Contrary to popular belief, not all displays are made equal. Like any other technology with multiple applications, there are numerous options available to customers that cater to the specific requirements of the environments in which they operate, says Pvision director David Ross. 
Despite this, the commercial market often makes questionable purchase decisions when investing in display equipment, particularly within the retail sector.
With the popularity of in-store activation and dynamic marketing on the rise, many outlet owners and franchise custodians are flocking to acquire video friendly solutions to showcase promotional material. Often preference is often given to the most cost effective option without further investigation or analysis.
As a result, display solutions intended for home usage are frequently applied to a commercial setting. Although these units are capable of housing content, they are not configured to meet the demands associated with a corporate environment.
Producing vast quantities of heat during suspended operation, residential panels have no means to control temperature within the unit. This can often lead to unrealised investment when the product begins to fail.
Ultimately, the success of any video solution is highly dependent on matching display and duty cycle.
Defined as the amount of time an entity or product spends in an active state, duty cycle should be the primary driver of consideration when investing in a display solution. In a commercial environment, panels are often required to remain in operation throughout the day. Naturally, a duty cycle of this nature presents its own unique set of needs and challenges.
To operate successfully commercial display solutions must incorporate a framework for temperature control. Usually, this comprises of a thermostat within the unit and a cooling system to remove heat.
Properly equipped to manage the thermal by-product of electrical activity, these solutions boast longer lifecycles even in the most challenging environments – significantly reducing failure rates and replacement costs down the line.
Commercial display units also incorporate a more ruggedised cabinetry to account for the wear and tear associated with public environments. Furthermore, these units also include a broader compliment of video source options and do not feature IR sensors or physically available controls that may encourage tampering or interference.
Put simply, although residential displays may be more cost effective due to economy of scale and greater simplicity, they are not orientated towards commercial settings. To make the most of display investment, it is vitally important to couple expected requirements with the correct solution.