Trac Associates Projection Screen News

A projection digital signage system using TRaC Associates window films are impervious to the high radiant daylight temperatures reached on window fronts, provide crisp clear signage images and save on maintenance costs.

A recent discussion with a realtor on the east coast highlights the issue. They had installed an LCD digital signage system in their store front window to promote their business and properties. Within the first 6 months, the unit failed, and within the second 6 months, the replacement LCD unit failed too, even though both LCD panels were proclaimed by the manufacturer to be high temperature tolerant.

Heat is the primary killer of electronics. That’s why great efforts are made by manufacturers to include fans and other cooling techniques to moderate the heat build up inside electronic display housings. However, most digital signage LCD and Plasma units are designed to be used indoors, in controlled temperature environments.

Placing them close to a sun lit window could be courting trouble… Sunshine includes radiant heat. In a window location, this radiant heat source raises the temperature of the electronic display to phenomenal temperatures. The whole external casing and the internal components heat up, similar to a warming oven. The internal fans just can’t keep up with the heat build up and the electronics suffer, causing premature device failure.

Surprisingly, turning off the LCD or Plasma unit doesn’t help. The units just heat up faster and to a higher temperature because the internal fans aren’t operating to assist in cooling the device. The electronic components get temperature cycled between the hot day time hours and the cooler night temperatures which shorten their operating life.

A projection window screen system is a solution to the problem. TRaC’s window screen materials are “passive” non-electrical components in the overall digital signage projection system. The screens are not affected by the radiant heat, UV or IR elements of sunlight and will last trouble free for years and years.

Additionally, the projector is usually ceiling mounted 6’ to 20’ back inside the store front. Projectors have fans too, but the unit is operating in the “human friendly” temperature controlled room, not in the hot show case display area around the store front window. So they can operate as per the manufacturer’s specifications and your expectations.

Another advantage of a ceiling mounted projector is that it is out of harms way. It can’t get handled by a curious shopper or bumped by store cleaning crews. Power and video cables are above the ceiling, preventing them from getting snagged during normal store activities.

Today’s variety of projection films from Trac Associates include daylight viewable, high contrast, white and even transparent image options. So whether you need outside viewable signage or inside special effect images, you can design a system of high reliability, high visual impact and long life.

Contact TRaC Associates for assistance.

Many retail establishments are looking to incorporate digital signage displays into window store fronts to attract prospective customers but want to avoid permanent installations due to the changing retail needs, seasonality and other possible window locations. TRaC Associates (www.tracassociates.com) offers a variety of window projection screen films and foils that can be moved from one window location to another, without the necessity of calling in expensive and professional “licensed and bonded installers” to make the change.

TRaC’s window screen offerings include the daylight viewable GlassVu, the high (20) gain PowerVu and 3 versions of TransVu window films. All are selectable to fit the appropriate ambient lighting and desired image size, format and desired application appearance.

Most window projection screens must be adhered to the glass or acrylic clear substrate. Removal of permanent screen materials may result in damages to the screen and leave adhesive residue on the glass. TRaC’s window projection screen options can be used with simple “clip strips” and flown (like printed posters) just behind the window glass or actually attached to the window with “suction cups” that can be easily detached so the screen can be moved to another window location. There is no loss of projection screen investment or additional cleaning costs of the window.

Additional savings costs are both before and after relocation installations. Permanent installations require ceiling projector installations and cable pulling for power and video feeds. Temporary installations do not require licensed and bonded installers. Temporary set ups only need to comply with normal safety standards of providing a power cord/video cable to the projector and content source.

Additionally, with today’s wireless technologies, the video content can be sent from a central source to almost any location of the projector within the wireless receivers and transmitters receiving and transmission range.

Do you need an in store transportable digital signage system? Wish to avoid expensive install costs for ceiling or wall fixtures and permanent power or video cables to LCD panels or plasma displays? Want to move the system when and where you need it?

Consider a reuseable projection screen film or foil that can be relocated, coupled with the portability of a small, light weight projector and a compact laptop or DVD.

Call TRaC Associates for ideas. (503) 657-6599 or toll free (877) 382-8948