Glossary A–ZLetter H
High-brightness display
A high-brightness display is a display that emits considerably more light than a typical indoor device, so that it stays readable against sunlight.
Brightness is measured in nits, that is candela per square metre. It is used in shop windows, on glass facades, in bright halls and outdoors.
A normal display looks pale behind a shop window in midday sun, because ambient light outshines the picture. High-brightness displays compensate for this. They usually have an ambient light sensor that turns brightness down in the evening, so the picture does not dazzle and less electricity is used. They are often designed for continuous operation.
Operators should bear in mind that more brightness means more electricity and more heat. Cooling must match, especially behind glass in the sun. Many such devices are not covered by the EU energy label, so consumption is stated only in the data sheet. It also matters whether brightness is given as a typical or a maximum value. Brightness alone helps only to a limited extent against reflections.