Built for Airports: why MultiSync® technology continues to perform reliably year after year after year
Sustainability in technology is often framed around energy consumption and materials. But that’s not the full story. One of the most impactful factors is durability. The longer a product performs reliably, the lower its environmental impact over time.
This is where MultiSync® technology stands apart. Built for mission-critical environments like airports, it’s designed not just to perform, but to keep performing, year after year after year.
Built for Airports, Ready for Anywhere
If a display can withstand the rigours of a demanding airport environment, it can perform almost anywhere. Sharp displays are purpose-designed for these no-compromise settings, where reliability and safety are paramount, alongside the need for flexibility, long lifecycles, and sustainability. At the core of our MultiSync displays is a modular computing architecture designed to maximise flexibility and security while creating a true end-point solution ready for seamless integration in airports, or anywhere.
This commitment to quality and durability is why the MultiSync® brand is trusted by leading systems integrators across diverse industries, from digital signage to meeting spaces. With industry-leading low failure rates backed by robust service and support programmes, MultiSync offers a low-risk investment, delivering long-term performance with minimal maintenance or intervention.
‘Built for Airports, Ready for Anywhere,’ was our stand tagline at Passenger Terminal Expo
See long-life durability in action
It’s no surprise then that when you travel through airports around the world, you’ll often see NEC-branded large format displays informing and guiding passengers. Many have remained in place well beyond standard refresh cycles because they continue to deliver exceptional performance.
In many cases, displays aren’t replaced because they’ve failed, but because technology and expectations have moved on. They are often still fully operational at the point of upgrade, a clear testament to their durability.
Today, as many airports transition to LED to create more visually impactful installations, MultiSync technology remains a trusted solution for delivering clear, reliable passenger information. While aesthetics and features have evolved, the core technology behind MultiSync, and its reputation for quality and reliability, remains consistent across Sharp’s display ranges today.
Find out more about the new era of Sharp MultiSync technology
Here are just a few stand-out examples of aged MultiSync displays still performing after 10+ years in the toughest of environments!
20-year-old MultiSync LCD4000 at Vienna Airport
A recent demonstration of a 20-year-old MultiSync display became an unexpected highlight at both Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) and Passenger Terminal Expo (PTE), where visitors typically expect to see only the latest innovations. The MultiSync LCD4000 has been operating for more than 175,000 hours, running continuously, 24 hours a day, at Vienna Airport.
This real-world example offered a powerful and tangible demonstration of long-term reliability and sustainability. It reinforces a simple truth, that choosing high-quality products built to last is one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental impact. The exhibit was celebrated with the rAVe [PUBS] Best of ISE 2026 Award for Best Demo.
14-year-old MultiSync V Series at Humberside Airport
Arriving at Humberside Airport for a recent meeting, Sharp’s Business Segment Lead for Retail, Nils Karsten, noticed several MultiSync V Series displays still in operation.
“This is 14 years of service, and those displays still have consistent backlight, good colour reproduction, and zero flickering,” he noted. “That is the quality our Japanese-engineered displays stand for, and the reason why more than 250 airports around the globe use them.”
The MultiSync V Series spanned four generations before being succeeded by the MultiSync M Series, now in its second generation. This continuity highlights the long lifecycles and consistency that integrators value when planning large-scale rollouts and further underlines the sustainability benefits of technology designed to endure.
Over 15-year-old MuliSync P Series at Gatwick Airport
At Gatwick Airport, taxi drivers and people waiting for loved ones in the South Terminal International Arrivals area are kept up to date via large format Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS). Installed prior to 2015, these MultiSync displays continue to perform as reliable workhorses, delivering clear and consistent flight information even after more than 15 years of service.
The second generation MultiSync P Series still in use at Gatwick today has, over time, evolved through multiple product generations, now in its sixth generation. The latest addition is the 75-inch Sharp MultiSync P756 delivering 700 cd/m² brightness, a high-haze panel, and SpectraViewTM Engine, for outstanding image clarity and colour accuracy even in challenging lighting conditions.
12-year-old MultiSync P Series at Heathrow Airport
In 2014, we successfully deployed more than 1,000 FIDS and 150 digital advertising displays at Heathrow Airport’s then-new Terminal 2. This was followed by further upgrades across Terminals 3, 4, and 5, refreshing a total of 1,500 FIDS and 300 digital advertising displays.
The third generation MultiSync P Series displays, in sizes up to 70 inches, featured an OPS slot-in embedded PC, delivering a flexible and integrated platform for airport information systems.
Today, as Heathrow’s trusted technology partner, we are continuing this long-term collaboration by refreshing and upgrading this estate with the latest sixth generation MultiSync technology, now featuring embedded Raspberry Pi compute modules. This next evolution continues to ensure a seamless, reliable, and future-ready passenger experience across all terminals.
15-year-old MultiSync LCD4010 at Munich Biergarten
Another challenging environment, perhaps less obvious than an airport, is a lively social space with high footfall and potentially flying beer! This MultiSync LCD4010 had been delivering entertainment at one of Munich’s iconic Biergarten, installed as part of the International Garden Expo 83, right up until the park closed in 2023.
The MultiSync LCD4010 was first introduced in September 2005 featuring a Digital Signage Technology Suite offering 20+ advanced features, ‘bringing tomorrow’s technology to today’s large screen applications.’ Living proof of what future-proof means!
40 years of MultiSync: the industry benchmark for quality and reliability
2025 saw the 40th anniversary of MultiSync technology, a pioneering innovation that revolutionised the displays industry. Since its launch in 1985, MultiSync has set the standard for high-performance display solutions, becoming one of the industry’s most successful display brands, with over 54 million units sold worldwide.
Find out more about the new era of Sharp MultiSync technology