Here we have addressed some of the questions we are most frequently asked by our customers when they are considering investing in a digital LED display. If your question is not answered below, we encourage you to submit it at yesco.com.
What goes into an LED display?
What sizes of digital outdoor displays does YESCO offer?
How do I know if my existing structure can support a digital outdoor display?
How is my digital outdoor display installed?
Do YESCO signs require air conditioning?
Will my digital outdoor display be susceptible to weather damage?
What happens if my display needs a repair?
How do I know that my display is functioning properly at all times?
Does YESCO offer proof-of-performance?
How are messages sent to my display?
What kinds of files can be used on a YESCO digital display?
Can YESCO program my digital outdoor display for me?
I'm ready! What's my next step?
What is an LED?
An LED (light emitting diode) is an efficient, super bright alternative to traditional incandescent light bulbs. LEDs are plastic capsules containing a specific chemical compound on a microscopic wafer that emits light when subjected to an electrical current. When red, green and blue LEDs are clustered together and shine at their full brightness, the combined light emission appears white to the human eye. By varying the intensity of the three colors all other colors and shades can be created.
Not all LEDs are created equal. Individual LEDs are available in many grades of quality and shades of color. It is imperative that high grade red, green and blue LEDs be used in the manufacturing process. YESCO uses LEDs from only the highest quality manufacturers. The LEDs in a YESCO display typically last 15 years and operate on significantly less power than our competitors’ LEDs.
What is a pixel?
A pixel is a cluster of LEDs (one red, one blue and one green) which, as a component of the overall image, represents one point of illumination. The computer programmer tells each LED in each pixel which level of illumination to achieve for an image. The combination of these individual levels of the three colors forms the display image.
What is pixel pitch?
Pixel pitch is the distance between adjacent pixels, measured in millimeters from the center of one pixel to the center of the other. YESCO offers the common pitch displays of 16mm, 20mm and 25mm and makes other spacing options available.
In order to understand these numbers, think of them as referring to LEDs per square foot. Our 16mm displays have 1,032 LEDs per square foot, our 20mm displays have 654 LEDs per square foot, and our 25mm displays have 432 LEDs per square foot.
The resolution of a display depends on the number of LEDs per square foot, which is also referred to as "LED density." This is the main factor in determining a display's image quality. The more LEDs per square foot, the sharper the image and the brighter the resolution. LED density should be higher at closer viewing distances.
What is a matrix?
The matrix of a particular electronic display refers to the number of vertical pixels by the number of horizontal pixels in the display. For example, if a display has a matrix of 200x702, this means it has 200 pixels from top to bottom and 702 pixels from left to right.
What goes into an LED display?
The main components of an LED display are the internal controls and power supplies, and the outer cabinet.
Internal controls and power supplies: Each individual LED in a display matrix must be continually controlled for brightness. The image on the display is completely dependent on the operation of individual diodes in concert with all of the other diodes in the display. The YESCO system has a finely tuned internal control system which distributes information throughout the display. In order to affect those controls, each pixel and each diode must be apportioned exactly the right balance of power. YESCO’s power supply design is the most unique and efficient in the industry. It provides just enough power for flawless performance without wasting energy.
Outer cabinet: YESCO cabinets, available in steel or aluminum, are all engineered to meet the 2006 IBC requirement for 160 mph wind-load. All cabinets are built with easy service access to all components from the front or rear.
What sizes of digital outdoor displays does YESCO offer?
YESCO digital outdoor displays are available in all standard outdoor sizes, plus any custom size or shape you might envision. This means you don't have to restrict your creativity when designing your display. YESCO can produce displays any size and shape, with pixel spacing from 6mm to 33mm.
How do I know if my existing structure can support a digital outdoor display?
YESCO employs a team of in-house structural engineers who can work with your outdoor structure company to evaluate your local zoning requirements and to determine your structure's ability to manage the requirements of the new display. This same team of professionals devises attachment methods to meet any structural configuration, ensuring that your new digital display is securely supported.
How is my digital outdoor display installed?
YESCO works directly with you - from the time you order the display, throughout the life of the project. We offer a project management team to help you determine if your display meets the power requirements for the proposed design. Our people help you coordinate new power installation, if necessary, and DSL or cable communication lines, depending upon service available in your area.
On delivery day, we work with your local suppliers to lift the sign from the back of the delivery vehicle onto the face of the display. Your display will be delivered in one piece (in sizes up to and including 14' by 48') and lifting will not require a spreader bar.
After the display is in place, YESCO's on-site technical supervisor coordinates with your local electrician to connect the power and data lines. Once we are certain that all connections are correct and that all of the equipment is functional, our technician turns the display on and cycle through its operating test images. From this point forward, your YESCO display is under the watchful eye of the YESCO field service hub, via web cam.
Do YESCO signs require air conditioning?
No. Our technology operates with a proprietary forced-air ventilation system, which cools the LEDs from within each LED module. The YESCO cooling system has been tested extensively in the desert heat of Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona, and has proven equal or superior to air conditioning, without the expenses of ducting installation and higher monthly utilities associated with air conditioning.
Will my digital outdoor display be susceptible to weather damage?
YESCO displays are built to withstand extreme weather. To protect against water damage, our display cabinets are sealed and the individual components are encased in an epoxy sealant, which prevents water from reaching the electrical leads and wiring.
For protection against lightning storms, YESCO digital technology is always installed with maximum grounding.
In temperature extremes, ranging from as low as -40º to as high as 130º Fahrenheit, YESCO’s digital technology is fully functional.
YESCO has over 100 displays installed in coastal areas and hundreds more installed in areas of extreme cold or extreme heat. In hurricanes, blizzards and desert heat, YESCO has real-world proof that our displays perform in all environments.
What about vandalism?
YESCO’s digital systems have been installed for many years in high crime areas where they have been pelted with rocks, bottles and cans. The durable face materials of our displays are impervious to such attacks. In extreme cases, where the displays have actually been shot, the damage is limited to the area where the bullet penetrates the sign, requiring only a single module to be replaced. In addition, displays are shielded to prevent bullets causing fires or other chain reaction types of events.
What happens if my display needs a repair?
YESCO has a vast network of service personnel. To ensure that we always employ the best available technicians to handle on-site repairs, we continually increase and update our service network.
When a technician in our service hub detects a failure that cannot be remedied remotely, he contacts one of our local on-call technicians, regardless of the time of day. This technician, who is under an agreement to respond within four hours, goes to the location of the display to complete the repair. At each sign location is a locked spare-parts kit, which is stocked with duplicate parts for the display. The defective part is replaced from the spare parts inventory and sent back to the YESCO service hub for repair or replacement.
How do I know that my display is properly functioning at all times?
YESCO gives you the ability, through two different methods, to monitor your digital display’s performance. Web cam and automated diagnostics assure operators that their display is running optimally.
Web cam: YESCO is unique in that we provide complete monitoring 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Each YESCO digital outdoor display is configured with a web cam, which allows YESCO service experts to monitor each display from a central service hub. Each display is digitally photographed every five minutes, providing a data base of activity.
Automated diagnostics: Each YESCO display is also configured with a diagnostics program, which gives the technical group real-time notification in the event of a component failure. This lets the technicians know immediately which part in the display is failing.
Does YESCO provide proof-of-performance?
Yes. With proof-of-performance, display operators have the ability to generate reports summarizing play counts and date ranges. You can customize reports for each of your advertisers, providing POP reports within a variety of parameters.
How are messages sent to my display?
YESCO’s PrismView software operates from a PC to send content (images, video, text, etc.) to the digital display via the Internet. This ease of operation is one of the main advantages to using an LED sign. With an LED display, changeover is simple - a single person can quickly manage and update an LED display from a PC anywhere in the world.
What kinds of files can be used on a YESCO digital display?
GIF, BMP and JPG files all work well. JPG are the most commonly used.
Does YESCO provide training?
When you purchase a YESCO LED display, training is included in the purchase price. You will receive on-site or online training on YESCO’s PrismView software. PrismView is designed with the display operator in mind, and most people feel confident with this user-friendly program after just a few hours of training with our Media Services specialists.
Can YESCO program my digital outdoor display for me?
YESCO’s full-service creative team can provide complete programming service for your displays. Our team can assist your staff with programming, free-of-charge for up to six months. Or, if you want a permanent solution, you can arrange for our Media Services team to provide high-quality programming on an on-going basis.
Does YESCO offer financing?
YESCO’s financing options offer convenience and flexibility, allowing buyers to make manageable payments on their displays. We offer both tax leases and finance leasing at very competitive rates for digital outdoor customers. In addition, YESCO has a direct link with four other specialty funding corporations which offer financing in a wide variety of formats. Talk to a YESCO sales representative about finding the finance option that’s right for you.
I'm ready! What's my next step?
Call YESCO toll free, at 866-939-3726, and introduce yourself to Kathy, who will direct you to the appropriate digital outdoor specialist. Each member of the YESCO sales team is trained in all phases of digital outdoor advertising, and each is familiar with the outdoor advertising industry. If you wish, we will arrange to meet with you in your office. To further assist you, a YESCO project manager will be assigned to work with you or your operations people. We can even teach you advertising sales strategies, specific to the digital technology. YESCO makes it easy to begin your digital outdoor advertising venture.
1-866-777-6988
Environmental Responsibility
