Consumer TV vs. Industrial TV

TV screens that are designed for the home can be seen everywhere. You’ve probably come across commercial screens too – but you just haven’t given it much thought. So when you want to add digital advertising to your business premises, place a TV screen in a waiting or break room, use TVs in hospitality services such as hotels and motels, or install a large screen or touchscreen in your conference room. But what’s the difference between a consumer screen designed for the home and a commercial or professional one? Are all commercial screens the same and how do you choose the best one for your business? These are some of the questions you may be looking for answers to. Let’s take a look at them. Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out and help us figure out how we can best meet your needs.

Differences in use

So, first, let’s look at some general differences in use. A consumer TV is usually designed just for watching TV, specifically so you can take it home and watch a variety of consumer-oriented formats such as TV, Blu-ray, streaming services, etc. Things that are normally used for a few hours a day, and that’s about it. The use of a TV screen in a commercial setting varies widely. Examples might be a screen placed in a lobby or waiting area to project various TV programs, digital advertising, or it might serve as an orientation kiosk, display a menu in a restaurant, even in an environment where higher temperatures, greater exposure to dust, grease, etc., may occur, or it might serve as a large touch screen used in a conference room. Operating time can vary from a few hours a day to 24/7, 365 days a year. Because of this, there is a wide range of commercial screens for different types of use; most professional screens have quite a few differences, so let’s take a look at some of the key differences.

Warranty

Household screens have a clearly defined warranty: consumer use. This means that the warranty is valid for a certain period of time (usually one year) for normal household use. When we take a closer look at the consumer warranty, we can almost always find information in one of the clauses that says that the warranty only applies to home use. Some manufacturers state that, “the warranty is void if the product is used for commercial purposes,” while some manufacturers indicate that “commercial use is covered by a 90-day warranty on parts and labor.” In any case, if you’re looking around for a screen for your business, the warranty is a thing to consider. For most commercial screens, there’s usually a three-year parts and labor warranty – for some this even extends to 5 years, for others again it’s just two years. Often times businesses and operations use residential screens simply because they didn’t know there were commercial options, or didn’t know where to look for them. Another difference between consumer and business warranties is that consumer warranties require the item to be taken in for service, whereas business warranties are likely to cover on-site service. Who wants to carry an 80″ or 90″ screen for repair anymore, right? The repairman will simply come and take care of servicing or transporting the product if it can’t be repaired on-site.

Initial and long-term costs

Price is an essential component in the purchasing decision. Often times, consumer screens are used in the corporate sector because of the assumption that a commercial screen will be significantly more expensive, or because of a lack of information about such options. While it is true that commercial models tend to be more expensive than a TV of the same size designed for the home, there is a wide price range of commercial screens that are close in price to similarly sized consumer screens but offer a better warranty, while others with specific features can cost considerably more. Additionally, something worth considering when selecting a screen is the inherent cost in the long run. If you plan to leave the screen in place for a long time, a commercial screen will likely last longer than a screen designed for the home and therefore cost less in the long run than a consumer TV (due to better quality, durability, and other features).

Cover appearance / uniform aesthetics

One of the advantages of commercial screens is that they maintain the same cosmetic appearance for several years (which is advantageous in case you refill screens over time) whereas residential models change every year. If you are constantly expanding the number of screens in your facility, you can maintain the same look and feel by opting for commercial type screens.

Another difference with commercial screens is the size and shape of the frame. “The screen cover consists of a frame that goes around the visible area of the screen and covers the back. The covers on commercial screens are reinforced to withstand the harsher elements of their use. For example, digital food offerings in restaurants need to withstand high temperatures and grease, while screens in railway stations need to be dust-proof.” Commercial screens come in a variety of frame sizes, from standard to a very narrow frame that is designed for use on a video wall. The thinner the frame, the more expensive the screen. Home TV frames are designed more for aesthetic purposes and are generally not suitable for business use. Whereas industrially designed commercial screens are designed in simple, symmetrical shapes and often do not have the manufacturer’s logo.

Display brightness

Consumer screens are generally designed to function properly under conditions of controlled or somehow controlled lighting. Screen brightness is given in nits or square candelas (cd/m2).

Consumer TVs typically fall in the 150-250 nits range, which is fine for home use. In the elevated brightness conditions often found in commercial or retail spaces, higher brightness is required. Commercial screens achieve brightness depending on the type, ranging from 300 to 2000 nits for outdoor use with full sunlight.

TV or Monitor?

What is the difference between a TV and a monitor? In short, a television has a tuner to pick up broadcast or cable stations as well as built-in speakers. Technically, the monitor itself does not contain a tuner – it simply displays a signal from one or more inputs. However, many professional monitors may have a built-in tuner or it is available as an add-on. Similarly, some professional monitors do not have speakers, while others may have them built-in or are optional as an accessory.

Features and accessories

There are many other features that a pro screen can provide, such as:

• Port-RS232 or Ethernet (Lan control) are designed for control and are not normally found on consumer screens, allowing greater flexibility and more precise control of screen functions without the need for remote control. They facilitate integration into a controlled or automated system.
• Orientation – Consumer TVs are designed to use the landscape format only – the way we normally watch TV in the home. In commercial use, however, portrait orientation is often necessary. Some commercial screens are designed to be used in any orientation – meaning they cool properly no matter what orientation they are used in. Most consumer warranties do not cover use of the TV in portrait orientation.
• Built-in scheduling – in addition to having more control options than a home TV, commercial screens often have built-in or externally managed ways of scheduling them on and off according to a given schedule.
• Connectivity – Home screens are typically limited to HDMI and perhaps the outdated composite and component video. Professional screens typically have multiple types of inputs including HDMI, picture ports, DVI, VGA, component and composite interfaces. Often there are video outputs as well.
• Synchronisation with PC – Home screens are usually designed to handle home video formats and have limited PC resolution, which often makes it difficult or impossible to view the image. Professional screens are designed to handle a wide range of resolutions supporting a variety of synchronizations that allow for proper placement and customization of the image on the screen.
• Catering and accommodation services – screens designed for catering and accommodation services have specific characteristics. They are therefore particularly suitable for use in hotels, motels, hospitals or other establishments where the functions required are similar to those of the general customer, but where greater control is required – for example, the ability to lock certain functions or menu settings, etc.
• Surface finish- home screens usually have a glossy glass surface, which is usually fine for use in the home where there aren’t a lot of lights, windows, and other potential points of reflection and glare. However, glare in a commercial setting can not only be distracting but also prevent important information from being displayed. Commercial models have various types of matte anti-glare surfaces to provide the best possible image legibility and visibility.
• Slots for media players – commercial screens often offer slots for the possibility of connecting various PC modules or are equipped with built-in digital media players.
• Display glass – the display itself is also a factor. Such screens often have enhanced glass components designed for long hours of operation with less susceptibility to image retention issues. “High-quality commercial models use commercial-grade glass and consist of several layers, allowing for long operating cycles of 7/24/365.”
• Brackets – commercial screens usually have removable brackets to help with installation and mounting.
• Built-in amplifier for speakers – leading commercial screens often have built-in amplifiers with speaker terminals that work great when connecting external or in-ceiling speakers. A great example for this use is a small conference room with a wall-mounted screen with a built-in amplifier, which saves costs and saves you from additional equipment, and allows for better sound quality and overall coverage.

Summary – so what suits you best?

If you’re looking at a screen for your business, school or other commercial use, knowing the differences between consumer and commercial screens can save you money in the long run. Sturdier construction, glass, better control options, and extended warranties will give you peace of mind and ensure that your messages will be seen and heard by clients for years to come. If we can be of more assistance in identifying your needs and recommendations, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here for you!