Volume 5, Issue 1 — January 22, 2013

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Dynamic Signage Outlook for 2013

By Lyle Bunn
Strategy Architect, BUNN Co.

The following is reprinted with permission from the Digital Screenmedia Association (DSA). For more information, go to http://www.digitalscreenmedia.org.

2013 will be another positive year in the decades-long success story that is dynamic signage and digital place-based media, in particular for diligent project directors and suppliers. Specifically:

• As Health Care Reform legislation, in particular Section 4205 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, is implemented, the food services sector will substantially increase its use of dynamic place-based media. This use will spur interest and use in other sectors. Projects in retail, financial services, consumer services, health care and for corporate communications will advance in this current “post-cutting, must build” economic climate.
• In realizing that successful dynamic signage use and supply is the application of knowledge, proven training programs such as the SPEED II Digital Signage Training Program and others available online through the Digital Signage Expert Group (DSEG.org) and from industry associations will offer an ongoing foundation of project and professional success. Experimentation and trial and error continually give way to structured processes and proven approaches. Under-performing projects and investments will be reviewed and re-positioned.
• Static sign and digital graphics providers will continue to become a supply force of dynamic signage as the International Sign Association (ISA) offers its members and affiliate regional associations education and resources.
• Increased integration with data and information feeds, as well as with paid, earned, social, mobile and proximity media will increase the relevance and the business value of dynamic media.
• Aggregation of display inventory, which has had extremely limited success and sector impact, has a clear path to success during 2013 through operational cooperation. Ad revenue achievement challenges on the part of ad-based networks, the maturing of ad sales and trafficking platforms, and the availability of the ad management and inventory software layer will improve the efficiencies of media commerce on the part of digital place-based networks.
• Agencies will show more enthusiasm for dynamic place-based media as their clients become more demanding and look to better integrate owned with paid media. The champions of place-based media are the brands themselves, the professional teams of which are ultimately responsible for brand success. It is this brand-driven commitment that is motivating change in favor of brand growth by contributors such as agencies. The fierce competition among agencies and the inherent focus on value and performance to brand client is a point of opportunity to agencies and to the brands they serve.
• Managed services will become a primary supply option. The convergence of hardware management and cloud services with the need to treat digital signage as an operating, and less as a capital, expense positions the opportunity for managed services organizations and supply approaches to emerge as a significant market option. Ad-based network operators, turnkey system providers and providers of other business-related managed services are well positioned to benefit from this natural trend in sourcing and supply. C-suite engagement (CFO, CIO with CMO) will drive out-sourcing.
• Strong supply capability will become stronger, resulting in revenue consolidation around those firms that have built and serve a client base. New suppliers risk being driven to low margin and niche opportunities and being “also-rans” as key business deployments go to proven suppliers.
• Improved research on the sector, the lack of which has stalled investment internally and externally, will become available. This is a must for the growth of the sector.

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Franchises, Dealerships Present Opportunities, Challenges in Digital Signage Deployments

By Ken Goldberg
CEO, Real Digital Media

Much has been written about best practices in the deployment of digital signage networks. Starting with content and content strategy, hardware and software choices, operations and physical deployment, there is much to consider. Many of these choices are easier to make when the network and the endpoints have a single owner, such as a corporate-owned retail network or a campus network. In an aggregated, place-based network such as those located in medical waiting rooms, public areas or bars, there is one network owner calling the shots on execution and usually multiple endpoint owners with specific needs that must be met. One segment that has vast potential and specific needs is that of franchised operations and dealerships. This article will examine the opportunities and challenges in the deployment of digital signage in franchise and dealer locations.

According to the International Franchise Association's 2012 Franchise Business Economic Outlook, retail automotive, food, restaurant and lodging franchises represent 400,120 establishments (locations), generating $451.3 billion in revenue. Those numbers do not include the huge business services sector, which has a mixture of retail- and service-oriented businesses. They also do not include product distribution franchises such as auto and truck dealers. Clearly, retail franchise businesses represent a very large, important, and growing sector of the economy. Dealerships are also a large economic force. Automotive dealers represent the largest sector. The National Automobile Dealer Association reported that 17,700 new vehicle dealerships in the U.S. drove $512 billion in 2010 revenue. But dealerships are not limited to cars. There are also truck, sporting equipment, appliance and many other types of product distribution dealerships with established retail locations. There are nuances to understand when looking at these important markets.

Franchises and dealerships generally leverage a brand and centralized marketing to support retail locations owned and operated by business partners aligned with the franchisor or brand. The franchisees and dealers are independent business owners, and usually have the ability to make localized decisions with regard to technology and marketing beyond any obligations to fund and/or participate in centralized campaigns. Making a capital investment to deploy digital signage is a relatively straightforward process for a corporation, where a single signature can commit the resources to deploy hundreds or thousands of sites. That is not the case in a franchise environment. Franchisees and dealers are generally small businesses and typically prioritize a marketing-driven investment in digital signage lower than the franchisor or brand owner might. Given the option to spend thousands of dollars to get started, many will defer or pass altogether. In the absence of a contractually mandated deployment, which is typically difficult to achieve for capital items that are not operationally oriented, getting the buy-in to achieve a network of scale can be difficult. But it is certainly not impossible. Getting it done has similarities to the typical internal corporate process, but special steps must be taken to meet the needs of the franchisee and dealer partners.

Building the ROI story

Digital signage is a method of presenting brand messaging, location information and communicating with customers that requires investment and ongoing care and feeding. It can either augment or replace traditional signage programs already in place. As such, it is often difficult for franchisees and dealers to justify the capital expenditure in the context of their day-to-day business. If a digital signage initiative is to be accepted across a franchisee or dealer base, then it must have a strong sponsor at the franchisor/brand level, and that sponsor must demonstrate to its partners that there is a strong return on investment.

The ROI story begins with clear and measurable objectives for the initiative. This could include increased unit sales of promoted items, higher average ticket, customer satisfaction, greater frequency of customer visits, or any number of other desired outcomes. Once the objectives are clear, a pilot program with one or more willing and influential franchisees or dealers can be designed to measure results in test and control locations. In addition to producing valuable data that can be used to help the entire franchisee/dealer base to understand the value of digital signage to them, a pilot also provides an initial learning base related to content and operations. Both the data and the lessons learned can be used to iterate a continuously better product. A successful pilot can be the basis for a strong marketing campaign to the entire base.

Leveraging the brand

Most brands and franchisors have invested large amounts of capital in development of their brand messaging. Many spend big dollars on an ongoing basis to market the brand on TV, online, in print, at trade shows and much more. As a result, they have assets, people, processes and partners in place to develop and adapt content that would be appropriate for a digital signage program. Perhaps the biggest lift that a franchisor or brand can provide to its partners in the field is to assume the cost of developing and managing content. Of course, that also implies the assumption of control of the content, which is essential for consistency of message and adherence to branding standards. Brands and franchisors should not overlook their social media efforts as a source of engaging content for the digital signage network. Social media has proven to be highly engaging for customers, offering them a chance to become part of the brand's community, whether that be via Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, or other social media channels. Providing great content, the backbone of an engaging and successful digital signage network, is the first step to making the decision to adopt the technology an easy one for franchisees.

Creating a program that makes sense

The relationship between the franchisor or brand and its franchisees and dealers can vary greatly. Not every program can be made mandatory, especially ones that involve capital expenditure as digital signage does. Therefore, the creation of a program on the foundation of a good ROI case and investment at the brand level is essential to gain buy-in from a substantial majority of the retail base. Beyond the internal marketing and co-investment, a centrally managed (and possibly subsidized) leasing program can make it easy for the franchisees and dealers to budget the investment as a monthly expense. In some cases, it can make good sense to "bundle" a digital signage program with a centrally negotiated broadband package, as broadband has become another utility and has many uses beyond the relatively low requirements of digital signage. Creating value, ROI and partnership in a digital signage marketing initiative makes good sense.

Centralizing operations without sacrificing localized control

Managing the content centrally provides control and consistency of messaging, as mentioned above. It allows the heavy lifting of programming a far-flung network to be carried out efficiently, and is generally a good idea. That said, it is critical to support some level of local control to recognize the uniqueness of each location and to allow for variations in merchandise mix, geography, and customer preference. Providing this type of local input is an excellent way to engage the franchisees and dealers in the program. One method for doing so is the use of a Web-based portal that gives local managers the ability to fine-tune their playlist from pre-approved messages, or to add custom pieces within the framework of a playlist. The two important concepts in providing local input are to essentially firewall local users from the central application and to have clear guidelines (and possibly approval procedures) for insertion of local content.

Integration with other systems

Digital signage can be a very effective tool on its own. However, its value is greatly increased when it is integrated with other systems. Price and item content can be synched with inventory and POS applications. The emerging integration point for digital signage is mobile applications. The ability to use the digital sign as an activation point to engage customers on their own devices with a branded application or Web experience is very valuable. Today such activation largely occurs via calls to action in the video content, SMS messaging and QR codes. In the not-too-distant future, we expect Near Field Communications (NFC) to be the dominant linkage between digital signage, mobile devices and POS. A customer can be attracted by a video promoting a coupon special, receive the coupon by waving his/her smartphone at an NFC hotpot, and then redeem the coupon and pay for the transaction with another wave at POS. NFC integration has the potential to be a customer marketing game-changer.

Continuous improvement and re-invention of the network

Once a digital signage network is rolled out beyond the initial pilot, it is important to continuously improve the network, its content and its effectiveness. One way to do so is to identify best practices that bubble up from the local users, and then to proliferate them to all users. Another is to learn from customers both through surveys and interviews as well as analysis of data. Testing content, promotions and messages in segments of the network before rolling them out is also a smart way to leverage the ability of digital signage systems to segment the distribution of content effectively and to very rapidly make global changes as required. The digital signage network should evolve, just as the underlying brand does. Given the powerful tools of digital media and the flexibility of digital signage platforms, there is no reason to have a network get stale. In this context, re-invention is really just a reflection of re-investment in a valuable asset.

The unique operating environment of franchised and dealer-based businesses requires a differentiated approach to the deployment of digital signage networks. While the decentralized nature of the retail presence often makes the decision to get started a more complicated matter than a typical corporate effort, engaging franchisees and dealers in a brand marketing effort can have very significant benefits for the brand and its partners.

Copyright © Platt Retail Institute 2012 and reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. See the entire PRI Resource Library at http://www.plattretailinstitute.org/library.

This column was reprinted with permission from the Digital Signage Connection and originally appeared here.

Ken Goldberg has been the CEO of Real Digital Media since 2004, where his experience in information technology, retail systems and entrepreneurship have all been put to use.

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Weak Income Growth Will Compel Retailers to Invest in Omni-Channel Marketing Technology

By Steven Keith Platt
Director and Research Fellow, Platt Retail Institute

Digital technologies are disrupting traditional shopping channels and are changing the relationship between retailers and consumers. This will accelerate retail technology investments, as the move to implement omni-channel marketing solutions advances.¹ Another important trend that retailers should be watching is moderate growth in consumer income. Weakness in consumer disposable income, and thus the ability to spend, will force retailers to compete harder for the same consumer dollar. Top-line growth will be much harder to realize, and the opportunities offered by various technologies will provide a major impetus to achieve competitive advantage.

Trends in Consumer Income and Spending

Income, borrowing and savings are major influences on consumer spending (as is net worth, which is not addressed here). Of these, income has the most sway over spending (see Chart 1, illustrating the correlation between income and spending). For most of 2012, income growth has been weak (November was the exception to this, with personal income up 0.6 percent, the strongest since February). Year-on-year, personal income rose just 4.1 percent (see Chart 2). Compare this to 5.1 percent in 2011 and 3.8 percent in 2010, and the trend is not encouraging.

Chart 1



Source: Wells Fargo Economics Group

Chart 2



The trend in wages, the major contributor to income, is cause for concern. As Chart 3 illustrates, real average hourly earnings were flat in November 2012 versus November 2011. Weekly earnings were down slightly in November 2012 versus November 2011. Wage and salary growth is running 3.7 percent this year versus 4.0 percent in 2011.

Chart 3

Improvements in income in November led to an increase in consumer spending (up 0.4 percent). But for the year, consumer spending is up 3.5 percent, trailing 2011's 5.0 percent increase and 2010's 3.8 percent gain. As Chart 4 illustrates, the long-term change in spending growth is also weak.

Chart 4



Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

During the boom years leading up to the Great Recession, consumers were borrowing heavily to fuel spending. But today, consumers are managing their debt levels to better reflect their ability to support it. As the following Charts 5 and 6 illustrate, consumer debt payments and debt levels are being reduced.

Chart 5




Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Chart 6.



Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

It is our view that increases in retail sales have tended to come from savings, rather than increases in income, and this is not sustainable. As Chart 7 illustrates, the saving rate has been decreasing since 2011 (November, again, was the exception to the overall trend), when retail sales grew by 8.0 percent (see Chart 8).

Chart 7




Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Chart 8



Source: Haver Analytics

This inverse relationship between savings and retail sales is illustrated in Chart 9. What this demonstrates is that as savings go up (the red line); retail sales go down (the blue line). Likewise, when savings go down, retail sales have tended to increase.

Chart 9




Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Recognizing that for the next 12 to 24 months, consumer income and spending will likely continue to be subdued, we advance that to maintain and grow market share, retailers should be aggressively investing in technology.

Consumer Income and Spending Trends Will Fuel Technology Investments

It has long been recognized that investments in IT can secure competitive advantage.² On the other hand, such advantage can be short-lived, as competitors adopt and implement the same technologies. Over time, such investments become necessities rather than a means of achieving competitive advantage. This raises the question of whether investments in omni-channel marketing technologies, with the objective of achieving a unified customer experience and view, will lead to a sustainable business advantage.

It is clear that omni-channel is the technology du jour, being implemented and closely watched by many retailers. As the following Chart 10 illustrates, for example, 15 percent of retailers surveyed expect to spend more than 50 percent of their entire tech budget on omni-channel initiatives by 2015, up from 3 percent in 2012.

Chart 10




Source: RIS News' Sixth Annual Cross-Channel Tech Trends Study

Omni-channel technology investments will create sustainable retail business advantage. This is not because adoption will be limited to the few. In fact, as Chart 10 above illustrates, many retailers will be investing. But unlike many other technologies, successful omni-channel execution requires significant marketing analysis and execution. Thus, ingenuity and creativity will separate the good from the not so good. For example, two retailers may aggregate data from various channels to achieve a singular customer view, but how each then responds is what will create differentiation and advantage. Will a personalized offer be generated? Will this information be incorporated into mobile POS devices so that a sales associate can optimize services offered to customers in the store? Will predictive analytics lead to timely offers being communicated simultaneously to a specific customer segment via mobile, online and in-store channels? What becomes clear is that as these technologies enable marketers to have direct, real-time contact with customers, it is the nature of that dialogue, not the technology, which will create competitive advantage.

A weak outlook for growth in consumer income will constrain consumer spending. This will make the battle for the shopper's dollar harder than ever. This, in addition to changing consumer purchase patterns, should lead retailers to implement omni-channel marketing technologies. Unlike many other technologies, omni-channel investments can lead to long-term competitive advantage, as a retailer's marketing skills will drive a customer-centric solution that achieves the desired response from customers.

¹See, for example, the "2012 Cross-Channel Tech Trends Study," which advanced that "retailers will step up their cross-channel initiatives significantly over the next few years." RIS, October 2012, p. 3.

² See, i.e., "IS Redraws Competitive Boundaries," Harvard Business Review, March-April 1985.

Copyright © Platt Retail Institute 2013 and reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. See the entire PRI Resource Library at www.plattretailinstitute.org/library.

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Big Change in 2013 LCD TV Panel Supply

By David Hsieh
DisplaySearch

Since Q2’12, the LCD TV panel market has witnessed a shift in screen sizes, with new models focused on 28”, 29”, 39”, 43”, 48”, 50”, 58” and 60” displays. The rise of the new sizes has become the hottest topic in the LCD TV market. According to the Quarterly Large-Area TFT Panel Shipment Report, these new LCD TV panel sizes accounted for 12 percent of total LCD TV panels shipped in Q3’12, up from 5 percent in Q1’12 and 8 percent in Q2’12. We forecast that the share of these new sizes will stabilize in Q4’12 before passing 15 percent in 1H’13, based on panel makers’ shipment plans. We expect the new sizes to change the LCD TV panel supply in 2013.

Changes in the product mix of the LCD TV panel makers will be driven by some of the panel makers are moving to produce the most efficient sizes, regardless of the market demand. After a period of losses, panel makers will prioritize profit margins to survive. So, while the end market might prefer 32” which is comparatively cheaper, panel makers may have to cut 32” panel allocation in order to produce 39”, which has a higher panel price and in better production efficiency.

2012-2013 LCD TV Panel Shipment Plans




Source: Quarterly Large-Area TFT Panel Shipment Report

The largest change will be in 32”, the supply of which will fall from 94 million in 2012 to 79 million in 2013. The decrease is due to a product mix shift in Gen 6 and 8 fabs, with panel makers planning to produce more 39” on Gen 6 and 46” or 55” on Gen 8. Meanwhile, 26” will be replaced by 28/29”, which will be increased by 7 million. Both 39” and 50” sizes are quite popular in many regions, and panel makers plan to ship 15 million 39” panels and 12 million 50” panels in 2013, substantial growth from 2012. Capacity on Gen 6 and 7 lines will be allocated to produce the 39” and 50”, respectively. Finally, panel makers are determined to expand the larger size LCD TV market, with 50” and larger panel shipments expected to increase from 20 million in 2012, to 34 million in 2013. Such growth would also be critical to consuming a large amount of LCD capacity in area terms.

For LCD TV panel buyers, it will be very challenging in 2013 to secure panel supply in certain sizes, while preventing inventory to accumulate in other sizes, as the end market demand might be quite different. Allocation as well as inventory control will be higher priority than panel pricing, while availability of some sizes will be more important than panel technology or quality. The value chain relationships between panel makers and TV brands might be more complicated in 2013, as TV brands might have to qualify new panel suppliers quickly and adjust allocation of the existing suppliers in order to secure supply of certain sizes.

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Almo Pro A/V Adds TouchSystems

Almo Pro A/V today announced a new distribution relationship with TouchSystems, designer of customized touch-enabled products. As a result, Almo Pro A/V reseller partners now have access to touch integrated displays and monitors from Sharp Professional and NEC Display Solutions. TouchSystems has also joined Almo’s popular traveling E4 AV Tour, which will commence in the spring of 2013, coming to Chicago in March and San Francisco in April.
 
“With TouchSystems on board, our partners now have more options to customize their displays so they can bring a new dimension of creativity to projects that require touch technology,” said Sam Taylor, executive vice president and COO for Almo Professional A/V. “NEC and Sharp Professional are some of our best-selling lines so it’s important for us to be able to provide more ways to modify the flat screens to enhance an install or become the centerpiece for an entirely new one.”
 
Carol Nordin, president of TouchSystems, said, “Our relationship with Almo has been strengthened through our collaboration on a custom design project for a national footwear retailer. An official partnership will help us to strengthen existing ties and to be able to offer more interactive large-format solutions to people in the A/V industry. We have great expectations for our partnership and look forward to what the future holds for the both of us.”

Here is TouchSystems: http://www.touchsystems.com/

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The ISE Megapixel Summit – Why You MUST ATTEND

Insight Media is producing a new conference at next week's ISE show in Amsterdam. Called the Megapixel Summit, it focuses on display with more than HD or Full HD resolution. Examples include high resolution native displays, blended projectors, tiled LCDs, cubes or LED modules, etc. The event will cover the display technology trends, image processing and management hardware/software, markets and applications, as well as case studies and system integration issues. We're media sponsors of the Megapixel Summit and if you're designing systems using multiple displays, this is a must-attend event! Chris Chinnock and his team over there at Insight Media have compiled an agenda that includes a day and a half of speakers that are a who's who in display design and engineering (including Christie, Scalable Display Technologies, Planar, Cyviz, Barco and projectiodesign). The entire stage is back-dropped with a Megapixel display system that includes tiled displays and seamed projection systems equalling more than 40,000,000,000 pixels! So, if you're doing ANY multi-image systems design, you need to go! Here's the complete agenda: http://www.insightmedia.info/conferences/megapixel-summit.php

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Peerless-AV Intros Peer-Air Pico Broadcaster

Peerless-AV's new Pico Broadcaster is designed to transmit HD content over the air to any number of DTVs within a 350-foot (106-meter) radius. This device can receive content from a computer or select media players with IP transport output capabilities, then broadcasts the signal in HD quality to any open "white space" channel local to the area. Then all you need is a TV with a digital ATSC tuner and an antenna to receive the signal. This scalable technology offers a flexible option to run and  add an unlimited number of DTVs within range.

Features include:

• Long range transmission of an omni-directional broadcast signal up to a 350' radius
• Streams HD broadcast quality content to an unlimited number of DTVs within effective range
• LAN port for Transport Stream input, network/internet connectivity, as well as local and remote control of content
• Includes Streaming Media Server software to transcode virtually any media format to MPEG2 broadcast format
• Adjustable power output setting to match installation requirements
• Configurable IP addresses for system control and setup to join any pre-existing network
• FCC compliant
• Mounting flanges for mounting securely to a wall or ceiling

Here are all the specs: http://peerair.peerless-av.com/products/HDS-PB100-4639752801

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Sony Launches S-Series LCDs

Sony introduced this week the new S-series LCD line, which completes the company's transition from CFL-based backlighting to LED-based backlighting for its LCD displays. The S-series is available in both 42" (FWD-S42H2) and 46" models (FWD-S46H2) and utilizes an edge-lit LED. They are specified at 700 cd/m2 brightness and are integrated with DICOM simulated gamma settings for medical reference use. They have both VGA and HDMI inputs as well as HD-SDI/SDI. Control is RS232 or Ethernet and the displays can be mounted in portrait or landscape orientation.

Here are the specs for the FWD-S42H2: http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-FWDS42H2/
Here are the specs for the FWD-S46H2 http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-FWDS46H2/

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3M to Show Large-Format Multi-Touch Display

3M will debut its new multi-touch HD display product line at ISE 2013. The ISE stand highlights include the first prototype 46” multi-touch chassis display, alongside the recently launched 32” model, plus a range of dual-touch chassis displays and high performance desktop monitors.

The addition of the 46” chassis display brings 3M’s Projected Capacitive Technology further into the mainstream of large format displays (LFDs) and offers opportunities for designers and systems integrators. Combining 60-finger multi-touch with an ultra-wide viewing angle, HD 1080p LCD display extends the possibilities for up-close, multiple user interactions.

As with the existing 32” Multi-Touch Display C3266PW chassis, the 46” prototype provides an ultra-slim and lightweight display for collaborative and interactive applications. Both offer a ruggedised, open frame design allowing integration in to kiosks, enclosures or table top applications.

The 46” 3M Multi-Touch Display C4667PW chassis from 3M is capable of tracking 60 simultaneous touch events at less than 12 millisecond (ms) response speed with palm rejection, while the 32” tracks 40 simultaneous touches with a 10ms response time.

These full multi-touch LFD’s anti-stiction surface further enhances user experience by enabling users' fingers to glide effortlessly across the glass surface while maintaining contact with the screen.

Both the Multi-Touch Display C4667PW and Multi-Touch Display C3266PW chassis from 3M offer an ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angle (horizontal/vertical) making them ideal for off-axis viewing and multi-user table configurations. The 32” display’s thin profile metal chassis housing is 2.6” (66.8 mm) deep with a 200 mm VESA mounting pattern and offers a metal bezel for a finished appearance that can be removed for integration into flat front surface tables and walls.

Here are all the 3M Display details: http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/portal/3M/en_GB/TouchSystems/TouchScreen/?WT.mc_id=www.3M.co.uk/touch

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NEC Adds 55-Inch and 65-Inch Displays to V-Series

NEC has added two new models to its commercial-grade V Series, a 55-inch and 65-inch. The V552 and V652 offer LED backlighting to reduce the product’s depth, weight and power consumption when compared to their predecessors. Each 1080p (1920×1080) display also features built-in 10-watt speakers and an Open Pluggable Specification (OPS)-compliant expansion slot. Additionally, video, RS232 control and power are passed internally from the display to the accessory, allowing the elimination of additional cabling and simplifying installations.   The V552 and V652 include the following features: LED backlighting technology Commercial-grade LCD panel 320/450 cd/m² brightness (typical/maximum) and 4000:1 contrast ratio deliver brilliant imagery DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D (in/out) enable connectivity to a wide range of peripherals RS-232C, Ethernet (RJ45), IR Remote, DDC/CI are available for control Built-in, low-profile 10-watt speakers enhance the experience with superior sound TileMatrix technology that allows for video walls up to 10×10 Optional accessories include speakers, stand, a variety of internal and external computers, digital tuner, calibration kit and wall mount A solution with a built-in ATSC digital tuner (SB-03TM) allows for HD broadcast capabilities on the V522-AVT and V652-AVT models. In addition, a bundled solution is offered that includes a single board computer (OPS-PCAF-WS) for simple digital signage — models V552-PC and V652-PC. The V552 and V652 are available at minimum advertised prices of $2,399 and $4,999, respectively. The V552-AVT and V652-AVT models are priced at $2,599 and $5,149, while the V552-PC and V652-PC cost $3,199 and $5,899. To see all the specs, click here: http://www.necdisplay.com/category/large-screen-displays

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Apple Patents Digital Signage Solution

Apple has filed a patent application, 20120296777, which describes a dynamic signage system for a sales environment such as an Apple Store. The dynamic signage device (which turns out to be an iPad) is associated with promoting a product to a customer in an interactive manner.

The device could automatically check for updated product information and modify its display based on the updated product information.

Management of multiple dynamic signage devices could be coordinated within and across stores, and an interactive floor-map creation system incorporating dynamic signage devices could facilitate changing the associations between products and dynamic signage devices.

Apple may or may not be planning to sell digital signage. as these are designed for the company's own use (just like Apple's point of sale system, which the company designed in-house but does not sell). But the significance is that Apple is America’s leading retailer and therefore an example to all.

Apple's retail stores make $6,050 in sales per square foot, the most of any American retailer, according to RetailSail. In fact, Apple's sales per square foot are twice that of Tiffany and Co., the famous luxury retailer (of Breakfast at Tiffany’s fame) which earns only $3,017 in sales per square foot.

With the exception of Apple and Tiffany and Co., no other U.S. retailer exceeded $2,000 in sales per square foot.

With $51.5 million per store, Apple also ranked among the top 10 retailers for highest sales per store. No wonder the company wants to protect that revenue with further investment in digital signage technology.

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DSE to Offer Hardware, Software and Connectivity Seminar Program

Digital Signage Expo (DSE) will offer an all-new comprehensive four-part Hardware, Software & Connectivity Seminar Program that will showcase the latest technologies in software, video players, video walls and streaming video technologies.

Because hardware, software and connectivity choices are evolving rapidly, DSE’s Hardware, Software & Connectivity Seminar Program, to be presented in Las Vegas Feb. 27-28, 2013, is designed to help network operators and administrators sort through the wealth of choices to better identify what will work for them.

Topics to be covered include:

• How to assess and choose the right software for your project
• How to build hardware specs and choose the right digital signage player
• Best practices for adding live video
• Advances in multi-display technologies

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Chief Adds Arrays to Kontour Mount Line

Chief is expanding its Kontour series of monitor mounts to include array configurations, which are now shipping.

The K3 group of mount arrays, ideal for offices, call centers, security desks, control rooms, health care or IT settings, includes 3×1/2×1, 2×2 and 1×2 configuration options. Each comes in either free standing or grommet mounting styles. A clamp accessory provides a third choice for installers.

The 3×1/2×1 configuration is the first of the arrays on the market and features:

• Telescoping lateral shift
• Room for three 27" monitors or two 30" monitors
• Independent height adjustable arms and center head
• Adaptable heads can be detached from telescoping arms and moved all the way toward the column
• 12 degree Centris tilt in each direction for each arm head
• 10 degrees up and down tilt for the column mounting head
• Flexible array arm angle: from flat up to 15 degrees toward the user
• 15 lbs (6.8 kg) weight capacity per monitor
• Landscape and portrait orientation
• Integrated cable management

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Chief’s First Fusion Series Ceiling Mounts Ship

Chief is now shipping the FUSION Single Flat Panel Ceiling Mounts. Features of the single ceiling mounts include continuous tilt ranges with four set locking points that eliminate guesswork when adjusting multiple screens; easy on/off installation and service; tool-free latching flags to secure the display; optional padlock security; Centris technology to provide fingertip tilt between +5 and -20 degrees and optimization for a wide range of display sizes up to 125 lbs. (56.7 kg). The display can be installed in portrait and landscape positions on the medium mount. The large mount handles landscape positioning with a portrait option available in the first quarter of 2013. The mounts are available in black and silver.

The LCM1U and MCM1U single display mounts are the first in a series of FUSION ceiling mounts and accessories that will be rolling out over the next several months. Future options will include ceiling mounted menu board and video wall solutions.

Check them out here: http://www.chiefmfg.com/Series/LCM%20Single%20Display

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DSE Announces Digital Signage APEX Awards Finalists

Digital Signage Expo (DSE) has announced 30 finalists for its Apex Awards for 2013. The annual DSE Apex Awards honor innovation in the development and deployment of technology in the global DOOH industry. Nominees are the end-use sites of the installation.

Chosen by an independent panel of six industry journalists, this year’s Apex Award finalists were named from a field of nearly 90 entrants vying in 10 major digital signage categories. Gold, Silver and Bronze Apex Awards will be presented in each category at a special awards banquet slated for the opening night of DSE 2013 on Wed., Feb. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. DSE will also present the Apex Award of the Year to one of the Gold finalists

The finalists include:

Arts Entertainment & Recreation
Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, Nominated by DRM Productions Inc.
Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Nominated by Intermedia Touch Inc.
Westfield San Francisco Centre, Nominated by Obscura Digital
 
Business Industry & Government  
Arsenal Media Fountain of Content, Nominated by Arsenal Media
Christie West Wing, Nominated by Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc.
San Francisco Public Utility Commission, Nominated by Obscura Digital
   
Education & Healthcare  
Florida Hospital – Wesley Chapel, Nominated by Sound Stage Inc.
Saint Louis University, Nominated by NEC Display Solutions
University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, Nominated by Westbury National Show Systems Ltd.
   
Event Venues  
Antron Showroom, Nominated by Float4 Interactive
Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Nominated by Gefen
University of Oregon, Nominated by Haivision
 
Food & Beverage  
Dee Daa Restaurants, Nominated by Arsenal Media
Starbucks Coffee Co., Nominated by Starbucks Coffee Co.
Top of Waikiki Restaurant, Nominated by Pacific Digital Signs

Hospitality  
Tourisme Montérégie, Nominated by Arsenal Media
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, Nominated by Xpodigital
Wynn in Las Vegas, Nominated by JANUS Displays by Morrow Technologies

Interactive Self-Service  
Buffalo Wild Wings, Nominated by Wireless Ronin Technologies
Pepsi, Nominated by Intel
Telenet Mobile, Nominated by Smart Spot and Scala Inc.

Public Spaces  
Clear Channel Spectacolor – Times Square, Nominated by Clear Channel Spectacolor
Rumeli Hisari Castles, Nominated by Dreambox Visual Communications
Westfield Shopping Center, Nominated by Scala Inc.
   
Retail  
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Nominated by Build-A-Bear Workshop
Connections, Nominated by YCD Multimedia
Holt Renfrew Ltd., Nominated by Rose and Thistle Media

Transportation  
IGITerminal 3 & 1 Airport, Nominated by DelhiTimes Innovative Media Limited (Times OOH)
McCarran International Airport, Nominated by Four Winds Interactive
MTA Subway, Nominated by MRI (Manufacturing Resources International)

Registration for DSE’s 4th Annual Awards Dinner, or any of the DSE 2013 educational events being held February 26-28, 2013, is now available online at http://www.digitalsignageexpo.net

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Sharp to Ship 90-Inch LCD in March

We're only days away from the launch of the Sharp PN-R903 90" class (90-1/16" diagonal), the largest LED backlit LCD in the world. When set to portrait mode, the PN-R903 stands an amazing 6 feet 8 inches tall, creating imagery that is literally life-size. That's the equivalent of a 2×2 video wall using two 46" displays.

Sharp says it's designed for 24/7/365 operation so it can be used in both installs as well as rentals. It's 1920x1080p native HD resolution, but does weigh over 115 pounds. Based on the design of the consumer version that will ship later this month, the PN-R903 is LED backlit, can be controlled via RS232 or Ethernet, plus has HDMI, VGA and DVI ports. A 60-inch model (PN-R603) and a 70-inch version (PN-R703) are also planned for release in February.

Check out all the specs here: http://www.sharpusa.com

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Wireless Ronin Partners with Custom Channels to Deliver Digital Music

Wireless Ronin has partnered with Custom Channels, a business music service provider, to offer a new customized digital music solution to companies that integrate with its market-leading RoninCast software platform.

The digital music solution creates customizable playlists that integrate various aspects of a company’s brand, creating a unique and unified experience across multiple locations. The solution is fully optimized for the commercial environment, with streaming, high-quality digital sound delivered at a consistent volume from song to song, with custom “between the songs” branding and messaging.

The service will be managed by Wireless Ronin’s RoninCast software platform and offered as an enhancement to its dynamic solutions. Pairing digital marketing Custom Channel’s music services with Wireless Ronin’s RoninCast software creates a unique and contextually relevant customer experience. Custom Channel’s unique offering allows marketers to engage patrons by delivering relevant music feeds to each location, tuned to its specific theme, demographics, traffic volume and ambiance objectives. Marketers can also continue to engage the patron off-site with a fully branded online player for their website.

Wireless Ronin worked closely with Custom Channels to develop 30 unique music channels for a broad range of companies and atmospheres. They include a variety of popular music genres, from classical and blues to jazz and modern rock. The marketer can also blend a mix of channels to create a truly custom channel of its own. As with RoninCast’s visual capabilities, the integrated solution offers audio day-part capabilities to automatically select playlists that set the appropriate mood for the time of day – having relaxing music in the morning with more energetic music in the afternoon.

Here's the full release: http://www.wirelessronin.com/page/1/Custom-Channels.jsp?utm_source=Wireless+Ronin+News+Alert

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The Next Trend: Curvy OLEDs?

Both Samsung and LG claim to have brought "the world's first curved OLED TV" to CES 2013.

The curved OLED TVs are both 55" displays that appear concave when viewed from the front and even more bent from the sides. Apparently the shape improves on viewing angles, even if an over-enthusiastic Samsung PR describes it as "IMAX-like" (never mind IMAX screens measure around 70 feet/21 meters).

Being OLED displays, both curved TVs benefit from deeper blacks and impressively crisp colors, with the LG's offering (EA9800) also boasting Cinema 3D support.

Neither Samsung nor LG give price points or even release dates for the curvy OLEDs, but expect more details should CES 2013 drum up enough industry interest in the technology.

Here is LG's: http://www.lgnewsroom.com/newsroom/contents/62967

Here is Samsung's: http://www.samsung.com/us/news/20352

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YCD Multimedia and BrightSign Announce Integrated Digital Merchandising Solution

YCD Multimedia and BrightSign today announced a so-called "integrated digital merchandising solution," combining BrightSign's digital signage media players with YCD's Retail Advertising and Merchandising Platform (RAMP). The combined solution will be launched at ISE (Integrated Systems Europe), to be held Jan. 29-31, 2013 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and will be showcased at YCD's booth (#N116, Hall 10).

The YCD RAMP/BrightSign solution addresses the needs of the retail industry. It allows retailers — easily, quickly and cost effectively — to implement new promotional campaigns that enhance customer experience, promote user's brand, and deliver useful information. It supports the management of pre-designed graphic templates that enable rapid creation and update of promotional clips. Varying permission levels can be assigned to regional or local managers, giving them the ability to act in real time with specific product promotions, by eliminating the need for time-consuming corporate approvals.

YCD RAMP allows retailers to create, self-manage and deliver branded marketing campaigns and product promotions across their entire retail chain. Marketing teams can upload branded templates that can be used with in-store media, including menu boards, POS displays and infotainment. Product updates, new campaigns and advertisements can be quickly and easily managed using RAMP's intuitive interface, with the option to differentiate pricing and promotions based on location and time. These can then be sent to one, some or all locations using presets to ensure that each location receives its relevant updates on time. Individual store managers or local regional managers can make real-time updates based on local criteria such as weather, events or inventory levels.

BrightSign’s compact and extremely reliable solid-state media players offer a complete solution for digital signage applications, supporting high-definition video output. The systems can be tailored according to the user’s requirements. BrightSign recently announced a new line of digital signage media players with PC-class performance, including support for HTML5 and 3D content, Live HDTV playback, and a powerful video engine capable of playing dual 1080p60 Full HD videos simultaneously from local, networked and streaming sources.

YCD is here: http://www.ycdmultimedia.com

BrightSign is here: http://www.brightsign.biz

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Philips MMD Ships a Glasses-Free 3D Display

MMD, the company and brand license partner for Philips Public Signage Solutions, has introduced the Philips BDL5535VS, a glasses-free 3D LED display — supposedly the first display like this that's shipping. Philips MMD says the BLD5535VS also has one of the widest viewing angles on the market (150 degrees vertical and horizontal), therefore multiple viewers can see the 3D (remember, early versions of glasses-free 3D required nearly almost perfectly centered viewing). Up to 28 lenticular views virtually allow peeking around objects and offer a stunning 3D depth. The autostereoscopic display maximizes the 3D impact on its large 139.5 cm (55”) screen and Philips employs a technology that the company says removes cone transitions and ensures smooth and flicker-free videos. The contrast ratio is specified at 4000:1.

The BDL5535VS includes HDMI and VGA ports, and is native 1920x1080p resolution.

Learn more about the BDL5535VS here: http://www.publicsignagesolutions.philips.com/

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Chief’s Fusion Series Ceiling Mounted Video Walls Ship

Chief is now shipping FUSION Video Wall Ceiling Mounts. Designed for digital signage installations, the new mounts offer perfect TV positioning and flexible adjustments.

Features of the ceiling video wall mounts include independent knobs for precise height and plumb micro-adjustments with no tools required, micro-height and leveling adjustment at all column intersection points and infinite screen positioning. The solid construction will support displays up to 55" ranging from 85 to 125 pounds (38.5-56.7 kilograms) per screen.

The ceiling mounted video wall is compatible with traditional 1.5" NPT and Chief’s new CPA pin connection ceiling plates and column system. The LCM video wall mounts are the second in a series of FUSION ceiling mounts and accessories that are rolling out in early 2013.

Here are the specs: http://www.chiefmfg.com/Series/LCM%20Multi-Display

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Yes, Sharp Still Makes Projectors

Sharp's two newest projectors are the PG-LW3500 and PG-LW3000 WXGA, both using BrilliantColor Technology using TI's DLP technology. Weighing 6 pounds, the PG-LW3500 and PG-LW3000 have a brightness spec up to 3,500 lumens and 3,000 lumens, respectively. The PG-LW3500 and PG-LW3000 are the first releases in a new series (the PG-LX3500 and PG-LX3000 XGA models will be released in February 2013). Collectively, this new series replaces the PG-D3050W/3550W and PG-D3010XL/3510XL in the Sharp product lineup as the mid-range option aimed at education, government and business applications.

They both offer VGA, HDMI and content network inputs and are native 1280×800 resolution. The PG-LW3500 will list for $1,765 and the PG-LW3000 will list for only $1,515.

You can see all the specs here: http://www.sharpusa.com/ForBusiness/PresentationProducts/ProfessionalProjectors/PGLW3500.aspx

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Casio to Launch New Digital Signage Business Aimed at Retail DS Market

Casio America yesterday at CES announced plans to "revolutionize" storefront advertising by launching a new digital signage business at the end of this month. Driving this new business is Casio Signage, a newly developed, powerful tool that Casio says is for helping retailers gain an edge over the competition by attracting new and repeat customers.

Storefront advertising needs to catch the attention of customers and be interesting and relevant enough to entice them to enter. The Casio Signage business takes a new approach, leveraging optimum advertising tools and cloud services to attract new customers and increase repeat business.

"Casio is excited to venture into this new business opportunity," said Shigenori Itoh, chairman and CEO of Casio America, Inc. "Casio Signage offers a unique way to make audiences feel welcome and deliver content in a more personal manner than simple words or images. This technology is only limited by the number of applications that designers can imagine using it."

Casio Signage claims to be a cutting-edge storefront advertising tool with the ability to captivate passers-by with a realistic-looking character that talks to them. Using a custom designed screen shaped like a character, content is created to match the characteristics needed to bring people into a store. The character's appearance and voice can be easily changed to keep customers from losing interest and increase store traffic. Casio Signage is compact and requires no installation work, making it easy to place nearly anywhere. It also offers multilingual support or multifunctional options creating a fully customizable system with content that is most relevant for the customer base.

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CAYIN Launches New Energy Saving Digital Signage Player

CAYIN Technology is introducing a new compact, lightweight digital signage player, the SMP-200. The SMP-200 can play back videos, images, music and tickers in a maximum of seven zones. Multimedia can be updated by USB flash drive, SD card, FTP, Network Neighborhood or CAYIN CMS server. Content can be managed through a Web-based interface using a wired or wireless network. The player can also control RS232 devices, turning on and off remote screens.
 
Energy saving is also one of the key features of SMP-200. Equipped with an ARM processor, the player consumes less than 6 watts of power, which is approximately 50-100 times less than a desktop PC consumes.
 
Weighing only 655 grams, the SMP-200 is easy for users to install in different venues. The whole package includes a complimentary 3-in-1 bracket, supporting VESA 50, VESA 100 and wall-mount capability.
 
For detailed product introduction, please visit:
http://www.cayintech.com/digital_signage_products/digital_signage_player_smp200.html

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BrightSign and TMM Communication Digitize Duty Free Stores at Charles de Gaulle International Airport

Brightsign and TMM Communication were recently chosen to complete a digital signage installation at the Buy Paris Duty Free retail shops in the Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris. Buy Paris Duty Free is operated jointly by Aéroports de Paris and Aelia (Lagardère Services). BrightSign supplied the players and software, while TMM Communication were responsible for the technical study, projection management, content integration and installation of the project.

The flagship store at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris opened March 27, 2012 and is equipped with seven double-horizontal, ceiling-mounted screens, and a wall of screens spanning nine square meters. A second store opened June 28 in the new departure lounge of Terminal 2E at Charles de Gaulle, and was outfitted with a pair of display walls covering 14 square meters apiece, and a column comprised of 36 synchronized screens.

“BrightSign’s players deliver high-quality video content, perfectly synchronized to the 46- and 70-inch Samsung displays in massive video walls, as well as the architectural arrangement of 36 43-inch Hyundai screens situated in a circular column,” said Michel Baronnier, president of TMM Communication. “This impressive installation truly captivates the attention of travelers as they make their way through the duty-free shopping area."

Mr. Baronnier said of the BrightSign players selected for the installation, “In addition to a quick deployment timeline, we also appreciated the players’ low consumption of electricity, because you can imagine the result behind a 36-screen video wall had we used 36 400w PCs!”

All told, the stores include a combination of more than 110 BrightSign HD210 and HD1010 players in four airport store locations. Point-of-sale messaging and imagery is delivered on synchronized video walls, positioned in unique and challenging configurations throughout each store location. Advanced interactivity triggered by IR detector enables efficient and surprising signage that runs only when a person enters the area in front of the display.

The video wall synchronization features Full HD video quality to attract customers into the store, and further, to engage them with the brands carried in-store. The result is an unparalleled shopping experience, with stunning visuals that successfully draw the attention of weary travelers, capturing revenue that was previously out of reach.

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So, that's rAVe DS [Digital Signage] for this month!  Remember, we are here to HELP the AV market penetrate the DS market. Only 12 percent of the DS market is integrated by AV companies. The other 88 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 percent 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).

Don't like us, then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below.

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

A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I've been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don't think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue, which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.

Everything we publish is Opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship ePublication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA and launched in February 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in the HomeAV market. We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in November 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in January 2009. We added rAVe GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in July 2012. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com

To read more about my background, our team and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com

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Copyright 2013 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com

rAVe DS [Digital Signage] contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors.