NEC Display Solutions Italia

Multeos

NEC Display Solutions is the world market leader in the public display sector and following further development of its successful public display portfolio proudly presents the MULTEOS.

Large-size LCD public displays are now to be found everywhere – as information displays in airports, railway stations, hotels, museums and exhibition halls, on the floors of international stock exchanges and financial centres, in control rooms, for monitoring production plants and for presenting detailed simulations. They can also be deployed as an extremely versatile tool at the point of sale indepartment stores, shopping centres, bars, fitness studios, on trade fair stands and in conference centres. Largesize LCD public displays are also gaining ground in the medical sector where they can be used to optimally display CT scans and X-ray images. Thanks to its DICOM profile and optional HDSDI display capability the NEC MULTEOS is ideal for use in hospitals and diagnostic centres.

But what distinguishes the NEC MULTEOS from conventional public displays and flat-screen TVs often found in shops? Well, firstly the NEC MULTEOS stands out by virtue of its numerous technical features as well as its timeless and elegant design. Secondly, the NEC MULTEOS is a comprehensively high-quality public display system incorporating the latest generation full-HD technology. Especially important for all-day digital signage in the catering sector and retail trade, this professional display also functions with complete reliability over long periods of time.

The NEC MULTEOS’s extensive functions and absolutely superb display electronics also make it clearly outstanding and superior to a conventional flat-screen TV set. Although requiring a comparatively higher investment cost the NEC MULTEOS will quickly pay for itself – certainly at least by the time a conventional flat-screen TV stops working, shows signs of burn-in or image retention, or prematurely malfunctions due to overheating.

Can flat-screen TVs replace public displays?

LCD and plasma TVs are increasingly attractive for commercial use due to their flat design, falling purchase prices, and the ongoing further development of LCD substrate size with ever improving picture quality. This means some end users are opting to choose consumer products found in major electrical goods stores because of the supposed advantage of their lower purchase price – flat-screen TVs being much cheaper than public displays. Although these sets may be good enough for use at home, they are not suitable for professional applications. This unsuitability explains the price difference between flatscreen TVs and public displays, with the difference between such consumer products and the new NEC MULTEOS series being elaborated in greater detail on the following pages.

The differences between entertainment electronics and the NEC MULTEOS

Latest generation flat-screen TVs (LCD or plasma technology) have been designed for purely domestic use and are therefore rarely subjected to continuous operation beyond the average daily consumption of four hours of TV. The maximum endurance of these TVs has only been optimised to between ten to twelve hours of daily continuous operation. They have additionally only been fitted with components which cannot be compared with the high-quality components used in a public display. While great progress has been made in terms of design, operation and picture quality (full-HD resolution etc.) TV sets incorporating flat-screen technology cannot really be considered as genuine professional displays for daily continuous service. The requirements of such professional use are still too high to be met by an LCD or plasma TV. Furthermore, these sets are designed for a total operating life of approx. 27,000 hours – professional public displays can, by contrast, be used for 50,000 hours or longer without any failure.

Temperature, dust and other environmental influences

Temperature

The manufacturers of flat-screen TVs recommend an ambient temperature of 22 °C (70°F) for their products, as higher temperatures reduce the reliability and longevity of the components inside. Many entry-level sets also do not even have a fan with the heat produced by the background lighting (LCD ) only escaping by natural means. This is a problem not to be underestimated, especially for the elevated temperatures during continuous operation. The correct cooling is still more important for plasma sets because the heat generated during operation is even higher. Protection from overheating in the NEC MULTEOS has been specially developed to ensure longevity even in the extreme operational environments of professional use. A sensor regularly checks the temperature and if necessary activates two fans to cool the set down to the applicationdefined optimal temperature (e.g. 45°C). Additional measures, such as the automatic reduction of brightness in extreme temperatures, ensure uninterrupted operation and guarantee the reliability of the NEC MULTEOS range.

Dust

We are all familiar with the problem of dust on our home PC, which we should remove at least once every six months. But who thinks about their flat-screen TV and the daily amount of dust in their living room, let alone the dust on the set in a commercial environment? The flat-screen TVs available in shops are extremely sensitive to such environmental influences. Some high-end sets do have mini-fans, but these are in continuous operation whilst the TV is being watched. These fans are not temperaturecontrolled as in the NEC MULTEOS, which results in a high noise level as well as a lot of dust inside the set.

Static content – burn-in and image retention on plasma and LCD TVs

Plasma sets are still subject to the risk of burn-in, and LCD technology is also susceptible to the phenomenon of image retention. Both effects produce a “ghost image” which can appear on the screen surface after a prolonged static image. If these technologies are incorrectly used in an unsuitable application an image persistence problem can arise.

LCD : Due to a residual amount of electrical charge in the electrodes inside the LCD modules a persistent after-image or ghosting can occur. This makes itself apparent as a shadow when the screen starts displaying a new picture.

Plasma: Continuously displayed static screen content, such as air passenger information, means that individual pixels become over used during extended periods. If a static part of an image is displayed too long the phosphorus burns and noticeably loses brightness - this is known as burn-in. Burn-in and image retention have their origins in incorrect content selection and can be prevented by avoiding static, motionless images. Rules for the selection and display of appropriate “screen-friendly” content include:

Images should contain only low or moderate contrast
differences.
The picture content should not consist of static
elements.

As standard the NEC MULTEOS incorporates functions to protect against image-retention effects, including side colour correction of the black/white fill-in areas in nonreformatted 4:3 applications. The choice of low contrast is in line with the optimal content design for static images and prolongs the service life of the display. The NEC MULTEOS provides additional protection with its integrated screensaver function.

The NEC MULTEOS also incorporates a feature for making various gamma selections and black level settings: native, gamma 2.2, gamma 2.4 and S gamma. Together with the black level setting this enables displays to be optimised for effect in various lighting conditions. The black level setting also serves to adjust the image brightness with respect to background brightness.

Power-on delay ward against voltage surges
Appliances being switched on cold can affect other devices due to the sudden energy consumption. In the worst case, when a large number of displays all start up at the same time, the mains circuit system can be overloaded by a brief current spike. To protect the mains circuit and avoid overloads the MULTEOS features a power-on delay function. The power-on delay can be set individually for each display and permits delays between zero and fifty seconds before each display finally switches from standby mode to operating mode. Fluctuations in the mains circuit are thus minimised, as is any possible damage to other equipment connected on the same circuit.

NEC MULTEOS vs flat-screen TVs – outstanding features for professional applications

Option Slot for built-in computers or CAT5 receiver
The flexible range of applications offered by the MULTEOS is unique. Demonstrating its genuine multi-functionality as a monitor, it provides a slot to the rear of its housing to accommodate a built-in computer. This means that there are no limits to what can be displayed because the NEC MULTEOS can then be used as a completely independent media station. All content can be stored on the integrated hard disk or uploaded daily by WLAN or UMTS module (optional) – no cable connection to an auxiliary PC is needed. The 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo variant offers impressive performance capability – even the most complex application can be displayed in uninterrupted flow.

Configuration possibilities of the built-in computer

High-End Version

- 1.66 GHz Core Duo
- 1 GB RAM
- 40 GB HDD
- Integrated Intel graphics

Mid Range Version
- 800 MHz Celeron
- 512 MB RAM
- 40 GB HDD

Integrated Intel graphics

Interfaces: 3 x USB, DVI-D out, RJ45,
Express Card slot

3-year warranty

With an optional Minicom CAT5 receiver, even transmission distances by cable of up to 300 metres are possible. This means that up to 256 MULTEOS displays can be connected, controlled and provided with content using a single PC as the media station.

(HD)SDI card
The (HD)SDI standard is particularly used in the broadcastingenvironment, but also in medical applications such as endoscopes. So that MULTEOS units can also process such digital signals and optimally display them, NEC Display Solutions offers an optional (HD)SDI slot-in card. It is integrated into the display without any cabling and has been optimised for NEC Displays. The card offers a loop-through function with reclocking and equalising at up to 1.485 Gbits/sec.

Landscape and portrait mode
Flat-screen TVs can only be operated in the customary landscape mode, i.e. they have to be used in the 16:10 mode, horizontally mounted on a wall or placed on a stand. Portrait mode, in which the screen is turned through 90 degrees and is positioned vertically, is possible with a flat-screen TV, but leads within a short time would lead to system failure as a result of overheating.

The newly developed NEC MULTEOS On-Screen-Display: User-friendly with plenty of options

The MULTEOS On-Screen-Display (OSD) shows, among other things, the status of the automatic fan control system, where integrated heat sensors indicate the precise temperature of the internal housing. Compared with a conventional shop bought flat-screen TV the OSD impresses by virtue of its wide-range of setting options and monitoring tools. Apart from temperature monitoring, the OSD also enables time-controlled switch-on and switchoff, as well as management of diverse screen functions such as Dynamic Zoom, Picture-In-Picture, Picture-Over- Picture etc.

Unique display options – the image functions of the NEC MULTEOS

The Digital CableComp developed by NEC Display Solutions permits DVI cable lengths of up to 30 metres from the signal source to the monitor, without the need for equalisers or other additional devices. This means that a PC does not have to be placed in the immediate vicinity of the display. In addition to this flexibility, the NEC MULTEOS range features other functions which allow a PC signal to be displayed significantly better than that of a shop-bought flat-screen TV.

If the displayed image does not fill up the screen, i.e. a resolution not directly supported, the NEC MULTEOS offers the possibility of zooming the screen content (Dynamic Zoom). The zoom function can be set separately for the horizontal and vertical axes. The maximum enlargement along an axis is a factor of three, with no resultant distortion in focus. So that the image isn’t always located in the top left-hand corner after scaling, the horizontal and vertical positions of the picture can also be additionally set.

It is also possible to stretch the display from a 4:3 format to 16:9 format and vice-versa. The non-linear scaling function only elongates the outer areas of the screen content. This is a function which standard flat-screen TVs do not offer.

Thanks to TileMatrix and standard commercially-available graphics cards, up to 5 x 5 NEC MULTEOS displays can be installed as a video wall. TileComp simulates a frameless display wall without any annoying transitions. Connected in series MULTEOS displays can also accompany a client or viewer through shopping malls or along exhibition stands.

With the aid of a RS-232 C interface all the functions of the OSD can be remotely controlled from a PC. The NEC NaviSet software provides this utility either from a directly connected PC or over a network. In addition, several NEC MULTEOS units can be connected in series. By connecting the RS-232 C input of the first display in the series circuit with the RS-232 C output of a computer, several MULTEOS displays can be controlled from a single PC.

In many applications the colour temperatures of defined background images play an important role. The colour temperature of the MULTEOS displays can be set from 2,600 to 10,000 K and can be selected in steps of 100 K.

Integrated theft protection – standard with the NEC MULTEOS

What happens if the flat-screen TV becomes the object of theft? Often to the dismay of the operator, these sets are frequently removed overnight from their mountings. Professional public displays incorporate Kensington Lock theft protection, but the NEC MULTEOS offers even more than this. It is fitted with a coded theft-protection device, which once activated only allows the set to be restarted after the power has been switched off by typing in a password.

Installation - VESA mounting or pedestal stand

Flat-screen TVs for domestic use can only be wall-mounted using expensive additional components. They do not come with the VESA mounting that is standard on professional public displays. The VESA standard has been used in the professional display environment for many years, and also ensures ease of mounting for NEC MULTEOS LCDs. Standardised drill-holes in the rear panel of the display permit effortless and speedy attachment to special display stands or simply onto a wall.

Additional features

Extreme flexibility with variable Option Slot

Without AV slot

With AV slot, without TV tuner

With AV slot and TV tuner

An unequalled range of functions

Protection from overheating during intensive use. Two silent fans inside the housing regulate the flow of
air automatically depending on the application, and switch off the unit if it becomes too hot.
DICOM profile for use in the medical sector.
Robust construction and highly durable components – consistently proven through NEC Display Solutions’
many years of experience and their use in airports and the retail sector.
An enormous variety of connections: all analogue and digital connections are incorporated as standard
(DVI-D + HDMI with HDCP for the latest interface technologies).
Protective glass (optional)
VESA mounting
Speakers (optional)
Option slot for a built-in computer, HD SDI, CAT5 receiver, etc.
Landscape and portrait mode
Almost doubled service life (50,000 operating hours compared with 27,000 operating hours for
LCD /Plasma TVs)