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Another great source for learning about LED Displays is www.ledinfo.org operated by the International LED Foundation.
OUTDOOR
1. What does LED stand for?
2. How do your model numbers work?
3. What is a lexan cover? And explain Open Pixel.
4. What is UL Approved? Why is it important?
5. What is Pixel Matrix?
6. What about viewing distance and time can I expect from a 10” character (text)?
INDOOR
1. What is a character?
2. What determines how to choose the right indoor display?
3. What if I get stumped on how to operate my sign?
4. How do I program my indoor sign?
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OUTDOOR
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What does LED stand for?
Light
Emitting Diode
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How do your model numbers work?
Our
model numbers tell you the three essential standard text features of the LED Display: the number of lines, the number of characters per line, and the standard text size.
Example: 421-4
Shows 4 standard lines of text, 21 standard characters per line, 4” standard text height
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What is a lexan cover? And explain Open Pixel.
A Lexan Cover is provided with some of our models, and its a lexan cover over the entire LED display that protects the LEDs, usually from vandalism or
flying objects. This is very popular for low-to-the-ground installations.
Open Pixel models do not have a lexan cover.
Each LED has a louver to shade it from the sun and maintain its brightness. It also offers some protection from vandalism and flying objects.
Click here for sample pictures of a Model# 213-10: [Open Pixel] [Lexan Cover]
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What is UL Approved? Why is it important?
Literally, UL means "Underwriters Laboratories."
Over a century old, UL is an organization that provides globally respected compliance and safety standards for millions of products, spanning numerous industries. Very exacting standards must be achieved in order for a product to be UL Listed, and we are proud to have all of our products certified and bearing the UL label.
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What is Pixel Matrix?
The pixel
matrix is a description of the array of pixels for LED signs. Pixel Matrix is denoted as the number of pixels across by the number of pixels high that a display contains. For example, a Pixel Matrix of 200 x 24 means that particular model has 200 pixels across and 24 pixels vertically. A pixel may contain more than one LED.
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What is the viewing distance and time I expect from a 10” character (text)?
As a general rule of thumb: 1” text height is viewable from up to 50’ away.
The chart below lists the maximum time an audience will have to view an LED sign with specific character sizes. For example, an audience in a 35 mph speed zone will have 9.7 seconds to view an LED sign with 10” text size.
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Text Size
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Viewing Distance
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Viewing Time (seconds)
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Inches
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Feet
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25mph
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35mph
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45mph
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55mph
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65mph
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3
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150
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2.7
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1.9
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1.5
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1.2
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1.0
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4
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200
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5.5
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3.9
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3.0
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2.5
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2.1
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6
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300
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8.2
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5.8
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4.5
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3.7
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3.1
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8
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400
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10.9
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7.8
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6.1
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5.0
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4.2
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9
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450
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12.3
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8.8
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6.8
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5.6
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4.7
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10
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500
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13.6
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9.7
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7.6
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6.2
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5.2
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18
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800
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21.8
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15.6
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12.1
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9.9
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8.4
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24
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1,200
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32.7
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23.4
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18.2
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14.9
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12.6
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36
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1,800
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49.1
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35.1
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27.3
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22.3
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18.9
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48
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2,400
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65.5
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46.8
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36.4
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29.8
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25.2
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60
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3,000
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81.8
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58.4
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45.5
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37.2
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31.5
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INDOOR
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What is a character?
You will
see references to the number of “characters” a sign is capable of displaying at one time. This simply refers to the letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation that can be displayed on your sign at once
. All of the displays can scroll or perform various other visual effects and transitions, so you are not limited to only the number of characters that will show up at once. Different models have different memory capabilities; most hold more information than is typically used. You may view the specs for any model in our support section, under “Brochures and Manuals.”
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What determines how to choose the right indoor display?
When in doubt, call us! A representative from our indoor department will gladly offer recommendations based on your individual situation,
preferences, and budget.
Here are a few main factors that are important to narrowing the options:
(1) Location.
First off, if you have a space limitation in the location where you will be installing the sign, you should consider dimensions. Make sure the case of your display will fit within your constraints. The dimensions are noted below each model on our website.
(2) Objectives.
LED signs are communication tools that solve problems, so you have to consider what needs to be accomplished by your sign to determine the most appropriate model. Consider the type of information you want to display, which determines the number of lines, as well as the number of characters across you need to show at one time. If you are going to use abbreviations versus words, for example, this will affect the size of display that you need.
It is a good idea to write down a message or messages that you will commonly use, and count how many characters (letters, numbers, spaces,
and punctuation) it takes. There is always scrolling capability if the message exceeds the size of the display, so this is a matter of preference and often budget.
(3) Viewing Distance. Another consideration is the distance of visibility you need to attain. This table shows what visibility
distance can be achieved by each text height.
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Text Size
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Approx. Viewable Distance
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9.6”
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480 ft
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4.5”
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225 ft
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3.1”
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150 ft
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2.1”
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100 ft
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1.5”
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75 ft
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What if I get stumped on how to operate my sign?
Before any stress, give us a call. We offer FREE, unlimited phone support
to all of our customers for the lifetime of their equipment ownership. For your convenience, you may submit your question to our technical support team online, just click here.
You may also access product brochures and manuals in our support section.
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How do I program my indoor sign?
There are several ways to program your sign(s), depending on your application and how you prefer to program your sign. For diagrams and descriptions, go to Transmission Options.
Most of the indoor models come with a wireless remote* that can be used to program them. If you only want to program your sign using
this infra-red remote, it is included and you do not need to order any additional items. However, most people prefer to use optional PC software to make programming more convenient. If you are interested in Windows
based PC programmability, there are a couple of different ways you can achieve this.
You may set up the display(s) on an existing network (LAN), making it operable from any computer on that network. The advantages of
networking include (1) the ability to program your sign from a location that is not in close proximity to the sign, where a physical cable would be inefficient, undesirable, or impossible, (2) capability of sending
the same or different messages to multiple networked signs, and (3) programming ability from ANY computer on the network.
If you are not interested in networking, but would like to program the display from a PC, you may do so serially
using AlphaNet Software and a cable, connected from the computer to the display.
Read about transmission options here, OR visit our support section for software demos, detailed information about networking, or to view manuals.
*The 9000 Series and multi-line Window Displays require PC connection.
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