Digital Billboards

[halifaxboyns]

This story aired on CBC last night:

CBC Story

[mersar]

Well they chose the perfect example to talk about in that, I HATE that particular sign. The bigger ones actually aren't anywhere near as bright, and are at least tolerable in my view. But rules do need to be made to deal with them.

[Stang]

Regarding that sign in particular, I personally think that any possible benefit is negated by the sheer brightness. Sure, it grabs people's attention - probably too much. But once it has my attention, I can't read a damn thing on it.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by Stang

Regarding that sign in particular, I personally think that any possible benefit is negated by the sheer brightness. Sure, it grabs people's attention - probably too much. But once it has my attention, I can't read a damn thing on it.

I guessed it was going to be that sign. They actually turned down the brightness on that sign since it was installed. When it first appeared, it actually was painfully bright.

[SubwayRev]

I wish we had more of those, or at least more bright, neon billboards. However, not on MacLeod Trail, they should be downtown.

They can provide an empty street with a little more life at night, or at least the appearance of a little more activity. I think the one at Flames Central provides a little vibrancy to 8th Ave at night.

[Stang]

Originally Posted by SubwayRev

I wish we had more of those, or at least more bright, neon billboards. However, not on MacLeod Trail, they should be downtown.

They can provide an empty street with a little more life at night, or at least the appearance of a little more activity. I think the one at Flames Central provides a little vibrancy to 8th Ave at night.

I like those garish, neon street scenes. Not everywhere, but in entertainment areas they certainly add some life. Times Square, Piccadilly Circus, even Dundas Square in Toronto.

Blatant commercialism, yes, but visually interesting and pleasantly hypnotic.

Edit: And to clarify, not necessarily roadside billboards - more like the examples found in the aforementioned examples.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by Stang

I like those garish, neon street scenes. Not everywhere, but in entertainment areas they certainly add some life. Times Square, Piccadilly Circus, even Dundas Square in Toronto.

Blatant commercialism, yes, but visually interesting and pleasantly hypnotic.

Edit: And to clarify, not necessarily roadside billboards - more like the examples found in the aforementioned examples.

But where would be appropriate in Calgary?

[freeweed]

We need many, many more of these. I don't see anywhere near enough Windows/Powerpoint/Media Player errors 20' wide. The sign by McMahon fails at least once a year by my count, and is often broken for days at a time.

The sign in that story is a hazard though. It's way too bright and has killed my night vision more than once. Like someone using their highbeams on the highway - except without any possible warning. Just FLASH. If they could have it on a dimmer as it gets darker, I'd be fine with it.

Outside of facing roads, let's have more. Stephen Ave should have tons.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by freeweed

We need many, many more of these. I don't see anywhere near enough Windows/Powerpoint/Media Player errors 20' wide. The sign by McMahon fails at least once a year by my count, and is often broken for days at a time.

The sign in that story is a hazard though. It's way too bright and has killed my night vision more than once. Like someone using their highbeams on the highway - except without any possible warning. Just FLASH. If they could have it on a dimmer as it gets darker, I'd be fine with it.

Outside of facing roads, let's have more. Stephen Ave should have tons.

Quite hilariously, I drove past the sign on Macleod that is a hazard, and tonight its broken and showing black with a random red pattern on it.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by freeweed

We need many, many more of these. I don't see anywhere near enough Windows/Powerpoint/Media Player errors 20' wide. The sign by McMahon fails at least once a year by my count, and is often broken for days at a time.

The sign in that story is a hazard though. It's way too bright and has killed my night vision more than once. Like someone using their highbeams on the highway - except without any possible warning. Just FLASH. If they could have it on a dimmer as it gets darker, I'd be fine with it.

Outside of facing roads, let's have more. Stephen Ave should have tons.

No so sure about that, do we really want the city's National historic district to be festooned with Digital displays?

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

No so sure about that, do we really want the city's National historic district to be festooned with Digital displays?

It works in Times Square, and that seems pretty historic to me. I see what you mean though.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by freeweed

It works in Times Square, and that seems pretty historic to me. I see what you mean though.

At the same time I was struggling to think of a better place.
I guess the thing is Calgary doesn't really have an 'entertainment district', which is a good place to put that kind of thing.

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by mersar

Quite hilariously, I drove past the sign on Macleod that is a hazard, and tonight its broken and showing black with a random red pattern on it.

It's been like that for a few weeks. Before that it displayed the windows directory tree from the computer that runs the program to display images.

[halifaxboyns]

The city was coming up with some interim rules for digital signs - like the CBC media report said.

There was also an item at planning commission for a digital sign, but it's been tabled.

I agree that the historic area of Calgary may not be appropriate to have some of these signs - one is okay; but that scrolling digital sign on The Grand building looks horrible.

It may be workable on 7th Avenue in conjunction with the transit corridor. My only concern, especially about the sign in the media article is the brightness. I stayed at the Days in near the sign and had to be moved 4 times because the sign was so bright that even with the drapes closed all the way it was like daytime.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

It's been like that for a few weeks. Before that it displayed the windows directory tree from the computer that runs the program to display images.

Pure awesome. Considering the moronic design and support that these signs see, I've always wondered if they also left something else open - like a wireless connection or even the ability to hit whatever computer is controlling it with a bluetooth keyboard or some such. Hey, you never know. It'd be an epic hack.

[lubicon]

Originally Posted by freeweed

The sign in that story is a hazard though. It's way too bright and has killed my night vision more than once. Like someone using their highbeams on the highway - except without any possible warning. Just FLASH. If they could have it on a dimmer as it gets darker, I'd be fine with it.
.

Bang on Freeweed.

not only do they ruin your night vision but they are incredibly distracting. I suppose in that regard they are successful - they certainly get your attention.

BUT....
you can get a stunting ticket for flashing your high beams at oncoming traffic (to warn of speed traps etc). The police arguement is that it is a distraction to other drivers. So what the hell are these billboards then? If flicking you lights is a distraction and warrents being illegal as far as road safety goes, then they should apply similar standards to digital billboards.