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Technical Details of LED Signs and Displays Features

4+ Billion Color & 4+ Thousand Shade Monochrome



TURN-KEY LED Sign Manufacturing, Sign Installation, and Sign Service since 1990


Texas FlagWith an electronic message center or video display you are leaving your computer out in the Texas rain, ice, heat and cold, and tornados and hurricane-force winds are trying to blow it away.

Sunburst Displays are Built in Texas by us and we have been building high quality digital signage since we rolled out our first digital sign in 1990!

Display Types


Historically, monotone, then monochrome “message centers” were much cheaper than color “video displays.”  This is no longer true.

In making your decision regarding monochrome vs. color realize that colors in motion are proven to be much more attention-getting than moving single-color lights.  Also, the number of LEDs actually lighted determines how bright a sign is at any particular time.  Full-color displays constantly utilize many more LEDs.  Monochrome and monotone (one color) displays are either Red or Amber (Yellow.)

To produce so-called “additive” colors, colors created by light, 3 different color producing LEDs are utilized; Red, Green, and Blue (RGB.)  For the human eye, red, green and blue lights close together in varying intensities create white and all other colors.  Lack of any light output creates black.  (See “Contrast” below.)

Our color video displays feature an almost-infinite number of colors, more than the human eye can discern. 

Because the intensity of a LED light can be changed by increasing or decreasing the voltage to it our Monochrome displays can feature 4096 shades of Red, necessary for clear animation and video. They do this by adjusting each individual LEDs light output.  Some manufacturers call this "grayscale" but frequently they can only generate as few as 250 shades.

What are Pixels and Potential Pixels?


An electronic message center is in some ways a large computer screen.  Each "dot" on the screen is called a "pixel". For your sign, each pixel is actually made up of three or four separate LEDs.

The resolution of the display is determined by how many pixels the sign has.

A potential pixel is a physical point that MAY be incorporated into an image; a currently blank point on the screen that MAY be turned “on” to become a pixel in an image.

There are different types of sign technology: Classic (clusters), Balanced Array and SMD.

Classic (Clusters) vs. a Balanced Array


Cluster displays, such as our Classic series sign, take all three colors in LEDs and group them together to form a pixel. This produces very nice colors and is the best technology available for outdoor use when displaying messages.

A Balanced Array sign evenly spaces its LEDs to allow less unlighted area on the sign. This typically results in over 30% more LEDs for the same area and for the same stated resolution.  If you're displaying images, such as a concert, the Balanced Array option is the way to go. Graphics look crisp and lifelike. However, if you're displaying text and messages this is not the best solution for outdoors.

Classic Series, Up-Close       Balanced Array Series, Up-Close

Pixel Density = The Number of Pixels per Square Foot of Sign


A digital sign's "resolution" can be hard to follow because so many things can affect it: spacing of LEDs, spacing of pixels, size of the sign, type of pixels, etc.

As the discussion gets more and more technical, the easiest comparison between displays is the "Pixel Density," the number of LED pixels in a square foot of sign face.

Sign Pixel Comparison

So, as this chart shows, the best resolution sign you can get (for outdoor use) is the EPiC1474. Read below to find out why the EPiC1474 may or may not be right for you.

The Fallacy of “High Resolution” and “HD” in LED Sign Advertising


When competitors talk about all their LED signs being “High Resolution” or “HD” they confuse, rather than assist, consumers.  Because an LED sign’s Resolution is totally dependent on the size of the sign they mislead when they promote these catchy marketing terms, possibly causing people to buy signs that cannot meet their needs.

Comparing LED signs to TV’s is “…comparing apples to oranges.

Billboard signs have either 256 or 362 Pixel Density (19mm or 16mm pixel pitch) for a Resolution of 150,000 to 200,000 pixels.  They can look good utilizing a lower Pixel Density only because of their enormous size, and long viewing distance.  Viewed from up-close their images are VERY grainy.

Your sign will probably be viewed from much closer than a highway billboard, and be smaller. Your Pixel Density must be much better than theirs to achieve equal Resolution.  For instance, even a 6mm Balanced Array must be 5’ x 20’ to have approximately the same potential Resolution as a billboard and maintain the same height-to-length ratio, so that identical images can be displayed on them both.

The Critical Importance of Resolution


Smaller signs, lower Pixel Densities, and lower Light Densities are compromises that significantly lessen a sign’s performance, with relatively small cost savings.  Your business will be better the higher the Resolution of your sign.

Why Not Use a Television?


TV’s do not have as bright a display as is necessary for outdoor use in full sunlight. We've seen, and tested, claims to the contrary but they never live up to their claims (if they ever did, we would switch over to TVs too!)

Glare on the screen is a big problem. Some companies have "glare-free" screens, but when headlights or parking lot lights are shining on them, there is always significant glare.

Only “specialty” TV’s even claim to be weatherproof.

All modern flat-screen televisions are LCD televisions.  So-called “LED” TV’s are actually LCD screens edge or back lighted with LEDs.

Matrix


How many pixels wide and how many pixels high the display is.  Matrix determines how many of what size letters can be displayed at one time. Most matrix dimensions are in multiples of 8 pixels, or potential pixel locations in the case of a Balanced Array because 8 pixels are necessary to adequately display most letter- styles, so that is how most LED signs are constructed.

A larger matrix (higher Resolution) can display more and/or larger information at one time.

SMD LED Signs (EPiC1474 Series)


The newest LED development is the “SMD” (Surface-Mount-Device) LED chip.  We manufacture signs using them as well.

SMDs are actually 3 very small different colored (RGB) LEDs enclosed in one shell, or lens.  The LEDs backlight the translucent shell, which makes the light appear larger.  Currently (2023) they are not quite as bright as LEDs, but they still look pretty good.

Don't take our word for it, come see it for yourself in our showroom by looking at our side-by-side comparison. We know a lot of our competitors only sell SMDs and make all kinds of wild claims about them. We highly encourage you to come see for yourself before making that investment.

The strength of SMD signs is that they can pack so many more pixels into a smaller area that the overall look of the sign can outweigh the lighting issue.

Essentially SMD signage is just another type of "pixel cluster" display, but with very small clusters.  But each light that creates the pixel is much smaller than a DIP (typical) LED, and it is shielded behind a translucent screen. Consequently, the light is dimmed by having to pass through shell instead of having each LED visible directly.

Grouping many SMDs very closely together can make for a very nice looking indoor display, where the brightness is not as important.

Contrast – Exposed LEDs vs. Enclosed LEDs (SMD)


As with a television, contrast is very important in the legibility of a sign or image.  The color “black” plays a very important part in LED image contrast.

Because there is no “black” LED, and because it cannot be created by illuminating other colors in any combination, “black” is the absence of light; all the lights are turned off.

The face design of a LED sign is therefore critical in creating contrast.  It must be black, flat, and it cannot be reflective.  (See “Glare Shields”.)

This is a problem with SMD (Surface-Mount-Device) LED signs.  The SMD’s shell, or lens, is necessary both to protect the circuit-boards and more importantly to make the light source appear larger (above.)

But, because there are actually three very small LEDs inside each SMD, the plastic covering must be translucent white; a black exterior won’t let the light out through the lens!  A clear lens won’t spread the light.  So when the LED lights are out (above right) the exterior of the face is off-white from a distance, not black, and contrast suffers.

Some manufacturers have developed a smoky black lens to cover the LEDs, instead of using white, with mediocre success. If they ever come up with a good solution, we'll use it.  But for now (2018), SMDs just don't have the critically important contrast that is needed for outdoor commercial use.

SMD LEDs work OK indoors, but outdoors where there is an absolute demand for contrast, current SMD LED technology suffers.

How The Shape Of The LED Matters


LEDs are traditionally round. But the LEDs used by Signs Manufacturing for our LED displays are specifically designed for our use to create the ideal light output that is needed for an LED sign.

Our purpose-built LED focuses most of the light forward, to the sides, and down.  No reason to waste energy shining light on the glare shield above the LED.  These specifically designed LEDs result in brighter signs with more “light-fill” in every image.

Brightness


The “Brightness” of an LED sign is extremely dependent on the image being displayed.  The Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) LEDs are adjusted in light output to create the full spectrum of colors the human eye sees.

Therefore, honestly quantifying a comparative Maximum Light Output (Brightness Potential) of LED signs is tough.  Even when varied signs have all their LEDs illuminated 100% the resulting color is not identical.  This is because all the Red, Green, and Blue LEDs in LED signs are not the same: in design, sometimes in voltage, in size, in shape, in placement, or in directional light output.  Even the numbers of Red, Green, or Blue LEDs in an identical area of sign face are not identical:  it varies by display type, and by Light Density.  For a manufacturer to say that their signs have the same potential light output is, at best, baloney.

At Sunburst LED Signs™ we evaluate the “Brightness” of our signs, and our competitors, by taking a foot-candle reading 1 meter from the sign face using various colors, images, etc.  We average the readings for a comparative “real-time” number that means something, not the “nits” nonsense that so many competitors hang their hat on. 

Ask us for details.

Sunburst LED Signs are brighter, and remain brighter, because they are designed, powered, cooled, and thermally protected properly.

Automatic Brightness Control


A Sunburst Displays electronic message center automatically adjusts its display brightness for the current lighting conditions.

Besides making the display more effective for advertising this feature reduces total electrical consumption and increases component life.

A good LED display that is bright enough to draw attention during the day is too bright at night without Automatic Brightness Control.  It's like staring into a flashlight; nothing is readable!

Display Brightness


LEDs are affected by voltage.  For instance, an LED will burn nearly 100% brighter if you double the power feeding it.  The LED will last about 1/6 as long, however, making this alternative quite expensive in total cost.

LEDs dim as they age.  At some point (subjective) they will need to be replaced because they are too dim.  Feeding them less voltage extends their useful life.

Superior Sign Faces and Glare Shields


We engineered specialty sign faces and glare shields into our LED sign designs to give our customers even better, safer, longer-lasting signs. Most competitors just use "plastic louvres" without any consideration into how they are designed. Ask us for details into what we do to make our shields ideal for signage.

Determining Your Minimum Display Size


Decide on how many lines of text vertically you need to display.  Decide the maximum height of the letters you want each row to use.

Add at least 2” between rows, and 1.25” top and bottom.  If you are going to use both upper and lower case letters allow additional space for the descending letters also.  The amount of space varies by letter size and style.  Will you want a lighted border around your message?

The cumulative total is how tall the minimum display height of your sign must be, in inches.

But, can the display clearly display your smallest letters?  For a standard block letter style the smallest letter a 20mm sign can clearly display is a 6.3" tall lower-case character. A 16mm sign can display 5.1" minimum-height characters.

It is possible to go smaller, but it may require some experimentation with letter styles and spacing.  Smaller letters probably require a tighter pitched sign.

If you plan on using some lower-case letters recognize that their shorter height is your shortest letter.

Remember that size matters!  A larger display will support more detail in images.

Our Sales Representatives can help you determine what size and resolution you need for your business sign.

Desired Minimum Character Size

Smallest* Recommended Character Size

EPiC 1474

2.1”

ClassicSeries - II

3.1”

Monochrome Balanced Array

3.1”

6mm Color Balanced Array

3.7”

ClassicSeries - III

3.7”

Ordinary 12mm Pixel Pitch

3.8”

8mm Color Balanced Array

4.9”

ClassicSeries - VI

4.9”

Ordinary 16mm Pixel Pitch

5.0”

10mm Color Balanced Array

6.2”

ClassicSeries - X

6.2”

Ordinary 20mm Pixel Pitch

6.3”

Viewing Distances


The minimum Best Viewing Range is the point at which the display loses significant graininess or color breakdown.  Distances can vary depending on the message being displayed.

The maximum viewing distance is the point at which the smallest character which will be generated on the display becomes unreadable.  A potential solution is to generate larger characters, but this may increase the minimum viewing distance.

Best Viewing Ranges

EPiC 1474

10 feet+

Classic Series - II 25 feet+

6mm Balanced Array

35 feet+
Classic Series - III 40 feet+
Ordinary 12mm Pixel Pitch 44 feet+
8mm Balanced Array 45 feet+
Classic Series - VI 50 feet+
Ordinary 16mm Pixel Pitch 57 feet+
10mm Balanced Array 55 feet+
Classic Series - X 60 feet+
Ordinary 20mm Pixel Pitch 70 feet+

Reading Time


The length of time letters are readable when moving towards them.

These times are only achievable when viewing signs made with LEDs with wide viewing angles, and a tight Pixel Density.

Many signs reading times are much shorter for the same sized letter.

 

 

30 MPH

40 MPH

60 MPH

80 MPH

  6" LETTERS

1.4 Seconds

1 Second

  0.7 Seconds

0.5 Seconds

 

 

 

 

 

  8" LETTERS

1.8 Seconds

1.4 Seconds

  0.9 Seconds

0.7 Seconds

 

 

 

 

 

12" LETTERS

   3 Seconds

   2 Seconds

 1.5 Seconds

 1 Second

 

 

 

 

 

18" LETTERS

   4 Seconds

   3 Seconds

    2 Seconds

1.5 Seconds

 

 

 

 

 

24" LETTERS

5.5 Seconds

   4 Seconds

2.75 Seconds

   2 Seconds

 

 

 

 

 

36" LETTERS

   8 Seconds

   6 Seconds

     4 Seconds

   3 Seconds

Prepared by Sunburst Displays

Viewing Angles


As an automobile driver drives toward an electronic message center which is installed on a 20’ tall pole the vertical viewing angle increases from near 0° to almost 90° as the driver passes under the sign.  As the viewing angle increases the intensity of the display decreases.  The vertical viewing angle of the LEDs used in the display plays an important role in the usefulness of the display. 

It is important to understand the vertical and the horizontal angle that the display will be viewed from.

LED lights are directional, and Glare Shields or Louvers can block visibility.

Some LEDs lose virtually all of their light at angles over 45°.  Less-expensive signs must therefore be viewed nearly straight-on to be legible.

Sunburst Displays are designed to be effective at radical angles.

The Operating System, and the Internal Controls in a Display


There is a processor or a computer inside digital signs ... in most systems.

We don't have a "computer" in our signs.  The very-sophisticated Digital Signage Media Player (DSMP) in our signs has a non-volatile memory and its sole purpose is to store and control using the commands you send it from the control-management-system (CMS) on your programming computer.  This vastly superior system also uses less energy.

Our DSMP stores up to 64 GB of text, images, and video.  That is enough memory to change the image on the sign every second for 723 days!  The memory is non-volatile, no reprogramming after a power failure as is common in some competitive units.

Poorly engineered signs are programmed and controlled by a single computer that is hard-wired to the sign and must be left "on" at all times.  Or, in other cheap signs a second "personal computer" is actually installed inside the sign.

The problem with either of these systems is that the sign is running on "Windows®" using a CD or hard-drive and is additionally subject to all the viruses, freezes, lock-ups and reboot problems that a personal computer faces.  (As an example of the problems faced with a personal computer in the sign, who climbs the pole of a free-standing pole sign to reboot the computer after a power outage or computer lock-up?  Service call.)

Plus, with all the moving parts in hard drives, disk drives, and other humidity and temperature sensitive components, a PC is a poor way to run a sign from inside the sign.  They fail often enough when they are used in the controlled environment of a building.

Tremendous cooling is required when there is an "Intel® Inside" but many of these poorly engineered units don't even have cooling fans for the LED displays, much less the computer's processor chip.

Most competitor's signage requires you to use their software, or their cloud based service, in order to use your sign.

Not ours! Our redundant programming system allows you to program your sign remotely over the cloud or with a regular laptop and wifi!

Our signage doesn't require our DSMP in order to operate, either! If, heaven forbid, the DSMP fails and we go out of business, you can still replace the DSMP with several brands of generic processors (controllers) and operate your sign.  (It won't be as efficient, versatile, and friendly as our system, but it will work.)

Our DSMP is wi-fi, internet, and cell-phone capable.  Talk to your Sales Representative for details.

Programming Software


"Our guy who did all the programming for the sign doesn't work here anymore and we can't get into the software to change the message.  It has a password and we don't know what it is.  I tried calling the company that built it but they're no longer in business!"
Mary Chriswell, Adams Valley Farms

More than any other part of the sign the CMS (Content Management System) programming software determines the usability of the system.

Most sellers of LED Display signs, whether they manufacture their signs or import them from China, brag about their "Proprietary" software used to operate their signs.  We don't.

Even though our key personnel are very comfortable writing computer programs in several programming languages, we realize that we will never be smarter than the thousands of Microsoft® engineers who worked together to create PowerPoint®.

Because of this, we created our open-architecture programming software designed to use PowerPoint® to create your animation and messaging; or CorelDRAW®, or Photoshop®, or any graphics software you are familiar with.

You already know how to program the sign because there's no new proprietary programming system to learn.  However, tutorials are a part of our programming.

Proprietary is BAD, not good.

Our CMS programming is quick and easy, and “automatically” brings you more and more customers, without ANY increase in expenses!

Standard features of our programming software include:

  • Encryption so that no one else can operate the sign (with current technology it would take 5,389,762 years to crack the encryption).

  • The programming computer's screen displays exactly what the sign will look like.  Our software automatically enlarges your graphics and videos to fit the screen, with no additional steps required.

  • Slides can be created using PowerPoint®, CorelDRAW®, Photoshop®, or any graphics software.

  • Text can be directly entered onto a slide.

  • You can add multiple images at once, speeding set-up time.

  • The programming computer can communicate with the sign in several different ways to best fit your business (wireless bridge, wifi, hardwire, cellphone, etc.)  Programming access via other computers, from other locations, using the internet, are all possible. The sign runs on its own internal DSMP processor.

  • One click updates the sign.

  • Incognito. Our system does not necessarily require software to be installed on the computers that program our signs, it is optional.  We are not gathering your data to sell as some domestic and foreign competitors do, which is why they only offer cloud/internet access.

  • Our system allows for the use of Text, Graphics, Animation, Slideshow, Video, Scheduling, Time, Temperature, and Automatic Brightness Control as described individually below.

Do you know that a .jpg image file automatically adjusts pixel locations as the image is scaled larger or smaller, to continuously create an image with smooth edges – not the choppy “building block” look of older image files (and older LED displays.)

Sunburst’s programming software automatically does this also, to display the best image possible.

Programming Incorporating the Internet (Websites, etc.)


 Sunburst LED Signs can be programmed to display a portion of your (or anybody's) website ... not just the text and images that you manually program, but anything that is on the internet, in real time! This greatly expands the opportunities for your business and can potentially streamline and unify the update process which may allow your business to get more done with less work!

Typical LED signs are programmed with software or a cloud service where the user inputs messages or uploads images then posts them to the sign. If you also update a website this means double entry. First you upload your message/slides to your website and then you do the same thing for your LED sign.

But you can kill two birds with one stone by programming our sign to look at various parts of your website (you only have to do this once) then you can update your sign by just changing the message (or images) on the website. Automatically your sign(s) will also change. This is extremely valuable for businesses that have multiple signs, although it's useful in a variety of circumstances.

Let's say you want to display the weather that's listed on a website. Simply tell your sign to display the X/Y coordinates of that website for, say, 5 seconds. Now your sign will always have that website's weather reading rotated in with all the other screens you have created.  We show you how to do this as a part of our training program.

You can also display feeds like a stock ticker. If your site has a scrolling graphic across the top that cycles through numbers, like a ticker, you can tell your sign to display the X/Y coordinates of that graphic and now your sign also has the ticker on it!

Integrating a programmable digital LED sign with a website offers several other benefits for a business.

Real-time Updates:  The ability to display a part of a website on the LED sign allows for real-time updates. Any changes made on the website, such as promotions, announcements, or live data, can be immediately reflected on the LED sign.

Promotions and Special Offers:  Businesses can use the LED sign to highlight promotions, special offers, or time-sensitive deals that are featured on the website. This can drive traffic to the physical location or encourage online engagement.

Enhanced Communication:  Using the LED sign to display website content can serve as an additional communication channel. Important information, announcements, or event details can be communicated effectively to a wider audience.

Event Promotion:  Businesses hosting events can promote them on the LED sign in real-time, directing interested individuals to the website for more details or ticket purchases.

Time-Sensitive Information:  Displaying time-sensitive information, such as daily specials, event schedules, or changing product availability, allows businesses to keep customers informed and engaged.

FREE Computer or Wireless Communication Bridge


For a limited time only, we offer an option to our customer. Either a Wireless Communication Bridge (2 miles line-of-sight range) for cloud-based programming over your existing computer’s internet connection, or a FREE laptop with software installed and setup to work with your sign over WiFi. This option is available with every Sunburst™ LED Sign purchase and our knowledgeable Sales Representatives will help you determine which is best for you.

What’s Wrong with most Cloud-Based Programming Systems?


In the worst of all signs, the CMS software to program the sign is not even in the sign owner's possession.  It is not on a programming computer, it is "on the cloud" (aka: OneDrive® or Google Drive®.)  The sign must have high-speed internet access, and be “on” 24/7.

Most competitive cloud-based systems require proprietary programming on the programming computer.  Their purpose is not customer usability. Programs installed on computers, given permission to access the internet/cloud, can gather and transmit personal data.  Be aware that this is not just signage data, it is anything stored on the computer.

You also need a high-speed internet connection. If internet access is slow, programming is intolerably slow also. This is especially bad when the cloud server is not in America. A server in China that hosts cloud based software for operating your sign in the United States is extremely slow and difficult to use!

What if the sign manufacturer does not actually own the software? Frequently they will use a third-party system which they have to pay for. What happens when they stop paying for the service?

What happens when they start charging exorbitant prices to YOU for the service?

Or, what do you do if whoever controls the software on the cloud goes out of business so your sign cannot be programmed by anyone? Your sign immediately becomes a very expensive static sign.

Operating and programming software that you both own, and possess, are definitely in your best interests.

So, What’s Great About Our Cloud-Based CMS Programming System?


Cloud systems can be great ... if done right. You can potentially program your sign from any computer, anywhere. It makes programming your sign easier, getting technical support easier, automatically updating your software, automatic hardware updates, and more!

Our LED Signs use a highly encrypted cloud based system for programming your signs. It is hosted in the United States so it is fast, easy-to-use, and can be done from anywhere with a computer and an internet connection.

You are provided all of the login and password information. You are also provided the actual software so in a worst-case scenario you can put the software on one of your computers and bypass the cloud service altogether.

NO competitive signs offer you all of this versatility.

Computer Link Types – All 4 Types are Available in Every Sign


Wireless.  In all Sunburst Displays™ a wireless router in the sign is available to communicate using a wi-fi signal when the programming computer is attached to a modem.  Usually adding an optional wireless communication “bridge” can solve range limitation problems.

Hard-wired.  Connection comes from a Cat.5 cable that connects the sign to the existing network or computer in your building.  We strongly recommend that the Cat.5 cable be installed and connected to your network if possible.  Absolute security.

Cloud-based.  If Internet is available, a connection can be internally activated in the sign.

Cellular.  Our standard sign design allows for a cellular Sim card to be added so that the sign has internet access over available cell towers in instances where the sign is so remote that internet is not available but cell-phone service is. 

Initial Set-Up Options (Set-up and/or Pre-Programming is usually FREE)


Our customers have the options of on-site programming and/or cloud-based programming.

If you prefer to program your sign on-site we will provide a FREE laptop with our CMS programming software pre-installed.  Want proof we are not interested in gathering and selling your data?  We offer to install our programming on this stand-alone computer that does not require internet or cloud access.

You simply update the sign by connecting to it over WiFi.  This is ideal in situations where the internet is not readily available at that location.  You can create your slides anywhere, they are stored on this computer, but to publish them to the sign you will need to be within range of the WiFi signal (see “Wireless” above.)    

-or-

We can provide a FREE wireless communication bridge connection between the sign and your building’s network so that you can program your sign over the cloud, from anywhere, from any computer, because our system does not require special programming on the accessing computer.   With the help of your IT Personnel we'll setup this point-to-point system and connect it to your internet.   With this type of cloud based programming you can create your slides AND publish them from anywhere.   Our SignProgrammer™ cloud system is high-speed, and based here in the USA, you will not have access problems, or the time-out error problems Chinese-made cloud-based signs have.

You also receive a link to download our stand-alone software for personal safekeeping.  This ensures that you will always be able to program the sign directly even without using the cloud, giving you all the best features of using cloud-based programming but with the security of owning the software yourself.

Or, for an additional fee, we can provide both programming options.

What’s Wrong with LED Signs with Hand-Held Programmers?


These less-expensive, limited-matrix, limited-color signs won’t present the best image of you.

  • The signs don’t run video programs; you can only program wording, and sometimes icons.

  • You have to stand outside in front of the sign to program it.  Rain or snow (etc.)

  • If the control is damaged they are usually irreplaceable.

Street-Smart Marketing Programs Available


In response to some of our customer’s needs, we have created subscription marketing programs so that you don't have to be marketing savvy, or creative, or even attentive to the sign.

We'll do it for you!

Our backgrounds include University-trained graphic arts, business, marketing, and psychology professionals.

You can tell us what your goals are for your Sunburst LED Sign, and we will create an effective marketing program for you. We'll handle everything, including updating it on your sign (still without needing cloud based or proprietary software.)

Ask for details.

Other Capabilities Of Our LED Signs


  • Enhanced Display Mode

  • Text

  • Graphics

  • Animations

  • Slideshows

  • Video

  • Sound (if you have speakers you would like to attach to it)

  • Live Video or TV Streaming

  • Scheduling (by month, day, time of day, special occasions, etc.)

  • Double-Sided Programming

  • Display Appearance (with or without a border around the LEDs)

  • Time / Temperature Display

  • Wired / Wireless / Internet programming options

  • Superior Ventilation for Texas heat

  • Front Access for fast, efficient service

  • Repairability / Adjustability

  • ETL Listed for install anywhere in the United States

Ask us for details.

The Savings Advantage of a “Listed" Sign


Listed Signs Save You Money.

Sunburst Displays Video Displays and Electronic Message Centers, because they are Listed, are approved to operate with approximately 40% of the power supply requirements of unlisted signs.

This is a huge savings in installation costs, as only 1/3 of the comparable electrical service needs to be provided.

And since the National Electrical Code limits the branch circuits serving signs to 20 amps maximum, this equates to many fewer circuits.

For safety, an untested sign (not Listed) must be supplied with enough electricity to meet the total “continuous” needs of each internal components rating.  (Each components rating x 125%)

A Listed sign has been tested as a whole, and the amount of energy actually used has been determined.  The sign is approved for use when supplied with this amount of electricity, regardless of the ratings of the individual components.

This is always much less than the rating of each internal component taken individually, so the cost of installing electricity to the sign will be significantly less.

Energy Caveat


Some electronic message center manufacturers overdrive their LEDs to make them brighter (usually because they are using inferior LEDs.)

Besides shortening the lifetime of the display to 1/6 of a properly manufactured display, it also wastes energy.

Sunburst Displays does not do this.

We do provide internal overvoltage, low voltage, spike and brownout protection for the sign.  Many manufacturers do not.

Electromagnetic Interference


Radio Frequency (RF) interference from an electronic sign can cause the sign to interfere with radios, cell phones, radar, TV signals, automatic door openers, hospital equipment, etc.

Radio frequency interference can also cause radios, cell phones, radar, automatic door openers, TV signals, hospital equipment, etc. to interfere with an electronic sign.

Ask us about what we have done to test our signs for EMC and EMI, and what we have done to keep this from being a problem for you.

The Signs Manufacturing Your-Location Sales Team's Personalized Service


No matter what types of signs you are interested in, our sales team, consisting of 11 highly-trained individuals, is at your beck and call.

Let us meet with you in your office, or at your new signs location, or home, or anywhere.

You will probably have a firm quotation, not a non-binding "estimate" like most competitors provide, for what you want during our meeting; certainly no more than a day later.

Visit Our Demonstration Showroom


Signs Manufacturing built an 85’ by 50’ (over 4,000 sq ft) indoor sign lighting laboratory for testing the longevity, visibility, and effectiveness of all the lighted signs we manufacture.

We have opened our laboratory to the public, for FREE, adding a Sign Showroom that includes LED Video Displays because we realized how important one would be to consumers.

If you are considering purchasing an LED Video Display or Digital LED Message Center sign this exclusive opportunity will be particularly important.  You must determine which display type, and which LED spacing is best, so that your sign will be successful considering how you will use it.  Therefore, 6 mm, 8 mm, and 10 mm Balanced Array 4+billion-color exposed-LED Video Display signs,  Classic Series 4+billion-color exposed pixel-cluster LED Video Display signs, and SMD 4+billion-color enclosed-LED Video Display signs are always available for you to compare to monochrome LED message centers or 4-thousand-shade display signs.

If the technical data above confused you, you MUST see the differences between signs in person.

Don't buy your sign from a drawing, a slick website, or photo-shopped pictures,
when you can actually see and side-by-side compare Real signs and designs.

"I almost made a huge mistake by not listening to you and visiting your showroom prior to buying my sign.  I thought I knew what I wanted, after listening to so many salespeople...boy, was I wrong.  My vision of the sign did not jibe with what it would really turn out to be, even after viewing so many drawings.  It was obvious the moment I entered the showroom.  If I had stuck to my guns my sign would have been a disaster.  I would have wasted a lot of money."
Cecil Drake, Drake Communications

Free Gift for Visiting Showroom

Free On-Site Demonstrations


Arrange an on-site demonstration today!  Demonstrations are available in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and all of North Texas.

View first-hand the importance of everything we discuss below.

Controlling Message Center Cost


Electronic Message Centers cost a lot of money, but they achieve tremendous results.

To keep from spending more money than necessary, consider the design of your sign and the results you want to achieve.

Rather than purchase a larger, blank, rectangular message center and display your name and all other information on it, consider incorporating signage that constantly displays the messages you want to constantly display.  It will cost less, and look better!

Because we manufacture and install all types of signage, not just electronic message centers, we can design, build, and install the most cost efficient and effective signage for you (see our "Sign Design" page!)

State Licensed Sign Installation and Sign Service


We are a full-service sign company.  We provide sign site surveys, sign permits, sign installation and sign maintenance services for electrical and non-electrical signs for our customers as well as other sign companies.  We provide this work in Dallas, Fort Worth (DFW), and ALL of North Texas and Northeast Texas.

State Sign and Electrical License Numbers:  TECL17503, TSCL18015, TSCL18016.

Quality Certified Signs Technician Q-Check logoOur technicians are also Quality Certified Signs certified.   (Click the "Installation & Service" tab for details.)

Over 75,000 Signs Manufactured and InstalledWe serve and have installed signs in the Texas cities of Addison, Aledo, Allen, Alvarado, Anna, Argyle, Arlington, Athens, Aubrey, Avalon, Azle, Balch Springs, Bedford, Benbrook, Blue Mound, Bonham, Briar, Bridgeport, Buckingham, Burleson, Caddo Mills, Canton, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Celina, Cleburne, Cockrell Hill, Colleyville, The Colony, Combine, Coppell, Corsicana, Crandall, Crowley, Dallas, Dalworthington Gardens, Decatur, Denison, Denton, Desoto, D/FW Airport, Dido, Duncanville, Eagle Mountain Lake, Edgecliff, Ennis, Euless, Everman, Farmers Branch, Farmersville, Ferris, Flower Mound, Forest Hill, Forney, Fort Worth, Frisco, Gainesville, Garland, Glenn Heights, Granbury, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Greenville, Gun Barrel City, Haltom City, Haslet, Highland Park, Hillsboro, Hudson Oaks, Hurst, Hutchins, Irving, Italy, Itasca, Jacksboro, Joshua, Justin, Kaufman, Keene, Keller, Kennedale, Kleberg, Krum, Lake Dallas, Lake Worth, Lakeside, Lancaster, Las Colinas, Lawson, Lewisville, Little Elm, Longview, Mansfield, Marshall, Maypearl, McKinney, Melissa, Mesquite, Midlothian, Milford, Mineral Wells, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, Murphy, Nevada, Newark, North Richland Hills, Ovilla, Palmer, Pantego, Paris, Parker County, Pelican Bay, Pittsburg, Plano, Ponder, Princeton, Prosper, Quinlan, Quitman, Red Oak, Rendon, Richardson, Richland Hills, Rice, River Oaks, Roanoke, Rockwall, Rowlett, Royse City, Sachse, Saginaw, Sansom Park, Sanger, Seagoville, Sherman, Silver Creek, Southlake, Springtown, Stephenville, Sulphur Springs, Sunnyvale, Terrell, Texarkana, Trophy Club, Tyler, University Park, Van Alstyne, Valley View, Watauga, Waxahachie, Weatherford, Wedgewood, Westlake, Weston, Westover Hills, Wheatland, White Settlement, Whitney, Wichita Falls, Willow Park, Wills Point, Wilmer, and Wylie.

ZIP Codes 75001 thru 76958.

Area Codes 214, 254, 430, 469, 682, 817, 903, 940, and 972.

Serving Collin, Cook, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Henderson, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Lamar, Navarro, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, Titus, Van Zandt, Wood, and Wise Counties in Texas.

We also have signs in 43 different states, and 6 other nations.

 

LED Electronic Display Message Center Sign

LED Electronic Display Signs

Unlighted and Lighted Channel Letters Signage

Channel Letters & Cloud Signs

Pole Sign and Pylon Signage

Pole Signs & Pylon Signs

Monument Sign

Monument Signs & Masonry Signs

Wall Cabinet Signs

Wall Cabinet Signs

PinLights LED Sign

PinLights LED Signs

Metal Letters, Neon, Awnings and Other Signage

Neon, Awnings & Other Signs

Guaranteed Highest Quality . . . Guaranteed Lowest Price

Intertek (ETL) Approved ManufacturerUL Listed Sign Company

FOR ORDERING OR ASSISTANCE CALL:

214-339-2227 254-582-7446 817-861-1234 903-561-5959 940-365-3433 972-850-3300

800-333-7137 TOLL-FREE

Signs are UL Listed

Better Business Bureau A+ Rating Sign CompanyBBB A+ Rating

Signs Manufacturing & Maintenance Corp.
4610 Mint Way, Dallas, Texas75236, US
214-339-2227 |
sales@signsmanufacturing.com

Business hours are 07.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday thru Friday (Central Time)
or by Appointment

Emergency Service Available 24/7
Office hours are 08.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday thru Friday
Showroom hours are by Appointment
Factory Tours by Appointment
TV Studio Tours by Appointment

Signs Manufacturing
& Maintenance Corp.

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