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Digital signage, particularly on LED screens and LCD screen walls, can sometimes pose challenges when it comes to displaying content properly. Content might appear stretched, squished, or improperly sized due to mismatched aspect ratios and resolutions.
In this article, we'll explore the concepts of resolution and aspect ratio, explain why these issues occur, and provide potential fixes to ensure your content looks great on any screen.
Understanding resolution & aspect ratio
What is resolution?
Resolution refers to the number of pixels displayed on the screen, typically measured in width by height (e.g., 1920x1080). It determines the clarity and detail of the content. Higher resolutions offer more detail, while lower resolutions might appear pixelated or blurry when viewed on larger screens.
What is aspect ratio?
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of a screen or image. It is expressed as a ratio, such as 16:9 or 4:3. The aspect ratio is crucial because it dictates how a content will fit on a screen. If the aspect ratio of the content and the screen do not match, the image can appear distorted.
Different resolutions with the same aspect ratio
Different resolutions can share the same aspect ratio if the proportional relationship between width and height remains constant. For instance, 1920x1080 and 1280x720 both have an aspect ratio of 16:9. This means content designed for one can be displayed on the other without distortion, although the level of detail will differ.
Common display issues
Black bars in content
When content and screen aspect ratios do not match, black bars (letterboxing or pillarboxing) often appear to fill the extra space. This can occur in:
Videos: If a video created in 16:9 is played on a 4:3 screen, black bars will appear on the top and bottom to fit the content.
Studio content: When Design Studio content designed in a specific aspect ratio is displayed on a screen with a different ratio, black bars might frame the content to prevent distortion.
PDFs: PDF documents, often designed for standard paper sizes, can also show black bars when displayed on screens with different aspect ratios.
Wacky resolutions
Non-standard resolutions and aspect ratios can create significant display challenges. For instance, a screen resolution of 788x566 has an aspect ratio of approximately 1.39:1, which is quite different from common ratios like 16:9 or 4:3.
When content designed for a 16:9 aspect ratio is shown on such a screen, it will appear stretched or squished you make adjustments to the content.
Peripheral hardware configuration
Issues with resolution and aspect ratio can also arise from incorrect configurations of peripheral hardware between the digital signage player and the display.
This includes LED controllers, converters, and display drivers. Here are a couple of common issues and their solutions:
Incorrectly configured controllers: LED controllers and converters can sometimes be set to output the wrong resolution. If the controller's configuration is incorrect, it might send a resolution to the display that does not match the content, leading to distortion. The solution is to check the controller's settings and ensure that its output resolution is set to 1920x1080, or the desired resolution that matches your content and screen's aspect ratio.
Display driver issues: The display driver on the digital signage player can also cause resolution mismatches if it is outdated or incorrectly configured. Updating the display driver to the latest version can often resolve these issues. Additionally, ensure that the driver is set to output the correct resolution that matches your display.
Potential fixes
There are several ways to address these display issues:
Black bars: Accepting black bars is often the simplest solution. It maintains the integrity of the original content without distortion. However, it might not be aesthetically pleasing in all settings.
Wacky resolutions: Adjusting the content resolution to match the screen can be complex and might require advanced software or manual adjustments. This ensures content fits perfectly but can be time-consuming.
Changing content aspect ratio: Modifying the content to match the screen's aspect ratio ensures it fills the screen without black bars or distortion. This might involve cropping or reformatting the content, which can be labor-intensive but often results in the best visual presentation.
Ultimately, the choice of how to handle aspect ratio and resolution mismatches depends on your priorities and resources. Your team will need to make a decision about how you approach resolving your issues:
Be ok with black bars: If the appearance of black bars doesn't detract from your message or aesthetics, this is a quick and easy fix.
Accept distorted pictures: In some cases, a slight distortion might be acceptable, especially if the content remains legible and recognizable.
Spend time changing the content: For the best visual results, invest time in adjusting your content to match the screen's aspect ratio. This ensures a professional and polished appearance.
By understanding and applying these principles, you can ensure that your digital signage content looks its best, no matter the screen's resolution or aspect ratio.
Need more help?
Did this guide answer all of your questions? If not, or if you have any feedback for us, feel free to drop our support team an email at support@fugo.ai - we're always happy to help out.
You can also book in a support call with our engineering team here if you need some help getting your signage set up.
Happy publishing!