Signage Solutions September/October 2012
The Technology and Solutions Magazine for Digital Signage, DOOH, Mobile and Place-based Digital Media
& BEYOND ABOVE
Chris Vazquez Senior Analyst of Corporate Communications JetBlue
Chris Griggs Manager of Brand Design JetBlue
FOSTERING COMMUNITY Bev Facey Community High School is a model for transforming schools through digital signage p12
JetBlue creates thoughtful digital signage centerpiece at new headquarters p18
COURT IS IN SESSION Digital signage helps to promote a safer courthouse environment p14
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7 WAYS TO SCREW UP A DIGITAL SIGNAGE INSTALLATION p22
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Publisher’s Perspective
The Waiting Game You see digital screens everywhere you go these days. Every industry is adopting and deploying them in unique ways. But with all the adoption and usage, why is the industry still experiencing such slow growth? For years, studies have been predicting that dramatic growth is just around the corner. But we’re still waiting. It’s not because of the technology. With all the new user tools, the ability to change, update and manage content has greatly improved since the early days of digital signage. It’s not the cost of hardware. The price of screens, media players and mounts has dropped drastically over the last few years. The reason could be that it took longer than expected for the industry to go mainstream. This is happening now, not three years ago, as forecast. Now that advertisers and marketers begin to see digital signage’s undeniable effect on audiences, the technology is starting to prove its worth. So, how long till the market explodes? IMS Research predicts the worldwide digital signage market will see growth in excess of 40 percent in 2013 to reach a total of $7 billion. We’ll find out if they are correct in a few months. To gauge if we are indeed on track for this dramatic growth next year, I turn to our thoughtful readers. What do you think? Is there anything holding you back from implementing digital signage into your line of work? Is it the cost of investment? Do you need to prove an instant ROI? Let me know what your thoughts are. Here at Signage Solutions Magazine, we are eager to see this industry blossom into what we think will be a major piece of a new marketing ecosystem. With digital signage’s ability to interact with mobile devices and social media, there is no better way to engage with customers, clients and employees. This issue features a great article about how JetBlue is adopting digital signage to help better engage with their employees and their customers while creating a fun and interactive workplace. Please enjoy this issue and keep thinking about ways your line of work would benefit from adopting and increasing your use of digital signage. Until next issue,
Ben Skidmore Publisher ben@signagesolutionsmag.com
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September/October 2012 • Volume Three • Issue Five Publisher/Editorial Director
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Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
Signage Solutions will consider manuscripts that are not offered to other publications. Preferred length is 700 words (case studies) or 1200 -1,500 words (Features). Please submit manuscripts to Editorial Director at the mailing address above or send via e-mail to: editor@signagesolutionsmag.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
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Contents
September/October 2012
The Technology and Solutions Magazine for Digital Signage, DOOH, Mobile and Place-based Digital Media
Technology @ Work
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A brief look at company/ industry news within the digital signage industry.
features
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Court is in Session Digital signage helps to promote a safer courthouse environment.
16 The Next Hotel Advertising Frontier
Vertical Views Public Spaces
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Interactive Video Wall Brings History To Life For Visitors
With the latest in addressable ad technology, the in-room television is now an even more powerful hub for message delivery.
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Vertical Views Stadiums/Arenas
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Above and Beyond
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Low-Tech Necessities in a High-Tech World
7 Ways to Screw up a Digital Signage Installation
Jet Blue creates thoughtful digital signage centerpiece at new headquarters.
Common mistakes made during the implementation process of digital signage software networks.
Bragging Rights
New York Rangers deploy a state-of-theart messaging system in training facility.
Selecting the right mount has everything to do with maximizing the delivery of your digital signage message.
Signage Solutions & Products
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Vertical Views - Education Fostering Community
Bev Facey Community High School is a model for transforming schools through digital signage.
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Digital signage products and solutions, along with the technology which runs them, make the industry what it is today. Every issue of Signage Solutions magazine features new products and solutions.
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Corporate Profiles Microspace ELO Touch Systems NEC Displays Black Box
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Lyle Bunn Principal & Strategy Architect
Brian Gorg
Executive Director Digital Signage Federation
BUNN Company
Brian Gorg is the Executive Director of the Digital Signage Federation (DSF), a non-profit organization that supports and promotes the common business interests of the world-wide digital signage industry, the interactive technologies industry, and the digital out-of-home network industry. The organization has grown to more than 200 member companies from four continents. Gorg is a Digital Signage Certified Expert (DSCE), and also the CEO of the Collie Gorg Group, a management firm engaged in the daily management of more than a dozen professional societies and trade groups. He brings years of professional experience to these organizations with his expertise in administration and strategy development.
Jason Carey Vice President, Retail Digital Signage Network Director Wells Fargo
Andreas Claus Director, Production Services Vanderbilt University
Linda Hofflander Chief Strategy Officer The Handa Group
Garry McGuire Chief Executive Officer RMG Networks
Stephen Nesbit Managing Director Prestonwood Trail Holdings
Daniel Trigub
Dan Trigub joined Blue Bite as VP of Business Development in 2009. He is responsible for business development, marketing, operations, finance, and corporate strategy. Trigub joins Blue Bite with more than six years of early stage startup, finance and marketing experience. Most recently he was an investment banking Associate at GCA Savvian. Previously, he worked at Analysis Group, a leading strategy consulting firm in Washington, D.C. Dan has a B.S. in Economics from Vassar College.
VP of Business Development Blue Bite
Pedro Andres Sanchez enior Vice President, S Creative Technology Monster Media
Judd Norris General Manager, Legends Entertainment District, Phoenix Suns / Arizona Diamondbacks
Patrick Quinn President & CEO PQ Media
Pedro Andres Sanchez
Senior Vice President, Creative Technology Monster Media
Hugh Sinnock Director, Customer Experience
Pedro A. Sanchez has 11 years of experience in digital media including, motion graphics, print, interaction design and web development. With a passion for technology and immersive multimedia, Sanchez found a natural fit at Monster Media. Sanchez has worked on hundreds of campaigns, many award winning with global recognition and is responsible for building the multidisciplinary– creative team behind Monster Media’s innovative executions. Currently he leads all technology and creative efforts, bringing them together with the goal of achieving the best DOOH experiences possible.
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
Dave Taylor Audio Visual Engineer American Eagle Outfitters
Daniel Trigub Vice President, Business Development Chief Financial Officer Blue Bite
Donald Van Buren Director, Interactive Media Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Brian Gorg Executive Director Digital Signage Federation
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Updates
Go to www.signagesolutionsmag.com to read full version of articles found in the Industry News & Updates section of Signage Solutions Magazine.
Industry&News
Technology @ Work
Leo Burnett Uses Digital Signage to Strengthen Ties with Employees, Customers
Signage Solutions Launches New Product Awards for Digital Signage Industry Signage Solutions Magazine would like to honor the most innovative products of 2012. This new award program will recognize the outstanding product development achievements of digital signage manufacturers whose products are considered exceptional in the advancement/development of the digital signage industry, as well as their ability to best serve end users and consumers. We know companies work hard to stay on the cutting edge of everything new in the digital signage industry. Getting a product developed, sent to market and with the best advertising available is a daunting task. It’s time to get recognized for all the hard work. This is your opportunity for digital signage innovators to showcase their most outstanding product! Please go to www.signagemag.com/awards for more information. Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
Despite the ubiquity of its award-winning ad and commercial campaigns, Leo Burnett, like many large organizations, found keeping employees up to date on happenings around the agency – the latest work with commercials, the many events, client wins and other good news and opportunities – challenging. "Aside from email there was no real centralized way to get the information out there," said Jenny Hackett, associate director of internal communications for Leo Burnett. After reviewing several options the Burnett team engaged with Four Winds Interactive (FWi) to help them create and implement the new digital signage strategy. The Burnettwork team says that employees are much more in the know regarding the company's work and activities than they were prior to the launch. "We did a survey not too long ago to gauge reactions and acceptance of the Burnettwork," Hackett said. "Everyone had great things to say about it. Many told us they're now more aware of what's happening within the company...some people have told us they miss their elevators because they get so caught up in watching the screens."
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Technology @ Work Shoeless Joe's Opts for Paperless Menu Boards
Harris Provides Digital Signage Platform at UK's First Urban Cable Car Passengers using the Emirates Air Line, UK’s first urban cable car in London’s docklands are being kept informed and entertained thanks to Harris Digital Out-of-Home technology. Working with The Pioneer Group, Harris has installed its turnkey digital signage solution made of the InfoCaster software and hardware suite within a digital signage network made up of six video-walls and 78 screens, which broadcasts a rich blend of promotional content for passengers crossing the Thames using this unique form of British urban transport. Opened by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and the new transport link went live on 28 June 2012. The DOOH installation comprises multiple large screen video-wall displays ranging from six 46-inch configurations right up to a display that incorporates 24 individual 50-inch video screens. The Emirates Air Line’s content creation and distribution architecture is based on three Harris InfoCaster components: InfoCaster Creation™ enables content creation and scheduling, while InfoCaster Manager™ provides central management and monitoring of the network. InfoCaster Player™ controls content play-out over the entire system architecture. All of the Harris InfoCaster software operates using InfoCaster hardware.
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Working in collaboration with newly appointed Canadian based partners, RadiantGroup, Acquire Digital has provided their advanced software solution to power interactive menus for a popular sports bar. RadiantGroup has also supplied their exclusive technology CaptivTouch™ digital screens, which has been installed outside the bar, and uses a blend of motions, sounds, videos and animations to entice customers into the restaurant. The digital screens entice passing customers by advertising what’s going on inside the bar. They also enable customers to interactively browse the menu before entering, adding a level of engagement that is successful at enticing customers into the bar. Unlike traditional menu boards, the Acquire driven screens allow the menus to change throughout the day whilst simultaneously promoting individual food and drink items. Since installing the system, the bar has been attracting more than 3,000 people a week. To help pay for the solution, big
Digital Menu Boards Yield Positive Results for L&L Hawaiian BBQ L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in Aurora, Colo., is building on their success of immersing customers with the Aloha spirit through their brightly colored interior with scenic views of Hawaii and warm hospitality by adding Ping HD’s Digital Menu Board system. Inspired from the islands of Hawaii, Hawaiian Barbecue is L&L’s brand of
brand names, purchasable from within the bar, are utilizing the digital displays to advertise to a seemingly captivated audience. “Our new Canadian partners are moving quickly with good looking and innovative uses of the technology such as this," said Neil Farr, managing director of Acquire Digital. “It is great to see the uses of the Acquire technology pushed further than (in this case) a traditional digital menu board. It is already proving to be a great way of enticing potential customers."
unique fusion of Asian and American dishes prepared with a unique island flare. The eclectic flavors of Hawaiian Barbecue are synonymous with the cultural cornucopia that Hawaii is famous for. The delicious treat from the Hawaiian Islands that locals and visitors to Hawaii have known for years is derived from the Hawaiian plate lunch – the comfort food of the islands. Ping HD’s content team worked closely with L&L Hawaiian Barbecue to come up with an attractive and engaging design that fits the theme and style of the restaurant. The solution comprises of three 42-inch commercial monitors and a single media player that can drive unique multizone content on each screen via our web based content management platform. “We are absolutely delighted with the seamless conversion to digital. The new menu content including custom photography of key menu items was developed and approved in advance of installation. My customer feedback has been tremendous and to cap it off, the new digital menu boards are already starting to pay for themselves with a marked increase in sales, especially of our featured items.”
Technology @ Work YCD Multimedia Makes NY Museum Visit Memorable
JCDecaux Appoints zappit as Partner for NFC Development JCDecaux, the outdoor advertising company, has appointed zappit as its preferred partner for the development of Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled services for JCDecaux and JCDecaux Airport in the U.K. The move follows the success of the "Test the Near Future" trial in March 2012 in Reading, the first large-scale deployment of NFC-enabled outdoor advertising sites. The partnership heralds the launch of the first NFC outdoor advertising campaigns across JCDecaux’s roadside, rail and airport businesses. “Our recent trial showed that the public were overwhelmingly positive about the NFC-enabled outdoor experience, citing the ease of use of NFC," said David McEvoy, U.K. marketing director of JCDecaux. "As the penetration of NFC-enabled smartphones continues to grow with the next generation of phones such as the Samsung S3 and Nokia Lumia 920 there are new opportunities for clients to amplify their outdoor campaigns and to deepen their engagement with customers.” “The potential of NFC for instant brand engagement with a consumer is a powerful one," said Mark Fraser, CEP of zappit. "By 2013 NFC will be the dominant mobile marketing technology, delivering instant value to consumers such as coupons, loyalty and products and providing brands with richer data, anytime anywhere mobile payments and the ability to make more relevant and personalized offers.”
YCD Multimedia, a global leader in providing smart digital media solutions, announced that the company’s C-nario Messenger digital signage platform has been implemented as the software behind multimedia displays at the newly renovated New York Historical Society Museum. The museum presents the rich history of New York and the United States, including paintings, sculptures, documents, furniture and household accessories, and other artifacts. YCD's C-nario Messenger manages various video walls across the museum, displaying useful information about the museum’s offerings and Historical Society activities, such as information about exhibits and artists, prices, wayfinding, etc. The unique video walls, arranged in various shapes, such as totems and rectangulars, are located at various key points such as the admission counter, near elevators and the theater entrance, and other places. The video walls serve as a very useful information tool for visitors, and are fully integrated in the renovated museum's architectural concept.
Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
The content was designed by Unified Field, a provider of interactive media design and development services. "The unique shapes and implementation of the video walls reflect the innovative redesign of the museum, adding modern high-tech elements to traditional displays," said Sam Losar, President of YCD USA. "The visitor-oriented concept of the newly renovated museum uses digital signage as a key communication tool, making a museum visit the best experience possible, while underscoring the museum's support for innovation."
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Vertical View Public
spaces
Interactive Video Wall Brings History To Life For Visitors
As soon as they enter the New York Historical Society Museum and Library, visitors are likely to feel they’re in the presence of, and perhaps even part of, history. This is due to a video wall from Planar Systems that showcases traditional artwork in a unique, interactive manner, creating a memorable experience for visitors to the iconic facility. Adjacent to the museum’s admission area, the Planar video wall depicts a stationary image of a painting called “Pulling Down the Statue of King George III,” by the artist Johannes Adam Simon Oertel. When even a small group of visitors stands in front of the video wall, sounds can be heard and the image then begins to move. As more people gather, the crowd depicted in the painting comes to life and pulls on a rope, bringing the King George statue to the ground in a cloud of dust and amid sounds of cheering and dogs barking. All of this occurs as a result of the Clarity™ Matrix MX55 LCD Video Wall System, which is integrated with ceiling-mounted motion-detection cameras, and software provided by the Cambridge, Mass.-based Small Design Firm. It also reflects the installation expertise of the international system integration company, Electrosonic, which for many years has specified and installed Planar video wall technology for a wide variety of applications. “In a history museum, one doesn’t usually think of using video screens in this
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manner,” says Valerie Paley, the museum’s Historian for Special Projects. “But because of what the Planar displays are capable of – including their interactive capabilities and exceptional image quality - our entry space is enlivened, the depiction of a historic event is made fun and dynamic, and people are enchanted by the experience.”
High Marks for Picture Quality and Performance Installed by Electrosonic in the fall of 2011 – as part of a 21st-century update to New York City’s oldest museum – the Clarity Matrix video wall is comprised of ten tiled 55-inch LCD displays, in portrait orientation, in a 5x2-feet high configuration, with the image-to-image gap is just 5.7mm. Andrew Kidd, who handled client liaison for Electrosonic, says the video wall makes a large impact in a very large space. “The full HD (1920 x 1080p) resolution and color handling are as good as it gets in a big video wall like this,” says Kidd. “And it really does what Small Design Firm and the museum wanted, which is to bring this beautiful painting to life in a dramatic fashion.” An equally important feature, Kidd said, is the off-board electronics design
Vertical View Public
“In a history museum, one doesn’t usually think of using video screens in this manner,” says Valerie Paley, the museum’s Historian for Special Projects.
tion. Thus, Clarity Matrix can be counted on to perform reliably during the museum’s six-day, 12-hour-per-day operation.”
Mounting System Speeds Installation
of the Clarity Matrix series. “This feature allows heat-generating elements such as power supplies and controllers to be located away from the wall, thereby enabling it to be housed in an architectural casing. As a result, the video wall blends well with the design of the space, and it doesn’t require ventilation components that could detract from the viewer’s experience.” Further, each LCD display features a 50,000 hour backlight life, and incorporates an intelligent power supply that automatically shuts each display off when not in use, thereby reducing power consump-
Clarity Matrix ships with Planar’s EasyAxis™ Mounting System that was specifically engineered for the product. This ensures that even a large video wall can be installed quickly and multiple displays can easily be aligned – “much more so than competitive products,” Kidd says. “Also, with ultra-thin bezels, the video wall delivers images that are virtually seamless.” He adds that the quick alignment enabled by EasyAxis leads to considerable labor savings, which makes Clarity Matrix very attractive from the system integrator’s perspective. “It gives us a very cost-effective solution to offer the customer – which was important to the museum. It also adds to the product options we can offer, including more choices with which to address the needs of architects and designers, and the unique needs of museums and many other public spaces.”
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An Ideal Solution Asked if other museums – and similar venues – should consider the Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System, the museum’s Paley responds: “Absolutely; it’s an ideal solution. You could put a mural or another static image up but it would not have the same impact as a digital video wall; there is nothing else like it. The video wall has certainly succeeded in meeting our objective, which is to engage our visitors and cause them to think about the history that we’re presenting here.” SSM
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Vertical View Stadiums/Arenas
Bragging Rights
New York Rangers deploy a state-of-the-art messaging system in training facility
The New York Rangers last won the Stanley Cup in 1994, with Mark Messier leading the team to its first championship in 54 years. With the acquisition of veteran Rick Nash, the team hopes to drink from Lord Stanley’s Cup once again after another 18-year championship drought. Nash joining the team put the Rangers in the headlines, but the team is also making some strategic moves behind the scenes to help improve the team, including enhancements to its training facility. Savant Systems, which introduced the first complete Apple-based commercial control and home automation system, was approached by Rangers’ management to develop a simple, dynamic and user-generated system to alert players and staff of key messages and statistical information related to the team’s daily schedule and activities.
Complete Control The team’s leadership wanted the ability to create and manage messages from their personal computers, iPhones and iPads and display these alerts on the 12 HDTVs located throughout the team’s primary practice facility in Tarrytown, N.Y. They were drawn to Savant’s video processing and scaling technology that allows all messaging to be overlaid over live video without having to switch sources or interrupt programming. In addition, Rangers’ team management also wanted to give their team members the ability to play their own music throughout the weight and locker-room facilities with ease. After reviewing the team’s needs, Savant provided the Rangers with a solution that can control audio, video, lighting, security, climate, messaging and any other subsystem or technology through one Apple device using Savant’s TrueControl app. TruControl is a control application that transforms an iPad, iPod Touch
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or iPhone into a remote for residential and commercial environments. Savant delivered a comfortable and leading-edge experience for complete two-way control of audio and video, lighting, security, climate, messaging and any other subsystems or technology.
Messaging and Audio/Video Switching Through the messaging system, Rangers’ management can use their email client to alert players about team meetings, when they need to get on the team bus or any other information that the team needs to share with its players in a timely manner. These messages are displayed as scrolling text that appears on the dozen HDTVs used throughout the facility. Custom message boxes are also included
on the screen to allow for Web-based content to be displayed. This represents a dynamic way for the Rangers to pick and choose Web-based content that they want to share with the players. From an iPad, the team can select from one of three content options—league standings, team stats (the number of power plays, penalty kills and a point summary) and NHL player stats—that will automatically cycle through each selection once every two minutes. The Rangers also use one area of the screen to present RSS feeds. Some of the sources they use include NHL.com, TheHockeyNews.com, TSN.ca, ESPN. com, SI.com and NYRangers.com.
Music Management To give the Rangers’ players the ability to listen to their own music, Savant installed
Vertical View Stadiums/Arenas three Savant Media Docks that are located in the locker room’s equipment area, providing independent music and volume control for each room. Control from these rooms comes from an in-wall iPad as well as the lead trainer’s iPhone, all through the Savant app. “The Savant control and automation system has been a refreshing addition to the Ranger’s practice facility,” said New York Rangers General Manager Glen Sather, who also has a Savant System installed in his home. “The dynamic way that the coaching staff and team management can now send messages to the players through the 12 TVs in the facility has improved communication and efficiencies. Savant’s iPad control screens are extremely responsive and very easy to use.” Barring the possible NHL lockout, the New York Rangers start their season and quest for the Stanley Cup next month. If they don’t win the league’s ultimate prize, at least Sather has made sure that they will have bragging rights on one of the most technologically advanced practice facilities in the NHL. SSM
Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
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Vertical View Education
Fostering Community
Bev Facey Community High School is a model for transforming schools through digital signage By Claudia Kienzle
Students at Bev Facey Community High School in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada are immersed in an innovative digital media experience that enriches their academic lives. They’re never far from visually dynamic, bigscreen displays that showcase all school activity. Partnering with Tightrope Carousel, Bev Facey has transformed the way students receive information, whether in the gym, cafeteria, drama room, hallways or elsewhere in the building. At the morning bell, they watch live video and highlights instead of listening to announcements over the PA. Looking at the digital signage displays, they can watch “Facey TV” morning newscasts, complete with iMovie clips and other multimedia-rich content produced by students. “Digital signage enables us to celebrate our students and recognize their talents and achievements in order to build their confidence and drive for excellence,” said Peter Barron, principal of Bev Facey Community High School. “It also helps foster a sense of community by informing and
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unifying all of our students, parents and teachers.” Facey TV is the high school’s HD studio equipped with multiple cameras, a set, and a green screen for live graphics and virtual set compositing. While Facey TV produces many programs, the morning newscast features student anchors reading the morning announcements and introducing video segments. This gives students an early advantage in learning about digital media from production to broadcasting. “Our provincial government is committed to investing in cutting-edge technology in our schools, such as fiber optic networks, digital signage and projection systems,” Barron said. “Our goal is to prepare our students for the increasingly media-driven, entrepreneurial and global world in which they’ll live and compete.”
Growing Educational Market Tightrope Carousel’s digital signage network, which was installed by Digital Edge Media Inc., is so impressive and successful that it has
inspired 12 other Edmonton schools—including 10 public high schools, one Catholic high school and one public junior high—to adopt it. “We’re seeing dramatic growth in the use of digital signage by the educational market,” said Mark Silvius, president of Digital Edge Media, an A/V integrator specializing in digital signage solutions, with offices in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, Canada. “Our digital signage business has grown from 10 to 80 percent of our total business in a relatively short time,” Silvius added. “And the educational market represents a sizeable portion of our digital signage business.” Digital Edge Media plans to install the same Tightrope Carousel network—including the Web-based Carousel server 310 and Carousel Player 310 networked appliances—at 12 other Edmonton-area schools in the near future. Plans are also in motion to bring Carousel digital signage technology and its associated production workflow to schools in Calgary and Vancouver.
Vertical View Education Distributed Workflow Digital Edge Media recommends Tightrope Carousel because it is the only digital signage solution that supports the unique, flexible workflow the Edmonton schools require. Digital Edge Media worked with the school’s IT department to enable secure log-in access compatible with the school’s firewalls and other IT security measures. This enables remote, Web-based access into the digital signage system for authorized personnel. Unlike many digital signage solutions that concentrate control in the hands of an IT administrator, Bev Facey teachers and students—and a virtually unlimited number of users—can be granted access to input and change the content locally on one or more monitors. Such changes are also possible across the entire digital signage network. Students create and produce the content for up to 14 different digital signage channels, making remote access pertinent. The workflow supports a teacher review and approval channel that allows for evaluation and approval of content before it is posted on the system. Users can also update text, including announcements and calendar events, without disturbing the overall graphical design and visual appeal of the display. Calendar announcements can auto-update direct from Google calendars. In addition to having total creative control, Bev Facey Community High School also has authority on how content displays on the distributed network. Content can consist of live broadcasts produced by Facey TV, as well as text, RSS feeds, tickers, pictures, flash files and social media. The students responsible for content production—from the communications and digital media track of the school’s Career Technology Studies program—receive academic credit and invaluable experi-
“Digital signage enables us to celebrate our students and recognize their talents and achievements in order to build their confidence and drive for excellence,” ence running this sophisticated digital signage and HD video-over-IP multimedia network.
Flexible Media Presentation The same content can be displayed on every monitor in the school—including a four-monitor video wall in the gym, a twomonitor set-up in the drama room and a four-monitor video wall in the cafeteria—as well as interactive white-board displays fed by ceiling-mounted projection systems in the classrooms. Individual displays also can be customized to the needs of a specific area or department, such as posting upcoming athletic tryouts or events in the gym or displaying talent show video in the cafeteria during lunch. The school’s two four-monitor video walls can display a single image on all four (60- or 46-inch) LCD monitors, or they can display something different in each zone. Each display can be organized into multi-zone areas, independently programmed and updated. For example, a quadrant configuration can display the lunch menu in one zone, a photo and description of a featured book in a second, a picture of a student’s awardwinning artwork in a third and the school calendar in the final zone. A ticker streaming across the bottom can display data, such as an RSS feed of “My Life is Awesome at Facey,” a series of comments regularly posted on the school’s website by students.
Cutting-edge Applications Bev Facey’s digital signage installation continually pushes the envelope with its many innovative features and applications. Students can play Xbox video games on the cafeteria videowall and download homework using their smart phones to read QR codes on the displays. Students also tweet music requests to the CTS students for playDigital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
back over the system before school starts. The networking capabilities come into wider focus through sports. Operators can broadcast live sporting event feeds from remote locations and display a custom score clock complete with team logos on the videowall in the gym during sporting events. Digital Edge Media is also in the process of expanding the digital signal network to tie it into the school’s security system. When the upgrade is implemented, the Carousel server will be able to automatically switch over to display the necessary fire evacuation plans, such as instructions for locating the nearest exit, if the fire alarm is pulled—whether for a drill or the real thing. According to Mark Silvius, the improvements could include a “mushroom button” in the principal’s office that causes the school’s exterior doors to lock when pressed — especially pertinent if an intruder is noticed on school grounds. Silvius explained that in the event the school goes into a lockdown mode, the Carousel server would automatically switch to displays that give building occupants emergency information on where to go, what to do and how to stay safe. All of this makes Carousel more than a simple digital signage system. Bev Facey has taken digital signage in education to new heights, offering the student body a rich digital media experience that fully integrates into student life—both as part of the learning experience and simply to inform and entertain. “At Bev Facey Community High School, we are very forward-thinking,” Barron said. “We believe that this technology-rich digital signage environment promotes social responsibility, career development and personal success.” SSM Claudia Kienzle is a freelance writer for the Pro AV and broadcast industries. Claudia can be reached at Claudia.kienzle@gmail.com
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Court is in
Digital signage helps to promote a safer courthouse environment 14
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Session By Maddie Alexander
displaying a daily docket on a bank of monitors. By providing this information in alphabetical order, visitors can easily find the information they need and continue on their way. The bank of monitors also eliminates gatherings at high-traffic locations. By identifying interior pedestrian traffic flows and patterns for key user groups, a court is able to focus on the safety of staff and visitors. Courthouse software programs can integrate with existing electronic case management systems to monitor courtroom utilization and caseloads, helping the courthouse staff to make the most of its space and resources.
Peace of Mind in Emergencies
By their very nature, courthouses are vulnerable to acts of violence. Factor in their accessibility and centralized locations, and the risk of incidence increases. Thus, courthouse-building managers must remain vigilant when it comes to the safety of their occupants, while employing ways to ease the burden on support staff. Digital signage, by offering flexible design solutions, can play an important, cost-effective role in keeping the visiting public and staff safe and secure. The goal of a digital signage system, therefore, is to provide pertinent information and way-finding assistance and be adaptable to suit the different needs of each location within a courthouse.
Perhaps the most important use of digital signage is during an emergency. For a complete building evacuation, digital signs can be pre-programmed to display specific, clear and concise evacuation messages and point to the closest exits. With the flip of a switch, an operator activates the system’s emergency mode, and the system does the rest. In an instant, all the monitors will light up with an emergency message and directional signage to facilitate a safe exit. This scenario became a reality on March 11, 2005, when Brian Gene Nichols escaped and killed four people in the Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta. Nichols was on trial for rape when he escaped from custody
and murdered his presiding judge, a court reporter, a sheriff's deputy and a federal agent. After a large-scale manhunt, Nichols was taken into custody 26 hours later.
The Right Technology In 2008, the Fulton County Courthouse installed Infax’s DocketCall in the Justice Center Tower, the Fulton County Courthouse and the Juvenile Court. Fulton County was interested in a system that offers consistent patron flow throughout the three courthouses. Two monitors were installed on the ground floor’s street entrance, and two monitors were installed right after the security checkpoint in each building. It was important to Fulton County to have all three courthouses integrated on the same DocketCall system. The courthouses use the same server, and information is pulled from their case management system. The docket data is then pushed to the monitors. With DocketCall, staff and visitors can stay informed while in the courthouse. And when traffic-flow patters change for any reason, the displays will guide them to where they need to go. In an emergency, courthouse security staff has the ability to display warning messages and instructions to guide people to safety. SSM Maddie Alexander handles sales and marketing for Infax, Inc. and its CourtSight product. Maddie can be reached at malexander@infax.com
Make an Entrance Courthouses require security checkpoints at the main entrances. Here, electronic signage can inform visitors of the proper checkpoint procedures. The content should impart comfort and an understanding of their surroundings. Digital screens have an inherent ability to draw attention. Displaying information about emptying pockets, handbag checks, and policies on weapons and cell phones on theses screens helps to improve throughput. Courthouse security personnel always try to minimize large gatherings, which escalate the possibility of an incident. After visitors pass through security, digital signage can serve to direct traffic flow by Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
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The
NEXTHotel Advertising FRONTIER
By Derek White
With the latest in addressable ad technology, the in-room television is now an even more powerful hub for message delivery
Digital-out-of-home has always had a strong presence in the modern hotel environment, with the in-room television serving as the flagship delivery vehicle for advertising messaging targeted to the “on-the-go” consumer. Tech-savvy, affluent travelers, who often are social influencers and corporate decision makers, make up one of the most desirable audience segments, accounting for 50 to 60 percent of all travel expenditures. However, as wireless technology has evolved, this perfect audience has become increasingly dependent on personal devices, such as laptops, tablets and smartphones for entertainment and information. This raises the inevitable question: How will advertisers continue to reach these coveted consumers when their eyes and minds are often glued (or at least diverted) to their gadgets? The answer is to utilize (and not avoid) the traveling consumer’s multitude of mobile devices in an integrated DOOH strategy and not fear so-called “device distraction.” In other words, just as other industry verticals have found new and exciting ways to link and sync product offerings via interactive television (or social TV), driving engagement through apps, QR codes and mobile sites, advertisers must also embrace a level of device duality: a pair of eyes on pairs of screens. But before we map the boundaries of this new digital and multi-screen landscape, it’s important to remember that DOOH advertising is nothing new. Innovation in the “first frontier” was, and continues to be, equally vital. Even with a plethora of other entertainment options, television viewing has remained
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relatively steady and is, by far, the most dominant means of ingesting video. According to Nielsen, Americans spend 35 hours each week watching content across screens, and 94 percent of that is still on a traditional television. Furthermore, Internet protocol TV (IPTV) continues to grow, with a recent study finding 18 percent of consumers watch online content daily via their connected televisions. With such powerful statistics, there is no doubt that the in-room television still provides advertisers with the most bang for their buck. But the addition
of a mobile component—a second screen experience—offers real synchronicity and additional opportunities to personally connect with, and target, traveling consumers in the hotel space and even beyond the property.
A Screen in Every Room Although the first widespread installation of in-room televisions occurred in 1951, it wasn’t until the late 70s that the first complete digital signage network was born for hotels, coming on the heels
of the VCR. With this cutting-edge tool, hotels were able to establish closed-circuit networks that displayed company-created content—including ads—to guests through their in-room television sets. In 1980, the Satellite Movie Co. brought some of the earliest interactive entertainment options for hotel guests through cathode ray tube (CRT) television sets that included “welcome channels,” which served as guest portals to a hotel’s amenities and in-room entertainment offerings, as well as displaying paid ad content. Advertisers were also provided with expanded opportunities to connect with traveling consumers via free-toguest video-on-demand programming. As televisions slimmed down in size and price, flat-screen technology allowed hotels to move digital signage beyond the hotel room and into the property’s common areas, transforming lobbies from static, echoing areas to check in and meet up into a Starbucks-like social interactive experience. Advertisers were then able to utilize screens displaying paid advertising as well as hotel-produced content focused on services, special events, restaurants and special offers. Expanding the out-of-room capabilities, digital kiosks have also provided a delivery channel for advertisers to connect with consumers with relevant messaging for items like transportation services and local attractions.
The Emergence of the Mobile Device Today’s traveling consumer is more connected than ever, with 75 percent of travelers carrying smartphones on their trips. In addition, 64 percent of business travelers also bring their tablets along, according to a survey by San Diego-based PC Housing. And they’re not just packing them, as consumers are relying on
their mobile devices for entertainment, local content and, if they are available, hotel services via apps or a mobile website. Mobile, however, should not be feared. Mobile provides an unparalleled opportunity to deliver messaging that reaches guests throughout the entire travel experience: in room, on property or on the go. What’s more, mobile users tend to be more receptive to advertising, as a recent survey found that 74 percent of mobile users pay full attention to ads on their devices.
The Cross-Platform Opportunity With mobile closing the digital out-of-home loop for hotel advertisers, there is no better time to devise an interactive DOOH strategy to reach traveling consumers that brings together the full gamut of signage options and screen experiences. With its reach and targeting capabilities, the in-room television should be the starting point for connecting with the affluent, on-the-go consumer. Metrics tell us that 98 percent of hotel guests watch television in their rooms and that they do it for an average of three hours. That’s nearly a days worth of viewing in a one-week getaway. For a truly integrated strategy in the personal device era, advertisers should develop mobile messaging that reinforces in-room TV advertising themes and expands the engagement with traveling consumers, taking into consideration that 52 percent of adult mobile owners will supplement their television watching with their phone and that a staggering 88 percent of iPad owners can’t resist the urge to tap away. With that in mind, advertisers can create cross-platform messaging that is location and property specific, and utilizes QR codes, apps and mobile sites. Advertising within a hotel or third-party app can also reinforce interactions beyond the hotel
room and even the hotel property as they deliver relevant content that travelers want while in-trip: think hotel services, in-room controls and local area attractions.
The Flagship Gets a Refit Guest engagement with the in-room TV has motivated advertisers to place messages on these screens for years. With the latest in addressable ad technology, the in-room television is now an even more powerful hub for message delivery. These technologies can also deliver marketing messages to guests’ mobile devices for an interactive, 360-degree experience. While the digital interaction between guests and brands may have once been limited to the hotel room and screens in common areas, now hotels with digital content networks that include mobile apps and sites can maintain that interaction even when guests have left the hotel property. Tablets and smartphones that deliver relevant and timely content and advertiser messaging that link back to what the TV viewer is watching in real time is the best way to turn that device distraction into device domination. As a marketing medium poised to become a $7 billion industry by next year (representing 40 percent growth since a 2011 prediction), tapping the mobile resource in hospitality to the fullest—through smartphones and tablets—is paramount. So whether it’s the remote or the latest mobile gadget, the next DOOH hotel advertising frontier truly is in the palms of guests’ hands. Now, capturing this great opportunity is up to you. SSM Derek White is the president of LodgeNet Interactive Media & Entertainment (LIME).
Video Wall Stands The Backbone of Mobile Video Walls • Modular design allows for additional sections • Complete disassembly for easy handling • Seamless alignment with top-adjustable brackets
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ABOVE&
BEYOND Chris Griggs, manager of brand design and Chris Vazquez, senior analyst of corporate communications at JetBlue.
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JetBlue creates thoughtful digital signage centerpiece at new headquarters By Megan Weadock
When JetBlue Airways opened its new corporate headquarters in Long Island City, N.Y., this April, the company redefined the concept of “office space.” After all, the headquarters is an open-plan, collaborative environment that includes chat rooms, environmentally friendly furniture and materials, employee lounges and plenty of natural light. The design is meant to showcase the JetBlue brand while also offering a connection to the airline’s operation. And tying it all together is a massive, 40-foot-tall digital signage display, aptly named the “Wing Walls.” The dynamic, ever-changing Wing Walls help set the tone of a company that is known for thinking outside of the box, with colorful and lively animation, social media feeds, QR codes and more. The display is a huge hit with JetBlue employees (known as “crewmembers”) and visitors alike. As Chris Griggs, manager of brand design for the airline, puts it, “The Walls are really a trigger … to intrigue and delight and inspire visitors and guests, and engage our own crewmembers.”
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Outside of the Box Although the Wing Walls are JetBlue's first real foray into the world of digital signage, the project seems to be a natural step for such a forward-thinking company. “The architects (HLW International) and the corporate real estate team internally had decided that we were going to use signage to tie the brand into the space and provide a corporate communications tool,” said Chris Vazquez, senior analyst of corporate communications at JetBlue. “Also, that spawned off
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Image courtesy of Saddle Ranch Digital
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Image courtesy of Saddle Ranch Digital
the idea of eliminating print and paper usage, as well as signage around the office. We used to use a lot of poster signage to communicate internal events.” Griggs agrees: “It's part of our culture, how we try to declutter our space and keep things clean.” The Wing Walls certainly add a streamlined, clean look to JetBlue's new headquarters, and they're the perfect addition to a unique space. In it, two monumental open staircases connect the building’s floors. The angular steel and concrete staircases are enclosed by glass railings, and each surrounds one of the Wings—a 40-foottall, wing-shaped, back-lit tower. Both Wings are self-standing, exposed structures comprising 14 ultra-slim bezel TVs. The Wing Walls help liven up the headquarters' fifth, sixth and seventh floors. More than 1,000 crewmembers and countless visitors experience the Walls every day. Their content ranges from colorful branding, patterns and JetBlue tailfins to crewleader announcements and recognition and corporate communications. Griggs said the Walls also feature
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the company's live Twitter feed, which encourages crewmembers to interact and give feedback. QR codes and website links often appear to further engage viewers, who can scan a QR code for instant information or check out a link once they get back to their desks. “The response has been really positive,” Griggs said. “A lot of JetBlue crewmembers love the visuals and the branding, and it kind of livens the space up. And it brings the brand alive, because you usually just see that static, on the web or in print. … We can track internally how many crewmembers actually logged in to the section of the website that's being featured, as far as how much traffic we're getting, which helps us to gauge the response, internally. People definitely have been engaging with the graphic design.”
A Collaborative Effort Both Griggs and Vazquez worked closely on the creation of the Wing Walls. Since this type of digital signage project was entirely new to JetBlue, they collaborated with outside experts to plan and execute the complicated installation. JetBlue's architect worked with integrator
Saddle Ranch Digital and a third-party consultant, Digital Signage Experts Group, to determine how to best showcase digital signage in the headquarters' unique stairwell. In the end, each Wing Walls' 14 Samsung screens were masterfully installed, without bevels, to create a clean, fluid appearance. Creating engaging, entertaining content to fit the unique Walls was another substantial challenge. “Designing it was a little challenging because, when you look at it in elevation view, you're seeing a nice, beautiful tower of what could be, potentially, one massive video,” Griggs said. “But in reality, as a guest or as a crewmember, you're only seeing 'chunks' of it at any given time. So, you only experience it in partial pieces, or if you look straight up or straight down at it. So we really had to design it so that content would coordinate and almost repeat and be visible on different floors. Even if it is something that moves through all 14 screens or just takes up three or four screens at a time.” Luckily, people within JetBlue were open to the massive undertaking as well—and were more than happy to get involved. “We have to give a lot of credit to our corporate real estate team, because they were the ones who really figured out how the form would take shape and be engineered," Griggs said. "It's a big thing – it's daunting, it's heavy. Fourteen screens, as you can imagine, and they're big too. They figured out the installation of all that. The challenge for Chris and I was to see how it tests itself out, and we couldn't see that until everything was done and installed."
Branding and Design Over the course of four months, Griggs and Vazquez and their teams worked together to create JetBlue's first animated design elements. Until the Wing Walls came along, the company's logo and imagery were really only used in static installations. “We basically started from scratch to develop the animation together, using some of the brand outsets that we had and then working with the corporate communication team to communicate essential messages that had to be put out,” Griggs said. In the weeks before JetBlue's big open ceremony at their new headquarters, Griggs and Vazquez could be found testing and retesting the Wing Walls to ensure all the elements were coming together correctly. "Everyone was going to see it for the first time, so it had to be working," Vazquez said. “So we had to literally come to the Wall and study it and test timing and speed
and make sure the quality was there, the Wall could handle it, everything.” Now, Griggs' and Vazquez's departments continue to coordinate on the Walls' content and branding. Corporate Communications owns messaging and content, while Brand Design handles visuals and design elements. “We're really teaming up to do this,” Griggs said. The pair use Hiperwall software to manage the Walls' content, enabling them to combine still images, high-definition video and even live data feeds to make their vision come to life. They're able to set up a “playlist” to tailor content to specific days or events or even to welcome important visitors.
Lessons Learned With any complicated digital signage project, there are always unexpected complications and lessons learned. In JetBlue's case, creating the initial Wing Walls content was a bigger project than expected. “The biggest lesson I learned was, it really pays to know what the message is,” Griggs said. “You need to know what you want to communicate before you even begin developing. As far as messaging goes, it comes back to what's more important, for the customer.”
The Wing Walls especially create a challenge, due to their unique size. Each viewer sees the Walls from his or her own angle and for different amounts of time. “People may be walking by it or sitting right next to it, waiting for an interview,” Griggs explained. “So you don't quite know how much time you're going to have with each person. You have to be smart about how you 'talk' to people.” That insight comes in handy when Griggs and Vazquez are developing new content. Now, they're able to strike a balance that produces content that is neither too slow nor too fast for the average viewer. Another unexpected challenge: Having to re-imagine JetBlue's branded elements for animation. Since the brand had previously only appeared in print, Griggs and Vazquez had a lot of decisions to make—quickly. “We also had a little bit of a challenge ... designing some of our branded aspects, like our tail-fin patterns, simply because they had never been animated before, and it was all new,” Griggs said. “It was a challenge to go through and decide 'So, how does this move?' for the very first time.” In the end, the teams were able to collaborate and create content that is on-brand and on-message, and has the “wow” factor that JetBlue was seeking.
Image courtesy of Saddle Ranch Digital
Looking Ahead Already, the Wing Walls have been a huge hit with crewmembers and visitors alike. “We've had a lot of requests for different communications and internal events, from people that see the value in communicating on the Wall as well,” Vazquez said. “So, the response has been very positive.” Now that JetBlue has entered the digital signage world, there's no looking back. Since high-tech, streamlined and sustainable methods of communication are such a big part of their culture, it only makes sense for the company to expand their efforts. “We're looking at doing that in more places,” Griggs said. “We also want to do that for our customers, so we're looking into new ideas in other spaces. A lot of [airport] terminals, like Las Vegas, now are going digital, with log-in/ log-out, common-use spaces. So we're constantly looking at ways that we can coordinate our branding, our messaging, QR codes.” For this forward-thinking airline, digital signage—and all that it entails—is the perfect fit. SSM Megan Weadock is a freelance writer for Signage Solutions magazine.
Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
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7 WAYS TO SCREW U P a Digital Signage Installation
Common mistakes made during the implementation process of digital signage software networks By Kevin Goldsmith You’ve decided it is time to leverage a digital network to better serve your customers and your brand. You’ve done the analysis and invested valuable time and effort to choose the right solution. You’ve chosen a vendor that can meet all your requirements. The network is about to be deployed, but it does not go as planned. Now, you find yourself burdened with unexpected costs and unforeseen delays, and the outcome does not meet your expectations. What went wrong? The following seven points highlight common mistakes made during the implementation process of digital signage software networks.
1.
Not beginning with the end in mind. Think about your objectives. Is the network exactly what you need? Will the network be what you need in the future? Before the planning and installation phases, think very carefully about the end game and how it will deliver on your brand promise, customer engagement and ROI objectives. Make sure these objectives are measureable and set up a process that ensures those objectives are being met. If they are not, find a solution with the flexibility to adapt to evolving objectives.
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2.
3.
4.
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Not including a pre-install site audit.
Carry out a site survey. This is a very important part of the planning process that will save time, money and headaches. Ensure you have the right mount and mounting hardware; you don’t want the contractor making unplanned trips to Home Depot. Ceiling mounts may be problematic because of various factors, such as pipe length and drop-ceiling distance. The screens and media player hardware require power and access to a local area network or the Internet. Is the site prepped before installation commences? Are power and data connections already available? Are there restrictions with access times? Is union labor required? These are just some of the key items that need to be addressed before an installation date is even scheduled.
5.
6.
Choosing the wrong software.
There are many software options available, and they tend to fall into three main groups: standalone, on-premise client/serverbased and Web-based SaaS. Each has its own merits, so look closely at your objectives and choose a solution that meets them. Think about the future. Understand how technology is changing and how it is becoming an important part of marketing and communication. There is tremendous gravitation toward the use of social media for marketing and brand awareness, which means it is essential to dynamically deliver these messages to the right place and at the right time. Look at the pricing model of each software vendor and identify exactly what you are getting. Are there costs for different features? Are there any hidden costs? Is the software scalable? It should be elastic and enable your digital network to expand or contract as you business requires. Also, make sure the software doesn’t require proprietary hardware.
Choosing the wrong hardware. The envi-
ronment plays a big part in ensuring you choose appropriate hardware. You cannot install a standard indoor LCD in a waterproof box and expect it to work in an outdoor sunlit environment. Consider the location (inside or outside) and make sure the hardware can effectively deliver your messaging. Will the screen(s) be big enough? Will the media player have enough power to run the content now and in the future? Compare the hardware warranty policies and ensure that the vendor can resolve any issue in a timeframe that is acceptable to you. If not, consider premium warranty services.
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7.
Not thinking about the content. The customer
doesn’t care how the content got there, what media players or software are being used; it’s all about the content. With HTML5 becoming more prevalent, it is essential to consider the content formats various hardware/ software combinations can support. For example, Flash will be replaced by HTML5 eventually, but Apple’s mobile devices do not support Flash. Research indicates that digital displays attract 10 times the eye contact compared to static printed posters. So, take advantage of what is possible on a digital screen versus paper. Otherwise you’ll be left with nothing more than an expensive light box.
Expecting too much from advertising revenue to offset cost. Be realistic and consider any revenue a bonus. While DOOH networks in aggregate capture more than 90 percent of TV viewers, advertising sales have not caught up yet. Advertising revenue success is achieved by capturing a large audience with a decent dwell time. Successful networks have a clearly defined demographic, e.g., in an airport. It makes sense for businesses that sell travel products and services to pay for ads at the airport.
Not having the right service-level agreement. The digital signage network is installed
and running. It is showing attractive and engaging content, and delivering the expected ROI, but then something fails. Who do you call? If your network encompasses equipment and services from different companies, be prepared for a game of pass the hot potato when issues arise. The content company will blame the software company; the software company will blame the hardware company; the hardware company will blame IT and the network connectivity—you get the idea. Work with an integrator that can deliver a complete turnkey solution that can manage the entire network and ensure. When there is a problem, you’ll only have one call to make. Ensure the integrator provides an service-level agreement that is aligned with the urgency that your business requires, minimizing downtime. The digital signage industry is about to explode, fueled by the falling costs of hardware, software and data communications. There are many lessons to be learned from the pioneers who took that leap of faith and kick-started the industry many years ago. Remember the key to success is in the planning. Measure twice and cut once. SSM Kevin Goldsmith is the director of digital media operations for Ping HD.
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LOW-TECH NECESSITIES IN A HIGH-TECH WORLD
Selecting the right mount has everything to do with maximizing the delivery of your digital signage message By Keith Fulmer Several years ago, while attending my first digital signage expo, a friend who is an A/V industry veteran said, “In a few years, every flat surface will have the potential for being a piece of digital signage.” He called it. Now, after purchasing your digital signage equipment—the flat-panel display, the media player, the content management server and cabling—and arranging for the necessary labor and technicians, the next question is: How am I going to mount all of this? Before anything can be mounted, we must consider some factors. What kind of digital signage are we looking for? What’s the application?
Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
Who’s going to be looking at the message?
Choosing the Right Mount Let’s look at some of the applications and purposes of digital signage, and then at some of the mounts and mounting techniques that might be appropriate. Public space and public information is probably where most folks are noticing the ever-increasing presence of digital signage. Whether in an airport, a doctor’s office, the waiting area of a restaurant or a bank, digital signage proves to be informative while simultaneously reducing the perceived wait time.
In the case of an airport, you are dealing with large, open areas that can be affected by light, as well as limited wall space for mounting a display. A ceiling mount would be perfect here. It can be more centrally located, allowing viewing from a multitude of angles, while also managing light and glare from the outside. In the case of a doctor’s office or the waiting area of a restaurant, these areas are generally more contained, with several wall-mounting surfaces. In these situations, you have to consider to tilt or not to tilt. Chances are, the display will be mounted 7 to 10 feet from the floor, and it might be difficult to view the screen from close
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Before anything can be mounted, we must consider some factors. What kind of digital signage are we looking for? What’s the application? Who’s going to be looking at the message?
distances. A slight tilt will enhance the viewing experience for everyone. If the area is less confined and there is more seating and less standing, tilt might not be necessary, but more displays may be required to keep everyone happy. A bank has an open feel with strong, unobstructed lines of sight, but the crowd is controlled and directed to specific destinations. A ceiling mount that won’t compromise security and visibility might be just the ticket. For foodservice menus, the days of the handle-crank menu boards are gone and replaced with digital menu boards capable of changing from breakfast to lunch to dinner with just a couple of keystrokes. Display placement in these establishments is very consistent: above and behind the order stations. This keeps the patrons moving in a forward direction. A mount with a slight tilt would be most appropriate here. Another consideration for multipledisplay setups is to choose a mount that can be installed like a daisy chain. Some manufacturers offer mounts that can be installed along a single row of interconnecting mounting plates, which will provide a level installation with consistent increments of tilt to ensure a near seamless display. These mounts will usually also allow for the necessary spacing behind the displays to accommodate the small content management CPUs.
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Content Considerations Let’s look at delivering content in a setting such as a school or corporate office. As students enter the lobby of a school in the morning, they can be greeted with informative messages about after-school activities, safety messages or other pertinent programming. These displays are probably best kept at heights that will reduce accessibility, which requires a ceiling mount. In some cases, you may have a central area that is serviced from two different feeder hallways. Here, it makes sense to install a back-to-back twodisplay setup so messages can be viewed regardless of the students’ entry point. In corporate settings where you are dealing with a low-impact viewing audience, content may include welcome messages for special guests, company announcements and activities. This can easily be viewed using mounting systems that don’t incorporate any tilt. Advertising and brand building go handin-hand. Retail establishments are vibrant, which makes them unpredictable from a mount standpoint. Chances are, you will need a combination of wall and ceiling mounts to deliver messages to the not-socaptive-audience. Ceiling mounts could be used to draw attention from a distance to a certain brand, product or sale. On the other hand, a wall mount with a small degree of tilt may serve to entrench a message about a specific product, service or brand once the
customer has wandered into the draw area. Considering that any flat surface has the potential to be a digital sign, some venues have created interactive displays designed to get the audience involved. Most commonly, tourist attractions and museums will use these dynamic pathways that are typically built into the floor to direct people to activities or new exhibits. These are usually very effective with young families, as it will engage the youngsters down a path of learning and adventure and, ultimately, direct them and their parents into the gift shop. Mission accomplished. We’ve touched on several applications here, but there are plenty more, including video walls, freestanding displays, pole mounts and touchscreens, to name just a few, each with their own nuances and applications.
The Easiest Decisions May Require Extra Thought I’ve often said that mount companies are the low-tech guys in a high-tech world. Make no mistake; selecting the right mount has everything to do with maximizing the delivery of your message. It’ll take patience, creativity, some high-tech equipment and quality content to make it all work. But at the end of the day, without the right mount, it makes for an ugly pile of bells and whistles. Keith Fulmer is president of Video Mount Products.
Signage Solutions - Corporate Profile
Black Box Corporation Black Box Corporation 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055 George Borden, Digital Signage National Sales Manager 724-873-6565 George.Borden@BlackBox.com blackbox.com/go/iCOMPEL Black Box offers everything you need to set up end-to-end systems for attention-getting digital signage. Whether you're considering digital signage for a small or medium business or planning a fully integrated signage and video distribution system for a corporate, healthcare, education, or government application, Black Box has a solution for you.
Our award-winning platforms include: • iCOMPEL™ integrated hardware/software systems for easy implementation of professional signage— these browser-managed appliances come preloaded with layouts and tools for assembling and distributing content to digital signs, and have no ongoing licensing fees. • iCOMPEL EDS for easy-to-scale, enterprise signage— schedule and change presentations for any screen anywhere in the world with this VMware® application. • iCOMPEL WDS for globally manageable 2.4-inch wearable signage—with each miniature LCD player, you get a magnetic clip and a lanyard for wearing plus access to a Web portal for assembling video presentations. • MediaFlyer™ EXPRESS hardware/hosted solution—a user-friendly system that includes everything needed to get started except for the display: a player and a subscription to the MediaFlyer Web site for uploading, managing, and scheduling content.
Also available: integrated LCD/touchscreen displays, enclosures, and mounting hardware, as well as AV distribution components for HDMI, DVI, and VGA video, including video extenders, splitters, switches, converters, scalers, and cabling. For help choosing a digital signage platform or an AV distribution solution, download Black Box’s AV, Multimedia, and Digital Signage Design and Sourcing Guide today at blackbox.com/go/ iCOMPEL. Black Box also offers industry-leading FREE 24/7 technical support, end user training, and digital signage certification programs.
Looking to set up digital signage or AV distribution? Get our helpful planning guide. What you need to design an end-to-end multimedia system. The guide includes resources for:
» Affordably setting up digital signage. » Economically extending video over CATx or fiber cabling to reach distant screens.
» Efficiently splitting and switching video. » Scaling and converting video for newer types of displays. » Sharing video presentations wirelessly in meeting rooms. » And more! To get the guide, visit blackbox.com/go/GuideDS or call 800-355-8003 today.
Cabling | Displays | Distribution | Extension | Media Players | Software | Mounts
Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
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Signage Solutions - Corporate Profile
ELO Touch Systems Elo Touch Solutions, Inc. 301 Constitution Drive Menlo Park, CA 94025 Tel: 1-800-ELO-TOUCH (356-8682) Fax: 650-361-4722 Website: www.elotouch.com E-mail: customerservice@elotouch.com Elo Touch Solutions is a premier global supplier of touch solutions including touchscreen components, touchmonitors, and all-in-one (AiO) touchcomputers. With multiple touchscreen technology options, including surface acoustic wave (SAW), resistive, projected capacitive, acoustic pulse recognition (APR), infrared (IR), and optical, Elo touch solutions meet the diverse requirements of digital signage, retail, point-of-sale (POS), hospitality, medical/healthcare IT, industrial, and consumer. A pioneer in the industry with over 40 years of experience, Elo brings quality, innovation, and integrity to everything we touch.
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Touch the Future with Elo Interactive Digital Signage Touch the future and elevate your digital signage applications with the new Elo Touch Solutions interactive digital signage (IDS) touch displays. Elo IDS displays are designed specifically for demanding applications such as malls, retail outlets, hotels and public venues of nearly every kind. The complete Elo Touch Solutions family of IDS displays is hard-wearing and stylish, making them an excellent choice for “out-of-home� public locations where you can intercept prospects and customers in high traffic paths with interactive messaging.
Interactive Digital Signage: right to the point With the exciting dimension of touch, the Elo Touch Solutions Interactive Digital Signage (IDS) displays generate more customer engagement than traditional signage. Attractive, professional-grade and rugged enough to provide consistent performance in public environments, Elo’s IDS displays are available in a choice of touch technologies and four sizes, 32”, 42”, 46” and 55”. To learn more about the Elo Touch Solutions Interactive Digital Signage family, visit www.elotouch.com/IDS
© 2012 Elo Touch Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Signage Solutions - Corporate Profile
VUKUNET powered by NEC Display Solutions VUKUNET Ad Serving Platform 630-936-9999 www.vukunet.com
NEC Display Solutions is an industry leader in digital signage and provides expertise in creating customized display solutions. NEC specializes in the retail, hospitality, restaurant and healthcare markets, as well as many other industries, designing products that include innovative desktop LCD monitors, commercial- and professional-grade large-screen LCD displays, a diverse line of multimedia and digital cinema projectors, and integrated display solutions.
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VUKUNET is the universal ad serving platform for the digital out-of-home
and digital place-based advertising. Developed by NEC, VUKUNET was designed specifically to make it much easier for both the media buyers and sellers (networks) to run efficient campaigns. VUKUNET provides real-time inventory, automated ad delivery and real-time proof-of-performance. The end-to-end platform creates value for both media buyers and sellers (networks) increasing transparency and creating innovation in what was previously a “manual industry.� www.vukunet.com
Get connected with VUKUNET. The universal ad serving platform for digital place-based media. Developed by NEC, VUKUNET is the ONLY universal ad serving platform for digital place-based media and digital out-of-home. With millions of screens, thousands of screen formats, hundreds of content management software (CMS) and hundreds of proof-of-performance reports, VUKUNET streamlines them all together in real time, making it easy for both the buyers and sellers. All of this delivers your message to customers at the right time and the right place. Only direct-to-screen universal ad serving technology Seamless and CMS agnostic (runs directly in playlist) Real-time inventory, reporting and proof-of-performance Automatically transcodes creative to optimize for every screen Use as a standalone tool or integrate within current platforms Become part of the industry ad serving platform today at VUKUNET.com.
Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
September/October 2012
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Signage Solutions - Corporate Profile
Microspace Communications Corp. Greg Weaver Manager, Digital Signage Networks Microspace Communications Corporation 3100 Highwoods Blvd., Suite 120 Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 850-4547 gweaver@microspace.com www.microspace.com
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Microspace Communications Corporation is a leading provider of point-to-multipoint satellite services for video, data and audio content distribution and operates one of the largest global business satellite broadcasting network, with more than a quarter of a million receive sites worldwide. Founded in 1988, Microspace is a pioneer in innovative broadband solutions for established and emerging enterprise applications, including digital signage, digital cinema, multimedia entertainment, corporate communications, radio broadcasting, wireless messaging and private data networks. Fortune 500 organizations and small companies alike rely on Microspace to deliver their business critical video, audio and data content. Through its VELOCITY速 satellite service, Microspace is reliably and securely broadcasting content to locations around the globe. Its scalability allows it to meet the needs of a range of industries. Microspace
also offers wireless (non satellite) solutions that in many cases perfectly compliment the fixed cost, multicast benefits of satellite broadcasting. These wireless solutions include cellular which when combined with satellite create an extremely cost effective and reliable hybrid network. Microspace also maintains a robust ecosystem of technology partners to support all other aspects of a successful enterprise network. In addition, VELOCITY is engineered with an open-architecture platform, which supports a wide variety of hardware/software suppliers and price-points. To ensure industry-standard quality of service and reliability for VELOCITY, Microspace provides 24x7 monitoring from its state-ofthe-art Network Control Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It also leverages the global reach of major satellite operators to provide expansive international network coverage by nearly a dozen satellites across the US, Europe and Latin America.
Signage Solutions
&Products
Digital signage products and solutions for today’s applications
Square Display Samsung’s new UD22B is a 22-inch square type display with a one-to-one format and a super-narrow bezel that is aimed at customers looking for a different kind of display solution that enables them to build creative and artistic installations. With the ability to daisy chain up to 100 units and a 1.8 mm/3.7 mm bezel that allows for seamless tiling, the UD22B provides endless flexibility for installations that are only limited by the imagination of the user. Samsung www.signagemag.com/7209
Customized Display Board Scala’s CxO Board allows C-level executives, directors and managers to create displays that feature their specific, critical business intelligence through dynamic, personalized graphics. CxO automatically pulls and organizes KPIs and relevant industry data that is most important to a company's specific goals, so they can effectively drive priorities and maintain focus on their unique strategic performance initiatives. Scala www.signagemag.com/7213
HDMI Signage Player Module Axiomtek's OPS870 is an OPS-based digital signage player module made to simplify installation, making maintenance and deployment of signage systems faster and at a lower cost. In addition to delivering superb graphics performance, full HD content playback, and dual display presentations, the OPS870 also supports Intel® Active Management Technology 8.0 for optimal remote control management Axiomtek www.signagemag.com/7208
High-End Pro-Grade Digital Signage The WS10 LED Widescreen Full HD Capable Monitor series features edge-lit LED lighting with IPS panels and a brightness of 450nit, displaying advertisements, information and broadcast video with brilliance. The WS10 also includes a built-in media player for expanded content and entertainment options. The WS10 is available in 42-, 47- and 55-inch class (42.0-, 47.0- and 54.6-inch diagonal). LG www.signagemag.com/9050 iPad® Secure Interface Chief introduces its new iPad Secure Interface Bracket. The secure solution attaches an iPad 2 or current iPad to Chief’s wall, desk and pole mounts to create a productive, ergonomic display or workspace. The secure interface protects the iPad and prevents theft while safeguarding connections for cable charging and syncing. To install, simply place the iPad in the case and lock the lid with security screws. Chief Manufacturing www.signagemag.com/9054 Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
Digital Signage Player w/ 3rd Generation Intel Core Processor Nexcom's NDiS 167 Ivy Bridge player is a powerful digital signage player built around the technology of a 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processor family series and QM77 integrated graphics controller. The digital signage player offers quality system performance and full HD videos. With support for smooth 1080P video playback on three independent displays, the 1080P signage player can be used in applications such as advertising, hospitality, brand promotion and digital menu board. Nexcom www.signagemag.com/9045
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Signage Solutions Products
Hyper Media Players The HMP 130 & 200 Hyper Media Players from SpinetiX offer a simple and reliable approach to digital signage. With no moving parts, the HMP 130 & 200 players come loaded with SpinetiX Fusion software. Fusion is easy to use, with a drag and drop interface that allows you to create compelling digital signage right out of the box. Designed on an open platform for easy integration, the SpinetiX HMP 130 & 200 players provide an architecture to display your dynamic video content in Full HD. Convergent www.signagemag.com/9051
Ultra Slim Fanless System The ultra thin 24.3cm x 12.4cm x 3.0cm VIA ARTiGO A1200 is powered by a 1.0GHz VIA Eden X2 dual core processor for a fanless system with up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM. It provides playback of HD video formats, including MPEG-2, WMV9, VC1 and H.264 at screen resolutions up to 1080p. The dualsided I/O coastline interface includes one HDMI and one VGA display port, two GigaLAN Ethernet ports, four USB 2.0 ports, one CFast socket, two audio jacks (Mic-in and Line-out), 12V DC-in power and an optional USB 3.0 host port. Via Embedded www.signagemag.com/9062
Wireless Digital Signage Connectivity AvaLAN wireless’s AW900xTR-PAIR product provides an easy to install wireless bridge to any digital sign. Providing a network connection to your sign across the parking lot or across town, the AW900xTR-PAIR offers a robust and reliable connection to your digital sign without the expense or hassle of wired cabling. Advanced encryption technology is used to insure the security of your content and your digital sign. AvaLAN Wireless www.signagemag.com/9063
Affordable Digital Signage Content Short Bites Media offers affordable shortformat media content that goes beyond typical graphics, still photos and ‘eye candy’ to incorporate dynamic HD video, innovative graphics and relevant information that's engaging in a variety of environments. Designed specifically for digital signage, packages currently available include Consumer Tips, Green Tips, National Park Travel Tips and Fun Facts. Short Bites Media www.signagemag.com/9042 Indoor Banner Displays Daktronics 6 and 10 mm Indoor Banner Displays feature a lightweight two-faced design to provide maximum exposure for advertisers. Its rack-mounted control system offers scheduling and reports in addition to enabling event-driven content such as interactive gaming. An optional rotating mounting solution delivers superior visibility to both featured advertisements and in-store brand signage. Daktronics www.signagemag.com/9065
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Integrated Digital Signage and IP Camera in One Display The VIP Series of Displays by VuIT integrates an IP Camera with Enterprise Digital Signage in one display. This new technology combines Promotional and Loss Prevention capabilities in order to sell more and lose less. Media content and IP Camera settings can be managed in a stand alone mode or over the network to hundreds or thousands of locations, while simultaneously recording activities. Expanded capabilities like analytics can be added and the displays are available in a wide variety of sizes. VuIT Communications www.signagemag.com/9053 HDMI IP distribution solution The new Black Box® HDMI IP distribution solution uses an Ethernet network to distribute digital video to displays with Black Box’s new MediaCento™ IPX Multicast solution (VX-HDMI-IP-VTX, VX-HDMI-IP-VRX, VX-HDMI-IPMTX, VX-HDMI-IP-MRX). It not only multicasts 1080p HDMI® video to up to 256 screens, but also outputs video on video walls in 2 x 2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4, and 8 x 8 arrays. Just use a browser-based interface to configure a video wall image and assign source video to any screen in the video matrix. Black Box www.signagemag.com/9065
Signage Solutions
Electronic Grease Board Solutions for Medical Facilities The Electronic Grease Board is a replacement for manually updating inroom patient information. Information such as the names of the primary care providers (Physician,Nurse, Nurse Aid) and specific notes relevant to the patient is automatically extracted from a database and displayed in the patient’s room on a monitor. The solution includes the MagicBox EZ Stream Software, a custom template and a playback device. The end result is a fully automated solution designed to improve communication between hospital staff and the patient. MagicBox www.signagemag.com/9047
Player PC Designed specifically for continuous-duty digital signage applications, sureVue42 is a compact, fully-integrated system which delivers high-definition video content. Its fanless cooling solution has been utilized in extremely hot climates, proving the unit stays cool in high temperatures. Like all sureVue player PCs, sureVue42 comes with mediaVue’s custom Windows Embedded image. mediaVue Systems www.signagemag.com/7217
Products
Double-Sided Display NanoLumens’ double-sided displays make it possible to capture viewer attention from virtually any angle. The ultra-lightweight dual-sided models are less than 4-inches thick, and can be suspended using standard integrated mounting brackets. Now shopping centers, transit stations, corporate lobbies, exhibit halls and more can utilize dual-sided display technology without the bulk typically associated with traditional LED technology. NanoLumens www.signagemag.com/7218
MultiZone Menu Boards St. Clair has developed multizone controls for menu items, promotions, and order status across 1, 2, or 3 screens. Content is remotely controllable by zone, time of day, day of week, and groups / site by site administration. Menu boards can be linked to ordering kiosks, web site, mobile ordering, etc. St. Clair Interactive www.signagemag.com/7216
Retail Analytics Solution Scala’s Advanced Analytics helps companies understand exactly what their customers want to purchase by transforming historical market data, live third-party data streams and specific business goals. Advanced Analytics also helps create marketing messages that maximize sales. The automated system learning feedback mechanism continues to learn about a business and accordingly, refines and optimizes their message. This solution is best suited for multi-site retailers and QSRs with large numbers of SKU’s and Point of Sale data in their operational portfolio. Scala www.signagemag.com/7214
Digital Signage Media Player Gefen's HD Digital Signage Media Player offers an affordable entry into digital signage with specific features like Gefen CMS and support for 1080p Full HD. This player is a stand alone, Linux-based solution that connects to the network for content delivery and outputs directly to any HDTV using HDMI, component or composite with audio. Calendar scheduling allows you to schedule and manage all content from the desktop. Gefen www.signagemag.com/8968
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Signage Solutions Products
DVI matrix switcher with audio The Atlona® AT-HDDVI1616-AM 16x16 DVI and audio matrix switcher is HDCP compliant and offers three control options, nine programmable memory presets, and EDID learning. These and other features enable faster switching times — as fast as .5 seconds — in complex systems with multiple sources and displays. With resolutions of up to 1920x1200 or 2Kx1K, the AT-HDDVI1616-AM provides crisp video for presentations of all types. Atlona www.signagemag.com/7207
Single Digital Signage Player for Unlimited Displays ZeeVee's ZvBox 180 distributes one digital signage player in HD to unlimited displays, all over coax. Use the QAM tuner built into the HDTV to tune in the digital signage channel at the TV, without set-top boxes or receivers required. Features include up to 1080ip/i output, simple front panel controls for easy setup and fan-cooled, rack-mountable chassis. ZeeVee www.signagemag.com/9059
Ultra-small Form Factor Turnkey Menu Board Solution The AOpen TK711P is a new plug-and-play ready turnkey menu board solution. It utilizes the Intel mobile platform for stability and performance. Content can be scheduled for day parting and promotional purposes. The 6.5 x 6.5 x 2” ultrasmall form factor allows it to be mounted behind displays, and can support up to three displays. Other features, HDMI, gigabit LAN, COM port, six USB ports. AOpen www.signagemag.com/7211
Point-of-Purchase Digital Media Solution STRATACACHE’s Gestural Interactive, a pointof-purchase digital media solution, displays high-definition brand messages programmed to respond when a consumer interacts with the content via hand or motion-based gestures. With the simple wave of the hand, a consumer can play a game showcasing a brand's logo, view new clothing from their favorite apparel line, or browse in-store product catalogs. Content can also include promotional or product messages that, when interacted with, generate mobile coupons or social media interactions. Stratacache www.signagemag.com/9057
iTouch Internet Access Kiosk iTouch can be configured to provide a user-friendly interface, easy navigation and dynamic presentation. Standard and optional security features protect user privacy, an integrated printer option can make your iTouch Kiosk a full-function, self-service information center. From any internet-connected computer, control the presentation of your iTouch screen when it’s not in use. Create an inviting welcome screen, provide user instructions or present promotional messages when the iTouch is inactive. inLighten www.signagemag.com/9055
Digital Signage Player & Server in One Package The SP1360 Player/Server Appliance performs as both a digital signage player and server. It incorporates pre-installed player software and WebDT Content Manager server software in a small, fanless package, ready to perform out-of-the-box with no separate server needed. With the Intel® Core™ i series processor, the SP1360 provides dual Full-HD videos and optimal display experience. The SP1360 can also be used as a server for up to ten signage appliances, ready to create a network for targeted communications. DT Research www.signagemag.com/9044
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Signage Solutions Products
CONTENT MARKETPLACE YOUR DIGITAL SIGNAGE CONTENT STREAM
Compact Router with Embedded Cellular Modem The Microspace 650 Series is built for your M2M network. It’s an affordable compact router designed for critical business and enterprise applications that require 24x7 connectivity. With its compact size, mounting bracket and external Mobile Broadband, the 650 is appropriate for use in high-availability applications like Kiosks, Digital Signage Networks, Corporate training Networks, etc. Opitmal for deployment in conjunction with the Microspace Satellite broadcast network, enabling a connection solution to be achieved where wired internet is not available or cost prohibitive. Microspace www.signagemag.com/8973
All-in-One Fanless Player The fanless SignEdge Pro player comes complete with a new design and upgraded performance. This standalone player has a heat conductor installed inside, which replaces the fan unit found in the original SignEdge Pro. The heat emitting from this player is released outside from both sides, preventing overheating. The fanless standalone SignEdge player can handle communication to a wide audience. UCView www.signagemag.com/7210
Energy Efficient LED Display The Samsung MD Series offers customers the benefits of LED technology at a price comparable to traditional CCFL displays. Available in sizes ranging from 32 to 55 inches, the MD Series features a narrow bezel and slim profile. Its lightweight design permits easier installation while providing a full range of connectivity options, including HDMI, Component/Composite and USB 2.0. It also comes with an embedded media player for easy content play and updates. Samsung www.signagemag.com/9114 Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
GREAT DISPLAYS NEED PREMIUM CONTENT DESIGN | CREATION | SUPPORT FLIXIO.COM
503.607.0010 September/October 2012
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Signage Solutions
Products
iCore Digital Signage Media Player MEDIAWAVE PC’s MW-6110 is a cost effective, slim digital media player powered by Intel 2nd Generation iCore Processors. It's capable of full 1080 Video and HD Audio output through HDMI. The slim design and VESA mounting options make it easy to mount behind any flat screen. Mediawave PC www.signagemag.com/9052
65-inch True Outdoor All-weather Television The 6560HD is SunBriteTV's Signature Series 65-inch true outdoor all-weather television, with a bright, Full-HD 1080p 240Hz LED screen. Designed and engineered to resist rain, dust, insects, humidity and salt air for permanent outdoor installation, the built-in heating and air flow cooling system allows the unit to operate in temperatures ranging from -24F up to 122F. SunBriteTV www.signagemag.com/8983
Lightweight Professional LCD Displays Panasonic’s LF5 Series has a high brightness, slim design with low power consumption. The displays are light weight and offer a wide range of professional features for excellent signage and video performance. Available in 42” and 47”, the displays are cost-effective for simple digital signage applications. Along with Full HD resolution and a wide viewing angle, the LF5 Series features a slim 18.6mm bezel, allowing them to be used in multi-screen video walls. Panasonic www.signagemag.com/9066
Outdoor Wayfinding Touch Screen Kiosk The ViewStation enclosure line provides vandal-proof, all-weather enclosures for digital signage. All enclosures can be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as anti-reflective tempered glass, integrated thermal management, tamper resistant locking mechanisms, and various touchscreen options. ITS Enclosures www.signagemag.com/9056
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HDMI Signal over Cat5 Extend HDMI or HDMI plus RS232 over solid conductor Cat5e/6 cable up to 300ft at a 1080p resolution. TruChoice™ Power provides the flexibility of using only a single power supply at either the transmitter or receiver. HDBaseT technology allows the EDID signals to pass through, ensuring content from the source is sent at the optimal resolution for the display. The HDMI over Cat5 extenders support HDMI features such as 3D and deep color with a 10.2 Gbps data transfer rate. C2G (Cables To Go) www.signagemag.com/7219
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Digital Signage Technology for Today’s Applications
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