Protecting a Public TV/Monitor From Damage And/Or Theft

As flat screen television and monitor prices continue to drop, their uses have increased in areas that could not be predicted -- or even intended -- by the manufacturers.

For example, many schools are now utilizing large, flat screen TV's in their gymnasiums as they stream video content to these units during athletic competitions. These TV's can now serve as scoreboards, as inexpensive software is available to do so by simply utilizing a computer. This can save a school district thousands of dollars rather than purchasing an expensive electronics scoreboard.

Hospitals, too, are using TV's as patient status boards. Many businesses, universities, government offices and other similar venues are using TV's as directories that can easily be updated and refreshed. As well, restaurants and bars are using them for menus.

So as you can see, the applications are seemingly endless.

But as this proliferation of flat screen TV's continue to become more present in public spaces, the ability to protect these fragile electronics from access and damage has become paramount.

There are many enclosures that protect digital signage and TV's. Almost all are designed for outdoor applications and provide a weather tight installation. But for indoor applications, it's not necessary to provide climate control and weather tight seals. The added expense of hinged doors, surge protectors, and a mount that may already exists simply drives up the installed cost of the unit.

For psychiatric facilities, in order to reduce the risk to patients, TV sets should not be mounted on walls with off-the-shelf mounts, unless covered. And all cords and cables should be as short as possible. Consideration should be given to providing built-in TV or media centers with an isolation power switch which the staff can control. Manufactured indoor covers are now available to fit virtually any TV, and the enclosures can be customized for each situation. For maximum safety, the electrical outlet and cable TV outlet should be located inside the cover to keep wires and cables away from the patients. Additionally, enclosures that do not have sharp corners and edges provide a safer alternative to the basic sheet metal box of weather tight enclosures.

With regard to correctional facilities, the same requirements exists as for psychiatric facilities, as well as the need to have sloped tops for an anti-ligature attribute, and polycarbonate panels to prevent breakage from acts of violence. Even video arraignment systems require an enclosure on the accused side of the proceeding. Also, inmate transfer buses sometimes contain monitors to begin the correctional facilities indoctrination process -- in short, all these monitors need protection.

The uses and flexibilities for today's modern electronics -- especially televisions -- require the user to decide how much protection they need. The user must address the overall cost of the installation, and the purpose it will serve, and then consider there are numerous options available to match most any such need.

source: http://EzineArticles.com/6068169