We are experiencing a revolution driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Our attention is often directed towards high profile aspects such as GPU power, the choice of AI acceleration cards, and the selection of frameworks for our AI development. These decisions are critical as they form the foundation of any project. However, it is equally important to consider other factors to ensure a successful outcome.
One component that is often overlooked is the display. We may neglect its significance because we tend to consider it as a given when we think about computers. However, when selecting, there are many important factors that need to be considered.

It's important to consider specific usages and outcomes when choosing a display. For example, a display for a medical device (see our selection of medical displays will have different certification and compliance requirements than one for an airport security station. Similarly, a display for a kiosk serving customers with vulnerable immune systems will require careful consideration - see our non-touch interactive screen for kiosk -. Each context requires specific features and functionalities.

When choosing a display, it's common to feel overwhelmed with all the available options. However, there are key components to consider. First, consider the display size, which depends on the distance between the display and the viewer. For example, if the distance from the display to your eyes is 16 to 20 inches, a recommended display size would be between 19 and 21 inches. Larger monitors can be beneficial depending on the application, but starting with this range is a good approach. 

The second parameter to consider is brightness. When choosing display brightness, it's important to consider the environment where the display will be located. For example, in well-lit areas with abundant natural light such as airports or semi-outdoor environments, displays should have high brightness to ensure that content is easily readable. For indoor use, a brightness of less than 300 nits is suitable. For semi-outdoor environments, a brightness between 400 to 600 nits is ideal. For outdoor use, a brightness of more than 700 nits is recommended. It's important to remember that display technology of choice, such as LCD or OLED, can also significantly impact performance.

When choosing a display, it's important to consider the types of video I/O ports it has. VGA and DVI input connectors are analog and are considered outdated. While they are still used in some industrial environments, they are gradually being phased out. If you're designing a new product, it's advisable to avoid using them.

On the other hand, HDMI and DisplayPort inputs are more current. Although they may seem similar for everyday use, they serve different purposes. HDMI carries both audio and image signals and is purely digital. It is widely used in consumer electronics and entertainment systems. On the other hand, DisplayPort was originally designed as a connector dedicated to computers and is compatible with USB Type-C. It is also retro compatible with DVI, features High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) to encrypt signals from the source to the display, and provides Multi-Stream Transport enabling multiple monitors to be connected via a single DP port output. This makes a DisplayPort a better selection for computers.

There are other features that should be taken into consideration, such as touch, resolution, contrast, refresh rate, etc. However, these points are more relevant to the specific application. With the three key considerations mentioned in above paragraphs, you can make the right selection. For example, consider a security monitoring center with hundreds or even thousands of cameras to monitor. In this scenario, you might want to deploy an AI system that sends alerts upon specific actions and allows you to selectively view the cameras that are capturing suspicious activities. The display becomes crucial in this context. If it’s too far from the security officer’s eyes, they might miss important events. On the other hand, if the screen is too large and too close, they could overlook incidents because they are focused on another part of the display. More modern interfaces enable higher screen resolutions, enabling the viewer to discern important details of suspicious activities.

Although AI can handle many tasks, we still need an interface for humans to understand and potentially control what the system is doing. This is where the display comes into play. When choosing the next display for your application, consider these points. If you need assistance, feel free to contact us or visit our e-shop.