I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this question. Certainly there’s a place for individual consumer grade LCD flat panel displays in a commercial setting as long as they aren’t used too often, or for extended periods of time. Otherwise, if the demands are so minimal that it makes more sense to replace than repair, a lesser consumer product may well be the answer assuming the consumer product also meets performance requirements.
So, how does this apply to you? Probably not at all because if you’re reading this article, you are likely someone who is researching the appropriate large LCD flat panel displays for intensive use and where product failure creates liabilities. Let’s take a look at what you get for your money in most commercial LCD panel displays that you don’t get from consumer grade products. It starts with better dependability, longer life and excellent return on investment. But, that’s not all. You get better functionality; otherwise the rugged commercial grade will typically have more connectors than consumer grades. And you have the benefit of longer and more comprehensive warranties. Some consumer grade manufacturers void the warranty if used in a commercial setting. Their warranties are often bare-bones 90 day to one year warranties with no on-site service or extended coverage. You have to read the fine print.
Try to find a consumer grade manufacturer who will offer extended warranties up to 4 years and will provide a full unit replacement in advance with second day shipping and shipping costs included. Not likely. Simply, the longer the consumer grade display runs, the hotter it gets, which increases the likelihood of failure. That’s why commercial displays have heat dissipation plates, dust inflow filters, cooling fans, and electronics that adjust the display’s brightness settings depending on the ambient light, which further reduces heat output. Commercial grade displays support both landscape and portrait modes for digital signage applications and support PC screen resolutions that cheaper LCD flat panel displays often don’t. And keep in mind that since consumer grade manufacturers change the appearance of their displays frequently, you’re not likely to find a replacement that looks the same. Nor will the color balance match the other displays. This takes on added importance when you are using a video wall, or even when you have several displays next to each other.
Still not convinced? Consider that commercial grade displays have ruggedized housing, robust power supplies, and shielding against electro-magnetic interference that consumer grades don’t. Let me conclude by saying that obviously one should consider these differences when selecting a large LCD flat panel display. Personally, I wouldn’t want to be responsible for trashing the display within months of purchase, or carrying it in for repair. And who wants to explain to the boss why there’s a blank space on the wall where the LCD panel should be and why a second purchase is necessary?
I should emphasize that I have been discussing individual LCD displays that are not designed for modern video walls. Although much of what I’ve said applies to modern LCD video wall displays, there are no practical consumer versions to compare.