DOOH: Promising Tech Hampered by Image Degradation

July 18, 2023 / Victor Cashmere

Dirt accumulation, UV damage, sun exposure, and module replacement undoubtedly present formidable challenges for any DOOH. These factors represent a substantial threat to the image quality of digital boards, jeopardizing the overall visual experience and potentially undermining the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Dirt, Visible Module Grids, And Module Replacement Effect On A Digital Board
DOOH, Digital Board, Digital Out-Of-Home, Image Degradation, Digital Display, SSPA, Image Quality, Seamless Image Quality, LED Display, OOH
Dirt, Visible Module Grids, And Module Replacement Effect On A Digital Board

Achieving a seamless, solid, and unified image quality for a digital board is a criterion that may be experienced in the initial days, weeks, or months following installation of a brand new board. Unfortunately, this state of desirability cannot last forever. Once the time for the first module replacement arrives, you should be prepared to bid farewell to that unified image, as the challenges of maintaining consistency come into play.

Given the absence of a superior alternative in the industry, the consistent attainment of a high-quality, solid image for DOOH has become a prevailing challenge. Consequently, this issue has been acknowledged as one of the inherent weaknesses of digital boards within the industry, and its acceptance as a commonplace occurrence has become the norm.

Addressing Image Degradation in DOOH Advertising

Although OOH is becoming more Digitally driven in the U.S, it remains a persistent challenge to consistently achieve a good, solid, and seamless image quality for digital boards.

According to eMarketer, one-third of all outdoor ad dollars will be allocated to DOOH, highlighting the increasing digitalization of OOH in the U.S. However, despite this trend, media operators continue to grapple with image degradation in DOOH, posing ongoing challenges to deliver optimal visual experiences.

In the world of DOOH, Dirt accumulation, UV damage, sun exposure, and module replacement are common challenges that cause image degradation.

Module replacement & Image Disparity 

When it comes to digital boards, modular design can be advantageous. However, it also has its downsides. One major disadvantage is image disparity which becomes apparent after first Module replacement. Professionals working in the field of DOOH have undoubtedly witnessed the frustrating presence of uneven color and brightness following each module replacement.

Visible Blocks Of Color Disparity or Brightness Variation On A Digital Board
DOOH, Digital Board, Digital Out-Of-Home, Image Degradation, Digital Display, SSPA, Image Quality, Seamless Image Quality, LED Display, OOH
Visible Blocks Of Color Disparity or Brightness Variation On A Digital Board

Regardless of the age, make, or model of a DOOH display, module replacement eventually becomes a necessity. Unfortunately, this process introduces brighter modules, leading to a noticeable imbalance in colors and brightness. Even a brand-new DOOH display can face this problem within the first year or just a few months after installation.

DOOH Image Quality Challenges 

Maintaining top-notch DOOH images is an unrelenting challenge, no matter the age, brand, model, or condition. 

As previously mentioned, there are numerous factors that affect the image quality of DOOH. However, with the increasing popularity of DOOH and its presence in cities, new problems have arisen in addition to the preexisting ones. Among these fresh concerns is the adverse impact of fossil fuel pollution on DOOH displays.

Furthermore, the escalating issue of fossil fuel pollution can compound the problem by contributing to the accumulation of dirt due to its greasy nature. This additional factor further complicates the task of maintaining optimal image quality in DOOH displays.

In essence,  Fossil fuel emissions release greasy particles into the environment, which can settle on the surfaces of DOOH displays and contribute to the accumulation of dirt. This greasy nature of fossil fuel pollution adds an extra layer of complexity to the already challenging task of maintaining optimal image quality on Digital boards.

Salt & Pepper Noise / True Color 

Brands, agencies, and content creators invest hours and months in selecting accurate colors and designing well-crafted advertisements with minimal visual noise. 

However, this effort can be in vain, as even brand-new DOOH displays can suffer from Salt & Pepper Noise. 

Dispute all other environmental factors which mostly come to 2 to 5-year-old Digital displays, module replacement, and Salt & Pepper Noise can happen after a few weeks to a brand new DOOH. 

Plus, content creators usually suffer from varying presentations of the same content. This issue appears due to the lack of standardized color calibration and variations in color and Gamma among different DOOH displays, and the result can lead to varying presentations of the same advertisement.

Changing your DOOH every 3 -5 years?

As a DOOH operator, prioritizing consistent image quality is paramount to success. However, ensuring this quality often comes at a steep cost. Media owners have traditionally been compelled to allocate significant funds, amounting to millions of dollars, every 3 to 5 years to replace their DOOH displays. Despite the initial expenses involved in installation and logistics, the dynamic nature of technology and industry demands these costly updates.

Visible Darker Vertical & Horizontal Lines On A Highway-Side Digital Board Due To Air Circulation Through Modules' Gaps
DOOH, Digital Board, Digital Out-Of-Home, Image Degradation, Digital Display, SSPA, Image Quality, Seamless Image Quality, LED Display, OOH
Visible Darker Vertical & Horizontal Lines On A Highway-Side Digital Board Due To Air Circulation Through Modules’ Gaps

By replacing the displays within this timeframe, media owners can keep up with the advancements, improve the overall performance, and continue delivering impactful advertising campaigns to their audiences.However, they may be aware that it doesn’t take a long time.

Furthermore, it’s important to acknowledge that both inventory and older displays are prone to more frequent downtime due to various factors like module replacement and other challenges discussed in this article. As a result, these displays require additional maintenance to ensure optimal performance, which can prove to be both costly and disruptive for the advertising company. It becomes crucial to invest resources in addressing these challenges and minimizing downtime to maintain a seamless and uninterrupted DOOH advertising operation.

Revolutionizing DOOH Image Quality: BlueGlamour‘s Game-Changing Solution

In light of the industry’s absence of a superior alternative, attaining a consistently high-quality and solid image for DOOH has become an increasingly prevalent challenge. As a consequence, this issue has been widely acknowledged as one of the inherent weaknesses within the digital board industry, with its acceptance as a commonplace occurrence now considered the prevailing norm.

Before and After Of Utilizing Blue Glamour's SSPA Technology On A Highway-Side DOOH - DOOH, Digital Board, Digital Out-Of-Home, Image Degradation, Digital Display, SSPA, Image Quality, Seamless Image Quality, LED Display, OOH
Before and After Of Utilizing SSPA Technology On A Highway-Side DOOH

Nevertheless, BlueGlamour understands the criticality of continuous innovation and is unwavering in our commitment to transforming this status quo. We are determined to revolutionize the industry by providing a groundbreaking solution that will redefine the very standards of image quality in DOOH. With our cutting-edge technology and unwavering dedication, we are poised to offer a game-changing solution that will revolutionize the way digital boards deliver visual experiences.

Through the implementation of SSPA technology, media operators can effectively overcome these persistent challenges and achieve a remarkable transformation in their digital displays.