We didn’t get to this year’s Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas, but have a roundup of all the display news from the show.
A new line of procap multitouch displays were on show by 3M. These are based on an ultrafine metal mesh (that was shown at ISE) and paired with 3M’s PX5000 multitouch controller. 3M says that the system delivers a ‘step change’ in optical performance, responsiveness and durability. It is also said to eliminate moiré and sparkle.
The metal mesh technology will be available on all of 3M’s display products, ranging from 32″ to 65″. They will be available to purchase from May.
E Ink and Visionect launched a development kit for the creation of 32″ electronic paper digital signs. The kit is a turnkey solution for rapidly prototyping new signage products, and moving them to finished units. The kit is integrated with Visionect’s software and hardware platform, and is available in both greyscale and colour. Both support an LED front light with ambient brightness sensor. Launch prices are $3,500 (greyscale) and $4,500 (colour), rising to $5,000 and $6,000, respectively, on the 15th April.
Global Display Solutions introduced a 75″ poster display, for advertising applications in public areas. It has UltraHD resolution and a rugged enclosure, but the housing is less than 10cm thick. It is available in both free-standing and wall-mounted versions.
On the 3M stand, Ideum showcased its Pro 55 multitouch table, running an interactive wine tasting application. The app, developed with JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset, could be used by visitors to access personalised information on the table as different wines were introduced. This used 3D-printed wine glass bases, used as fiducial markers so that the software could identify individuals.
LG Electronics used the show to announce the availability of its 65″ UltraHD curved OLED displays. These are dual-sided units, which have been shown off since last year (although we weren’t able to write about them when we first saw them!) and were most recently seen at ISE (LG Uses ISE to Push OLED for Digital Signage).
Officially known as the Dual View Curved Tiling OLED, the display features an SoC and internal memory. A 55″ 1920 x 1080 unit (double-sided, flat) is also available.
NEC continued to showcase its work with Germany’s S[quadrat]. The company was demonstrating the 1.9mm pixel pitch ‘LiFT’ (NEC Planning LED Signage with Peel-and-Replace Modules) LED display that it had at ISE (NEC has Big Video Wall Plans).
Panasonic showed multiple flat panel displays and projectors, although we were familiar with most of them. The AF1 FPDs and PT-RZ570WU projector were launched at ISE this year (Panasonic Shows Off All B2B Displays), and the LF8, LF80 and LFE8 FPDs and PT-RZ12K projector at ISE 2015 (Panasonic Emphasises Strength & Reliability). In between those dates, Panasonic launched the LFV6/LFV60 video wall displays (Panasonic Replaces LFV5 Series) and Space Player (Is the Panasonic Space Player the Start of a New Trend?), which were also on show.
Planar showed off its own LCD, LED and transparent OLED products, as well as LEDs from new owner Leyard. These included Leyard’s 1.2mm, 1.8mm and 2.5mm TW Series, which are available in a 54″ cabinet. Planar’s DirectView LED system was also present, in 1.6mm, 1.9mm, 2.5mm and 3.1mm pitches.
In LCD video walls, Planar showcased the Clarity Matrix system, which included a demonstration of a new product with a 1.4mm pixel-to-pixel distance; this will be launched soon. The Clarity Matrix app, for mobile video wall control, and Clarity Matrix Video Wall Fibre Video Extension, for extending video and USB signals up to 300m, were being shown nearby. Also in LCD signage, Planar had its 75″, 84″ and 98″ UltraRes displays, with UltraHD resolution. The EP Series are more UltraHD LCD units, in 50″ and 65″ sizes; they are designed for 24/7 operation.
Finally was Planar’s LookThru transparent OLED display, which debuted at ISE this year.
There was a very diverse line-up from Samsung, but little new. More news was shared about the company’s transparent and mirrored OLED displays, which we have covered in a separate article (SDC Prepares for Transparent and Mirror Rollout). Other product lines on show included the OHD (Samsung Returns to Square Signage), OMD-K (Samsung Takes Smart Signage Outdoors) and UH55F-E (Samsung Uses LED in Modular TV Concept) series.
Toshiba showed its TD-U series (Toshiba Touches UHD), which a new 98″ screen size. These units are designed for 24/7 operation, and feature UltraHD resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 cd/m² of brightness. The display is housed in a metal cabinet, with DisplayPort, HDMI (x4), VGA, RS232 and RJ45 inputs. The 85″ is available now, for $16,000, while the 98″ will be shipped soon.
ViewSonic announced a new 98″ display with UltraHD resolution, called the CDP9800. Supporting 2×2 video wall daisy chain applications, the screen features a metal housing and can be operated 24/7. A USB media player and OPS slot are integrated, along with DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, component, RS232 and RJ45 ports.
The CPD9800 has 500 cd/m² of brightness, an 8ms response time and 178º viewing angles, as well as dual 10W speakers. It is available now, for $30,000.
Analyst Comment
At ISE, we commented on LG’s promotion of OLED for digital signage. The technology cannot reach the brightness levels of LCD, and may be vulnerable to image burn. (TA)
