Year: 2017

3 Misinterpreted Terms Related to Display Technology

Posted on: December 28, 2017

As technology continues to advance at the speed of light, an increasing number of new and innovative products continue to saturate the market, while product predecessors become obsolete. This constant evolution can inevitably lead to the misuse and misinterpretation of common technological terms and applications, which causes a great deal of confusion for people who are wholly unfamiliar with their true meanings.

Below is a list of three display technology terms that are most commonly misused and misunderstood by laypeople.

Aspect Ratio vs. Contrast Ratio

When it comes to LCD or LED displays, there’s a major difference between aspect and contrast ratio. However, because they’re so similar in terms of definition and functionality, many people tend to mistakenly use these phrases interchangeably without completely understanding what they mean. Aspect ratio refers to the image sizes and clarity that a device is capable of depicting (usually either 4:3 or 16:9). Contrast ratio, on the other hand, refers to the visual contrast in brightness that a screen is capable of creating; it ranges from the brightest and whitest whites to the darkest and blackest black colour schemes.

Pixels Per Inch (PPI)

PPI is arguable one of the most well known specifications when it comes to display technology. It rose to prominence when Apple Inc. introduced the revolutionary concept of retina display in its devices. Most rack-mounted displays boast having a high PPI, but the ratio of number of pixels to screen size is irrelevant if the user has poor eyesight as this will hinder their individual experience with using the device. While a higher PPI produces a sharper and clearer image for people within close proximity who happen to have perfect vision it doesn’t make much of a difference to people watching from a far distance who suffer from visual impairment. This feature is a good selling point for handheld devices such as tablets or cellphones, but it’s not necessarily an asset for larger wall mounted screens.

Bit Depth

There are two distinctly different types of bit depth—audio and colour—and it’s important to make sure that you understand their individual specifications before making any potentially expensive purchases. Digital audio is measured by what’s known as pulse-code modulation, which encompasses the total number of bits that are featured in each sound sample. This has a direct impact on the quality, sharpness, and resolution of the sound produced by the device. In contrast, colour depth corresponds to the number of bits that exist in a single visual pixel and this determines the colour each pixel produces. The confusion surrounding these two specs stems from the fact that most people simply refer to both of them as “bit specs” without elaborating on whether they’re referring to colour or audio features.

Nauticomp Inc. is one of the leading designers, manufacturers, and distributors of high-end commercial and industrial weatherproof, dustproof, and waterproof displays in Canada and the U.S. For over 20 years, we’ve been supplying consumers and corporations alike with state-of-the-art rugged displays that are built to withstand all sorts of environmental conditions. To learn more about our company and products, please feel free to contact us directly.

7 Tips to Clean Your LED or LCD Display’s Monitor

Posted on: December 18, 2017

Keeping your precious rugged LCD monitors or LED screens clean and tidy can be challenging. This is especially true if you happen to have handsy young children who like to touch everything or pets running amuck in your household or even if you happen to work in a particularly messy environment such as a construction site or restaurant. Sometimes, rogue bits of debris can attach themselves to your electronic devices and while this is entirely out of your control for the most part, there are a few effective and harmless cleaning solutions you can put into practice to keep your electronics clean and running smoothly. Continue reading to learn about helpful tips for cleaning your LCD and LED screens without causing internal or external damage.

Prepare the LCD or LED Screen

Before you can get down to the cleaning part, you need to prepare your LCD or LED screen in order to reduce the risk of liquids penetrating the surface and causing internal damage. Keep in mind that modern screens might technically include higher end features than the old school CRT screens from your childhood, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re more durable. In fact, modern LCD and LED screens are actually a lot more fragile and easily susceptible to damage if they’re not cared for properly. To prepare the screen for cleaning, make sure you shut down the system entirely, disconnect it from its power source, and then let it cool down for a few minutes. This will reduce the risk of electrocution and it’ll make it easier to clean the screen without resulting in annoying and unattractive streaks.

Never Press Down on an LCD or LED Screen

Occasionally, you’ll have to contend with a tough spot, streak, or fingerprint marking that takes a little extra effort to clean. If this happens, don’t panic and definitely don’t press down harder with a cloth or try to scrape it off with your fingernails or any other tool as this can cause severe damage to the top layer or anti-gloss coating. The best thing to do is use a non-abrasive cleaning solution such as isopropyl alcohol that’s diluted with either pure or distilled water. Spray the solution onto a microfiber cloth and gently wipe down the area in either an up and down or side to side motion. Applying too much pressure to even the most rugged touchscreen can compromise its limited durability.

Types of Cleaning Cloths to Use

There are a few types of cleaning cloths you can use to wipe down your rugged LCD monitor either at home or at work. The most recommended one is microfiber cloth for a multitude of reasons. First, microfiber is a state-of-the-art technological development that’s a thin and soft, yet strong enough material to thoroughly clean your electronic devices without risking damaging them in any way. Most of the time, computer and flatscreen TV manufacturers provide microfiber cloths with their products along with a specific set of maintenance and cleaning instructions. Microfiber cloths are immune to collecting or spreading lint across your screen, and because of the intricate way in which the minuscule fibers are intertwined these cloths are able to trap larger quantities of dirt and dust without leaving streaks. You can also use a cotton tea towel, a cotton t-shirt, or cotton handkerchief if you’re in a bind and don’t have microfiber cloths on hand.

Never Spray Liquid Cleaners Directly onto the Screen

This point can’t be emphasized enough. Even though it may seem like common sense that electronic devices shouldn’t come into direct contact with any liquids (especially if they’re still plugged in), not everyone seems to think so and many people have made the mistake of spraying cleaning agents onto their devices. The safer and smarter way to clean any rackmount LCD display is by first wiping it down with a dry cloth and then spraying a small amount of the cleaning solution onto a different cloth and wiping it down gently. After you do this, wipe it down with a clean dry cloth to remove any remaining liquid.

Refrain from Using Cleaning Products That Contain Ammonia

Always avoid using ammonia or rubbing alcohol based cleaners on your touchscreen devices. The devices themselves might be constructed with the capability to withstand most types of damages, but certain features they possess aren’t. Ammonia and rubbing alcohol can irreparably strip away or damage the extremely delicate anti-glare coating on the screen, which will not only negatively alter your viewing experience but also make your device a lot harder to use in strong sunlight.

Vacuum Dust from the Edges

Dust that settles between the gaps in the screen where the bezel and the top layer of glass or plastic meet can penetrate deeper and cause internal damage to your device. Regularly using a vacuum with a soft-bristled brush (to prevent scratching) can help you keep your device clean and free of any issues.

Spray the Surface with Compressed Air

For extra measure, you can also spray the surface of your screen, computer keyboard, or even the vent on the back of the device with a can of compressed air to blast away any lingering and stubborn debris or dust. If any of it lands on the surface of the device, make sure to gently wipe it away with a clean cloth to prevent it from making its way back into your device. Implementing this cleaning method on a regular basis will ultimately help to guarantee the longevity and functionality of your device.

Nauticomp Inc. is the proud designer, manufacturer and distributor of countless rugged LCD and LED monitors and displays. We’ve been working in the technological industry for more than 20 years and supply a variety of businesses including marine bases, military bases, restaurants, casinos, retail stores, shopping centers, and healthcare facilities with durable and high-quality LED and LCD displays that serve a wide range of purposes. For more information about our company or our products, please feel free to contact us.

Common Myths About LCD Displays

Posted on: November 21, 2017

When it comes to selecting, purchasing, and installing the right LCD monitors and displays, there are a number of essential factors that must always be taken into account. First and foremost, you need to determine exactly what the purpose of the display will be and which features are the most important for your specific purposes. Whether you’re looking for a rugged LCD monitor for commercial or personal use, you should have a general idea of the specifications you require and how they’ll comply with your given environment. On that note, it’s also extremely useful to research common misconceptions and myths that are often believed to be true about even the most rugged LCD displays.

Myth #1: LCD Displays Actually Carry Liquids

Since LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display, it’s understandable that a lot of people are under the misconception that LCDs actually contain liquids. Of course, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The description actually refers to the type of crystals that are used within the display and not their physical manifestations. As a testament to the malleability and flexibility, these crystals are aptly classified as twisted nematic liquid crystals. This basically means that the crystals can be manipulated in so many different configurations that they share some of the same fluid properties as liquids; hence the name.

Myth #2: Custom LCDs are Difficult and Time-Consuming to Develop

Many people are mistakenly under the impression that custom designing and building industrial LCD displays is far too time-consuming, expensive, and complicated of an endeavour to undertake, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, if you really think about it, ordering your own personalized equipment from the get-go could actually end up saving you a great deal of time, effort, and money rather than purchasing a standard device and then having to make appropriate changes to it later on.

Myth #3: Custom LCDs Aren’t Worthwhile for Smaller Projects

Another common misunderstanding is that custom LCDs with rugged touchscreen capabilities and other special features aren’t worthwhile for small projects because they’re too expensive and complex. On the contrary, it’s actually very much worth your while to customize your LCD displays to your exact specifications because then you won’t have to pay extra money to add certain features later on. For instance, waterproof LCD monitors are a very popular item on the market for a variety of reasons, most notably their versatility and ability to be implemented in numerous commercial and industrial settings.

Myth #4: LCD Monitors Are Susceptible to Screen Burn-In

This couldn’t be further from the truth. In actuality, rugged rackmount LCD displays are specially designed to withstand high temperatures and even completely block out excessive amounts of light. This means that it’s virtually impossible for these screens to overheat.

Nauticomp Inc. has been custom designing and building rugged industrial and commercial LCD displays for over 20 years. Our top-of-the-line monitors are able to withstand incredibly high and low temperature variables and they’re equipped with a variety of invaluable features including sunlight readability, waterproof capabilities, dust and dirt resistance, and so much more. For more information about our products and how they can serve you and improve the quality of your working conditions, please contact us.

Why Are Marine LCD Monitors So Vital?

Posted on: November 6, 2017

Specialized and ruggedized marine computers are an essential, if not mandatory, aspect of marine navigation systems for the sole reason that they have the ability to withstand all of the immensely harsh environmental and weather conditions that are inherently part of being on a naval vessel. Exposure to a combination of various elements, most notably strong winds and water, is inevitable which means that these machines need to be heavily equipped with adequate protective measures in order to prevent potentially detrimental and costly damages. For that reason, marine LCD displays are usually built with more durable and industry-specific materials and features. Countless potentially harmful elements are constantly lurking around every corner on naval vessels and it’s important to protect your assets adequately by not only being prepared for the worst conditions but also knowing how to navigate them successfully.

Unique Features and Technologies Used in Marine Displays

When it comes time to select high-quality and suitable marine LCD monitors for your naval base or ship, it makes sense to go with a model that’s highly revered within the industry. At the end of the day, system reliability and durability are integral determining factors between completing a successful mission and suffering a debilitating system malfunction. With that in mind, you need to always remain ten steps ahead of the game and plan for the absolute worst case and presumably unpredictable scenarios.

Basically, you need to always expect the unexpected for the safety and proficiency of your crew. Provide them with the appropriate tools so that they’re fully prepared to handle all kinds of potentially dangerous situations without question. This is a strong demonstration of your leadership skills and your crew will respect and look up to you more for implementing these practices. The following is a list of vital and unique features that all marine displays should contain to ensure long-lasting functionality:

Waterproofing and Anodizing

Waterproofing and anodizing all of your electronic equipment either inside or on the outside of your marine vessel is a given because at one point or another, exposure to large amounts of salt water is unavoidable. As salt water rises and becomes heavily concentrated in the air, it makes direct contact with all pieces of machinery on your vessel. On top of that, ships also have a tendency to encounter extremely turbulent water conditions, which means that salt water will eventually make its way on deck and come into direct contact with your machinery. Purchasing and installing anodized equipment is the best way to protect any metal displays from premature corrosion.

Direct Sunlight Screen Readability and Brightness Adjustability

Even the most basic commercial- and industrial-grade monitor models come with controls that allow users to adjust the brightness on their screen by making it either lower or higher. The brighter the sun shines during the day, the brighter your screen needs to be in order to combat the blinding effects and allow for proper readability. Conversely, at night when visibility is at an all-time low, crewmembers should have the ability to lower the backlighting on their displays to the lowest point possible in order to create a sharper and more easily readable image. Marine monitors require are more heightened level of screen readable navigation than other types of computer displays to ascertain that all digital maps and other data are correctly and accurately interpreted and documented at all times. This will in turn reduce the risk of mistakes being made and decrease the chances of your ship or members of your crew going AWOL.

Optical Bonding

Optical bonding works in tandem with direct sunlight readability and screen brightness and contrast adjustability. It’s the process of connecting two lightweight layers of glass screens together using a translucent bonding agent, is the optimal method used to prevent strong reflective glares from occurring and hindering your screen readability. Sunlight readability and colour adjustment options also allow your individual crew members to adjust the screen specifications according to their specific requirements and comfort level to create optimal usability.

Route Planning and Reliable Navigation

Considering the fact that marine computers are specifically designed for consistent and round-the-clock usage, it’s important that they’re equipped with reliable and fail-safe route planning and navigation capabilities. This feature could be the difference between life and death in some high stake on-the-water situations, especially at night when visibility is at an all time low. Naval crews rely completely on their radar monitors to help them navigate carefully planned out routes all throughout the year, regardless of harsh climate conditions. This means that these systems need to be able to withstand and absorb high levels of shock and vibration to which they’ll undoubtedly be subjected.

Dependable Power Sources and Connections

Due to the ever-changing nature of environmental conditions as well as constant usage, the strength of the power connections and sources on naval vessels needs to be at an all-time high. Consider the fact that numerous crew members will be using the power connections simultaneously at any given time for varying purposes, not to mention the fact that external climate conditions aren’t always ideal. Inclement weather conditions coupled with dodgy waves that can cause the vessel to become awash can all contribute to compromising your crew’s power connections which can make for dangerous working conditions. For that reason, you need to take the proper precautions to safely fasten all of your power sources, cords, and connections in order to implement strong shock and vibration absorption and prevent them from loosening under harsh conditions.

Nauticomp Inc. expertly designs, manufactures, and distributes custom high-end and durable industrial marine LCD displays to meet the personalized standards of your crew. Having been in the business for over 20 years, we proudly stand behind the quality and longevity of all of our products which are built with expert craftsmanship, style, and usability. To learn more about our company and products, or to place an order with us, please contact us.

Why Your Business Needs Digital Signage

Posted on: October 20, 2017

Digital signage is the ultimate solution to a problem you probably weren’t even aware your business was facing. The fact is that modern information changes and moves so quickly that it can be difficult for most companies to keep up with the times, especially if they’re working with outdated technology and marketing techniques. The faster you’re able to update information or errors and get your key brand messaging out to your target audience, the more successfully you can engage them and keep their attention. Another added perk of digital signage advertising is that it helps your brand and company as a whole to remain relevant even as trends continue to evolve and new technology constantly emerges.

How Digital Signage Advertising Can Revolutionize Your Marketing Techniques

Small- and medium-sized businesses can both benefit greatly from adding digital signage to their marketing and advertising repertoire. A common misconception is that digital marketing is too expensive and can put a huge dent in your marketing budget, but the reality is that it can actually be more cost-effective, efficient, and resourceful in the long run than the traditional hardcopy signs and posters of yesteryear. Here are different ways in which digital signage advertising can help revolutionize your business:

Reduce Cost and Waiting Time

We’ve already established that marketing these days moves fast and companies that are stuck in their old ways are struggling to stay afloat because of their stubbornness to move forward. Don’t fall victim to your own hardheadedness. You have the opportunity and ability to keep your overall costs down, increase your return on investment substantially, and even reduce the amount of waiting time to correct errors or update your advertising as you see fit.

Engage Customers and Retain Their Attention

With the use of industrial display monitors to showcase your digital advertising, you can empower your marketing team to impress your customers through innovative and unique advertising. This will also afford you the opportunity to heighten the brand loyalty of your customers to unparalleled levels. Interactive displays are an effective method of engaging your customers, retaining their attention, and renewing their faith in your brand to remain relevant for years to come. It shows them that you’re attuned to their needs and interests.

Generate More Advertising Income

Digital signage in a retail environment can help companies generate greater advertising income, especially if they’re located in shopping centers and heavily populated affluent areas where they’re sure to be seen by potential customers. Not only that, a lot of advertisers are more than willing to pay good money for prime advertising real estate to make sure their product, brand, and company logo are all widely viewed by large quantities of people.

Digital Signs Are Quick and Easy to Update

Installing rackmount displays complete with industrial LCD monitors in your storefront location or even directly at your point of checkout will entice customers to purchase more products from your store. It’s estimated that the majority of impromptu or last minute sales decisions are made towards the end of the shopping experience and this usually occurs either right before or in the middle of the sales transaction. It’s inadvisable to rely solely on these impulse purchases to increase your sales, but they certainly contribute a sizeable amount as customers stand in line debating whether or not to make a certain purchase.

Effectively Promotes Your Business

As time goes on, your business needs to keep improving upon yourself by constantly releasing new products, services, and unique ideas. This means that you need to update your advertising consistently in order to keep up with your own progress and keeping customers informed. Whether you’re looking to advertise new product launches, the grand opening of a new location, or even major sales events, rugged LCD displays coupled with distinctive retail signage can help give your brand an added edge over your competitors.

Looks More Modern and Professional

Think about all of the different types of people who’ll be viewing your signage, not to mention the rough treatment it’ll have to endure as crowds of people squeeze past your displays or try to touch it. For that reason alone, it’s important and even necessary to make the leap from paper to digital. Not only can you keep your signs new, clean, and fresh looking, but it’ll also give it a more modern and professional edge. Paper signs are easily damaged no matter how well you try to encase or protect them.

Eco-Friendly Alternative to Paper Signage

Now consider how often you intend to change or update your advertising per week, per month, and even per year. In order to stay on top, your business and brand will constantly need to evolve and expand, which means so will your advertising and, in turn, your signage. There are two things that are detrimental to the growth of a business: bad reviews and outdated signage. Employing the use of digital signage allows you to change your advertising as often as you want or need to without increasing the size of your carbon footprint every time you do. Sometimes, you might even just need to slightly tweak an ad that’s already running. Digital signage allows you to make the necessary changes without having to entirely scrap an entire ad and start from the beginning.

Digital Marketing Allows for Content Flexibility

As mentioned, digital signage gives you the ability to change your advertising at a moment’s notice without having to order entirely new signs and wait for them to be installed. This leaves more room in your budget to use your resources more effectively rather than having to pay someone to remove your ad, redesign it, and then reinstall it. On top of that, you can make updates in real time, which is very useful if your goal is to increase your social media followers. You can examine what’s trending online and immediately or automatically update your ads to reflect that using appropriate hashtags and popular search terms.

Multi-Message Displays

By implementing modern and sleek digital signage in your advertising, you can also take advantage of multi-message displays, which means you can get numerous messages across simultaneously. Displays will change on an automatic loop so that passersby will be exposed to relevant and trendy advertising. All you need is a plethora of captivating imagery, brief descriptions of what you’re advertising, as well as bold and bright colours to make your ad pop.

Nauticomp Inc. designs and manufactures state-of-the-art rugged LCD displays that serve a wide range of industrial and commercial uses ranging from retail environments to military and naval bases to the restaurant and gaming industry as well as healthcare facilities. All of our displays are custom-made to suit the needs of your industry and specific business. To learn more about our products or to place an order, please contact us.

Advantages of Rugged Touchscreens for Your Business

Posted on: October 10, 2017

Rugged touchscreens have become an integral component of modern-day business practices. Whether you work in the service industry, a medical facility, a retail environment, or the gaming industry, on a construction site, or even on a naval or military base, it’s essential that your touchscreen technology is completely up-to-date and suitable for withstanding your daily working conditions and surroundings.

After all, even common mobile devices that are used by the average consumer on a daily basis (or, in a lot of cases, on a minute-by-minute basis) come equipped with state-of-the-art and durable protective layers that allow them to endure various types of abuse. Touchscreen technology used by business or industry sees even greater use and tougher situations, so it has to take it a step further with these kinds of features.

There are several advantages and added conveniences of incorporating rugged LCD displays into your routine business practices. Let’s take a closer look at some of those.

Immune to Surface Scratching

If you happen to spend the majority of your workday outdoors performing heavy manual labour or if your business requires a touchscreen to be permanently mounted outside, then you need a device that’s strong enough to handle that type of situation.

Major manufacturing and production companies are now designing and building tablets, phones, and laptops that are specifically formulated to survive harsh weather conditions, exposure to dust and water, strong UV rays from the sun, and even being dropped from high altitudes. All of these forms of resistance combined help prevent the screens on these devices from being severely scratched or damaged to the point of rendering them useless.

Impervious to Strong Natural Lighting

Just a few short years ago, most electronic devices were vulnerable to strong natural lighting; i.e. the sun. Unfortunately, this is something that’s out of your control, especially if you happen to spend the majority of your day outdoors. The sun can cast strong UV rays that darken the screen on your device, making it difficult to read. Not only is this a huge inconvenience, but it can also hinder you in performing high-quality work and recording important data accurately.

A lot of technology manufacturers have taken this into account and started producing touchscreen computers that are impervious to the perilous rays of the sun and other ambient lighting.

Control Transparent Touches

Contemporary rugged LCD monitors are now equipped with innovative internal structural features that allow them to recognize accidental or transparent touches. This is an extremely useful feature, because it prevents inaccurate or incorrect data from accidentally being registered and documented into official company records or incorporated into a process. Modern devices account for a certain margin of error and give users greater control over the data that are used.

Have Multiple Mounting Options

Having the option to position and reposition devices as needed is an extremely useful feature that can be implemented throughout a wide range of industries. Rugged marine displays, in particular, should without doubt include this feature considering the constant movement that takes place on naval ships and bases. On top of that, manufacturers also need to take into serious consideration the different height and vision requirements of each user.

Emphasize Durability

Durability is another essential factor that all manufacturers of touchscreen technology must take into account when designing and developing their products. Not only should these devices have a sizeable lifespan, but they should also be constructed with enough resilience and sturdiness to survive all kinds of working and weather conditions.

Nauticomp Inc. is dedicated to providing companies across all industries with top-quality rugged touchscreen devices that cater to all of their specific daily requirements. We create custom and standard models that come equipped with unparalleled sunlight readability. Our products are also water-, sand-, and dust-resistant to ensure optimal performance. Contact us today to learn more about all of our high-tech products and how they can help to improve your business practices.

LCD Factors That Can Improve Sunlight Readability

Posted on: September 27, 2017

For the most part, people enjoy basking in the sunlight during the summer months, but for people who work outdoors the majority of the time and have to operate electronics and heavy machinery, excessive sunlight can have truly negative impacts on their working conditions and the quality of their work. If you do a lot of outdoor physical labour with computerized equipment, it can get hot and sticky very fast, not to mention the fact that inadequate sunlight-readability features on some older LED display models can make your job a lot harder for a variety of reasons.

Technical Solutions to Remedy Inadequate Sunlight Readability

Technological advancements are constantly underway to fix glitches, technical issues, and common problems that are faced by people in different industrial sectors who use outdoor LCD displays on a regular basis. Here are a few technological solutions to the glaring lack of sunlight-readable mobile and LCD displays.

Optical Bonding

The purpose of optical bonding is ultimately to protect the outer layer of the LCD display from inevitable damage caused by water, dirt, dust, debris, and especially the sun. It involves a process of laminating the surface layer of glass on the touchscreen so that it melds with the LCD elements inside the display. Then, a type of bonding agent such as urethane or silicone is placed between the glass and the LCD layer to fill the gap in the middle and prevent potentially harmful exterior elements from penetrating the surface. Aside from protecting the inner mechanisms of the display, another advantage of this optical bonding is that it creates greater visual clarity and usability for the user by reducing the amount of shadowing, reflections, and glares caused by the sun.

UV Protection Film

UV protection film is a critical feature for machinery that’ll inevitably be exposed to strong sunlight for prolonged periods of time throughout the day. Just like your skin requires protection from harmful UV rays, so do the sunlight-readable LCD displays you use for work everyday. Due to the high concentration of infrared light and backlighting that’s used to create clear colour contrasts and image displays, excessive exposure to direct sunlight can cause your devices to overheat, which can lead to safety hazards. UV protection film is an effective solution to this problem.

LED High Brightness

An easy solution to improving sunlight-readability in very bright outdoor areas is to increase the brightness level on your screen to its maximum setting. This will help offset the reflective affects of the rays from the sun. Unfortunately, it’ll also decrease your battery life very quickly.

Overheat Issue: Ventilation and Structural Design

When a device overheats, the solid LCD crystals melt into a liquid form and this causes the screens to go black and become virtually unusable until the crystals are cooled down and hardened again. Hence, outdoor devices require a properly designed ventilation structure to constantly keep the LCD crystals cool even in the hottest climates.

Anti-Reflection Surface Treatment

Nowadays, touchscreen devices have evolved so that they can easily transition from indoor to outdoor use without detrimentally affecting screen usage and visibility. This is all thanks to the addition of an anti-reflective surface treatment that’s meant to deflect the rays of the sun from causing shadows and glares on the screen.

Nauticomp Inc. is one of the manufacturers of expertly designed high-quality outdoor and indoor LCD displays. We create completely customizable touchscreen monitors that are equipped with lighter display designs than other similar products on the market. Our designs feature extensive sunlight-readability, infrared lighting, optically bonded glass, dim-to-red capabilities and more. To learn more about our products and our companies, please contact us.

TFT vs. IPS Display: What’s the Difference?

Posted on: September 11, 2017

As you might already be aware, there’s a large variety of versatile digital display types on the market, all of which are specifically designed to perform certain functions and are suitable for numerous commercial, industrial, and personal uses. The type of digital display you choose for your company or organization depends largely on the requirements of your industry, customer-base, employees, and business practices. Unfortunately, if you happen to be technologically challenged and don’t know much about digital displays and monitors, it can be difficult to determine which features and functions would work best within your professional environment. If you have trouble deciphering the pros and cons of using TFT vs. IPS displays, here’s a little guide to help make your decision easier.

Features of TFT Displays

TFT stands for thin-film-transistor, which is a variant of liquid crystal display (LCD). TFTs are categorized as active matrix LCDs, which means that they can simultaneously retain certain pixels on a screen while also addressing other pixels using minimal amounts of energy. This is because TFTs consist of transistors and capacitors that respectively work to conserve as much energy as possible while still remaining in operation and rendering optimal results. TFT display technologies offer the following features, some of which are engineered to enhance overall user experience.

Bright LED Backlights

The bright LED backlights that are featured in TFT displays are most often used for mobile screens. These backlights offer a great deal of adaptability and can be adjusted according to the visual preferences of the user. In some cases, certain mobile devices can be set up to automatically adjust the brightness level of the screen depending on the natural or artificial lighting in any given location. This is a very handy feature for people who have difficulty learning how to adjust the settings on a device or monitor and makes for easier sunlight readability.

Poor Viewing Angles

One of the major drawbacks of using a TFT LCD instead of an IPS is that the former doesn’t offer the same level of visibility as the latter. To get the full effect of the graphics on a TFT screen, you have to be seated right in front of the screen at all times. If you’re just using the monitor for regular web browsing, for office work, to read and answer emails, or for other everyday uses, then a TFT display will suit your needs just fine. But, if you’re using it to conduct business that requires the highest level of colour and graphic accuracy, such as completing military or naval tasks, then your best bet is to opt for an IPS screen instead.

Deliver Sharp Images

Nonetheless, most TFT displays are still fully capable of delivering reasonably sharp images that are ideal for everyday purposes and they also have relatively short response times from your keyboard or mouse to your screen. This is because the pixel aspect ration is much narrower than its IPS counterpart and therefore, the colours aren’t as widely spread out and are formatted to fit onto the screen. Primary colours—red, yellow, and blue—are used as the basis for creating brightness and different shades, which is why there’s such a strong contrast between different aspects of every image. Computer monitors, modern-day HD TV screens, laptop monitors, mobile devices, and even tablets all utilize this technology.

Features of IPS Displays

IPS (in-plane-switching) technology is almost like an improvement on the traditional TFT display module in the sense that it has the same basic structure, but with slightly more enhanced features and more widespread usability. IPS LCD monitors consist of the following high-end features.

Stable and Much Quicker Response Times

IPS screens have the capability to recognize movements and commands much faster than the traditional TFT LCD displays and as a result, their response times are infinitely faster. Of course, the human eye doesn’t notice the difference on separate occasions, but when witnessing side-by-side demonstrations, the difference is clear.

Wide Viewing Angles

Wide-set screen configurations allow for much wider and versatile viewing angles as well. This is probably one of the most notable and bankable differences between TFT and IPS displays. With IPS displays, you can view the same image from a large variety of different angles without causing grayscale, blurriness, halo effects, or obstructing your user experience in any way. This makes IPS the perfect display option for people who rely on true-to-form and sharp colour and image contrasts in their work or daily lives.

High Transmittance

IPS displays are designed to have higher transmittance frequencies than their TFT counterparts within a shorter period of time (precisely 1 millisecond vs. 25 milliseconds). This speed increase might seem minute or indecipherable to the naked eye, but it actually makes a huge difference in side-by-side demonstrations and observations, especially if your work depends largely on high-speed information sharing with minimal or no lagging.

Better Colour Reproduction and Representation

Just like TFT displays, IPS displays also use primary colours to produce different shades through their pixels. The main difference in this regard is the placement of the pixels and how they interact with electrodes. In TFT displays, the pixels run perpendicular to one another when they’re activated by electrodes, which creates a pretty sharp image, but not quite as pristine or crisp as what IPS displays can achieve. IPS display technologies employ a different configuration in the sense that pixels are placed parallel to one another to reflect more light and result in a sharper, clearer, brighter, and more vibrant image. The wide-set screen also establishes a wider aspect ratio, which strengthens visibility and creates a more realistic and lasting effect.

When it comes to deciphering the differences between TFT vs. IPS display technologies and deciding which option is best for you and your business, the experts at Nauticomp Inc. can help. Not only do we offer a wide variety of computer displays, monitors, and screen types, but we also have the many years of experience in the technology industry to back up our recommendations and our knowledge. Our top-of-the-line displays and monitors are customized to suit the professional and personal needs of our clients who work across a vast array of industries. For more information on our high-end displays and monitors, please contact us.

What You Need to Know About Rack Mount Monitors

Posted on: August 23, 2017

Rack mount monitors are no longer simply the wave of the future; they’re here to stay and as time moves forward, they’ll only be subject to more and more improvements. The versatility of this technology has made it possible for multi-industrial crossovers from retail to military and marine bases to medical facilities to casinos. The added convenience of having adjustable and removable rack mounted displays has made it much easier for individuals working across multiple industries to complete their work and implement data entry processes more accurately, efficiently, effectively, and securely. It’s not surprising that this technology is taking on a life of its own and becoming more commonplace in business because of the multiple functions it offers.

What’s a Rack Mount Monitor?

A rack mount monitor is an industrial-grade computing screen that has the capability to withstand some of the harshest natural elements and environments imaginable. They’re portable devices that are rugged enough to survive in all kinds of climates including extreme cold, heat, snow, and rain, and they even have adjustable brightness and contrast to accommodate sunlight readability. They’re built to be mounted onto walls or special industrial vehicles such as bulldozers, light utility vehicles, and other types of industrial-grade machinery. However, even with their rugged build, these rack mount LCD displays are also ideal for working in less physically demanding environments as well.

Features and Benefits of Rack Mount Monitors

There’s a wide variety of rack LCD monitors to choose from depending on the specific requirements of your company, as well as the demands of the industry in which you work, and they all come at different price points. Of course, if you want to get the most out of your equipment then money should be no object—when it comes to top-of-the-line hardware and software features, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Features include high-definition displays; HDMI compatibility; quick, real-time responses; adjustable viewing angles for greater accessibility; protective shielding on the bezel to prevent dust and water from penetrating through the surface; anti-reflective coating; touchscreen functionality; and so much more. One of the greatest perks of purchasing one of these devices is that the features and product design can be fully customized to suit your needs.

Video Monitoring Benefits

Rugged LCD displays also feature high-end video monitoring capabilities so that they can effectively be used as surveillance devices in high-risk areas. Thanks to their versatility and ability to capture high-resolution footage, these compact monitors can help business owners and other official personnel discreetly safeguard and monitor the grounds of their businesses.

Rack Mount KVM Functionality

Rack mounted displays are designed to take working environments and specifications into account, which is why these devices are equipped with convenient and useful KVM functionality. (KVM stands for keyboard, video, mouse.) In order to meet the demands of various industries, it’s important that rack LCD monitors are durable, compact, lightweight, and easy to carry. That’s why their external features are built in and easily concealable for easy transportation.

Pre-Made Stands and Compact Monitors

Modern rack mounted displays come with pre-made monitor stands that allow users to easily assemble, install, and dismantle them in pretty much any location without having to purchase any special equipment or tools. As mentioned, standard compact monitors also come with built-in KVM functionality for expedient storage and transportation from one location to another.

Nauticomp Inc. specializes in designing, manufacturing, and installing high-end rack mount LCD monitors and displays with a wide range of capacities in many locations. Our industrial touchscreen displays have multi-function features such as sunlight readability, water resistance, weatherproof technology, and so much more. For more information on how our industrial- and commercial-grade products can help enhance your business practices, please contact us.

How to Choose a Marine Display for Your Ship’s Navigation System

Posted on: August 9, 2017

It suffices to say that modern day marine monitors are far more technologically advanced than their 19th-century ancestors. As times and marine-life necessities continue to evolve, so should the technological specifications and features of naval equipment. After all, ship navigation systems aren’t just responsible for preventing naval officers from getting lost at sea; they also serve the purpose of ensuring a safe and overall successful voyage from one nautical location to another. Various advanced electronic tools such as marine GPS systems, navigational light systems, and marine LCD monitors work in tandem to comprise an almost foolproof mechanism for proper marine radar and other essential safety features.

Necessary Functions of a High-End Marine Display

There are many different options to choose from when it comes to purchasing and installing a high-end marine display. The instruments you choose to use depend on the needs of your vessel, your crew members, and your specific mission. That said, you also have the option of purchasing standalone devices that feature the specific functions you’re looking for; or you can opt for multi-function devices that fulfill a variety of different needs. Below are some of the features that are worth considering when purchasing state-of-the-art navigation equipment for boats.

ARPA and Voyage Data Recorder

ARPA stands for Automatic Radar Plotting Aid. This is a very useful piece of equipment that displays the positions of other ships and potential obstacles within the vicinity of your ship. The goal of this application is to prevent probable collisions by alerting seafarers to objects that are in their direct line of travel. It works alongside a Voyage Data Recorder which is typically used to record everything that happens throughout the course of the mission. The main purpose of this is to provide firsthand detailed evidence in case an incident does take place and an investigation is required.

Gyro Compass

Unlike regular compasses which have major flaws and can be easily manipulated by magnetic forces to lead you in the wrong direction, Gyro compasses are mechanically manufactured to be more accurate and effective in helping you stay on course. Gyro compasses are designed to read and measure the earth’s rotational axis in order to find the true north direction and ensure that you and your voyagers safely reach your destination.

Marine GPS System for Accurate Navigation

Every marine vessel should be aptly equipped with the latest GPS devices and applications that can help them be easily located in times of trouble. Not only that, proper GPS systems can also work in combination with Gyro compasses to correct errors caused by the latter device. Unfortunately, Gyro compasses aren’t completely flawless and they are prone to misdirection in certain hemispheres. High-quality GPS applications can help prevent and correct these issues.

Wired vs. Wireless Connection

Like all other types of technology, wireless connections are the wave of the future in the marine industry. They completely eliminate the need to drill holes into the vessels and setup is quick and hassle-free. There’s no hardware installation required, which means you simply have to install the right software onto the devices and input the pertinent data for your vessel and mission. Wired connections, on the other hand, are the equivalent of still having a dial-up Internet connection when everyone else is on Wi-Fi.

Knotmeter and Depth Sounder

A knotmeter measures the speed of the boat and logs the distance the vessel has travelled at any given point throughout the journey. It’s an essential component of marine navigation equipment because it helps sailors, sea captains, and marine captains plot their courses and gauge a realistic estimated time of arrival based upon the speed at which they’re travelling and the distance between their current location and their destination.
The depth sounder is another useful ship navigation tool for experienced seafarers because it allows them to scope out the depth of the waters on which they’re travelling at any given point. This feature is especially useful in the fishing industry where fishermen are actively looking for certain schools of marine life at varying depths beneath the surface of the water. It’s also handy when it comes to finding a good location to anchor the ship.

Wind Instrument: Repeater

Wind instruments can serve multiple purposes. This particular device can have a 3 in 1 purpose that accurately measures wind resistance, includes a knotmeter, and it also includes a depth sounder. All of these devices come together to form one cohesive and manageable ship navigation system that is useful for both daytime and nighttime sailing. At night, sailing without proper equipment is tricky and dangerous because it’s nearly impossible to gauge water levels and depth with the naked eye. You need the right tools to do the job for you and ensure your own safety and the safety of your crew.

Navigational Lights System

Just like headlights on a car, all marine and commercial vessels are required by Maritime Law to be equipped with fully operational navigational light systems to aid in nighttime sailing. This serves the dual purpose of making it easier for the able seaman to be able to spot any unexpected obstacles and other vessels that are in direct line of the ship’s travel while also making it easier for other ships to see your ship. These lights are designed to prevent head-on collisions from taking place. During the day, they can also serve as daylight signaling lamps to alert nearby vessels if your ship is in distress.

Types of Marine Displays

There are two main types of marine displays that you can choose to install depending upon your budget and the requirements of your crew for any given mission: monochrome and colour displays. Monochrome displays are far less expensive and are very useful for making simple calculations since they only show the numbers needed. They usually display the speed at which the ship is travelling, the temperature of the waters, and other information that’s relevant to the voyage. Colour displays, on the other hand, are a little more costly, but they also make it easier for people with vision problems to make out different numerals and pieces of information on the screen. Colour displays are especially useful for nighttime voyages and are also ideal for stormy or foggy weather conditions.

Nauticomp Inc. is committed to designing and manufacturing only the highest quality marine displays, monitors, and ship navigation equipment possible. All of our designs are fully customizable to meet the needs of your crew and mission. We never compromise on substance for style and all of our models come in a variety of sizes and configurations to meet your needs, including sunlight readability, waterproof features, dim-to-red capabilities, and so much more. For more information on our products, please contact us.