The NFT market is vast and evolving, and for many of us, it’s changing how we think about commerce, technology, and art. The possibilities of how NFTs may evolve in the future seem endless. As a digital signage company that has always looked to the future and what’s next in tech, displaying NFTs is one of the many concerns we’re thinking about lately. In a recent blog we discussed NFT museum displays and what the growing enthusiasm for NFT art in the traditional art world could mean for digital signage. Today, we’re diving even deeper. The question we’re asking is: LCD TV vs LED TV: Which type of screen is truly the best for NFT displays?

NFT Basics

If you’re interested in the possibility of NFTs becoming a presence in your industry, but need some clarification on how they work, we’re here to shine some light on the issue. The world of NFTs and the online communities surrounding them are fairly complex, but the root concept is simple.

What are NFTs?

NFT stands for non-fungible token, which is a digital asset that’s verifiable on a blockchain. The assets include artwork, music, or in gaming, and an NFT could even be an in-game asset, such as a unique avatar. However, the type of NFTs that have recently received the most attention is artwork created by digital artists. Think the CryptoPunks NFT that rapper Jay-Z used as his Twitter profile picture, or the various Bored Ape profile pictures commonly seen online. These are all NFTs that are bought and sold online, frequently with cryptocurrency, and they are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos.

The most popular blockchain for NFT trading is Ethereum, which is where an NFT’s unique verification code is stored. Unlike a unit of bitcoin each NFT is completely unique, so it can’t be exchanged like-for-like. This differs from fungible tokens like cryptocurrencies or the USD, which are identical to each other and thus, serve as a medium for commercial transactions. Whether you decide they are a passing fad or an exciting new way to invest in art, there is no denying tha

t NFTs are making headlines. If you want more details on what NFTs are and how they work, we have an even deeper dive into the topic in our NFT Museums blog.

Why are people interested in NFTs?

People are interested in NFTs because of the benefits that come with them. The unique construction of each NFT has the potential for several use cases. For instance, NFTs are an ideal vehicle to digitally represent physical assets like real estate and artwork. Since they are based on blockchains, NFTs can also work to remove intermediaries and connect with audiences. They are attractive significant online communities and beyond because they simplify transactions, create new markets, provide a way for digital artists to earn higher incomes, and remove costly intermediaries.

NFT Displays in the Real World: Why?

It’s fair to say that most of us view NFTs as a strictly digital concept. Their association with a larger metaverse and a future where cryptocurrencies are more prominent is not lost on us. But that doesn’t mean NFTs don’t have any real-world consequences. While many NFTs do currently live solely online, that may be changing. The traditional art world is gradually accepting the growing influence of NFTs as a new way to invest and trade high-end art. As a result, the way that NFTs are owned and displayed is merging with how art is traditionally owned and displayed.

For creators and artists to sell their NFTs, they need to display them to potential clients, making it possible to show their beauty and value. For those who have already purchased NFTs, they may decide to display them in their homes or other chosen locations, just as art collectors do with physical high-end art.

There’s also the emerging presence of NFT museums, as well as the interest of traditional art museums in purchasing NFT art. The Seattle NFT Museum aims to establish digital art in a physical space and unite the art and NFT communities.

As for the possibility of in-home NFT displays, there has already been a growing trend in interior design where flat screen TVs can almost double as a picture frame. Some smart TV brands are designed to blend in with home decor more. But some people simply choose to frame a new TV with a picture frame. And they’re not just using these TV displays for a fancy home theater setup. In fact, it’s often a way to display art or family photos in an effort to create a more welcoming space where the design of the TV doesn’t stick out. Others may opt for edge-lighting (also known as an edge-lit screen) to add a bit more flair to the images they want to display in their home.

As people try to achieve a balance between technology and art in their homes, it’s not a stretch to say that this type of trend could extend to NFT displays in the near future. Considering what people are willing to spend on purchasing an NFT in the first place, we know that many take pride in displaying them.

Additionally, in the future we may even see more spectacular displays of NFTs at events like concerts and festivals. Considering the popularity of NFTs among celebrities and recording artists, this would not be a stretch. Some artists may want to incorporate their NFTs into their performances, which would require a high quality display screen and a large screen size that can showcase digital art to an entire audience.

Why is a Good Display Screen Necessary for NFTs?

A good display offers a connection to your cryptocurrency or NFT wallet, and also high-quality visual and audio output. Most of the good NFT frames are usually gallery quality and high-end tech. One option available is to use a TV or monitor. There are a variety of ways you can display NFTs, and some TVs make it easier than others. Although upcoming TVs will be more equipped to display NFTs, we recommend working with a company that has experience in providing high-quality digital screens.

One of the many advantages of working with an experienced digital signage company is getting a screen that is customizable for any environment and setup, such as outdoor or indoor settings. For example, if a museum or gallery wants to display NFT art for a new exhibition, the curators likely have a specific aesthetic and artistic vision that they want to achieve. That’s where the ability to highly customize the exterior of the screen display is an advantage. In addition, to avoid problems like screen burn-in (which is common when a screen displays one image for extended time periods) a screen that’s designed for long periods of display is the best option.

You can also imagine the need for more advanced display technology if NFT art is being showcased at an outdoor event where sunlight and weather will be a factor. You can’t just order a TV from Amazon and call it a day for these types of events, so working with experts is always highly advisable.

LCD vs LED

Even under the umbrella of high quality display screens for NFTs, there are still choices you’ll have to make regarding screen types. If you choose to work with a digital signage company, experts will advise you on what works best for NFTs. But assuming you want to be educated before consulting the experts, let’s take a deeper dive into LCD and LED screens. What’s the difference and which ones should you invest in for NFT displays?

LCD Screens 

An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is a type of flat panel display that uses liquid crystals in its primary form of operation. Liquid crystal display technology works by blocking light. Technically, an LCD is made of two pieces of polarized glass that contain a liquid crystal material between them. LCD panels usually use liquid crystals to switch pixels on and off to reveal a specific color. Liquid crystals are like a mixture between a solid and liquid, where an electric current can be applied to change their state for a specific reaction to occur. LCD televisions were a big leap in the past years in terms of technology, since they allowed displays to be much thinner than cathode ray tube (CRT) technology. In addition, LCD screens use far less power than other predecessors such as plasma TVs. Examples of technology with LCD backlighting include: 

• Televisions
• Computer monitors
• Instrument panels
• Aircraft cockpit displays
• Indoor and outdoor digital signage 

Features  

•  Slim and lightweight
• Better picture quality  
• Energy efficient
• Minimal heat production 
• Little-to-no-refresh rate flicker 
• No radiation emission from the screen
• Wide viewing angle
• Long lifespan

LED Screens 

LED is an abbreviation of Light Emitting Diode. You’ve probably heard of LED lights, which are surpassing the efficiency of traditional incandescent and even fluorescent light bulbs. Similarly, LED TV technology means that the light source of the screen originates from electric luminescence. When you pass an electric current through a semiconductor material, it emits visible light. LED displays stand in exact contrast to a photovoltaic cell, which is the cell used in solar arrays to convert visible light into electricity. A large number of electronic devices, both small and large, use LED backlighting and as an interaction medium between the user and the system. Some of the use cases of LEDs include:

• Billboards
• Mobile phones
• Televisions 
• Tablets 
• Computer monitors 
• Laptop screens

Features

• Slim Design 
• Flicker-free images 
• Good picture quality 
• No motion delay and lags
• Low power consumption
• Good contrast ratio

Which screen is better for NFTs?

We believe the best TV or digital display may not always look the same for everyone. Depending on your business or organization, your budget, and what you specifically need from a digital display, you have to choose the best screen for your situation. At the same time, as an experienced digital signage company, we have our own recommendations. In the case of NFT displays, we recommend LCD screens because the image displays are more defined and have the high resolution needed to display NFT art in high quality. In addition, LCD screens have high brightness quality, making it possible to display NFTs both indoors and outdoors. Another one of the main differences between the two screen types in the price tag; LCDs tend to be more affordable than LED televisions.

While both LED and LCD displays have their merits and serve their purposes, NFT displays need screen technology that can do the art justice. In museums, galleries, and anywhere else you want to showcase art, the art itself is always the focus. When it comes to accurately portraying the original work as intended by the artist, LCD screens do the job the best.

LCD Backlit LEDs

While you’re making these decisions, also keep in mind that you don’t have to choose between strictly LCD or LED, since the majority of LCD screens in the signage market today also have LED backlighting. In fact, LCD backlit LEDs are known to display the most vivid and rich colors, which is perfect for displaying digital art.

Take the Next Steps

The market for digital signage is evolving, and we’re excited to learn and grow as new tech trends emerge. If you are interested in checking out LCD technology and want to get started on your digital signage journey, contact Keyser today. The process of choosing from the full array of screen types, customizing, and installing can be complicated, but Keyser is ready to assist you through it all.