AdcommTV and Samsung: Seeing the Big Picture
COMMERCIAL DISPLAY TVs or CONSUMER TVs
Commercial displays used for digital signage may look similar to TVs, but outfitting consumer technology in a business environment is likely to lead to problems. This quick reference guide will help clear up the static, highlighting 15 key reasons why you should select a commercial-grade solution like Samsung’s Smart Signage displays.
Applications
Commercial: Wide array of applications and use settings, from lobbies and restaurants to wayfinding and classrooms.
Consumer: Designed just for viewing TV, Blu-Ray and streaming services.
Industrial Design
Commercial: Designed with clean, symmetrical lines. Sometimes doesn’t have manufacturer’s logo.
Consumer: Designed more for aesthetics, not always ideal for business settings.
Durability
Commercial: Rugged construction for high-traffic areas; ranging from conference rooms to public outdoor spaces.
Consumer: Designed for light residential use.
Reliability & Runtime
Commercial: Built to run 16 to 24 hours per day, with better cooling to support longer runtimes.
Consumer: Designed to run a maximum of 6 to 8 hours per day, limited onboard cooling.
Brightness
Commercial: High-brightness models available for sunlit locations – all the way up to 2,500 nits.
Consumer: Brightness levels built for in-home environments – typically limited to 300 nits.
Content Displayed
Commercial: Designed to simultaneously display scheduled content and urgent messages.
Consumer: Designed for use as a television, primarily for TV content, streaming video or connecting gaming consoles.
Connectivity
Commercial: Expanded input panels, including VGA, DVI, DisplayPort, Ethernet and video-loop out.
Consumer: Usually limited to HDMI inputs.
RS232 Control
Commercial: Many control protocols, including RS-232, IP, SNMP, MagicInfo Remote Management and Javascript APIs.
Consumer: Typically, don’t include RS-232 control. If included, limited to on/off and input switching.
Remote Lockout
Commercial: Feature IR remote, USB Port lockout controls to prevent tampering, with USB lockout on select models.
Consumer: Don’t allow lockout of IR or front panel, leaving TVs vulnerable to pranksters.
All-in-One
Commercial: Displays include built-in media players to install compatible web-based signage applications.
Consumer: N/A
Orientation
Commercial: Supports portrait mode with proper cooling technology and symmetrical design.
Consumer: Not designed to support portrait mode.
Glare and Finish
Commercial: Many have anti-glare coatings to provide readability and visibility in ambient light situations.
Consumer: Have a glossy finish to the glass — fine for use with low ambient light and closed windows.
Image Retention
Commercial: Leverages LCD technology protecting against image retention.
Consumer: Develops image retention issues when static imagery presented for long periods.
Design Life Cycles
Commercial: Maintain longer lifecycles with consistent industrial design, enabling a cleaner more consistent deployment.
Consumer: Regular chassis design changes.
Service and Support
Commercial: Sold by authorized B2B reseller partners and supported with three-year onsite warranty and enterprise post-sales support – some extending to 5 years.
Consumer: Typically a one-year, over-the-counter warranty – often void for commercial use.
