Click above for more information Why We NEED the Digital Signage Market (and Why You Need an Evangelist)
By Gary Kayye, CTS The ProAV market is slow. Sure, it’s picking up a little, but it is no where near where it was in 2005 and 2006. And, it’s now clear that we’re not going to see major movement in this market until at least Q1 2010. Design consultants in the ProAV market are slow. Some will hide this fact from you as they want to keep up a good image, but they are slower than they have been in more than ten years – and I don’t mean SOME of them; it’s MOST of them.
But, the Digital Signage market is developing rapidly and it becoming as mainstream in ProAV as the Educational or Corporate AV markets are. Sure, it’s new, but it’s the fastest developing market I’ve seen in my 22-year AV tenure.
So, what now?
Well, you’re on your way – being a subscriber of rAVe DS means you care about the DS market enough to read about it. But, are you moving towards addressing it, specifically, yet? Do you have a DS evangelist yet?
Look, think back to new, evolutionary market trends in ProAV over the years. Remember the emergence of the Classroom AV market? Or, how about the beginning of the portable projector market? Videoconferencing?
When those markets first appeared in ProAV, didn’t you have an evangelist (someone in sales or marketing who took it upon himself/herself to be the resident expert in it) – and then, everyone turned to them as systems were designed for those markets?
Listen, the Digital Signage market is more than just a segment of the display market. That’s my point.
rAVe DS was started and designed to be an educational tool/resource for the ProAV market to help them (you) get into the DS market. We’ve spent 2009 focused on doing that.
But, some of you out there still see the DS market as an arm of the flat-panel display market – and it’s FAR from that! Far, far away.
In fact, if anything, it’s a segment of the IT market. It’s video networking, technically, of content via IP. So, you’ve got to become IP pros – not because we want you to get into the IT market, but because you need the skills required for IT to integrate a DS system.
How many of you out there are Cisco certified?
Are you even registered for the DSE (Digital Signage Expo) show? Are you at least sending your Evangelist? In case you didn’t know, you can register here: http://www.digitalsignageexpo.net/Events/DigitalSignageExpo2010/tabid/72/Default.aspx
If InfoComm 2009 did one thing, it proved how mainstream the DS market’s getting. There were well over 200 booths with DS-related products and technologies and InfoComm is hurrying to add even more DS to their educational curriculum and future events so as not to be bested by the DSE-folks themselves. Don’t get me wrong, the DSE show is THE DS show right now and give credit where credit is due – expoNation had the vision to start this show a few years ago while only almost no other AV show noticed. So if you're feeling confused about where to start, do this first: find within your organization, or hire, a DS Evangelist. Have them become Cisco certified, send them to the DSE show, and have them take classes on the AV or IT side of DS, depending on where their experience lies. As a business owner or manager, work in conjunction with your DS evangelist to develop a strategy for your company to enter the market. Your DS Evangelist needs to understand a lot more than AV gear. They need to understand networks, and they need to understand advertising and services, because ultimately, that's where DS is really going to make everyone money. We've been preaching for years about how you need to make your business model less hardware-based and more service-based, because that's where all the long-term potential for revenue is. Digital Signage is naturally service-based, so here's your chance to change the way you make money. Your Evangelist needs to be on board with this philosophy. Maybe it's the guy who came up with, or was most successful at selling, your service contract. But finding that person who really believes this is the future of the industry, and your business, is the first step. Start there. Back to Top Click above for more information rAVe Does Video (and Tweets!) at InfoComm09 With the introduction of our all-new rAVe NOW service at InfoComm last month, rAVe Publications took a major leadership position in digital publishing. In an effort to continue to make our coverage of the AV market better and even more valuable to our readers, we launched rAVe NOW as a virtually real-time way to report the news to you – filled with out observations of what’s out there.
rAVe NOW is a trifecta of services:
• rAVe Video: In rAVe VIDEO, we posted more than 160 videos made live on the InfoComm show floor all introducing new products or technologies: https://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=115&Itemid=199
• rAVe Twitter: In rAVe Twitter, we Tweeted over 200 times about new gear on the show floor: https://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1263&Itemid=207
• rAVe Blog: You’ve been asking to have our founder, Gary Kayye, blog more often about the market, and now you’ll get more of him than you’ll probably want. In fact, his latest blog is about the seedy side of a trade industry magazine – one right here in the ProAV market: https://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=117&Itemid=204
So, experience InfoComm09 as if you were actually there through rAVe NOW: https://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1262&Itemid=206
Back to Top Samsung Announces UD Video Wall System Samsung Electronics Corporation releases its Ultra-Definition Display (UD) System, an interactive, video wall solution. The system is integrated into Samsung’s UX and UT Series displays, with the product cost based on application.
With its ability to display information that originates from up to 125 networked PCs, the UD system creates a visualization venue from a video wall of Samsung UD Series monitors. Samsung says that through conversational control and administration, information can be shared over the network and presented from remote locations. Video streams sent from webcams, security cameras and video files can also be displayed directly on the video wall.
Samsung UD provides an optimal viewing experience, maximizing image quality through its ability to reposition and resize images up to 1GB or larger in real time. The Ultra High Resolution Contents Display incorporates Giga Pixel image support, which eliminates resolution degradation. Giga Pixel capability enables users to hone in on static imagery such as satellite photos or high definition images and project them on the video wall. Samsung UD can zoom in on an image by 0.1 to 10 times. According to Samsung, video files and movies can be played virtually seamlessly and without distortion, when used with the ultra-thin bezel UT Series. We must admit, it was impressive!
Samsung UD enables one control server to manage up to 250 video displays. Samsung’s exclusive patented Interlocking Display Solution, Samsung ID, allows system integrators to easily align and build video walls with perfect matching bezels in three directions.
Samsung doesn’t have this on their website yet, but here’s a YouTube video of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dAP3ZTzZdM
Back to Top Panasonic Launches 85" Plasma Panasonic has closed the gap a bit between 65" and 103" plasmas. At InfoComm, Panasonic introduces its 85-inch plasma display as part of its new 12 series range with NeoPDP technology (for high-image quality in full HD).
The new plasma display features a screen size equivalent to four 42-inch panels and, despite the size, the NeoPDP technology offers twice the brightness efficiency of previous models with less power consumption and without compromising on image quality.
NeoPDP, says Panasonic, also offers the world’s highest moving image resolution of 1,080 lines and a contrast ratio of 40,000:1. The high-end specifications allow highly realistic and powerful high-quality video on a slim-line display that has been reduced to a thickness of only 99 mm. The weight of each unit has been reduced to less than 130kg (70 percent weight reduction compared to the current 103” model), making the product extremely flexible for transport and installation.
The new plasmas are equipped with LAN terminals that support “LAN control,” which allows the display to be remotely controlled. In addition Panasonic offers unique function slots into which up to three interchangeable terminal boards can be inserted offering a high degree of expandability and covering a wide variety of commercial customer needs, from interactive public display to video-conferencing.
This new plasma isn’t on Panasonic’s website yet, but we were told that when it is, it will be here: http://www.panasonic.com/business/plasma/plasmas.asp
Back to Top Da-Lite Shows New Holo Screen – Aimed at Retail DS Applications Designed for large-format projection of digital signs, the Holo is designed to hang in plain sight (in retail environments) as it’s specifically designed to operate in high ambient light environments. The new Holo accommodates sizes up to 108” x 300” and the rear-screen design uses a new optical coating that makes the projected images sharper than any other screen in this category.
If you want to see the video rAVe NOW shot of the Holo design, go to: http://www.vimeo.com/5234469
You can see all the specs at: http://www.dalite.com/products/product.php?cID=10&pID=335
Back to Top Pre-Packaged Dental Office DS Software Doctors' and dentists' offices are two common small-office apps for the digital signage market and they just became a lot easier. A strategic alliance between Waiting Room Theater and 11Giraffes will provide Waiting Room Theater with the technology to deliver “professional video” (their words) to dentists for waiting areas and patient treatment rooms throughout North America, and around the world – using a DS network.
Waiting Room Theater is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, founded in 2003, and they say their product is the "pioneer in dental infotainment." Originally delivered on DVD in quarterly intervals to nearly 3,000 dental offices, they recently transitioned to using the Internet via DS networks to drive content. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, 11Giraffes is an asset-based media management and delivery company, providing innovative digital music and digital signage solutions for in-store, in-office, and digital advertising networks.
Learn more about Waiting Room Theater at: http://www.waitingroomtheater.com/ Learn more about 11Giraffes at: http://11giraffes.com/ Back to Top NEXCOM Launches Cheaper DS Player Last week, NEXCOM launched its new PDS 1100 media player aiming for entry-level digital signage applications. The PDS 1100 is housed in a fan-less, tiny box and includes a CF card socket, 1 USB port, an Ethernet port, a VGA output with 720p capability and an OS that supports most fie types from MPG, AVI and MOV files to MP3, WAV and RSS feeds.
Check out all the specs at: http://www.nexcom.com/ProductModel.aspx?id=90f93390-8adf-4457-8e99-040e4b502d6d Back to Top Extron Finally Launches Touch Panels! With the launch of their new TouchLink line of touch panels, Extron is truly a full-fledged control system company. TouchLink is being promoted as the first fully configuration-based touch panel control system with the power to handle the control needs of single display rooms, dual display rooms, divisible rooms, multi-image systems, and videoconference suites. TouchLink Control Systems can be deployed much faster than traditional programmable control systems and are easier and less costly to support. The new TouchLink products include three touch panel models, an Ethernet control processor, and Extron GUI Configurator Software. TouchLink Control Systems integrate seamlessly with the award-winning Extron GlobalViewer Enterprise software and Free GlobalViewer Web application for complete A/V resource monitoring, management, and control over a computer network. And, you WILL see these make their way to the DS market. The TouchLink touch panels come in three sizes and form-factors: TLP 700MV, is designed for mounting into a lectern or wall and features a 7" touch screen, ten field-labelable backlit buttons, and a large volume control knob. The TLP 700TV is designed for tabletop use or VESA mounting and features a 7" touch screen, ten field-labelable backlit buttons, and a large volume control knob. The TLP 350CV is a Cable Cubby version that features a 3.5" touch screen, ten customizable backlit external buttons, interior LED lighting, and convenient cable connectivity, using Extron's wide array of AAP – ArchitecturalAdapter Plates. Also being introduced is the IPL 250 Ethernet control processor, designed specifically to provide the A/V device connectivity for TouchLink panels.
Check them all out at: http://www.extron.com/product/prodtype35.aspx
You can also see a couple of videos we shot of their “official” InfoComm09 introduction using our new rAVe NOW service:
• An Introduction Video: http://www.vimeo.com/5188623
• An Overview Video: http://www.vimeo.com/5188723
Back to Top Chief Adds Cart and Stand Customization to MountBuilder At InfoComm09, Chief Manufacturing added new modules to their popular MountBuilder web-tool that allow you to visually build flat panel stands and mobile cart solutions – in addition to mounts. MountBuilder now includes ways to build out Chief carts and stands into custom solutions, including new accessories for building the ultimate video conferencing or digital signage solution where you can totally customize a retail display. In fact, at InfoComm, they introduced more than 10 new accessories for mounts and carts that can be seen here: http://www.chiefmfg.com/search_results.aspx?CategoryID=23 Back to Top VISIX Extends Deadline on Expression Awards With eight entries and counting, VISIX has extended their submission date through the end of the month (July 31, 2009) for their 2009 Expression Awards. Winners can be from small or large organizations, and they can be created by professional designers and communicators, or by students, administrators and HR assistants. They want to see the best Digital Signage work and give you a prize:
• FREE one-year subscription to any Visix data feed service
• The entire Visix xtras™ background library on CD
• One (1) $100 American Express gift card
• A mounted, personalized Expression Award
• Recognition in Visix's e-newsletter, website and press release announcing winners
• Recognition and re-publication in rAVe DS eNewsletter
• Featured publication of the winning entry on the Visix User Forum
• Use of the official 2009 Expression Award winner logo Submit your work for entry at: http://www.visix.com/expressionawards.html
Back to Top APN Outdoor's 121-foot Wide LED Digital Sign When APN Outdoor wanted to develop one of the largest outdoor digital signs in Australia, it also wanted to simplify the management of the sign for everyone, too. APN Outdoor turned to Australia-based Techmedia and Scala, and after more than two years of approvals and planning, the 121-foot-wide, 11-foot-high sign launched in September 2008 across from Melbourne’s busy Flinders Street Station, atop the historic Young & Jackson Hotel.
The Goal
The goal was simply to grab shoppers’ attention with a huge digital sign – static signage is everywhere, and Techmedia felt that making a giant sign dynamic would be the best way to satisfy APN Outdoor and prove to them that digital signs are the way of the future for all their outdoor advertising one day.
How’d They Do It?
Using Scala software designed by Techmedia, APN Outdoor’s advertisers have access to a template to create and customize the look and feel of their content. Now, APN Outdoor can schedule it to run within 24 hours. Advertisements run for 7.5 seconds, allowing for eight different ads to appear in a 60-second loop. The images are projected onto 147 LED tiles, which are dustproof and waterproof and made to withstand Melbourne’s humid, hot and wet weather.
Back to Top So, that's rAVe DS [Digital Signage] for this month! Remember, we are here to HELP the AV market penetrate the DS market. Less than 5 percent of the DS market is integrated by AV companies. The other 95 percent is IT-based. Now, there are AV publications and even an association that would like to draw those IT people in to AV (it would increase readers, right? – and more readers means they can charge more for ads). That is NOT what we are doing. rAVe DS is specifically designed to pull AV into the DS market and teach AV companies how to take business away from the currently dominated by IT market.
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read a 100% opinionated ePublication that's designed to help AV integrators. We not only report the news and new product stories of the digital signage industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that's why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter — instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas: Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter rAVe ProAV Edition. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA, launched in February, 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. rAVe ED [Education] launched in May 2008. rAVe DS [Digital Signage] was launched in January 2009.
To read more about my background, our team, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com
Back to Top Copyright 2009 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 376 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com
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