Fiber Optic LED Sign Communication

Fiber Optics is a communication method using a fiber optic cable that utilizes light instead of electrical impulses to send information from the computer to the LED sign. A signal converter is required on the computer and also at the LED sign to change the signal to light and then back to an electrical pulse. This system is very robust for noise immunity, which means the speed can be very fast over long distances. In simple terms, a movie file can be transferred in under a minute versus 15 to 20 minutes using RS232. The Key difference between Fiber Optic and Ethernet is the distance is better with Fiber Optic.

When should I use it?

• High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
• Installation cost is not an issue.
• Need access to the sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
• Distance from the LED sign to the Computer or Network switch is less than 2.5 miles.
• When communication reliability is mandatory and installation costs are not a factor

Benefits:

• Long distance capability up to 2.5 miles between stations
• Files load quickly to sign.
• Ethernet networks are common
• Immune to electromagnetic interference

Considerations:

• Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.
• Can be expensive to run and repair if damaged.

Wireless Ethernet LED Sign Communication

Ethernet/wireless is sometimes called WiFi or 802.11. It is Ethernet over an RF network and uses off the shelf RF equipment bought at the local computer stores (similar to the wireless used on your laptop). Typically there is data encryption or Key’s used to access the network to prevent Hackers accessing the network. In utilizing this type of network, initially there is some setup involved to get the LED sign talking with the master transmitting unit . The distance for the device is limited to 100 feet or less and the broadcast antenna must be located outside the building to be effective. The speed of the network is very good and is suitable for movie and picture files.

When should I use it?

• High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
• Need access to the LED sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
• Direct wire cable methods can not be used due to High installation costs
• Excessive RF interference is not present at the LED sign or the transmitter location. This can be caused by Cell phone towers, radio stations, TV stations, wireless handsets and numerous other wireless devices prevalent on the market today.

Benefits:

• Direct wire cable is not required reducing installation cost.
• Ethernet networks are common
• Multiple signs can be controlled from single network
• Files load quickly to sign.

Considerations:

• Installer should be familiar with computer networks to link the network to the signs IP address.
• Clear “Line of Site” (no buildings or metal walls between access points) required between transmitter and receiver. 
• Connectivity and performance and subject to interference by many factors such as: obstructions (such as: weather, uneven terrain, large metal structures, water towers, trees, vehicles, radio signals) in between the sign antenna and the transmitter, distance between the antennas, position of the antennas, etc. A site survey is strongly recommended before installation.
• Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.

Ethernet TCP/IP LED Sign Communication

Ethernet is a wired communication method allowing an Ethernet communication card (installed in your computer) to communicate with the LED display over a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN). TCP/IP over Ethernet network is another term used for this. Ethernet is a very fast communication method. In simple terms, a movie file can be transferred to a LED sign in under a minute versus 15 to 20 minutes using RS232.

When should I use it?

• Ethernet Network is already available (LAN or WAN).
• High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
• Need access to the LED sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
• Distance from the LED sign to the Computer or Network switch is less than 300 feet.

Benefits:

• Cable is inexpensive 
• Ethernet networks are common
• Multiple signs can be controlled from single network
• Files load quickly to sign.

Considerations:

• Installer should be familiar with computer networks to link the network to the signs IP address.
• Recommended for distances less that 300 feet
• Will need to be able to run a CAT5 cable between the sign and network connection. The may be obstacles in the way such as sidewalks or parking lots.
• Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.

What is RS232 LED Sign Communication?

How you communicate with your sign is an important factor in setting up your sign system. One of the most common methods for indoor scrolling LED signs that typically display only  text messages is RS232.  

RS232 is a cable method for connecting a display directly to a computers serial com port using a 9 pin plug. The serial port on a PC is a full-duplex device, meaning that it can send and receive data at the same time. The RS232 serial interface is a point-to-point communication: one port, one device or one computer, one sign. Hence with this method, only one sign can be connected to the computer at any given time. This communication method requires software be installed on the designated computer which will control the messages sent to the sign. It has a maximum distance restriction of 50 feet (15m), but  is a simple connection system that is relatively easy to install and use. 

When should I use it?

• When the distance between the computer running the display software and the display are less than 50 feet (15m).
• When your computer has an available RS232 serial port or you can utilize a USB adapter that converts the USB of your laptop to RS232.
• When temporarily communicating to the sign using a computer or laptop.
• When only sending text files and not picture files, because this method is typically slow for large amounts of data
• When you are interested in a low cost, simple communication method and installation costs are not a factor.

Benefits:

• Easy to use
• Easy to install
• Inexpensive 

Considerations:

• Newer model laptops may not have a serial port which would require the use of a USB to serial port adapter.
• Only one sign can be connected at a time
• Recommended for distances less that 50 feet
• Not recommended for sending movie, picture or large data files.

How Can LED Signs Improve Your Church Message?

Outdoor LED signs are an affordable, state-of-the-art way to communicate church programs and ministry news to the local community. Churches are not just places where people go to attend service- they’re also gathering places where people go to find inspiration. As such, outdoor LED church signs can serve as helpful tools for the entire community and make your church a landmark.  Place Outdoor Electronic displays on; facility monuments, roadside pylons, parking lots, and walkways between buildings to:

• Advertise parish activity schedules of the day/week/month
• Highlight important ideas from church bulletins
• Promote religious spirit and special events
• Welcome new parish members
• Display community involvement and events
• Post Service Times
• Fund Raise
• Display a Verse of the Day or Inspirational Messages
• Display Time & Temperature
• Present Public Service Announcements, Amber Alerts, Etc.

Of course, your LED sign can’t display all these amazing messages for you unless you know how to operate it. Odds are you’re not wanting to spend hours learning to operate a new software program. So look for a LED sign that has easy to use software, or one that can upload messages you create in programs you are already familiar with such as Microsoft PowerPoint or stills and animation images you download online.

Some people are afraid LED signs being turned on for long periods will cause their electric bill to shoot up. Nothing can be further from the truth. Advances in outdoor LED technology provide you with a virtually maintenance-free product. Solid-state LED diodes last for over 100,000 hours of continuous operation, consume less than 1/40 the power and outlast comparable-sized incandescent message centers.

Simply put, LED Signs make it easy to get your Church message out where they will be seen.

Changeable Marquee Sign with Blow Away Letters

You want your business to grow. You have something to sell. Is your marquee business sign communicating this to the traffic driving past your location day after day? Is your message getting noticed? Or is your business being passed by because the old blow away letters are not presenting a professional image. Perhaps it’s time to make a change.

Why do we call them blow away letters? Because they blow away (or get stolen). Another terrible problem is....you never seem to have enough characters. Most changeable letter kits provide more vowels and primary consonants than the lesser used alphabet. But if they give you more of one character it is at the expense of another. Most sign writers resort to being creative and turning their P’s upside down for B’s, or add some black tape to an F to make an E.

What is the solution? 

Here are 2 strategies you can use to eliminate this problem...

1. buy a larger character kit
2. buy an Electronic Message Center and present a professional image.

What can a LED Sign do for your Church?

Do you ever sit down at night and ponder making the switch a LED signs for your church? Maybe you are head of your local parish and your followers have been put you in charge of selecting a  LED display. 

Where do you start? 

Well did you know that a study by the National Evangelistic Association found that "10% of the adults who join American congregations each year decide to visit for the first time after seeing the Church Sign"?  These where not family or friends of current church goers, but complete outsiders. People passing by that had no knowledge of the congregation, but saw the signs message and decided to attend a service. Mass media such as newspapers, flyers and TV ads only brought in a dismal 1.6%.

FACT: 10% of adults attended a congregations service for the first time after seeing a church sign with a clear message.

FACT: 1 in 10 people notice and read a traditional sign while 9 in 10 will notice and read a LED Sign.

We understand that a new church sign is a significant investment for your church. As the leading provider of LED Outdoor Signs in the USA, we have seen first hand how a new church sign can positively impact a church's finances. 

What could be your financial return on your investment in a new church sign?

What if you purchased a new LED sign and for our example spend $15000. In return, attendance increased and two new families joined the congregation each month. With exponential growth and each family contributing $100 each month to the collection plate. In less than one year your LED Sign would be paid for.

Want more information?

Let one of our knowledgeable experts in the industry guide you every step of the way to create a Church Sign that is tastefully made and will serve as community landmark for years to come.