A few simple rules to installation

Here are a few simple rules that you should keep in mind when installing a wallboard into your office

Where to put the Screen?

The first step in any digital signage installation is to find a suitable location for the display screen. A “suitable location” will based on the construction of the office, your budget, the lighting, your traffic, viewing angles and intended purpose of the digital signage software.

Installation of Plasma or TV Screen on a Wall

Question: What building material is the wall made of and what is behind it?

Answer: The materials and strength of walls dictate the mounting brackets and method. Fire rated walls require special treatment and installations must be done by qualified contractors and be properly inspected and approved. Here are some guidelines for the various types of walls.

Fire rated wall

For fire wall installations, we suggest working closely with your contractor to determine the best solution or select a different wall to work with. If there is a door along a possible fire wall, open it and look at the edge next to the hinges for a fire rating certification. In some cases it may be possible to use a ceiling or pedestal floor mount for the screen.

Drywall with metal studs

Determine the spacing of the metal studs, select the proper wall mount based on the size of the screen. Mark mounting bracket hole locations on wall and drill properly sized holes for mounting bracket hardware (usually toggle bolts). Fasten mounting bracket to wall by inserting toggle bolts in holes.

Drywall with wood studs

Same as above except the mounting bracket is fastened using large head wood screws.

Plaster with wood studs

Same process as the drywall with wood studs except additional installation costs may be incurred due to the effort needed to locate studs in plaster walls and possible plaster damage.

Concrete

Determine desired location of screen, select the proper wall mount based on the size of the screen. Mark mounting bracket hole locations on wall and drill properly sized holes for mounting bracket hardware (many different types of anchors are available). Insert anchor into hole and fasten mounting bracket to wall by tightening fasteners into anchor.

Brick

The screen can be installed anywhere on brick wall (except grout lines) using the concrete installation method.

Plaster or drywall covering brick or concrete

The screen can be installed like a concrete or brick installation. Mounting hardware specifically designed for these applications may be required.

Question: Is there a power outlet 3 feet from the screen location with 4 to 5 amps of power available?

Answer: If no power outlet is near desired mounting location, an electrical contractor will need to install a power outlet within 3 feet of the desired screen location or another location should be chosen. You may want to install the outlet behind the screen to keep the installation looking sharp.

Question: Is there another option other than wall mounting?

Answer: Yes. A less complicated digital sign installation can be completed by installing the plasma display on a specially designed display stand. This option is very quick and easy to install almost anywhere. However, a contractor many need to fasten the stand to the floor to stabilise the screen. This is especially important where required by code and in locations such as bars and factories, where there is a higher risk of damaging the screen.

Question: My company is constructing a new building or doing significant building work to our current office. What type of cables should be run through the walls?

Answer: The ideal would be to install conduit from the location of the digital sign playback computer to the screen location(s). The conduit allows easy access to the cabling and makes it easy to upgrade cables in the future. The second best choice depends on what displays are being used. If this is a plasma application, one Category 5 or 6 cable will be run from the digital signage display computer to each plasma screen location. If a TV display is desired, we suggest running both coaxial cable and Category 5 / 6 cable to allow for future upgrades. Using a coaxial cable to each TV location is the lowest cost choice.