The International Exhibition ISLE 2017 (Guangzhou, China)
The International Exhibition of smart and LED signage (ISLE) is an important annual event. In Guangzhou you will see an excellent exhibition complex, enormous exhibition halls, the multitude of visitors and friendly service. At such a big exhibition there is always something new to see since this is the place where main Chinese manufacturers of everything related to LEDs, new and export-oriented, gather every year.
The International Exhibition of smart and LED signage (ISLE)
In 2017 ISLE was attended by more than 1600 companies, big and small, the halls were decorated with hundreds of LED screens of all sizes and shapes, and quite a few of the exhibits were worth noticing. Let’s go through the halls together.
First impression is related to quality. The quality is first-rate and almost uniformly so, across the board. This does not mean that once you buy an LED screen, you will be guaranteed against problems in the future. There are plenty of potential bottlenecks in LED screen production (quality of LEDs, power supplies, control system and many others). But these are the nuances that need an in-depth study and a lot of time. At the exhibition people have neither. Therefore, if you like something, plan a trip to the factory and discuss all these issues on site.
LianTronics fine pitch LED screen VL1.2 at ISLE 2017
The second topic to comment is the unusual shape. Traditional rectangular LED screens are not sufficiently eye-catching to attract visitors in the great Babylonian multitude of the exhibition grounds. The exhibitors know that they have to come up with something special: either enormous size (which is not easily achieved in the relatively small and crowded spaces), or excellent quality (but today many companies mastered fine-pitch technology and boast screens of less than 2 mm pitch) or new shapes. Therefore, while walking around, you see attractive images from LED balls, cubes, pillars, broken-shaped screens etc.
Absen LED screens at ISLE 2017
Third impression is related to control systems. The previously held monopoly of Nova Star and Linsn is broken without question. Today there are dozens of proposals in the market that look like twins. Nothing new for the Chinese market, you could say. But something else is worth mentioning, too. A few years ago chipsets from Altera and Xilinx were the only options for developers of new control systems. Today the Chinese market shows numerous chipsets of local origin that are very close in technical parameters to the US made prototypes and are significantly cheaper. The choice is the bias for competition, however there is nothing more difficult than the choice between an expensive and reliable product and inexpensive but of unknown quality. In the chaotic excitement of the exhibition it is very easy to make a wrong choice.
Linsn and Nova Star products at ISLE 2017
The fourth impression to talk about is the merger between indoor and outdoor LED screen technology. About 2-3 years ago a new tendency of installing advertising screens in trade and commercial complexes appeared. First, the advertisers installed large LCD screens, later these tended to be fine-pitch LED screens in vertical format. Later these LCD and LED screens were equipped with water-resistant glass and were placed outside. Well-protected from rain, bright and attractive, these screens are cheaper than large-format LED screens and are placed closer to the public, thus creating the effect of interactivity.
Ledman vertical LED screens at ISLE 2017
It should be noted that vertical format of such screens is the new tendency. Placed upright, these screens remind of the smart phone display. Considering the fact that in 2017 Leyard issued similar vertical interactive multi-touch LED screens, it can be expected that such interactive vertical screens will become future “smart” city terminals.
One more impression is that the on-going economic crisis affected the exhibition, too. This year there are fewer international visitors. And the eager exhibitors react to this accordingly: beautiful girls and smiling young company representatives are ready to almost forcefully drag you to their company’s exhibition place and talk to you about their latest achievements. Whatever the case, it is still useful to visit such exhibitions. New impressions, new technological solutions, new acquaintances.
