Digital Signage Systems
Dec 30, 2013 11:47 AM,
By Bennett Liles
Digital signage systems and components have been getting simpler to operate while becoming more sophisticated in their options. Smaller players are performing more functions with a greater range of media while monitors are growing in size and shrinking in weight with a wider complement of connections. Signal extenders can carry more video formats and control channels. As always, the real challenge is to craft the best system for the specific application and keep it as expandable and future proof as possible. We can see from the examples that follow that the possibilities are endless.
Black Box ICOS-PU
Black Box provides a solution to onsite media playback with the ICOS-PU, the OPS-compatible iCOMPEL publisher that sets up fast with preinstalled software and slides into an Intel Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) slot. Controllable with a web browser, the unit supports HTML; XML; JavaScript; Flash, MPEG 1, 2, and 4 (DivX); AVI; QuickTime, GIF; TIFF; JPEG; PNG; scrolling or static text; RSS feeds; MP3; and WAV files in 40GB SSD media storage. Drag-and-drop authoring software and predesigned screen templates make it easy to get up and running.
BrightSign BrightAuthor
BrightSign has given its powerful line of XD Players a big boost in features through new software and firmware upgrades. Customers now have the ability to up-scale 1080p video content to 4K and take advantage of some very useful HTML5 support features. The improvements are found in the new BrightAuthor 3.7 software and its companion 4.7 firmware. Another improvement is enhanced IP streaming support. With the new software/firmware package, BrightSign XD supports HLS streaming, Shoutcast, video streaming in HTML, as well as playback from head-end realtime encoders such as Exterity, Visionary Solutions, and other devices that provide UDP/RTP/RTSP streaming. Furthermore, the XD line will now function as an IP streaming server, for customers who want to stream locally stored content files.
Contemporary Research QMOD-HDMI1.5 HDMI HDTV Modulator
The QMOD-HDMI1.5 HDMI HDTV modulator from Contemporary Research creates a high-definition 720p/1080i MPEG-2 stream for broadcast, and accepts stereo, PCM, or pass-through AC-3 audio. Users can upgrade functionality for digital signage scaling and dual-channel operation by entering optional upgrade key codes. Inputs include RGBHV/component, HDMI, and two composite video inputs for encoding, captioning, or EAS use. It sets up with front panel and menus, and it can be web-monitored and controlled. Two of them can be mounted in a single rack space.
Gefen Digital Signage Player with Wi-Fi
Gefen designed its Digital Signage Player with Wi-Fi to combine the power of HTML5 with the interoperability of SMIL, supporting 1080p video, text tickers, 2-channel L/R audio, and calendar scheduling. USB 2.0 ports allow connection of keyboard and storage devices. There is 4GB of built-in flash memory, but it can be upgraded to 16GB. Users can employ 20 different media formats while a watchdog timer automatically gets the system back up and running after a power outage.
Nexio InfoCaster Manager from Harris Broadcast is a network management component for managing content across multiple displays, defining the playout device and time of arrival. InfoCaster Manager publishes the necessary files to a specified file server and notifies the specific player(s) to retrieve modified presentations from the file server. InfoCaster Manager Software enables users to administer content, permissions, and schedules of presentations on multiple InfoCaster Players. Nexio InfoCaster Manager Pro adds the features of mirrored and preferred file servers, InfoCast approval/disapproval, and control of unlimited InfoCaster Player devices.
Digital Signage Systems
Dec 30, 2013 11:47 AM,
By Bennett Liles
Hyundai IT D705SLI
With a kiosk housing and capability for internal PC and network connections, the 70in. portrait screen D705SLI stands out in malls, airports, and other busy public places. Hyundai IT added an automatic cooling system, stereo speakers, and touchscreen for high interactivity and low maintenance. The monitor includes VGA, HDMI, composite, and component inputs along with automatic power control, tempered glass, and an optional anti-reflective coating. The CCFL backlit unit has a 178-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angle.
Keywest Technology Breeze Linux-based media player
The Breeze Linux-based media player from Keywest Technology can be used as a low-cost hardware component in the company’s new scalable Breeze Digital Signage System, built to run on cloud-based networks. Capable of handling images, HD video, audio, web pages, and text, the player also supports layering as part of the overall system. Breeze Digital Signage has widgets that allow the addition of clocks, calendars, weather data, Twitter feeds, RSS feeds, streaming video, Facebook content, Sales Force CRM events, and QR codes to digital signage screens.
LG NA2100
Designed by LG in the form factor of a slide-in card, the NA2100 media player fits into the port of a compatible LG LCD monitor to provide programmed playback through its HDMI video output. The included management software provides menus for control of networked displays and running video, stills, audio, and flash files. The panel has two USB 2.0 ports and a PCI Express card slot. Main memory is DDR3 SDRAM unbuffered 1066 1024MB SODIMM type with Windows 7 as the embedded OS.
Magenta Research HD-One DX500 and LX500
When HD video signals must be sent long distances, Magenta Research has the ability to extend HD up to 500ft. with the HD-One DX500 and LX500 transmitter/receiver pairs. The DX500 handles uncompressed 1920×1200 video, HDCP, and embedded audio in Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio the full distance over UTP cable. The LX500 pair adds bidirectional RS-232 and IR over a single UTP cable, with two IR dongles included. The video connection is HDMI, while RS-232 is on 9-pin D-sub, and IR is on mini jacks.
Mitsubishi LM55S1
The LM55S1 55in. full HD, direct-lit LED, super-narrow bezel LCD monitors from Mitsubishi combine a thin 5.3mm bezel with compatibility for Crestron RoomView and AMX Device Discovery along with an OPS slot to accommodate a PC or 3G-SDI video input. Up to four monitors can be daisy-chained through the DVI connections. On larger videowalls, tiling compatibility with frame compensation adjusts the image to compensate for the bezels. The unit also supports closed captioning and picture-in-picture.
NEC V801
For larger lobbies and retail areas, the NEC 80in. V801 LED edge-lit commercial display is hard to miss and its built-in OPS slot simplifies digital signage installations. The monitor can accept VGA, RGBHV, composite, S-Video, HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI video, and pass on the DVI-D via loop-through. Audio connects on a mini jack for sound through the internal speakers, and there are external speaker terminals. Control can be connected with LAN or RS232 inputs and serial control can be looped through, as well.
Opticis HDFX-150-TR
New from Opticis, the compact optical DisplayPort extender, DPFX-100-TR enables transmission of 2560×1600 resolution video signals at 60Hz up to 985ft. over two LC connected fibers without any scaling or data compression. 10.8Gbps (2.7Gbps per lane) data throughput is provided, and it can be run on USB power through a DC adapter. The HDFX-150-TR, an optical HDMI extender, is compact with four LC fiber connections. The transmitter/receiver set enables a 1920×1200 or 1080p/60Hz signal to be sent up to 985ft. and supports 3D content with the same powering method as the DPFX-100-TR.
Digital Signage Systems
Dec 30, 2013 11:47 AM,
By Bennett Liles
Panasonic TH-55LFV50
The PanasonicTH-55LFV50 is a 55in. LED-backlit LCD screen with 800cd/m2 brightness and an automatic cooling fan suited for 24-hour operation. The system delivers 1920×1080 resolution while offering serial, LAN (web browser) and IR control, and an external stereo speaker output. Inputs include HDMI, DVI-D (in/out), composite, component, and VGA. The 0.14in. bezel width makes it especially suitable for videowall applications. The normal power consumption of 320W drops to 0.5W in standby mode.
Planar PS-5580
Another great videowall display is the PS5580 from Planar with its edge-lit LED backlight technology, 400-nit brightness and the capability to scale up to a 10×10 array. The 55in. unit can be fitted with an optional mounting system for tiling and slim mounting depth. It can accept DisplayPort, HDMI (two), VGA, and DVI video with control capability on RS-232, LAN, IR, and keypad. Running on 130W, the screen produces a brightness of 400cd/m² and the monitor weighs in at 46lbs.
Prysm TD2 Tile
Prysm has released its next-generation Laser Phosphor Display (LPT) products with the debut of the TD2 Tile. The 25in. diagonal, zero-bezel unit has a standard resolution of 320×240 while the enhanced mode provides 427×320. The LPT display uses an ultraviolet, solid-state laser scanning the surface of the screen to excite the phosphor array and create the image. Prysm LPD videowalls can scale to sizes more than 100ft. wide while maintaining image uniformity over the entire display area.
Rise Display Preconfigured Media Player
The smallest media player from Rise Display has an Intel Dual Core processor, 4GB RAM, and a 32GB solid-state drive. The Preconfigured Media Player already has the Rise Vision Player in it so all that is needed to get it going is to enter a display ID. The standard operating system is Linux (Ubuntu), but Windows 7 can be installed as an option. In addition to its Ethernet port, the player has three USB 2.0 ports and two HDMI connectors.
Samsung OL46B
For all-weather indoor or outdoor digital signage displays, Samsung has a solution in the OL46B large-format display with its 1,500cd/m² brightness and water/dust-proof design. The 46in. diagonal display provides 1920×1080 resolution, and it can connect to RGB, DVI-D, or DisplayPort video. Its internal speakers allow audio content to be heard in outdoor environments, and the Smart Scheduling feature automatically selects on/off, input source, and volume level on a date and time plan.
Sharp PN-E802
The PN-E802 high-definition, LED-backlit LCD display from Sharp shows its 1920×1080 resolution over an 80in. screen with 450cd/m2 brightness while projecting sound from its 7W per channel stereo audio system. Designed for continuous 24/7 operation in portrait or landscape orientations, the monitor has a fanless architecture, and it can be fitted with an optional interface board to add a LAN port and expand its selection of input signal formats. The unit comes standard with RS-232 serial control port, VGA, and HDMI video inputs.
Shuttle DS47
While the displays are getting bigger, media players have shrunk while adding features. As an example, Shuttle designed the DS47 fanless media player with dual gigabit LAN interfaces, RS-232/422/485 control, USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, and dual video outputs with HDMI and DVI. With a body thickness of less than 40mm, the player uses only 65W power, fits a VESA mount, and operates quietly. It is equipped with an Intel high-performance Celeron Dual Core processor and built for 24/7 operation.
Digital Signage Systems
Dec 30, 2013 11:47 AM,
By Bennett Liles
SmartAVI SignagePro HD Player
Storing and delivering content for SmartAVI’s SignagePro digital signage system, the SignagePro HD Player Player uses an internal 1GB DDR2 RAM and an Intel Core2 Duo processor as the source while it connects to displays via DVI and VGA ports. The unit includes four USB 2.0 ports, PS/2 mouse/keyboard connections, and Ethernet. Numerous video formats up to 1080p, Flash, stills, web pages, Acrobat, PowerPoint, and RSS feeds are supported. Audio files include MP3 and WMA.
Southern Vision Systems N3000
Southern Vision Systems offers the N3000 series encoder to maximize network-friendly video transmission for many applications including digital signage networks. The H.264 compression allows maximum video resolution to be sent out to N3000 decoders over networks including WAN links using adjustable bit-rates from 32Kbps to 10Mbps. The units can accept analog or digital video signals and have multiple Ethernet and RS232 control options. A passthrough DVI port allows installation with a local high-def video monitor. Encoders and decoders each have two rear Ethernet ports, one of which features PoE.
SunBrite 5565HD
SunBriteTV designed the 5565HD LCD-LED 55in. weatherproof television for permanent outdoor installation, 24/7 operation in demanding temperature and humidity environments and impact resistance with its ASA outdoor-rated, high-impact resin exterior. The multi-fan airflow system maintains operating temperature in the most demanding conditions. The chassis has an IR receiver on the rear cable entry compartment along with an RS-232 control port. Features include a remote control lockout, built-in 20W speakers, and weatherproof control buttons.
Tightrope Media Systems Carousel Player 150
The Carousel Player 150 digital signage media player uses Ubuntu Linux to support integrated text, image, RSS displays with local caching for uninterrupted playback during network outages. As part of a complete Carousel digital signage system from Tightrope Media Systems, the player can be controlled and content scheduled through the Carousel content creation and management software. The unit also has a super-secure kiosk mode and automatic player updates along with emergency messaging capability.
tvOne CORIOmaster mini
Video processing for up to 12 DVI or as many as 18 SDI ports is available in 1RU on the CORIOmaster mini from tvOne. Videowalls and projector displays with edge blending can be set up with window resizing, layering, and positioning across displays. Additional features include preset layouts, 360-degree dynamic rotation of windows, and upgradable software for future proofing. The modular design allows mixing and matching of Universal DVI, HDBaseT, and 3G/HD/SD-SDI broadcast grade modules.
ViewSonic CDX4650-L
Another strong contender in the integrated videowall market is the ViewSonicCDX4650-L. The Full HD, LED commercial display offers a 5.3mm bezel, 1920×1080 resolution, and 6.5-millisecond response time. For videowall applications, the unit includes an OPS slot for local player mounting, input loop-through connections, and a 10-by-10 tiling feature. The monitor can input VGA, HDMI, DVI, component, and S-Video, and there is a serial control loop-through for videowall control.
