The demand for high-resolution digital signage is surging. 4K is well and truly here, and 8K displays will continue offering unprecedented visual clarity and engagement opportunities. This trend is expected to accelerate, with a projected growth rate of 42% over the next seven years. However, businesses and venues must balance consumer needs with environmental and economic responsibilities.
Businesses in sectors such as retail, transport, and corporate are under pressure to consider their environmental footprint and adhere to internal CSR guidelines. At the same time, they need increasingly engaging and immersive visuals that resonate with their target audience – whether this is changing buying behaviours, instilling brand identities and messaging, or streamlining wayfinding.
Therefore, a high performing, reliable digital signage solution that perfectly blends high resolution visuals must balance performance, efficiency, and sustainability while minimising hardware and maximising ROI.
INFRASTRUCTURE OVERLOAD
Deploying high resolution displays can present infrastructure challenges due to high data and power demands, especially on adapted computer hardware. Unlike digital media players, most computers are not built for single application signage which increases hardware costs, energy use and maintenance. Unlike lower-cost, portable streaming media players, digital media players with built-in features provide superior reliability and sustainable performance.
With venues often deploying multiple screens throughout their spaces, the cumulative impact of excessive infrastructure becomes a pressing concern for maintaining reliability, security and reducing the sustainable impact of deployments.
DIGITAL SIGNAGE
State-of-the-art digital signage players need to deliver versatility in content management that enhances the viewer experience, ensures brand consistency, personalises user experiences, and reduces data transmission loads.
A digital signage solution that receives complete life cycle support and on-demand updates that remain consistent across hardware generations, can deliver unmatched longevity. By working closely with partners and vendors, businesses can reduce technical overheads with remote re-provisioning and management – providing flexibility should requirements change. This reduces downtime, ensuring devices stay up to date without manual intervention.
Remote management and cloud support play a crucial role in delivering sustainable signage solutions. With remote monitoring, diagnostics and troubleshooting, businesses can minimise travel-related emissions, increasing uptime.
Furthermore, with built-in power management and control functionality, digital displays can be seamlessly managed across a network, optimising content delivery. Many systems also include energy-saving “eco” modes that dim or power down screens during low traffic hours or inactivity, further reducing power consumption.
For organisations looking for the most sustainable digital signage deployment, they should consider working with a CMS partner. They can play a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of digital signage by implementing advanced device management strategies that go beyond hardware. Features like automated power scheduling, brightness control, content caching, and live hardware metric analysis can significantly improve efficiency and enable businesses to manage all displays across a network, optimise energy use and content delivery.
As technology evolves, the digital signage industry must continue to prioritise sustainability without compromising performance. The adoption of digital signage players enables businesses to create visually compelling, energy-efficient signage networks.
