What Makes a Commercial Monitor Different From a Consumer TV

How is a commercial monitor different from a consumer TV?

Today’s consumer TVs pack an undeniable punch. Small but powerful, they offer crisp and immersive visuals with resolutions up to 8K UHD. Their built-in tuners allow them to access cable and play content without an external media player. However, consumer TVs are intended for home use, meaning the features that make them successful in a home environment may not be as effective when used for other purposes.

Commercial monitors are designed to withstand the more intense demands of a business, like longer operating hours, temperatures, and chaotic environments. They tend to be designed for modular systems, meaning external speakers or media players are required to get started. Take a look inside this commercial monitor to see how it is built differently from a typical consumer TV.

• High Quality Materials — Commercial Monitors have stronger casings shells and more durable glass to withstand the demands of business operation. Due to the more robust build, commercial monitors are typically heavier than consumer TVs.
• Professional Grade Image — Increased resolution, color saturation, and contrast all contribute to a superior image quality. Commercial monitors also offer wider viewing angles than a consumer TV, allowing it to be seen from anywhere in the room.
• Brightness — The average indoor commercial monitor has a brightness ranging from 400-450 nits while consumer TVs typically range from 200-300 nits of brightness. This, along with an anti-glare screen coating, helps commercial monitors compete with strong environmental lighting.
• Audio — Commercial monitors do not always come with integrated speakers, but they have amplifiers and outputs for external connection to professional sound systems. Integrated speakers within commercial monitors tend to be louder than a consumer TV, ranging from 250-2000 watts.
• Optimized Heat Dissipation — Powerful fans dissipate heat effectively and safely over long 12-18 hour days, enabling a longer lifespan.
• Minimalist Design — Lower profile and thinner bezel designs help seamlessly integrate into a business environment.
• Orientation — Commercial monitors offer support for landscape or portrait orientation, which is not often found on consumer TVs. They can use a media player to display portrait or landscape content and are VESA-compatible for mounting in either orientation.
• Operating System — Integrated operating systems, such as Android, Windows, WebOS (LG) or Tizen (Samsung), are designed to cater to the specific user experience requirements of a business, rather than a consumer Smart TV operating system that prioritizes streaming apps. Keep in mind that unless the monitor has an integrated operating system, it will require a media player of some kind to begin showing content.
• Connection — Commercial Monitors often provide more ports to accommodate connections to large or advanced A/V systems. They support a wider variety of connection methods, from built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet capability to HDMI, VGA, or USB input.
• Compliance — Commercial monitors adhere to regulatory standards and frequently come with industry certifications such as FCC or EnergyStar, ensuring quality and compliance.
• Warranty — Warranties for commercial use are provided by Displays2go and numerous manufacturers, typically extending from 1 to 3 years. Optional extended warranties are also available to provide additional coverage.

These are the attributes that make commercial monitors reliable in a high-demand business setting. Opting for a $300 consumer TV might appear cost-effective initially, but the lack of commercial-grade components may cause it to quickly become defective, ultimately costing you time and setting your budget back that $300. For businesses, commercial monitors offer a quality that’s worth every penny.

What should I look for when buying a commercial monitor?

Because commercial monitors are specialized for different end uses, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the most important features and specifications that will drive your choice.

Look out for specifications you may not be used to checking when buying a TV for your home. For instance, not all commercial monitors have built-in speakers, so you’ll want to make sure that your monitor has audio out ports compatible with your speaker system.

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Commercial monitors also have a wider selection of input ports. Decide beforehand if you’ll display your content via HDMI connection, media player, network connection, or another method so you can be sure you purchase a compatible monitor.

Let's see it in action.

Here’s our recommendations for the best commercial monitors for some common use cases.

Ultra-Narrow Bezel LCD Display

Great for advertising and entertainment purposes in sports bars, restaurants, hotel lobbies, airport terminals, and more.

Features:

• Anti-Glare LCD screen and 1.7mm ultra-narrow bezel
• Android 11 operating system for digital dignage
• Commercial-grade screen for 24/7 use
• Can expand to a 2x2 or 3x3 configuration

Outdoor Wall Mounted LG

A go-to for impactful outdoor digital signage, from retail promotions and restaurant menus to transportation schedules and corporate announcements. A a slim profile and stunning full HD visuals powered by IPS LED technology allow for crystal-clear content that captivates your audience day or night.

Features:

• Slim & robust design with outstanding visibility
• IP56 weather resistant rating and customizable to suit various external environments with no need for separate casing
• 4,000 nit display for direct sun viewing and doesn’t lose brightness at lower temperatures
• Clear visibility even when the viewer is wearing polarized sunglasses

LCD Touch Screen Display, Android 11 OS

This large-format touch signage can share digital content like interactive business proposals, lecture notes, self-check at medical offices, and self-service menu ordering.

Features:

• Android 11 Operating System for Digital Signage
• 10-Point IR interactive touch screen
• Portrait or landscape orientation
• 1920 x 1080 Screen Resolution for an HD Viewing Experience

Though consumer TVs may seem appealing because of their lower initial costs, the smart investment for any business looking for a lasting solution is a commercial monitor. These monitors are more durable, offer better image quality, and are specifically designed with your business use in mind. It's important to remember that displaying content is not just about getting it out there; it's about presenting your brand and messaging in the best possible way. Opting for the right commercial monitor can play a crucial role in your business's success.

Click here to shop our commercial monitors.

Overwhelmed by the technical jargon? Check out this glossary on common digital signage specifications.

Displays2go welcomes the opportunity to discuss your business’s needs and find a solution that works for you. Call (888)-778-1760 to speak directly with our digital experts.