Monitor for outdoor use

[topr8]

... i've run into an issue i know nothing about (one of many no doubt!)

i have a need to use a monitor outside - in sunlight, it's for a display at a trade show, so it needs to be largish (30-40 inch) and price is an issue, am happy to pay a fair amount, but much into 4 figures is a no no.

currently using an acer regular computer monitor (running a slideshow using a raspberry pi as it happens) ... i've turned the brightness up to max and it isn't ideal in sunlight - i would like it to be seen from a decent distance.

i've asked in a couple of stores but there are no proper specialists around here and the superstore types seem to employ staff that don't really know about the product.

so does anyone know what kind of technology i should be looking for, or even what questions i should be asking - like what are the relevant specs for this kind of thing.

... any pointers or guidance would be most appreciated.

[lammert]

Marine monitors have the high brightness necessary for outdoor use, but they are normally between 10" and 15" and are not cheap. Larger monitors are used for advertising purposes, outdoor projects etc.

[topr8]

yes thanks, i'd found a few smaller screens, which are too small. an advertising purposes one is probably what i need.
thanks for sticky btw

[J_RaD]

could you adapt some kind of shade hood? Im not sure there are very many monitors that can take serious sunlight even at max brightness.

[tangor]

+1 J_RaD... I've done this for some public events in home town. I use a scaffold and "attractive" dark drape and make sure that the monitor does not face either east/west axis. To get more technical, the monitor should be two/three feet under the hood and the side drapes extended to the angle of view the monitor allows. check that, do th math, and you'll know how wide to extend the "tent poles". Side benefit, this set up sets off the screen and tells the viewer which sice of the cloth they need to stand. :)

[topr8]

good idea on the hood, thanks for that, i'd thought about using a shade above it, developing that further seems a great idea.
it has pretty much got to be south facing, this is also the uk. this time of year seems to be ok, i've used it the last couple of weeks.
last summer was when i started doing it and even in london the sun was causing problems (as in the amount of daylight)
i can see it's going to be a bit of an ongoing project - i'd love to use about 3 screens but until i can get the first one right i'll hold back on the others.

[J_RaD]

just another idea.. if you can hunt down a plasma display those suckers can really pump out the brightness.