.

a. LED Display TilesLuminautics displays no matter the size are built from intelligent, 1ft x 1ft LED Tiles. Eachintelligent tile is sealed, durable, easily replaceable, and packed with advanced features.

b. CabinetLED tiles are mounted to a skeleton of extruded aluminum rails and stylish edging. Thisaluminum skeleton is rigid and corrosion resistant, to ensure that your display will last andbe looking great over its entire lifetime. Luminautics extruded aluminum framingoutperforms cheaper sheet metal or fabricated metal cabinets, and keep LED tiles perfectlyaligned for a seamless image at all times.

c. Power SuppliesLED tiles require low voltage electricity. High efficiency power supplies convert 100-277VACelectricity to 12VDC electricity that LED tiles need to operate.

d. PlayerEach Luminautics display includes a rugged, waterproof onsite player that acts as your signslink to the outside world. The player communicates over the internet to your web browserto allow you to control your sign.


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12. What goes into a Luminautics LED Tile?a. LEDsLEDs are the single biggest determining factor of display quality and lifetime.Tremendous variability exists amongst LED suppliers in terms of both cost and quality.LED prices can range from 1c to 10c each, and operating lifetimes can range from lessthan 1yr to more than 15 years. Often, producers of low-end LEDs make unscrupulous

claims that their LEDs rival the quality of the premium products. Not true. This variabilityis a major source of the price differences existing amongst LED display suppliers,particularly suppliers based in Asia.

In general, only a handful of Tier 1 LED suppliers produce products worthy of Luminautics LED displays. Luminautics selects only LEDs from Tier 1 suppliers to ensureyour return on investment.

b. Printed Circuit BoardsA printed circuit board (PCB) is used to mount the electronic components, including LEDsand driver chips together in each display tile. Printed circuit boards consist of multiplecopper layers sandwiched between fiberglass reinforced polymer insulators. Together,the copper layers and insulators make up the circuit that drives each LED.

c. Driver ChipsIntegrated circuits are used to control the brightness of each and every LED in a displaytile. Each chip communicates with the Onboard Controller (see below) to translate adigital signal into the exact colour needed for each pixel to produce a vibrant image.

d. Front cover A front cover is placed over the LEDs to provide impact resistance, contrast, and

shielding from sunlight. This cover us made of nonfading, UV-resistant engineeringpolymer, and allows LEDs to protrude unobstructed while being shielded by specialprotective ridges called louvers.

e. Back cover The back cover provides a rigid skeleton, mounting features, thermal dissipation, andsealing for each Luminautics LED Tile.

f. Onboard controllerEach Luminautics LED tile is intelligent, and includes an onboard controller essentially a

mini computer! This controller performs essential functions including: Image processing algorithms to make images look better LED control Health monitoring down to each LED Self-healing network management Onboard temperature sensor


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g. Data connectorsEach LED tile features waterproof IP67 data connectors that allow video and control datato be transmitted while withstanding the harshest environments even submersionunder water.

13. What product options does Luminautics offer, and how do I choose the right one?

Choosing the optimal resolution for your application means striking a balance between pixeldensity and cost. Higher pixel density (smaller pitch) displays are needed to produce greatlooking images at close viewing distance. Higher pitch screens can be used at larger distanceswhile maintaining image quality. Luminautics offers 16 mm and 12 mm pitch products.

14. How many colours can an LED display produce?Often modern displays are said to be capable of producing billions, trillions, or even morepossible colours. By mixing red, green and blue LED light in various combinations, different

colours are produced by each pixel. Generally speaking, your eye will not be able to resolve thedifference between anything more than billions of colours. For reference, a high quality truecolour computer monitor produces millions of colours.

The exact mix of red green and blue LED light in each pixel, and therefore the exact colour of each pixel, is controlled digitally through a binary numbering system of 1s and 0s called bits. Alarger number of bits means a larger number of colour possibilities. In general, the number of colours will grow exponentially with the number of bits according to the formula below.

Product Lumiflex 16 mm Pitch Lumiflex 12 mm PitchPicture

Pixel Density 324/ft 2 576/ft 2

RecommendedUse

High Resolution. Medium to longdistance viewing

Highest Resolution. Designed for up-close viewing

View Area Sizes Any 1ft multiple (height)Any 1ft multiple (width)

Any 1ft multiple (height)Any 1ft multiple (width)

Common Sizes Bulletin (14ft x 48ft)Junior Bulletin (10ft x 36ft)Poster (10ft x 20ft)

Bulletin (14ft x 48ft)Junior Bulletin (10ft x 36ft)Poster (10ft x 20ft)

Matrix Bulletin (252 pixels x 864 pixels)Junior Bulletin (180 pixels x 648 pixels)Poster (180 pixels x 360 pixels)

Bulletin (336 pixels x 1152 pixels)Junior Bulletin (240 pixels x 864 pixels)Poster (240 pixels x 480 pixels)


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The table below illustrates how this formula works:

# of bits binary colour combinations # of possibilities1 0 1 2 = 2 1

2 00 10 01 11 4 = 2x2 = 2 2

3 000 001 010 011 100 101 110 111 8 = 2x2x2 = 2 3

4 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 01111000 1001 1010 1011 1100 1101 1110 1111

16 = 2x2x2x2 = 2 4

N Too many to list! 2 N

As an example, 12-bit control of red, green and blue LEDs will give a total of 36 bits of control per red-green-blue pixel, and will give , or a little over 68billion colours.

Similarly, 16-bit control of red, green and blue LEDs will give a total of 48 bits of control perred-green-blue pixel, and will give , or a little over 281 trillioncolours.

Cost

1. What type of price variations exist for LED display products?

LED display pricing is truly one of the most confusing aspects for potential buyers, and deservesserious attention. Large variations in price and quality currently exist amongst LED signsuppliers. Pricing from supplier-to-supplier for supposedly similar products varies wildly.

Given this variability, buyers need to know exactly the type of product they are getting for theirmoney and what kind of return on investment can be achieved with the product.

Some suppliers produce LED display products that have an intentional lifespan of only 2-3 years.A large percentage of products, if not the majority, offered by Asian suppliers fall into thiscategory. Low-cost, short-lifetime products have enjoyed success in emerging markets wherelabour costs are low, allowing displays to be affordably replaced every few years and regularly

repaired. By contrast, long lasting products have been highly successful in advanced economieswhere replacement of displays every few years and frequent need for servicing is not viable dueto higher labour costs. Luminautics falls into the second category, producing products that caneasily last for 12 -15 years.

Buyers need to be fully informed about the product decision that they are making.Unfortunately, unscrupulous suppliers frequently attempt to sell low-cost short-lifetimeproducts as high-quality. The newness of the LED display market and the lack of buyereducation when it comes to LED display quality allows some buyers to be taken in.


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It is important to us that our customers have the information they need to make a confidentchoice.

2. How are low-cost suppliers able to cut costs, and how do these decisions affectquality?

The following section lists measures that some suppliers use to cut costs, and the correspondingquality impacts:

Low-grade LEDso Degrade faster: can look good initially, but will look poor or cease functioning

altogether in just a few years, if not sooner.o Have poor LED sorting (also known as binning) that causes displays to become

visually non-uniform.o Draw more power to achieve the same brightness level as a quality LED product.o Made with low-grade lenses that yellow in sunlight, causing LEDs to discolour

over time.o Have non-watertight LED packages that allow water to seep into and damage the

active light emitting part.o Can cost less than 1/3 the price of high quality LEDs that will last 100,000 hours.

Knock-off LEDdriver chipso Susceptible to electrical damage because of poor quality control and engineering

as compared to reputable chip suppliers including Texas Instruments andMacroblocks.

o Offer smaller brightness ranges, lower efficiency, and imprecise control of LEDbrightness.

Electrolytic capacitorso Capacitors are essential electronic components used to keep smooth DC voltages

on LEDs and LED driver chips. Voltage spikes can reduce component lifetimes.Electrolytic capacitors are the least expensive option, but are notorious forbreaking down after a short amount of time.

Non-uv-stabilized plastico Causes fading and cracking, especially with exposure to sunlight.o Displays will not look black when off after years of operation outdoors.

Unsealed data connectors:o Displays are composed of hundreds of LED tiles. These LED tiles need to be linked

together, meaning hundreds of connectors. If connectors arent completelysealed, they are prone to corrosion, especially in road salt/coastal environments,and that means hundreds of vulnerable failure points.

Unintelligent LED Tiles:o LED tiles having no onboard processing power are incapable of network self-

healing, dramatically increasing the risk of downtime, and making LED tilereplacement and recalibration far more time consuming.

Minimal sealing of circuitry:o Exposed circuitry of any kind invites corrosion failure, especially in a road salt

environment. Iron cabinets


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o Will rust and require continued maintenance Fans

o Used to compensate for poor thermal design and inefficient heat-producingelectronics.

o Fans have a high rate of failure due to moving parts, especially outdoors wheredirt and dust can enter and clog fans.

Low-grade power supplieso Often the weakest link in displayso Produced with inferior electronic components, particularly electrolytic capacitors

that are rated for only a couple years of continuous usage.o Often have lower efficiency, and will consume more power.

3. How much do LED Displays Cost The cost of a new on-premise LED display is similar to the cost of a new automobile, and willdepend on the size of the display as well as the pixel pitch (how tightly packed the pixels are).

If you are considering a new on-premise LED screen, we recommend looking for available funds

in your advertising and communications budget, rather than treating your purchase as a typicalcapital expenditure. You may find that investing in an LED display is a more efficient way tospend your advertising and communications dollars.

The table below outlines the average costs of various advertising mediums per 1000impressions. Long-lasting LED displays have by far the lowest average cost per 1000impressions.

Advertising Medium Cost Per 1000 impressionsLED On Premise $0.45

Outdoor $1.90Radio $5.47TV $6.26Newspaper $7.39

4. Are display prices coming down, and should I wait to adopt?For over a decade, the cost of producing LED displays has come down significantly because of gains in manufacturing efficiency made by producers of LEDs. This drop in cost is one key factorwhy LED displays are now being adopted as the technology of choice for signage applications.

Pricing for displays has leveled significantly in recent years as the cost of LEDs as a fraction of total display production costs has become smaller and smaller. While incremental costreductions are expected to continue occurring, significant future cost reductions are unlikely.

Buyers should weigh the relatively small upside of waiting for small percentage cost reductionsin screens vs the opportunity cost of waiting to adopt. Given that on premise advertisersgenerally see 15 150% increases in store sales with the adoption of LED signs, and that


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billboard advertisers are able to get 6-8x increases in ad revenues, it is most likely a soundfinancial decision to adopt LED display technology in the short term.

Value of owning an LED Sign

1. How do LED displays compare to other display technologies like LCDs?

For outdoor, LED screens are chosen over other display technologies like LCDs because of theirunique ability to compete with direct sunlight and produce a highly visible image, whilemaintaining efficiency and weather resistance. Even the brightest LCD displays wash out underdirect sunlight this is not a problem with LED.

2. Whats the difference between a Digital Billboard and an LED On Premise Sign? Digital billboards are LED signs used by billboard operators to sell media space to advertisers.These signs are typically located off of the billboard operators property (off -premise).On premise LED signs are usually used by a business on their own property to promoteproducts, services, events, etc. On premise LED signs may also be used for third party

advertising.

3. How do LED signs benefit on premise buyers?Vendors worldwide have only now begun to realize the power of on-premise LED displaytechnology to increase sales by stylishly capturing the attention of onlookers, while deliveringimportant information. According to the U.S Small Business Administration, the retrofit of LEDdisplays at local vendor locations typically results in sales increases from 15% to 150% per year.

4. How do LED signs benefit billboard operators?Digital signage increases third party ad revenues by 6-8x on average. Not only do digital screensincrease the value of the ad space due to changeability of images, allowing smart adcampaigns, but they also lower variable operating costs simply because copies are changed atthe touch of a button, rather than deploying a crew to re-post images on a monthly basis.Consider this quote from sign industry magazine:

With initial results from digital sign installations by outdoor advertisers showing revenuesincreased by 6-10x, superior efficiencies for outdoor advertising companies will continue to be themost significant driver of digital sign adoption. LCD and LED digital displays allow for higher quality, faster time to market, and better customer targeting. They also promise to significantly cut costs. For a higher initial capital investment, digital displays will cut industry operating expensesby allowing outdoor advertising companies to update displays at the click of a button rather than

through regular and labor-intensive on- site visits. Sign Industry Magazine

Smart ad campaigns offer additional value to clients. Clients are able to synchronize boardsacross space and time, target certain groups at different times of day, and even control contentbased on the outside weather conditions. Customers may also include live RSS feeds from theinternet, and post content directly off websites; for instance, a client radio station could displaythe name/artist of a song their station is currently playing on their billboard. Furthermore, publicservice and emergency announcements are also enabled on these structures


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5. What other benefits do LED displays offer? Changing messages hold viewers interest instantly Illumination attracts attention and stands out on the street Looks great even under direct sunlight and will not wash out like LCD screens Increased viewing distance provides more reach to potential clients High resolution graphics are attractive like television Message content can be adjusted over large geographies through centralized control Message content can be time-of-day or day of week specific Displays can promote many specific messages in limited space simultaneously Smart campaigns can be coordinated weeks or months in advance Modern LEDs achieve much higher efficiencies than fluorescent backlits Changeable digital space allows vendors or their suppliers to potentially purchase time

on the screens

Reliability, Lifetime & Servicing

1. What are the three most important results that LED display buyers should expect froma quality product? The LED display has to start and stay beautiful for the longest possible time Expensive downtime needs to be minimized or eliminated Future investment in repair and service needs to be minimized or eliminated

2. How can I be sure I'm buying a quality product?Does the manufacturer trust its own product with a great warranty?This is evident by how much a manufacturer is willing to risk in terms of providing you a longwarranty period and how comprehensive your coverage will be.

Luminautics offers a best-in-industry 5-year warranty on every LED board we build. It covers allelectronic and LED components in your Luminautics LED screen. There is no need to upgrade tohave full coverage, and you don't have to pay extra for 5-year protection.

3. How long should I expect my LED display to last?Typically 12-15 years.

Under laboratory testing simulating severe environmental conditions, our LEDs are able tomaintain suitable brightness for at least 100,000 hours. Because displays are not subjected to

such severe conditions in practice, the operating lifetime of a Luminautics LED display will bemuch longer

LEDs themselves last for many, many years. Unlike incandescent light bulbs, which failcatastrophically at the end of their life, LEDs dim gradually over time. LED displays can thereforebe run until the brightness of the screen is no longer acceptable to the user. Luminautics LEDscan retain 70% of their initial brightness after 50,000 hours of full brightness continuousoperation.


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4. What kind of service, maintenance, and technical support should I expect?You will have complete support from Luminautics during and after sign installation. This supportincludes all of the following: training on software and hardware, spare parts, customer supportto answer your questions, access to our continually updated online resources, and ourexceptional 5-year warranty.E: [email protected]: +1 (416) 342 0818

5. How do displays perform in extreme environments?Some manufacturers produce LED displays using unsealed modular sections and/or unsealeddata cables and DC power lines. Corrosion in outdoor environments frequently causes thesecomponents to stop working.

Luminautics displays use fully rubberized modules, sealed Ethernet datalinks, and corrosion-resistant power delivery to each module for vastly improved lifetime in the harshestenvironments.

6. What happens if one or more modules or datalinks break?In most display systems, when one module fails, the entire display, or a large section of thedisplay, stops working. Depending on the manufacturer, any failure that affects a datalinkfeeding modules with image or video data can cause visual downtime before repairs can becompleted.

Luminautics displays employ a self-healing network of modules that intelligently redirect dataover multiple pathways and can survive breakages without affecting the rest of the display.Because Luminautics systems will keep working despite link failures, problems can be correctedbefore any costly visible downtime.

Mechanical Design Considerations

1. How much will my display weigh? Will changes to an existing structure be required?Each display installation is unique, and the final weight will depend on your exact structuralrequirements. Seek the advice of your sign manufacturer for more details. A Luminautics 14' x48' board, for example, will typically weigh approximately 6000 lbs. Luminautics LED signs areconstructed with lightweight extruded aluminum and can weigh as little as half as much ascompetitors signs.

2. Can displays be serviced from the rear?Yes, the Luminautics system makes rear servicing simple. The ability to service displays from therear is essential particularly for many billboard and wallside installations where it is difficult orimpossible to access the front of the sign.

3. How thin can an LED sign be?This will depend on the structural support required for your installation. Luminautics displayscan be exceptionally thin, down to 4.5 in total depth.


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4. If an existing sign structure is in place, can I retrofit an LED display onto it?As a rule of thumb, if the sign structure is a contemporary, well-engineered, professionally-builtand installed steel monopole, a digital billboard can be added with minimal, if any,strengthening. However, every billboard must be inspected by a licensed engineer beforemaking plans to add a digital face.

5. Are Luminautics LED signs susceptible to vandalism?Luminautics LED tiles have a ruggedized surface capable of deflecting most projectiles. Underrare circumstances involving a high energy projectile or force, damage can occur. However, thistype of damage is normally limited to a single LED tile, which keeps repair cost low.

Software

1. What types of features does Luminautics software offer?

Lumicast TM

is an advanced, browser-based media management and sign control software suitedesigned for outdoor advertisers and on-premise sign owners. Lumicast :

Uploads and schedules media on your sign from one intuitive interface Combines the best features of Google Maps, Google Calendar and PowerPoint for

flexible media management Controls LED sign networks of any size Accepts all standard image and video file formats Maintains a library of your uploaded content for quick access Allows preview of your graphics before you show them on your sign Remotely monitors system health: right down to the last LED Produces proof-of-performance reports for advertising Works on any computer or smartphone anywhere in the world through standard web

browsers Requires no dedicated computer system any computer or phone with internet will work Continually receives upgrades by our staff no installation CD or updates required

2. How is content sent to your Luminautics display Using Lumicast,TM images, videos and instructions are sent to your sign over the Internet. Thisallows Luminautics displays to be easily updated and controlled from anywhere in the worldusing a standard web browser no posting crew required. Signs are connected to the internet

through your choice of Cellular, WiFi, or landline connection options.

3. Does Luminautics provide software training?Yes. Our Lumicast online software has been built for simplicity, while delivering maximumflexibility and control. Most people feel comfortable with using the interface within minutes.

Lumicast is included with the purchase of your sign.

4. Are my account and displays secured?


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Yes. Your data is always sent and received over encrypted links. Access to your Lumicast accountis password protected. Just like webmail, your data, settings, and account information belong toyou exclusively.

5. Will I need to buy a new computer to operate my Luminautics display?No. A computer or smartphone purchased within the last 2 or 3 years having a standard webbrowser and internet connection should be more than sufficient. Lumicast is specificallyoptimized for several excellent free web browsers such as Google Chrome and Firefox.

6. What types of media are compatible with Luminautics LED displays?Lumicast software accepts all standard image and video file formats.

7. What is proof-of-performance reporting, and does Luminautics provide this?Proof-of-performance reports allow sign operators to periodically generate custom reportssummarizing what content was played, when content was played, the number of plays, etc.Reports can be customized for individual advertisers.

This service is available to you at any point via the Lumicast web control software used tocontrol your sign. You can access this service directly from your web browser at any time, andgenerate excel or pdf reports available for immediate download.

8. Can the screen health be monitored remotely?Yes. Sign health is monitored 24-7-365 in real time.From your software console, you can monitor your signs connection, make sure all LED displaymodules are working properly, and see any errors down to the LED level

Power Usage Considerations1. How are Luminautics LED Displays powered?Each Luminautics display uses an AC power input just like a regular illuminated sign, and canaccept a wide voltage range (100 277V) for international compatibility.

2. How much power does a Luminautics LED display use?Power usage is generally proportional to the display size (square footage). Larger displays withmore LEDs use more power, and smaller displays with fewer LEDs use less power. Calculationsare given below for estimating the maximum and average power draw for a Luminautics display.

3. How can I calculate the maximum power use for my application?The calculation below is useful as a guideline only. Consult your sign manufacturer or a licensedelectrician for a professional estimate.

Maximum sign power draw = Max power per square foot x display size in square feet


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Max power per square foot by product:Product 12 mm 16 mmMax power per square foot 35 Watts/ft 2 35 Watts/ft 2

Example: 14x48 16mm Pitch Billboard:Maximum sign power draw = Max power per square foot x display size in square feet

= 35 Watts/ft 2 x (14 ft x 48 ft)= 23,520 W= 23.52 kW

4. How can I calculate the average power use for my LED sign?The average power usage for a given display will depend on its brightness settings, and even onthe content being displayed on the sign. For example, images featuring a lot of white area willutilize red, green and blue LEDs all at the same time, therefore white images will require morepower.

On average, LED displays will operate on approximately 1/3 of their maximum power rating

Example: 14x48 Billboard: Average power = 1/3 x Maximum Power Rating

= 1/3 x 23.52 kW= 7.84 kW

5. How do I calculate the annual power cost for my LED sign?Yearly Power cost = power cost per kWh x Hours used per day x 365 x Average power use (kW)Example: 14x48 Billboard used for 12 hours per dayYearly Power cost = $0.1/kWh x 12 x 365 x 7.84 kW = 3433.92

6. What type of power feed will I need?In general, a power feed capable of supplying the signs maximum power draw should beprovided. Your sign manufacturer or electrician will be able to assist you with installing theproper power feed.

7. What is power factor correction, and does my Luminautics Sign Have it?Power factor correction is a feature of AC/DC power supplies that improves efficiency. AllLuminautics power supplie s are power factor corrected. In laymans terms, Power FactorCorrection (PFC) is a feature of AC/DC converters designed to prevent power from beingreflected from the AC/DC converter back into the power grid.

Network Requirements

1. Do I need an internet connection to operate my display?Yes. In order to take full advantage of your Luminautics system, each LED display should beconnected to an active internet connection. This gives you access to control your display,schedule media, and monitor system health remotely and securely over the internet.


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2. Do I just plug my sign into an active internet connection?Yes. The Luminautics player in your sign is preconfigured to automatically establish a link whenyou plug your sign in.

3. Will my network security measures interfere with sign operation?In most cases, no interference should result. If a computer plugged into the link intended for

your sign is able to establish an internet connection, then so should your sign. If you have aproblem with your network security measures, contact your system administrator. If problemsstill occur, call our support line.

4. What if an on-site internet connection is not available?This is common for off-premise billboard applications. No worries! Luminautics provides a 3Gcellular connection unit that can be used to bring a reliable connection to your site wirelessly.

5. Can I use a Wi-Fi connection to a Luminautics LED sign?Yes. Even when a local internet connection is present, it is sometimes easier to use a wireless linkto your sign, especially when running a wire is difficult due to site considerations. Luminauticsprovides a Wi-Fi option to link your sign over Wi-Fi.

6. What happens if my internet connection goes down?The player controlling every Luminautics display stores the latest set of media, scheduling andcommands given to it. If a temporary interruption in internet service occurs, your display willcontinue to operate. When internet service resumes, your display will automatically receiveupdates of the latest media, scheduling and commands.

Site Impacts and Regulatory Compliance

1. Do LED displays comply with local bylaws and zoning? If not, what will I do? Your local sign manufacturer is familiar with local regulations and will be able to work with youto navigate zoning regulations and bylaws concerning digital outdoor signs.

2. Why are regulators increasingly accepting LED display technology? Many of the first LED signs installed were done so at a time when maximum brightness and theuse of video content were not regulated. Overly bright displays, or displays playing full motionvideo as opposed to sequences of static images created a negative perception amongst someregulatory bodies.

Because LED displays represent a relatively new way to display media outdoors, officials havebeen faced with the challenge of providing proper regulation for new signage technology.Modern regulations often include requirements to:

Keep display brightness to an acceptable limit Require that only sequences of image flips (and not full motion video) be shown.

With regulations that learn from the mistakes of the past, LED displays are enjoying increasingacceptance as a technology capable of beautifying streetscapes.


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3. My local bylaws regulate display brightness and require dimming, do Luminautics LEDdisplays have dimming capability?

The beauty of LED display technology is that brightness can always to be set to any level tomeet compliance. Luminautics provides dimming capability using a timed schedule (egday/night settings) or using an ambient light sensor. Display brightness settings are measured instandard units called NITS.

4. How do LED displays compare with printed signs for vertical and horizontal viewangles?

Compared with front/backlit signs, Luminautics LED Signs have approximately equal horizontalviewing angles, and smaller vertical viewing angles. Smaller vertical viewing angles reduceskyglow and keeps any community impacts low (eg light trespass on hi-rise buildings).

5. Do LED displays produce audible noise?There are no moving parts in Luminautics components to create noise. Power supplycomponents have been designed emit virtually no electronic hum.

6. Do LED displays produce interference with other wireless equipment?No. Luminautics has engineered all of its products to minimize radio frequency emission.

7. Are LED signs distracting and dangerous for drivers? Significant numbers of studies have shown no impact of LED signs on drivers causing accidents.Studies and other information on legislative and regulatory matters related to digital signageare available for free from the Outdoor Advertising Association of America.http://www.oaaa.org

Next Steps1. I am ready to begin! How do I start?We hope that you are feeling informed. If you have any further questions or need moreinformation, please contact us at the information found below or via our website.

Luminautics works with local sign manufacturers to build and service LED signs for customers.Contact your local sign manufacturer to turnkey the design, quote, build, install, and service of your LED display using Luminautics components.

What if I dont have a sign manufacturer to build my sign? Dont worry! Well help find one for you.

Contact us:[email protected]+1 (416) 903 5836

What if I have a sign manufacturer, but they arent familiar with Luminautics? Refer your sign manufacturer to us, and well work with them directly !
http://www.oaaa.org/legislativeandregulatory/digital.aspxhttp://www.oaaa.org/legislativeandregulatory/digital.aspxhttp://www.oaaa.org/legislativeandregulatory/digital.aspx


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21 LED Display Primer| Luminautics

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.luminautics.com

Contact us: Luminautics Inc.229 Wallace Avenue, 2 nd FloorToronto, Ontario, M6H1V5

E: [email protected]: www.luminautics.comT: +1 (416) 342 0818

2011 Luminautics Corporation All Rights Reserved.Logo and Luminautics are trademarks of the Luminautics Inc. Other products, logos, andCompany names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. WhileLuminautics has made every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in thisdocument, Luminautics does not guarantee that it is error-free, nor does Luminautics make anyother representation, warranty or guarantee that the information is accurate, correct, reliable orcurrent. Luminautics reserves the right to make any adjustments to the information containedherein at any time without notice. Luminautics expressly disclaims all implied warrantiesregarding the information contained herein, including, but not limited to, any implied warrantiesof merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The dimensions in this catalog are forreference purposes only and are subject to change without notice. Specifications are subject tochange without notice. Consult Luminautics for the latest dimensions and design specifications.

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LED Display Primer

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