Q: What is a Digital Billboard?
A: Digital billboards are the latest advancement in outdoor advertising. Using LED technology, digital billboards display large format imagery that can be changed, quite literally, at the touch of a button. Short term advertisements, multiple rotating advertisements on the same billboard, and even animations are all possible with OAI's digital billboards.
Q: What is LED technology and how does it work?
A: LED is an acronym for Light Emitting Diode. LED signs are made up of large numbers of tiny bulbs, each 2/10 inch wide, that can change color allowing the display of any image in stunning detail.
In addition, LED bulbs are far more efficient and long lasting than standard incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs burn a filament in order to produce light, so they wear out quickly. LED bulbs have no filament to burn, allowing them to last much longer, while using a fraction of the energy.
Q: What is the lifespan of an LED display?
A: An LED display will last 100,000 hours or more when using the standard energy level of 20 milliamps. That's over 11 years! Compare that to typical incandescent bulbs which last up to only 2,000 hours, or about 3 months! One of the major benefits of LED technology is long life and low energy use.
Q: Where are Digital Billboards best utilized?
A: LED billboards are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, pixel densities, and viewing angles. This allows digital billboards to be used flexibly in a wide range of locations, from highways and buildings, to sports arenas and entertainment stages. We encourage you to discuss your goals with one of our representatives to ensure that the LED display you choose best meets your needs.
Q: How can I make the cost of an LED affordable?
A: LEDs are becoming more and more affordable, and OAI can help with flexible lease and financing options. Also, the cost of LED billboards can be deducted as a business expense in the year they are purchased or leased under the IRS 179 deduction.
Digital displays are also a highly profitable long term investment. "Outdoor Advertising Magazine" reports that digital displays have the potential to generate revenues six to ten times greater than static messaging. For example, a static billboard in a prime location generating $5,000 per month with one image could generate $40,000 per month with eight advertisers. Owners can see their investment paid off within 18 months!
Q: Why should I spend more on a full color LED as opposed to a monochrome display?
A: Monochrome LED displays have been utilized for years, and are proven, effective marketing tools. However, since they utilize only one color (red or amber), the visual messages that can be displayed are limited. Full color LED displays offer the full resolution of print billboards with the versatility that only LEDs can offer. This opens up limitless marketing possibilities including realistic images, video, and animation effects.
Q: Why are there variations in image quality from one LED sign to another?
A: Image quality is directly related to the resolution of a display. The tighter the pixels (short for 'picture element') are clustered on an LED sign, the higher the resolution and sharper the image. The measurement of the distance between pixels is called 'pixel pitch' which determines a digital billboard's resolution. OAI offers the highest resolution displays on the market.
Q: What does 'viewing angle' mean?
A: LED light is brightest when viewed directly, or "head on". As you increase the angle at which you view the display, the intensity of the light dims. At a certain angle the perceived light is exactly 50% of the "head on" intensity. Multiplying this angle by two results in the "viewing angle". OAI provides optimal viewing angles on all of our digital billboards.
Q: How do LEDs stack up against other light sources such as incandescent and fluorescent?
A: There are 4 major advantages to using LEDs over other light sources:
- Significantly longer lifespan!
- Significantly lower power usage!
- Significantly lower heat output!
- Widest range of colors!
Q: Will the color quality of a digital billboard fade over time.
A: With lower quality LED displays, colors fade over time due to the breakdown of the phosphor coating. OAI's displays use superior quality phosphor coating to ensure minimal color loss over time.
Q: Do LEDs last longer when they are cool?
A: Yes! Heat in LEDs can decrease both the life and light output of a sign. OAI's LED displays contain several features to control temperature such as heat sinks and airflow technology.
Q: What kind of messages will attract the most attention to my sign?
A: Bold, striking colors, displaying simple imagery and a succinct message are always the best way to get an ad noticed in today's distracting world. LEDs offer the added advantage of animation and video, which when kept short and simple, can really help an ad stand out. Incorporating useful and relevant information is also a great way to get a viewer to look in your direction.
|