How to choose the right screen for your commercial digital menu board

How to choose the right screen for your commercial digital menu board

To get the results you desire in life, there are necessary tools required to deliver the end solution. So when it comes to deciding which screen to adopt for your new commercial digital menu board, there are so many options available, choosing the right one can get confusing.

Here is a quick buyers guide to help you decide on the most appropriate menu screen:

1.Please do not buy a TV. The price is probably the only immediate advantage at the point of purchase but will cost you a great deal more in the short-term. Remember, a TV is a domestic appliance and not warrantied or manufactured for a commercial environment. A TV has a digital tuner built-in to accept broadcasted information. Therefore, you will have to pay a TV license fee, just as you do with the TV in your home.  Regardless of the fact you are using the TV to show images, video and text - it is still a TV and not built for constant use especially in a commercial environment.

2.Depending on the number of digital menu screens you decide to purchase, make sure they are all the same size and brand. It does not matter whether they are installed vertically (Portrait) or landscape (Horizontal) make sure it is either one or the other. Like anything, creating the right impression is paramount to your company’s success.

3.Choose a commercial grade LCD screen. Built by the manufacturer, these graded screens enable content to be shown 24 hours, 7 days a week with an expected life span of five years and over. Avoid plasma screens because they suffer from screen-burn or burn-in. A condition where if an image is left on the screen for a long period of time, just like a menu, the image will burn-in, creating a ghost like image when the screen is switched off. LCD screens are far more energy efficient, have a much longer life expectancy and increased viewing angle.

4.Decide how you want to upload your content. USB memory stick or network? An all-in-one screen is a popular choice and highly recommended, if you want to simply plug and play. These screens come complete with built-in media-player enabling direct upload from a memory stick. Your menu content will be displayed immediately and updating any  future content will be easy using, again, a USB memory stick. Attach to a wall with the mounting plate supplied, plug in, upload your content and watch as your digital menu boards come to life.

These screens are also available as an all-in-one network option meaning they look exactly the same, except this time they can facilitate a LAN or Wifi connection so you can network multiple screens together, across a number of restaurant locations anywhere in the world. With their tempered and buttonless glass fronts, they are ideal for restaurants where hot and fried food is prepared because there is no bezel nor frame to trap airborne particles making cleaning effortless.

 5. Another alternative solution is a professional grade commercial monitor. Cost-effective compared to an all-in-one solution, especially if you just want to drive content from a memory stick. As your business grows, you will have the option to add on a separate media-player enabling you to convert these stand alone screens to a full network. A great solution if you need to find your feet first and then, as you grow, turn your commercial digital menu boards into one seamless digital networked estate. These screens are best suited to restaurants where cold or pre-prepared food can be heated in controlled appliances for example microwaves. Monitors do not hold up well to heat, steam and airborne particles.

To find out more and to arrange an informal chat about getting starting with your first menu screen and installation then call James Hogg Display on 0330 333 6106 or email info@jameshoggdisplay.com 

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