General LED Sign Questions
Q: What is an LED?
A: LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LED’s are very different from light bulbs as they last for many years without burning out, generate significantly less heat, and consume far less energy. They typically require less than 1/10 to 1/40 the energy of incandescent light bulbs
Q: Are all LED’s the same?
A: No, LED’s come in many grades of quality and brightness. Electro-Matic uses only the top grade of LED’s which allows us to give you a five year warrantee on all Hyperion LED displays. Our LED’s are Hi –Brite LED 's which allow easy viewing in direct sunshine.
Q: Do all LED Electronic Message Centers use about the same amount of energy?
A: No, Electro-Matic uses state of the art engineering to time slice the firing of our LED’s resulting in the most efficient display on the market consuming far less energy than our competitors. This efficient energy usage also results in less heat being generated internally in our display resulting in years of trouble free operation as evidenced by our five year warrantee on all Hyperion LED displays.
Q: What is Pixel Pitch as it relates to LED displays?
A: Pixel Pitch is the distance between each LED or Pixel on your LED display. Pixel pitch is similar to resolution with the smaller the pixel pitch giving you the best resolution.
Our Hyperion displays are offered in 16 mm, 20mm, 25mm, 32mm, and 40mm with 16mm being the tightest pitch or best resolution. Smaller pitches are used for close up viewing while larger pitches are more economical and are suitable for signs located high in the air or farther off the roadway.
Q: What is viewing angle and why is it important for LED Electronic Message Centers?
A: Viewing Angle is the angle at which you can clearly read the sign when you view from the side. This is important as your message will be viewable for longer periods of time by your targeted customers resulting in your LED sign message reaching more customers for a longer period of time as they pass by. Hyperion Outdoor Electronic Message Centers have a 150 degree viewing angle which is the best in the industry.
Q: What is the difference between Color vs. Monochrome LED Displays?
A: Monochrome outdoor signs are typically offered in Red or Amber and use a single LED of that color. Hyperion Monochrome LED displays can display 4096 shades of the Red or Amber. Full Color Outdoor LED displays use a cluster of Red, Green, and Blue LED’s that are turned on and off in various combinations to result in Billions of color combinations. Monochrome displays are more cost effective and are typically used to display simple text messages and limited graphical images. Full Color Led displays can display text, graphics, and video images in endless combinations.
Q: How can an LED display help my business?
A: According to the SBA (Small Business Administration) businesses that employ LED signage typically see an increase of 15 to 150 % in sales revenue. This complete report can be downloaded from our home page, empvisualsolutions.com
Q: How quickly can I get an LED display?
A: We believe we are best in the industry for delivery of your sign. The Hyperion outdoor display comes in many models and colors. Many of these can be ready to ship in 2 weeks or less. Even special sizes, which we are happy to do, can be ready in 4 to 6 weeks. The 4U2SEE indoor/Outdoor displays are typically built and stocked on our shelves ready for same day shipment for tricolor, Sunbrite red and Sunbrite yellow. Our Factory Vision Industrial displays can be ready to ship in 2-3 weeks for the smaller models and for the larger models we can fit your needs most of the time.
Q: How can I determine the viewing distance of an LED Sign?
A: Our rule of thumb is 60 feet for every inch of the character size. I.e. 2” characters can be read from 120 ft. So by knowing the size of the character on the display, you can determine how far away the message can be read.
Q: When using RS232 or RS485 what is the best option to use when communicating 100 feet away from my LED display?
A: If you are communicating using the RS232 you shouldn’t go over 50 feet, because this could cause problems in your communication. For anything over 50 feet you should use the RS485 which is good for 4000 feet. Ethernet, which is good for 330 feet, would be the proper choice if you want to make the sign updates go faster.
Q: Do I have to have another connection device or buy another optional thing if I have Ethernet to connect to my Electro-Matic LED display?
A: No. All of Electro-Matic displays come with Ethernet as a standard along with RS232 and RS485. With Ethernet, the only cable needed is the following: if connecting direct from the computer to the sign a crossover cable is required, and if connecting from a network (hub, switch, or wall socket) to the sign, a patch cable is required. Ethernet cable, by industry standards, can be up to 300 feet long. You can go farther than 300 feet with Ethernet if you put a HUB or SWITCH every 300 feet.
Q: How do I get technical support for my Electro-Matic LED display?
A: There are many avenues to get support. There is a website available that contains technical information, manuals and training videos for Sigma software. There is an email address for support and there is an application support phone number. In addition to this there are training classes offered on various subjects pertaining to the Visual display products. Many of which can be accessed right from your computer. Contact your local dealer or distributor to sign you up for access to all of these options.
Outdoor LED Sign Questions
Q: What does Master/Slave mean regarding Outdoor LED signs?
A: Master/Slave means that there are two single sided displays supplied by Electro-Matic that the installer can mount together typically back to back. This facilitates installations on poles. Some refer to this as double sided or back to back displays. For communication purposes, the Master/Slave requires only one connection so that it acts like one sign.
Q: Can the Outdoor LED Hyperion Master/Slave displays run independently?
A: The Hyperion Master/Slave displays can be set to Master/Master, which will allow the displays to run independently. This is a setting feature, which can be changed anytime within 5 seconds. This feature allows for different messages to be displayed on each side simultaneously. Don’t worry, if you are not sure or change your mind, this can be changed in seconds through the provided Sigma software effortlessly.
Q: Can the Hyperion Electronic Message Center be set up with 2, 3 or more Slave displays to form a triangle or square and will this delay the delivery?
A: The Hyperion displays can be set to can have up to 7 Slave displays to form many complex shapes and sides for viewing. There are no extra charges or delays in shipment for this. As shown in the previous question, the faces of the sign can all have the same information or different information. Don’t worry, if you are not sure or change your mind, this can be changed in seconds through the provided Sigma software effortlessly.
Q: Can I display pictures, graphics and/or videos on my Hyperion Outdoor LED displays? What type of resolution will I get?
A: All Hyperion displays can have pictures, graphics and videos placed on the display and scheduled for a time or date to show on the display. Specifically, Pictures can be displayed utilizing .jpg or .bmp file formats, Videos can be displayed utilizing source files from 13 different formats (.avi,swf,gif,asf,wmv,mpg,mpeg,mp4,3gp,mov,qt,rm,rmvb). Graphics can utilize font files, .jpg, or .bmp formats. With 4098 shades for monochrome displays and 8.6 billion shades of color for RGB displays, the resolution of colors is awesome. Hyperion customers also utilize Sigma Software, provided at no charge, to size the pictures for the display, convert and edit your movie’s and provide numerous other functionality features.
Q: Can you service the Hyperion Outdoor LED Displays from the front?
A: Absolutely!! Because most outdoor displays are usually constructed in enclosures and existing frames of other signs, Electro-Matic has engineered a service friendly display. All of the Hyperion displays can be serviced completely through the front of the display.
Q: How many LED’s are there per pixel on the Hyperion Outdoor LED Displays?
A: Hyperion offers monochrome (red or amber) and full color displays. Our 16mm, 20mm and 25mm have 1 LED per pixel for monochrome and 3 LED’s per pixel for Full Color (1-Red, 1-Green and 1 Blue). Our 32mm and 40mm have 4 LED’s per pixel for monochrome. The 32mm has 4 LED’s per pixel for full color (2-Red, 1-Green and 1-Blue). The 40mm has 8 LED’s per pixel for full color (3-Red, 3-Green and 2-Blue).
The number of LED’s is not as important as the overall brightness of the LED’s. Hyperion displays exceed 5000 NIT’s for monochrome and 10,000 NIT’s for full color with the LED’s provided because we use very high grade, high brightness premium LED’s in our products.
Q: Does the Hyperion Outdoor LED Display have a surge protector?
A: Not only does the Hyperion display come with a surge protector already installed, it also features a lightning arrester as well. This provides maximum protection for your investment and reliable performance.
Q: What is the viewing angle for the Hyperion Outdoor LED Displays?
A: The Hyperion Outdoor Display has a 150° horizontal viewing angle. That translates into more viewing time for your customers as they pass by the sign.
Q: How long will information remain stored due to a power outage on the Hyperion Outdoor LED displays?
A: Forever. The messages are stored in what is called Flash ROM. This is a permanent memory very similar to what you’d use on a digital camera. It has no need for power once the message is stored and there for it will remain until changed or deleted. There are no batteries or charge devices to drain and loose your info. This offers premium worry free operation as a standard.
Q: How far in advance can information be stored into the LED sign, if we know the date of an event can it be stored now?
A: Yes. You can store any message for any date in the future, the only limitation is the amount of memory and we have the largest standard size memory of anyone in the industry of 266MB or 64,000 messages on average. For most other sign manufacturers the memory size is only 64K or 4000 times smaller than Hyperion.
Q: What is the refresh rate for the Hyperion Outdoor LED Signs?
A: Up to 60 frames per second, this translates into 30 frames per second for movie playback. This presents true movie playback with no limitations. This is a standard feature on all Hyperion signs and is typically a premium service for other manufacturers.
Q: Can the Hyperion Outdoor LED Sign show the Time, Temperature and Date?
A: Yes. Time, date and temperature can be shown on all Hyperion Outdoor Displays. The temperature probe and our Sigma 3000 Software are standard features and are included with the displays. The Sigma Software allows you to program the display to show the time and temperature. The displays have a built in memory and control so once it is programmed the sign needs nothing attached to it to keep accurate time, date and display the temperature. The date can be displayed in several ways as well as the temperature and time. In addition to this we have a count up or count down feature for functions like “Days till Christmas”, “Cars Sold to Date” that changes the message automatically based on time and date.
Q: Is the Time and Temperature a standard feature with Hyperion Outdoor LED Electronic Message Centers?
A: Time and Temperature are included with all our Hyperion displays. The temperature probe is included with the sign and there are no extra charges involved. In addition, we have added a standard feature which is called a counter. The Counter is based off the built in calendar and you can count down (or up) automatically within your message event. EX: XX days till Final Exams. The sign will automatically decrement the number (XX) each day without anyone needing to touch the sign.
Q: When installing the Outdoor LED Sign Hyperion Master/Slave display are there restrictions as to how far apart they need to be?
A: The two displays will need to be at least 4” apart when installed for cooling air flow. The fans are installed on the back of the displays. The installation guide depicts several installation options that are available for proper air flow.
Q: Does the Hyperion LED Outdoor Display have a Plexiglass panel of the front?
A: No they do not. Our Hyperion Outdoor displays have LED tiles that are sealed from the back to prevent moisture from entering the tiles. This allows the true vibrant color of the LED to shine brightly to get your message across. It has been proven that the shield can shorten the LED life due to heat buildup. Also, the unsightly moisture buildup in the lens can not exist giving your audience the best of everything, long-lasting display, bright and vibrant. Of course a Plexiglas shield is available as an option on Hyperion displays.
Q: How far can the RF be from the LED display to communicate properly?
A: We have several RF options; depicted by a 2, 8, 9, B, W and Z. Option 2 , 8 and B can be ¼ mile away, option 9 can be several miles away, option W can be .5 mile away and Option Z can be 5-10 miles away. All RF antenna needs to have a direct line of sight to the display in order to communicate effectively. The choice made is based on several factors such as speed required to update the display (the 8, B, W, Z options are the fastest), amount of interference (physical barriers and electronic noise) as well as distance between the computer source running Sigma software and the sign itself (the 9, Z options are the most powerful units to overcome noise and interference). Your Hyperion salesmen can help to make the best choice or schedule a site survey to ensure the right choice. Please understand that with any RF wireless remote, having a site survey done is the only way to make sure that the radios will work in your environment.
Q: What is included in the graphic package and animation software with my LED sign?
A: We have a CD that the Hyperion dealer can supply the customer that contains over 700MEG of AVI files/JPG picture files that the customer may use. This is supplied one time at no charge to our sign dealers and they can reproduce these at will. In addition the display will accept any AVI files and with the provided Sigma software can easily be put on the sign. For graphics it will accept any JPEG or Bitmap file format.
Q: If I need more than what is supplied on the graphics CD, what are my options to create display content for my LED sign?
A: In addition to the CD you have several options. First you can utilize Sigma software, which is included with the display, to create your own messages, insert pictures, convert and edit your movies along with many more options to create unique content for your sign.
If you do not feel creative or do not have the time, Electro-Matic Products also offers a low cost service for content creation to be done for you by a professional staff of designers. Simply search Content Creation on our website to find out more about this option.
Q: Is the Hyperion Outdoor LED sign structure covered with power-coated paint?
A: Yes. The entire Hyperion display is constructed of aluminum and then black powder-coat paint is applied. This provides for superior protection against fading and peeling. Of course the entire sign is made of Aluminum so rust is NEVER an issue.
Q: Approximately how many times within the initial warranty period will a panel need to be replaced on my Hyperion Outdoor LED display?
A: Rarely will any panels need to be replaced however, in the first few months of install there may be one or two tiles that will need replacement due to shipping and handling issues.
Q: Approximately how often over the next 10 years and once the warranty expires will a panel need to be replaced on my Hyperion Outdoor LED display?
A: The LED’s are rated for 100,000 hours of operation. An LED is very similar to a mercury vapor light, past the initial installation phase, rarely will they burn out, and they will just get dimmer. You can expect that most of the LED’s will run for 10 years before they get to the point of needing replacement.
Q: What is the cost of a replacement panel on the LED Outdoor LED display?
A: This answer varies depending on the model and color of the Hyperion Product you have. As of 12/28/09 the range of cost of a replacement tile is $215 to $1075.
Q: What if my Municipality limits brightness of my sign to one foot candle at the property line?
A: First, All Hyperion displays contain a sensor to automatically dim the display. The unit will be at full brightness during the day and will reduce the brightness by up to 80% in a full darkness situation. Of course this will occur if the settings in our display are set to Auto for the brightness control. All units are set to auto dimming as a factory default setting as part of our quality review process.
Second, with regards to the other requirement of one foot-candle brightness at the property line; this specification can be met within the Hyperion line but cannot be made to be automatic. The distance from the sign to the property line is not something the factory can set or control. This distance will have a large impact on the brightness of the sign because, as this distance gets larger( the sign is farther away from the property line), then the sign can be brighter because there is more distance for the light to disperse. Also note that there may be other light sources beside the sign that may be contributing to the ambient light and this write up can only address the Hyperion sign!
Q: How can my sign dealer make sure my sign is in compliance with this specification?
A: First the dealer would need to place a typical message on the display and second take a measurement with a foot candle meter at the proper distance to determine if they are in compliance. The reading would need to be taken with the display turned off and then when it is turned on ( I only state this because we can only control the difference between the two readings that the Hyperion sign adds to the light levels. If with the display off, the one foot candle is exceeded then there is nothing we can do.)
Once it is determined you are out of compliance then one of two things can be done:
Option #1: Under the System setting in our Sigma software. Check the half brightness check box and set the time for "2 hours past sunset" to "1 hour before sunrise" ( other times can be chosen , we are simply assuming that this period will be when the sign brightness will contribute most to the ambient light level). This will dim the sign an additional 50% during these twilight hours yet allow for full brightness during the sunny days. This method has the advantage of maintaining a bright display during the sunny times and dims an extra amount only at night when compliance might be an issue.
Option #2: Under the tools menu, Brightness settings: highlight the entire sign and reduce the settings until the sign is within compliance of the one foot candle rule. The advantage with this method is the sign will always be in compliance; the disadvantage is that the brightness will always be reduced and so even during the day time where this rule would not be an issue, the sign will be dimmer.
Regarding illumination, the Code requires that the brightness not exceed one foot-candle at the property line at 6 feet above the curb and requires a dimmer switch be installed on all message boards.
FAQs from the Small Business Administration
Q: We have a sign; why does my business need a message center?
A: Consider for a moment the speed at which traffic passes by the average business. A motorist has
only a few seconds to see and comprehend any given sign. For example, on a street with traffic passing at 45 miles per hour, a car that is 500 feet in front of a given sign will have only 7.6 seconds to read the sign before it passes, under normal driving conditions. A business' sign must be conspicuous if it is to catch the attention of passing motorists within the limited amount of time available.
Motorists often spot electronic message centers quickly because the copy changes, the letters are illuminated, and the signs have traditionally been used as public service devices. Additionally, electronic message centers may have greater visibility from further distances, especially in poor lighting conditions, giving the motorist additional time to read the message displayed while safely maneuvering his or her vehicle.
Message Centers act as a consolidating type of advertising. In other words, they offer businesses a way of posting a variety of information in one place rather than relying on numerous signs and banners displayed in windows, for example. This can be a real advantage for a business located in a district
with strict rules about temporary signs.
Most importantly, the electronic message center almost always increases a business's share of
revenue. This is a result of the "branding" of the site through the use of specific logos, reinforcement of other advertising messages, allowing for public service notices, generating exact impulse stops, and helping to change customers' buying habits once they have stopped.
Q: How will an electronic message display work best for my business?
A: The growth in number of media options in recent years is good news for businesses because of the variety available to meet individual business communication needs. However, each new advertising option draws its audience away from other existing audiences. This is not true with EMCs. The display's audience is determined by the sign's message, its location, and the number of vehicles that pass it each day, and its audience continually grows.
The electronic message display rapidly becomes a landmark in a business's local community, because it offers a valuable public service to the entire community by displaying:
- Public service information
- Civic events
- Personal and holiday greetings
- Current time and temperature
- Specific advertising messages
Passing viewers often look forward to reading clever new messages, and may even come to rely upon
the message service in some settings. But most importantly to the business owner, the passing viewers
will remember:
- What the business is, and
- Where the business is located.
Q: Is an electronic message center a cost-effective advertising medium?
A: Yes. Businesses often select their advertising medium, and messages, based upon the cost per thousand exposures of their message to the public. ON this basis, no other form of advertising comes close to matching the efficiency and cost-effectiveness, dollar for dollar, of an electronic message display.
Compare the figures below:
- Newspaper advertising - the cost on average is about $7.39 for 1000 exposures within a 10-mile radius of the business location.
- Television advertising - The cost on average is approximately $6.26 per 1000 exposures.
- Radio advertising - The cost is about $5.47 per 1000 exposures.
- New LED electronic message center display - The cost is less than $0.15 per 1000 exposures. How? Assume, for example, that you spend $30,000.00 on this type of system, and that its useful life is about ten years. The amortized daily cost of the message center would equal about $2.74. Add to this the daily cost of electricity for this new LED unit (approximately $0.20), thus giving your business a daily message center expense total of $8.82. With a daily traffic count of 20,000 vehicles passing your business, you would have a cost of less than $0.45 per thousand exposures (counting drivers only)!
Best of all, with an electronic message center, a business does not have to worry about missing its target audience, becoming "yesterday's news," or facing expensive production costs for changing its message, as happens frequently with the other forms of advertising mentioned.
Q: What level of return on investment can I expect?
For businesses that choose to enhance their signage with an electronic message display, the owners typically see an increase in business of 15% to 150%. Using the smaller number, consider the following example:
A small business generating $1,000.00 a day in revenue adds an electronic message center. The business soon increases by 15%, adding another $150 per day in total revenue. That translates into an additional $1,050.00 a week in revenue, or $54,600.00 per year. It has been said that in retailing, "the last dollars are the best dollars," meaning that each additional customer adds a greater marginal percentage to the business's bottom line profit. In the foregoing example, we can only speculate upon the actual impact upon profit, but assuming that the business was at or above its "break-even" point before adding the electronic message center, the addition of $54,600.00 per year in revenue would clearly add to the business's profit.
Keep in mind that with this example, the investment in the electronic message center unit would likely be about one-third of the additional revenue generated in the first year of its operation alone.