Answers.
Common questions about industrial displays, reliability, customization and working with Common Pixels.
Sunlight and readability
How many nits do I need for a sunlight-readable outdoor display?
It depends on the location. Window-facing displays usually need around 3000 nits, and sometimes less is enough. In indirect light, 700 to 1500 nits is often plenty. Glazing or tinting on the glass can mean we go brighter, while an overhang or canopy can mean less. Tell us the site and orientation and we will specify it.
How do high-brightness displays stay readable in direct sunlight?
Through a high-brightness backlight paired with anti-reflective and anti-glare surface treatments, and ambient light sensors that automatically adjust brightness to conditions. Together they keep content legible from bright daylight down to night.
Is optical bonding better for outdoor displays?
There are pros and cons. Optical bonding removes the internal air gap and its reflections, but a bonded display generally cannot be repaired, which is a real drawback where vandalism or damage is a risk. We also build full-outdoor displays with an air gap that, when engineered well, deliver excellent visibility and stay serviceable. We will recommend the right approach for your site.
Can an in-window display beat glare in a storefront?
Yes. A high-brightness in-window display can be bright enough to read from outside in daylight. Because it sits in a hot, sunlit window, it needs thermal management like an outdoor display, engineered to keep indoor cooling noise to a minimum.
Outdoor, semi-outdoor and environmental
What is the difference between outdoor, semi-outdoor and indoor displays?
Indoor displays run in climate-controlled interiors. Outdoor displays are fully weather-exposed and sealed against rain, dust and temperature swings. Semi-outdoor displays sit in a protected spot with indirect sunlight or high ambient light, which can be indoors behind glass or outdoors under cover such as a canopy. All of our displays are built secure.
What does semi-outdoor actually mean?
Semi-outdoor means the display faces bright, indirect sunlight or high ambient light, but is out of the direct path of the sun and not fully weather-exposed. Think storefront windows, covered platforms, canopies, parkades and subways. It needs high brightness and proper thermal management, is typically sealed to around IP65 and hardened against tampering for unsupervised public sites, without the full sealing of a direct-outdoor build.
What IP rating does an outdoor display need?
Outdoor displays are sealed against dust and water, up to IP66 on our full-outdoor builds, which are self-contained and need no secondary housing. Semi-outdoor units are typically around IP65, and indoor units need less. We match the ingress rating to the environment.
What is IK10 and when do I need a vandal-resistant display?
IK10 is the highest impact-resistance rating, and most of our displays are built to IK10 for public and unattended locations such as transit platforms, sidewalks and kiosks. We use a lower rating like IK08 only where strong impact protection isn't needed.
What operating temperature range can an outdoor display handle?
Our full-outdoor displays are rated from -50 to +70 C, with active thermal management for both cold and heat. Semi-outdoor and indoor models are matched to their environments. Tell us your climate and we will confirm the range for the build.
Do your displays work in cold Canadian winters?
Yes. We engineer for cold-weather operation with managed heating and thermal design so displays start and run reliably through winter. Share the coldest expected temperature and we will spec accordingly.
Do your outdoor displays use fans?
It depends on the build. Some of our displays are fully sealed and convection-cooled with no fans, while others use filtered or specially engineered fans sized for continuous outdoor duty. We choose the cooling approach that gives the best reliability for your environment.
How is heat managed in a sealed outdoor display?
Through engineered thermal management: conduction, heat-spreading and controlled airflow inside the sealed enclosure. That keeps the panel within its safe operating range across a wide temperature range.
Are your displays all-weather rated?
Yes. Our outdoor displays are built to run in rain, dust, wind and temperature extremes, sealed up to IP66 and thermally managed for continuous outdoor duty. Semi-outdoor and indoor models are matched to their protected environments.
Reliability, maintenance and lifecycle
What is the difference between a commercial and an industrial display?
A commercial display is built for lighter-duty indoor use, such as retail interiors, offices and lobbies. Our industrial displays are purpose-built for demanding, continuous operation: higher-grade components, a wider operating temperature range, sealing against dust and moisture, impact resistance on all sides, and a longer service life. A standard commercial monitor is often rated around 30,000 hours; our panels run a 50,000-hour minimum, up to 100,000 hours on select models. Ours are also field-serviceable and repairable, with a controlled bill of materials that keeps the same model available for years rather than the one or two typical of a commercial monitor.
What makes an industrial display more reliable than a commercial TV?
Industrial displays use higher-grade panels and components, sealed enclosures, active thermal management and a controlled bill of materials, engineered for continuous, unattended operation. Commercial TVs are built for occasional indoor use and fail early in demanding environments.
Why not just use a standard commercial monitor?
For a controlled indoor setting on a light duty cycle, a commercial monitor can be fine. In demanding or outdoor locations the practical differences add up. Standard commercial monitors are typically mass-produced with fixed features, are usually not repairable, and are replaced by a new model within a year or two, so spare parts are scarce. Most have rear fans, filters or exposed connections, so they need a secondary enclosure and can struggle thermally inside one, and cable entry is sealed to about IP54 at best. Ours are purpose-built and semi-custom: sealed on all sides with no secondary enclosure required, secure cable glands up to IP67 or direct conduit entry, field-serviceable with stocked spares, and modifiable to the exact size, brightness and features you need, up to full OEM and ODM builds. Over the life of an install, that often makes the total cost lower, not higher.
Do your displays need filter or fan maintenance?
Our fully sealed models have no fans or filters to service. Models that do use fans and filters are engineered for the product's full lifecycle, with straightforward, low-frequency maintenance.
What is the expected service life of an industrial display?
Industrial-grade panels are rated for tens of thousands of hours of continuous use, far longer than commercial displays. Actual life depends on the build and duty cycle, and we will confirm the rating for your model.
How long are replacement parts available?
We maintain a controlled bill of materials and secured spare parts so your displays stay serviceable for years, not months. That protects large and long-lived deployments.
What warranty do your displays come with?
Our displays carry a multi-year warranty, and some products come standard with a 5 year warranty, excluding physical damage. We will confirm the exact term for your model and project.
How are displays serviced or repaired in the field?
Through a warranty and returns process backed by secured spare parts and a field-replaceable design that keeps downtime low. Depending on the project, we also offer swap replacements, so a failed unit can be exchanged quickly to keep downtime to a minimum.
Customization and engineering
Can I get a custom display size or aspect ratio?
Yes. We design and build to your exact size, orientation and aspect ratio rather than forcing your project into a fixed catalogue part.
Can you build a custom enclosure or metalwork?
Yes. We engineer custom enclosures and metalwork, powder-coated and finished to your requirements, including mounting and cable management.
Can displays be branded or powder-coated in custom colours?
Yes. Enclosures can be powder-coated in custom colours and branded so the hardware matches your identity, or your customer's.
What is the minimum order for a custom build?
We support custom and semi-custom builds from as few as 5 units, right up to tens of thousands. Tell us the quantity and we will confirm what is practical for your project.
What is an ODM or OEM display partner and how does it work?
OEM (original equipment manufacturer) means we build displays to your specification that you sell or deploy under your own brand. ODM (original design manufacturer) means we also handle the design and engineering, taking your requirements from concept to finished product. Either way, you own the program and we deliver the hardware.
Can you build double-sided or window-facing displays?
Yes. We build double-sided, window-facing and freestanding configurations for storefronts, drive-thrus and public spaces.
Can you integrate compute or specific I/O into the display?
Yes. We can integrate built-in compute, media players and the specific connectors and I/O your system needs, engineered into the display or enclosure.
Do you manufacture your own displays?
Yes. We engineer and manufacture at the sub-component level, controlling the build from the components up rather than assembling finished modules. That gives us control over quality, customization and long-term serviceability.
Retrofit and replacement
Can you replace a discontinued digital signage display?
Yes. We build form-fit-function replacements for discontinued displays that match the original footprint, mounting and connections, so you don't have to redo the installation. We are limited only by panel availability.
What is a form-fit-function replacement?
It is a new display engineered to match the size, mounting pattern, cutout and interfaces of the unit it replaces, so it drops into the existing enclosure and install while improving reliability.
Can you build a drop-in replacement for an existing enclosure?
Yes. Send us the model, photos or drawings and we will match the footprint and I/O so the new display fits the enclosure and mount you already have.
How do I replace a failed outdoor display without redoing the install?
With a form-fit-function retrofit. We match the mechanical and electrical envelope so the replacement reuses your existing brackets, cutout and wiring wherever possible, keeping installation work to a minimum.
Is it cheaper to retrofit or re-spec a display?
A retrofit is usually faster and less disruptive because it reuses the existing install and infrastructure. We will advise honestly on whether a retrofit or a fresh design is the better path for your project.
Transit and public infrastructure
What is a passenger information display (PIS)?
A passenger information display shows real-time arrivals, service and wayfinding information at stations, platforms and stops. We manufacture the rugged display hardware, while the real-time data and software come from your system or integrator.
What standards apply to transit displays?
Transit hardware is commonly engineered with standards like EN 50155 (rolling stock electronics) and EN 61373 (shock and vibration) in mind, along with ingress and impact ratings. We design transit displays to suit the applicable requirements of your project.
Can you comply with Buy America requirements?
For eligible U.S. projects, we can support Buy America planning. Final compliance depends on the program, the final bill of materials, manufacturing location and project review. Talk to us early and we will help structure the build to your program.
What displays are used on platforms and at bus stops?
High-brightness, sealed, vandal-resistant displays and enclosures rated for the outdoor or semi-outdoor conditions of the site. We build platform, shelter and stop displays to match.
How are transit displays protected against weather and vandalism?
With sealed display construction, impact-resistant safety glass, ballistic shields for hostile environments, tamper-resistant design and hardware, protected cable entry, and the IP and IK ratings appropriate to the site. We specify the protection level around exposure, vandal risk, cleaning requirements and service access.
Can you supply ADA-accessible wayfinding kiosks?
Yes. We build wayfinding kiosks and can engineer them to meet accessibility requirements such as reach, height and interaction for your jurisdiction.
Do you supply passenger information display hardware to integrators?
Yes. We are a hardware manufacturer and supply displays, kiosks and enclosures to transit integrators and agencies. We do not provide the CMS or real-time data software, we build the hardware it runs on.
QSR and retail
What displays are used for drive-thru order confirmation and pickup?
Outdoor-rated, sunlight-readable displays in sealed enclosures for the order-confirmation position, and bright indoor or semi-outdoor displays at the pickup window. We build both for all-day, all-weather duty.
How bright does a drive-thru menu board need to be?
Bright enough to stay readable in direct daylight, which usually means a high-brightness, outdoor-rated display, often around 3000 nits or more. The exact figure depends on orientation and sun exposure, and we will spec it for the site.
What is the best display for a retail storefront window?
A high-brightness, semi-outdoor display sized for the window. It stays readable against daylight and glare, and is thermally managed for the heat of a sunlit position while keeping cooling noise low.
Working with us
Do you sell display hardware to AV and digital-signage integrators?
Yes. We supply the physical display hardware, custom builds, enclosures and mounts, that integrators design into their projects. We sell through our partners, not around them.
Do you work with installers and electrical contractors?
Yes. We supply hardware to installers and electrical contractors and provide drawings and spec support so installation goes smoothly. We do not perform the installation ourselves.
Are you a display manufacturer or a software company?
Common Pixels is a display-hardware manufacturer. We engineer and supply LCD and LED displays, touchscreens, mounts, enclosures, kiosks and retrofit replacements. CMS, content, real-time data platforms and installation are provided by your software and installation partners.
Do you provide content software (CMS) or installation?
No. We focus on engineering and building the display hardware. We do not provide CMS software or installation services, but we can recommend trusted partners for both.
Do you offer a dealer or distributor program?
Yes. We have a partner program for dealers and distributors, alongside our support for integrators and OEMs. See our partner pages or contact us to apply.
Do you ship and support displays in Canada and the United States?
Yes. We manufacture in Canada and support customers across Canada and the United States.
How do I get pricing and lead times?
Tell us the environment, size and quantity, or send a spec or drawing, and our team will come back with the right hardware, pricing and lead time. We quote every build to the project, so prices are not published.
Do you sell mounts and enclosures separately?
No. Common Pixels is an electronic manufacturer and supplies mounts, kiosks and enclosures as part of a complete display project. We can also build a display to fit hardware specified by your sign, fabrication or installation partner.