Developing and operating reliable outdoor digital signage is one of the toughest challenges in the industry. Two recent reports from invidis “Outdoor Screens Hotter than Specified”¹ and “Burn Baby Burn – Shadow-less Signage”² highlight the serious common issues many businesses face when installing outdoor digital signage, especially in harsh climates.

From heat-damaged LCD crystals to brown spots, discoloration, and outright failures, the reality is clear: manufacturing and developing a reliable outdoor screen requires expertise.

At Allsee, we’ve spent over a decade developing and refining our outdoor display solutions, and these reports validate why that long-term commitment to R&D is essential.

Why Outdoor Digital Signage Is So Challenging

The invidis inspections across the US uncovered several recurring issues:

• Excessive Heat: Direct sunlight and high-brightness panels can consistently push surface temperatures above 80°C, far beyond manufacturer specifications
• Irreparable LCD Damage: Once liquid crystals are heat-damaged, there’s no recovery and screens must be replaced
• Poor Ventilation: Inadequate airflow and under-dimensioned cooling systems lead to rapid deterioration
• Maintenance Neglect: Dust, dirt, and blocked filters accelerate failure when there is no regular maintenance
• UV and IR Exposure: Both degrade screen components, especially when protective glass or films are not implemented

The reports concluded that more than two-thirds of inspected outdoor displays showed visible damage – a shocking statistic for business-critical touchpoints like drive-thrus, wayfinding kiosks, and EV charging stations.

Over a Decade of Outdoor Development

At Allsee, we recognised these challenges early on. For more than ten years, our specialist engineers have been testing, refining, and innovating to design outdoor displays that truly withstand real-world conditions over extended periods.

The lessons identified in the invidis reports – overheating, poor ventilation, inadequate protection, and neglected maintenance – are the very issues our latest generation of Outdoor Advertising Displays and Outdoor Freestanding Digital Posters, as well as our newly launched 4K Elite Outdoor Advertising Displays, have been designed to overcome.

If you are considering investing in outdoor digital signage, there are several non-negotiables you should demand. Here’s what to look for, and how our displays address each challenge:

• High Brightness with Efficient Heat Control – Outdoor displays must stay visible in direct sunlight, but brightness alone is not enough. Our 3,500cd/m² ultra-high brightness panels ensure clarity in full daylight, while an ambient light sensor combined with local dimming technology reduces unnecessary heat build-up and power consumption.
• Intelligent Thermal Management – One of the biggest issues raised in the reports was poor airflow. Our screens use smart sensors to monitor internal conditions and automatically activate fans or heaters. A built-in failsafe system can even take protective measures in extreme environments, helping to prevent irreversible LCD damage.
• UV and Glare Protection – UV and IR exposure can be extremely damaging. Our anti-reflective, UV-treated glass both diffuses sunlight for better visibility and reduces internal heat by up to 71%, tackling two challenges at once: readability and longevity.
• Weatherproofing – With an IP56-rated enclosure, dual seals, waterproof connectors, and coated circuit boards, our displays are engineered for all-weather protection. A marine-grade paint finish adds further resilience against corrosion.
• Service-Friendly Design – Neglected maintenance often leads to early failures. Our front-serviceable design makes upkeep simple and cost-effective, ensuring that routine checks are practical and downtime is kept to a minimum.

Built for the Real World

As invidis has shown, outdoor signage that isn’t properly engineered quickly suffers from heat damage, discoloration, or other hardware failure. For businesses investing in outdoor digital signage, the message is clear: the right engineering makes all the difference between a screen that fails within a few seasons and one that delivers years of dependable service.

If you’re looking for an outdoor display solution you can truly depend on, get in touch today. We’ve done the development, we understand the challenges, and we’ve built products that solve them.