That's a huge screen brightness level compared to the norm

Dec 19, 2014 07:50 GMT  ·  By

Normal monitors and television sets stick to a comfortable 250 – 300 nit brightness level, with some going either below or above that range. However, professional displays and larger screens used for digital signage and advertising have higher requirements.

Digital signage screens, those bit panels just beyond shop windows, or doubling as shop windows sometimes, don't cut it if they're barely seen at night. Indeed, they need to double as streetlights too, some would argue.

During the day, it's even more important for brightness to be high. Otherwise the sunlight and reflections of people and whatever else would almost literally drown the image.

Knowing all this, Samsung gave its latest digital signage display series a brightness level of 2,500 nits, ten times the 250 nits of consumer panels.

Samsung releases the OMD Series

The OMD Series of LED-backlit LCD displays offer ultra-high brightness. Those are the company's own words, and we can't help but agree.

The 2,500 nits will render the displays easily readable even in the bright outdoors. Especially important during the summer (when sunlight is at its peak) and in winter (when the snow casts a lot of reflected light around).

Brightness is just part of what provides that visibility, however. Contrast is the other asset. Normally, the contrast is of 1,000:1, but the Samsung OMD Series manages 5,000:1.

And yes, that's the static ratio, not the dynamic one that can reach dozens of millions but has minimal impact, save in swift scene changes which aren't likely to happen on signs and commercials anyway.

Samsung’s circular polarizing technology is also included, allowing you to view content on them when you are wearing polarized sunglasses. No need to take them off and squint through any eye-watering haze anymore.

There are two OMD Series sub-strains. The OMD-W is one of them, made for high ambient light indoor environments like retail storefront windows and quick service restaurants. They have 9.3 mm bezels.

The OMD-K is the other set, for outdoor environments (drive-through locations, convention centers, sports arenas, that sort of thing). They can withstand weather and are VESA mount-compatible

Availability and pricing

The OMD Series LCD displays from Samsung have screen sizes of 46, 55 and 75 inches. Prices will be disclosed or negotiated on order, since they aren't retail items. A 3-year warranty is included even accounting for 24/7 operation. All screens have PC (VGA) and Digital (Display Port, HDMI and DVI) connectivity, plus external control via RS232C or RJ45 LAN.

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Samsung OMD Series LCDs (7 Images)

Samsung OMD Series LCD
OMD Series LCD front viewOMD Series LCD angle view
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