LCD Controllers & Decision Support

I was reading John Maeda’s book, Simplicity, recently and it made me think about our range of LCD controllers and decision support for users. We have quite a few models so which to choose? There appear to be two main issues, understanding what is available and being able to make an informed choice.

To make selection somewhat easier we could reduce our product range, it would certainly be welcomed by our logistics and supply chain team, but it would limit our ability to meet the needs of niche customers.

So the alternative is how to make the product range easier to understand. One very simple approach is grouping. To some extent we did this when we created the SVX, ALR, DD and HE families. That is three general families plus the HE family stands alone as designed for harsher environments.

These can be briefly explained as:

• SVX: The top of the range models. Fully buffered, multiple inputs, available up to True 4K input, full command set, Ethernet port for commands.
• ALR: Line buffered, multiple inputs, available up to Full-HD 1920×1200 panel support, reduced command set.
• DD: Single input but with many models & inputs to choose, otherwise similar to the ALR range.
• HE: Made up of a selection of models from the SVX, ALR and DD models that have been modified to suit harsher environments.

But does this grouping make choosing a model easier?

Alternatively is possible to go through a selection of ‘must haves’, for example panel resolution. However most panels are now 1920×1080 and most of our controllers support that so it probably doesn’t do a lot to whittle down the controller choices.

Another is signal inputs, however many of our controllers support multiple inputs and even though only one signal type may be required giving up the flexibility of other inputs is a tough choice as once made is hard to go back on.

Of course price may be an issue and it is generally a matter of deciding over features which is why it is important to review the ‘must have’ functionality.

My recommendation is to use a process of elimination to begin with, strike out the models that absolutely do not meet requirements, for example:

• Start with panel resolution, it is not a big step but it helps.
• Then input signals, decide on ‘must have’ input signals and focus on those models.
• Determine your environment in particular from a temperature and vibration point of view.
• At this stage you may still be left with a few models so it is probably worth a more in depth consideration of the features of the remaining models and a discussion with us or our resellers.