Outfront Media - Digitizing the Future of Transit Media

Consumer Products

SurfaceID helped develop ultra-thin LCD display systems deployed throughout Outfront Media's transit systems including the New York, Boston, and Washington D.C. subways, as well as retail and entertainment environments for brands such as BMW, Red Bull, H&M, and major movie theater chains. Through advanced industrial design, mechanical engineering, electronics integration, and extensive prototyping, we reduced display thickness from typical industry depths of 50–100 mm down to an ultra-slim 12.5 mm profile — including structure, mounting hardware, antennas, and electronics. In addition to the mounts, we have re-engineered the LED/LCDs to be ultra flat and ultra thin, with minimal border and maximum viewable areas. From power connectors to the sheet metal housings and LED light pipe panels, SurfaceID is disrupting the industry. We have worked closely for several years with Korean and Taiwanese partners in developing these panels for major manufacturers in the LCD industry.

NYC, Boston, Washington DC to name a few...

Subway installations introduced additional durability requirements, as station walls are routinely cleaned using high-pressure wash systems. To withstand these demanding environments, SurfaceID engineered waterproof enclosure systems featuring seamless glass surfaces, precision gasketing, thermal management architecture, and highly durable ultra-thin structural assemblies. Integrated LTE antenna systems and wireless content management software also

Movie Walls - a unique engineering challenge

The engineering challenge extended far beyond aesthetics. Each installation environment required specialized structural strategies, from ultra-low-profile concrete wall mounting systems in subway stations to large-scale reinforced support structures capable of holding massive multi-display video walls in theaters and retail spaces. Precision alignment systems and ultra-thin bezel development were critical to achieving seamless image continuity across arrays of displays, where even fractions of a millimeter could disrupt the visual experience.

More about movie walls...

Movie theater installations presented a unique engineering challenge because a single image often spanned dozens—or even more than 100 individual displays—creating a massive digital canvas for advertising, movie previews, and promotional content. To maintain visual continuity, the displays required ultra-thin bezels, precise alignment systems, and extremely tight installation tolerances so the image would appear as seamless as possible across the entire wall.

Behind the displays, SurfaceID developed large-scale structural mounting systems capable of supporting the significant weight and size of these installations while maintaining accurate positioning of every screen. Serviceability was equally important. Because displays located in the center of a video wall cannot be easily accessed, specialized pop-out mounting mechanisms were engineered to allow individual screens to be quickly removed and replaced without dismantling surrounding units. This combination of structural engineering, precision alignment, and maintainability ensured reliable long-term operation in demanding, high-traffic entertainment environments.

Waterproof, fire-safe enclosures...

Subway installations demanded a level of durability far beyond that of typical commercial displays. Mounted directly within subway stations and tunnels, these systems were routinely exposed to dust, moisture, vibration, and high-pressure washing equipment used by maintenance crews to clean station surfaces. To protect sensitive electronics and ensure reliable long-term operation, SurfaceID developed robust waterproof enclosure systems designed to prevent the ingress of water, dust, and debris while maintaining a sleek, architectural appearance.

To achieve both durability and elegance, SurfaceID engineered precision CNC-machined and die-cast aluminum enclosures featuring ultra-thin bezels and premium sandblasted finishes. Unlike conventional sheet metal constructions, these manufacturing methods enabled significantly slimmer profiles, tighter tolerances, improved structural rigidity, and a much more refined visual appearance. The result was a display system that combined rugged environmental protection with the premium look and feel expected in modern public transit and commercial environments.

Industrial design:

  • Ultra-thin LCD architecture development
  • Precision bezel and seam reduction engineering
  • Large-scale video wall integration systems
  • Subway-grade waterproof enclosure design
  • High-accuracy mounting and alignment systems
  • Ultra-low-profile wall integration strategies

 

Mechanical and Electrical Engineering:

  • Advanced thermal management and heat dissipation
  • Structural engineering for large display arrays
  • Integrated LTE antenna and wireless connectivity systems
  • Remote content management and software integration
  • Slim-profile electronics packaging and connector optimization
  • Public environment durability and serviceability engineering

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