Outdoor displays are not just "normal displays in a waterproof housing", but their own product classes with specific engineering requirements. The three critical axes are protection rating, climate control, and sunlight readability.
Protection rating is described in the IEC-60529 standard by two digits: the first digit for protection against solid objects (0–6, where 6 = dust-tight), the second for water protection (0–8, where 5 = water jets, 6 = powerful jets, 7 = temporary immersion). For outdoor displays, IP65 is considered the minimum (dust-tight + water jets), while premium devices subjected to permanent weathering in exposed locations reach IP66 or IP67.
Climate control is the often underestimated factor. An outdoor LED totem generates internal temperatures of over 70 °C in direct summer sun — this kills LED drivers, player hardware, and power supplies. Professional devices have active cooling (fans with filters, heat exchangers, or air conditioning) and heating for winter operation (against condensation and icing).
Sunlight readability requires significantly more brightness than indoors — typically 2,500 nits upwards, with automatic brightness control (otherwise glare at night + burnt-out LEDs). In addition, anti-reflective glass or special optical coatings are used.
Economically, outdoor solutions typically cost 2.5–4 times more than comparable indoor devices. In return, you get 5–10 years of low-maintenance service life — provided the service contract (cleaning of fans, annual brightness check, software updates) is maintained.