Digital vs LED Signs: Which Will Benefit My Business?
In a recent survey of UK-based retail leaders, 91% of retailers reported experiencing a revenue increase after investing in digital signage solutions. Digital signs arenโt just succeeding in the retail sphere; all sorts of industries engage with customers and boost revenue with the help of digital solutions.
The problem is, which digital solution should you choose?
Business owners donโt want to invest money into screens, hardware, and software that doesnโt benefit their business. In the search for the perfect screen, thereโs one dilemma that needs an answer: digital vs. LED signs. To find and buy the right digital solution for your business, you need to understand the differences.
What Are Digital Signs?
Digital signs use digital content to market, inform, build rapport, provide digital wayfinding, and do anything else you can imagine. Essentially, digital signage is any digital content displayed on a screen.
Digital signage hardware is the physical equipment needed to upload content to your screens, and digital signage software is the system that connects your ideas to the equipment.
Digital signs use LED, LCD, and OLED displays to display content. When we discuss digital vs. LED signs, weโre referring to the difference between LED signs and all the other types of digital signage.
What Are LED Signs?
LED signs are one of the most popular types of digital signage.
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LED signs consist of individual diodes, which are also called pixels. Together, the pixels create a flat image that can be seen from miles away.
The distance between the pixels determines the resolution of the sign. The more pixels there are, the higher the resolution is. When the resolution is higher, youโll see a more detailed, smooth, and high-quality image.
LED signs are known for illuminating, high-definition graphics. The brightness of LED displays makes them popular options for billboard marketing.
Digital vs. LED Signs: What Are the Differences?
Some digital signs use LED technology to show content. However, itโs important to remember that the two technologies arenโt the same. All LED signs are digital, but not all digital signs are LEDs.
One business might benefit from LED signs, but another wonโt. To truly engage with your audience, you need to know what youโre looking for. Is visibility more important than the price? Or is longevity more important than anything else?
Digital vs. LED Signs: Installation
Installing LED signs can be time-consuming and complicated. This type of screen usually needs transformers, mounting kits, and wiring, not to mention people who can install them. This installation process, can however be streamlined by planning ahead and doing the right research ahead of time.
Other types of digital signage are installed differently. For example, freestanding kiosks can be a great option. Commercial digital signage displays are also easy to install.
Digital vs. LED Signs: Energy Efficiency
When it comes to screens, energy efficiency is one of the first things you should think about. Not only does it benefit the environment, but it also stops you from spending massive amounts on electricity.
LED lights use significantly less electricity than other types of digital signage. In fact, LED screens can consume up to 50-70% less energy than comparable LCD screens.
Did you know that LED lights are more energy efficient?
- They emit nearly 100% of their energy as visible light, while other types of bulbs waste energy as heatย
- They emit light in a specific direction, which is much more efficient than emitting it everywhereย
- They run at a lower temperature than other types of bulbs
Some digital screens use LEDs, while others use organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). OLEDs tend to consume more energy than LEDs, but it depends on how you use them.
Digital vs. LED Signs: Light Quality
LED signs are known for high brightness and contrast, making them ideal for marketing outdoors, on motorways, and in sports arenas. They are so bright that they can capture your attention, even on the darkest nights.
Other digital signs, whilst bright , typically arenโt as brilliant as LED screens. For this reason, they are ideal for indoor settings where customers, employees, and members of the public might only be a few feet away. An example is digital signage for airports, where a message needs conveying without overwhelming people passing through.
Digital vs. LED Signs: Image Quality
Image quality is one of the main benefits of LED screens. LED pixels promise a crisp, vibrant image, no matter where it is. This is another reason why businesses prefer LED screens for outdoor, long-range visibility.
Other digital screens offer great image quality, but they canโt compete with LED screens for long-range viewership.
Digital Vs. LED Signs: Design
Compared to digital screens, LED screens offer limited design options.
Digital screens come in many forms. There are the freestanding screens and video walls we mentioned earlier, as well as video walls and high-brightness displays for windows.
You can upload everything from static to dynamic content to digital screens, which opens the door to lots of creative engagement opportunities. Feedback forms, dynamic graphics, Instagram feeds, YouTube videosโฆ thereโs no end to the types of digital signage content you can create!
Digital vs. LED Signs: Longevity
LED bulbs have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours. Thatโs about 11 years of continuous use! But remember, LED signs are mostly used specifically for outdoor marketing. They have to withstand all sorts of weather conditions, from intense heat and humidity to ice and snow.
Other digital signs contain traditional incandescent bulbs, which have a much shorter lifespan than LEDs. However, digital displays tend to be more durable than LED signs. And, since LED signs have to outlast heat, snow, and everything in between, digital signs seem like a good choice for longevity.
Digital vs. LED Signs: Price
We canโt talk about digital vs. LED signs without talking about the price.
One of the biggest disadvantages of LED signs is that they tend to cost more. The initial cost of all the hardware and software components can add up. However, you should weigh the cost of the equipment against the energy-efficient nature of LED signs, which has the potential to save you money in the long run.
That being said, there are also plenty of initial costs associated with digital screens. All types of digital signage need software and hardware, though they are cheaper on average than comparable essentials for LED signs.
Digital vs. LED Signs: Final Thoughts
There are benefits to both LED and digital signs.
Ultimately, you need to consider the needs of your business. If you want high-brightness, high-visibility screens for outdoor marketing, LED signs are the way forward. But if you want versatile screens for visitors, employees, and potential customers, digital screens could be just what youโre looking for.
If youโre still unsure, get in touch with us and weโll help you. Weโre always happy to offer advice!
