- ndustrial-grade LED backlights provide better readability in ambient light conditions for digital signage and advertising, says Caltron Industries. Starting in 2010, Caltron will offer LED-backlit technology in digital signage, such as the 1600 nits brightness system in Caltron's 12.1-inch high bright LCD open frame monitor. This provides a brightness level five times greater than CCFL technology while reducing cost of ownership.
- "LED backlights are more powerful and more cost-effective for digital signage than CCFL backlight tubes," says Jim Wang, president of Caltron Industries. "They are perfect for digital signage advertising, outdoor presentation systems, or any other situation with high ambient light conditions."
- Most off-the-shelf LCD monitors have a brightness rating around 300 nits -- a level with insufficient luminance for outdoor or bright-environment viewing that creates a grainy, low-quality image. The traditional solution is the costly installation of multiple CCFL (light bulb) backlight tubes. However, this also requires a thermal management solution to dissipate excess heat generated from backlights. Cumulatively, all of these upgrades create an arduous and costly process. The smarter, more-affordable alternative is an LED backlight.
- "CCFL solutions require cost-heavy thermal management, like heat exchanges, piping, or cooling fans. When the goal is simply good visibility in ambient light, that's a lot to ask for," says Wang. "Caltron uses LED backlights for digital signage because it makes sense for the operator and the viewer. It's cost-effective, easy to use, and it works well in almost every circumstance."
- In 2010, Caltron will introduce its line of open-frame high-brightness industrial monitors. Caltron has partnered with leading high-bright panel suppliers on the best backlight solution possible through seven years of research and development, all leading to the new LED backlight technology as featured in the HBT-12120. This technology has undergone rigorous testing, including nearly 10,000 hours of backlight aging tests. The net result is a 1,600 nit high-bright screen that consumes less than 24 watts (about half of similarly equipped CCFL backlit panels) for lower power consumption without any loss in brightness or MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure).
- "Our R&D testing shows that LED backlights are reliable, durable, and cost effective," says Wang. "This technology introduces a better way to take clear digital signage outside and in other high-ambient light areas, and we will be soon be integrating it into our other products."
