Digital Signage – I am writing this on the eve of the Digital Signage Expo here in Las Vegas. Over the next two days, I expect to talk to, see and hear about all aspects of the digital signage industry. While 3D digital signage will be one focus, there will be a lot more to absorb.
The displays in the digital signage industry are the most obvious part. But to develop effective digital signage solutions you need a business model (advertisers or someone to pay the bills); creatives (to shape the content to these unique platforms); networks (to deliver the content to specific demographics); and software (to manage the flow of content).
What are successful case studies? There are many, some of which will be given awards at a ceremony on Wednesday night. However, I caught the last session of the pre-show Digital Place-Based Advertising Summit today. In that session, we heard about a successful campaign by “Rock the Vote” that last fall put together a national campaign using all placed-based signage networks to target the 18-29 year crowd. They used signage in Best Buy, IZON super markets, Denny’s, Taco Bell, The Mall Network, plus a dozen one-offs and cherry picked networks. And, they even set up signs in 10 bus shelters in New York and Miami where people could use their smartphone to register to vote using a QSR code or NFC capabilities. Now that’s using technology this crowd understands.
Another case study I liked was one created by Fiat, who reentered the U.S. market about two years ago and is selling one car – a Fiat 500. The ad was created to run on the Gas Station TV network and was produced for about 3 percent of the cost of a traditional national ad campaign. The spot features a guy trapped inside the gas pump with only a slot where you see part of his face. He is going a little crazy inside the pump waiting for that 40 MPG Fiat to pull up to the gas pump. It is a funny and engaging ad and it flashes the location of the nearest Fiat dealer at the end of the spot. They might think about adding that QSR code to NFC capability next time to get directions loaded onto the consumer’s smartphone right then and there.
CU Solutions, a national organization of credit unions, also used Gas Station TV to couple their ads about financing options with national spots for GM cars, but with the locations of local credit unions flashed by geography.
Jack in the Box used similar geographical analysis to find bars that were close to their 24-hour fast food chains to bring these folks in at all hours.
Notice that none of these solutions gave much thought to the display other than to understand what they had to deal with. Nor did they talk about the delivery and management of the content. That’s because this was from the perspective of the brands and advertising agencies. They focus on results and use technology tools as needed to get them. This is a perspective that can get lost on the DSE trade show floor where it is all about technology push. But in reality, it is the brands, the agencies and the creatives that are driving the decisions. It’s these guys you need to show your technology to and let them figure out how to effectively use it.
Which brings me to 3D digital signage. I am aware of at least two multi-hundred unit glasses-free 3D signage networks (TravelPlaza and the Hispanic Shopping Network). Did you know that this weekend, Paramout Pictures will start a promotion on the TravelPlaza network of 3D signs to promote the debut of their new 3D movie, “Jack the Giant Slayer”? It kind of makes sense to advertise a 3D movie in 3D doesn’t it?
Sure, I will be asking about all the technical aspects of the 3D display, content delivery and management, but I also want to know what the advertising community and major brands know about 3D and if it is even on their radar yet. We will see.
Digital Signage Expo (DSE), running from February 26 to 28 this year in Las Vegas, has 10 percent more exhibitors this year than last, but the growth felt larger than that and the high energy level was palpable. Exhibitors I questioned were pleased with their booth traffic, with some “complaining” of being too busy. One exhibitor said he didn’t have enough staff to handle the flow. He only had six people.
Peter Bocko of Corning Glass was promoting the benefits of Gorilla Glass in large sizes for digital signs. Bocko said that the signage community has the imagination, energy and resources to try new applications and new approaches, while makers of displays for monitors and TVs are too strapped for cash to boldly go where no display has gone before. (Note: I am freely paraphrasing Bocko’s remarks.)
Conventional display people have trouble getting used to the idea that successful digital signage installations are not primarily about the displays. Media creation and delivery, and distribution networks receive more attention (see yesterday’s Display Daily). Network software must allow managers to schedule and conveniently reschedule what ad and other media appear on which sign at what time, and must verify that the ads actually appear on the screens they are scheduled to appear on.
Interactive signage, which senses that a person is actually viewing the sign when an ad appears, is already technically well developed, although not yet widely deployed. More advanced versions sense the age and gender of the viewer, opening the possibility of the network operator only getting paid for an exposure when the viewer fits the advertiser’s target demographic. Intel is a major technology developer in this area. There are also digital signs that are interactive in the more conventional sense of touch and gesture interaction.
Still, there is no digital signage without the sign, and the signage divisions of most of the major panel makers had major presences on the show floor. These included Samsung, LG, Sharp and Panasonic. Significant players who do not make their own panels include NEC, Sony, Viewsonic, DynaScan, Planar and Christie.
Yes, that Christie. The projection Christie. Although Christie was not at all bashful about promoting its DLP/LED rear-projection MicroTiles, the bulk of the booth was devoted to flat-panel solutions. Christie is adopting the approach that they are here to serve their customers with whatever technology is most appropriate, and they are stressing a vertical approach that includes sign manufacturing, installation, and network operation, as required by the customer.
Somebody at Christie has been listening to Corning’s Peter Bocko. A 55-inch Christie LCD sign was prominently identified as being protected with Gorilla Glass.
Although LCD signs dominated, there was a significant scattering of LED signs on the floor. Nanolumens had a large booth to show off various signs using the company’s flexible LED technology, but the most striking of their signs consisted of two vertical surfaces intersecting at 90 degrees, like the corner of a square post. The images of models wrapping around the corner were strange, and therefore attention-getting.
There was still some projection, with NEC making an impact with a very large rear-projection image generated by two big projectors whose images meshed seamlessly on the screen, and other vendors with smaller rear-projection solutions.
At Sharp, I spoke with the executive who manages both the flat-panel signage and projection groups. He said there is no doubt that larger flat panels are making serious inroads on the projector business in the broad mid-range of image sizes. Inexpensive projectors for elementary education are holding their own, as are powerful projectors for very large images, but the value proposition posed by ever-less-expensive large flat panels is proving impossible for competing projectors to resist.
Panasonic showed an impressive, very large plasma touch screen with sophisticated communication capabilities for distance collaboration. A line or signature drawn on the screen tracked the stylus precisely and without lag.
Also among the exhibitors showing non-LCD signs was E Ink, with a variety of tiled, very-low-power, monochrome examples. E Ink customer Toppan was presented with a Product of the Year Award from Signage Solutions Magazine for an updated version of its Machikomi (“city communication”) E Ink signs in the Sendai subway system that survived the March 2011 tsunami, and provided one of the few ways that emergency information could be communicated to the population following the disaster.
Several companies were applying 4K panels to the demanding signage environment. LG showed a 4K 84-inch touch sign, which it labeled the world’s first. ViewSonic also showed a 4K 84-inch interactive sign based on AUO, not LG, glass. ViewSonic’s Gene Ornstead said the company is receiving interest from the DoD for interactive mapping apps in command and control centers. Sharp showed the impressive 4K 32-inch with IGZO backplane it has been showing at least since last year’s SID show.
Sharp also featured its very large LCD panels — up to 90 inches — engineered into displays for the signage market.
Finally (at least as far as this column is concerned), transparent displays are very much alive. Planar showed the very intelligently designed refrigerator door it introduced last year, but it is not yet on the market. MRI was promoting its large transparent refrigerator doors with resized displays that fill the entire door, but — unlike last year — did not have a unit on display. Smaller retail-window and showcase solutions could also be seen.
Perhaps most interesting for this segment was a Best Buy kiosk/vending machine for electronic gadgets. The kiosk uses a large transparent LG panel that showed subjectively good color gamut.
Bill Beaton, Senior Director of Product Marketing for Zoomsystems, which manages Best Buy’s 1500-kiosk network, said the first of the Kiosks with transparent displays would be deployed in the next couple of months. If the new kiosk shows sufficiently increased sell-through compared to the conventional kiosk it replaces, Beaton is hopeful that more of the transparent-display units will follow.
Although digital signs seem ubiquitous, penetration is still quite low and the current double-digit annual growth can be sustained for years to come. That energy and optimism was reflected in this year’s DSE. – Ken Werner
The 2013 Digital Signage Expo Awards, offering a night full of corny jokes and brilliant media, began in unusual fashion, with a rap video about digital signage — it set the entire tone of the event. An energetic emcee cracked up the audience with corny jokes about his horrible pronunciation of winners’ names, transitioned seamlessly into French, and kept the awards ceremony from dragging. Condensed into just two hours, this dinner and awards was an experience.
The awards ceremony had two sections, the Apex Awards, which honor innovation in the development and deployment of technology in the global digital out-of-home networks (DOOH), and the Content awards, which recognize originality in content applications tailored specifically for the many and varied global DOOH audiences.
Below is the full list of winners for both the Apex and Content Awards.
This year Gold, Silver and Bronze Apex Awards were presented to winners in 10 categories from a field of 90 entrants:
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
GOLDWestfield San Francisco Centre, Nominated by Obscura Digital
SILVERSeminole Casino Coconut Creek, Nominated by Intermedia Touch Inc.
BRONZE Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, Nominated by DRM
Productions Inc.
Business, Industry & Government
GOLDSan Francisco Public Utility Commission, Nominated by Obscura Digital
SILVERChristie West Wing, Nominated by Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc.
BRONZEArsenal Media Fountain of Content, Nominated by Arsenal Media
Education & Healthcare
GOLDUniversity of Waterloo Stratford Campus, Nominated by Westbury
National Show Systems Ltd.
SILVER Florida Hospital – Wesley Chapel, Nominated by Sound Stage Inc.
BRONZESaint Louis University, Nominated by NEC Display Solutions
Event Venues
GOLD Antron Showroom, Nominated by Float4 Interactive
SILVERDallas Cowboys Stadium, Nominated by Gefen
BRONZE University of Oregon, Nominated by Haivision
Food & Beverage
GOLDDee Daa Restaurants, Nominated by Arsenal Media
SILVERTop of Waikiki Restaurant, Nominated by Pacific Digital Signs
BRONZE Starbucks Coffee Co., Nominated by Starbucks Coffee Co.
Hospitality
GOLD Swan & Dolphin Resort, Nominated by Xpodigital
SILVERTourisme Montérégie, Nominated by Arsenal Media
BRONZEWynn in Las Vegas, Nominated by JANUS Displays by Morrow
Technologies
Interactive Self-Service
GOLD Pepsi, Nominated by Intel
SILVERTelenet Mobile – SmartSpot – DOBIT, Nominated by Scala Inc.
BRONZEBuffalo Wild Wings, Nominated by Wireless Ronin Technologies
Public Spaces
GOLDWestfield Shopping Center, Nominated by Scala Inc.
South by Southwest Interactive Recognizes User Interface Advances
By Phil Wright DisplayDaily
The recently concluded South by Southwest Interactive (SXSW Interactive, March 8-12, 2013, Austin, Tex., USA) has awarded its Breakout Digital Trend Award to Leap Motion for its Leap Motion Controller hardware and software. This is scheduled to ship to consumers beginning May 13, 2013 with pre-ordering available now at a price of $79.99. Leap Motion’s approach to promoting their user interface technology has been to provide demos of their device (photo below) illustrating that it is responsive and accurate for 10 finger tracking. They also have seeded a large number of developers with sample units, and discussed the applicability of their hardware and software for embedded applications in notebook and desktop PCs, mobile phones and tablets and other devices.
To date, Leap Motion has shipped more than 12,000 devices to developers to stimulate adoption of its motion control technology. Mike Zagorsek, vice president product marketing at Leap demonstrated the operation of the Leap Motion Controller at SXSW as shown in the video here:
Source: Engadget
The Leap Motion Controller consists of the device hardware, a software development kit (SDK) for developers, and an app store named Airspace that will launch in May when consumer device shipments begin.
As an input device for a notebook or desktop PC, the Leap Motion Controller acquires and tracks all ten fingers of the user in a 2x2x2 foot cube over the device as illustrated in the video. The Leap developers believe that the Leap Motion Controller can become the preferred input device for 3D content creation and manipulation, and for navigating 2D content on large displays where touch sensing is not appropriate. In addition to pointing, the Motion Controller can be used to select, tap, swipe, poke and enter gestures.
Leap’s CEO Michael Buckwald has stated that he does not envision the Leap Motion Controller replacing the keyboard and mouse input paradigm when the device launches on May 13. However, Syntellia, Inc. the developer of the Fleksy text input application was also at SXSW this week showing its software working with the Leap Motion Controller to provide gesture-based typing input. It’s too soon to assess whether the Leap controller will become as ubiquitous as keyboards, mice and trackpads. However, given the market acceptance of devices such as Microsoft’s Kinect, and consumers’ interest in improved user interfaces for their consumer electronics products, we look forward to continuing new and hopefully improved user interface approaches to come.
This Year's Digital Signage Expo Breaks 2012 Record
The tenth annual Digital Signage Expo (DSE) show held last month in Las Vegas and we covered it LIVE via our rAVe NOW Microsite — including posting more than 350 videos, 20 blogs and over 350 tweets. And it can all be seen here: https://www.rAVeNOWdse.com.
Show management has just confirmed that the new benchmarks established at DSE 2013 last month include:
4,080 qualified attendees (excluding exhibitors)
Record conference attendance
Record international attendance from a total of 77 countries
Digital Signage Federation Announces Debut of Regional Networking Events
The Digital Signage Federation will host four regional evening "meet and greet" events in 2013. These will be designed to:
Facilitate networking and business opportunity among local industry professionals, and
Support the DSF's educational and member outreach in key markets that have evidenced growth and a high level of interest in this sector.
Why should you, your colleagues, clients or prospective clients be there? Because no matter what business you’re in — being unaware of the many creative ways your organization can make money by being involved in this industry is a lost opportunity.
The Digital Signage Federation Board of Directors will be in Dallas at the Wednesday, March 20th event to conversationally share their business experience, enumerate industry opportunity, and discuss the benefits of membership in the Digital Signage Federation.
Randy Dearborn, Vice President, Multimedia & Guest Technology, MGM Resorts, and DSF Board Member at Large, will not only share the many ways in which his company's multi-property and multinational use of digital signage has improved the guest experience, but also which resources the DSF provides he finds most useful in his business.
NEC Display announced today its latest addition to its commercial-grade V Series, the V463 display, which offers an LED-backlight, slimmer cabinet depth and an OPS-compliant expansion slot.
The V463 includes the following features:
LED backlighting technology for reduced power consumption
Commercial-grade LCD panel and components, which enable extended run times
1920 x 1080 full HD native resolution, which provides stunning clarity
350/500 cd/m² brightness (typical/maximum) and 4000:1 contrast ratio for vivid imagery
DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D (in/out), VGA 15 pin D-sub (Composite, Component, S-Video), which enable connectivity to a wide range of peripherals
RS-232C, Ethernet (RJ45), IR Remote, DDC/CI for external control
Built-in, 10-watt speakers enhance the experience with superior sound
TileMatrix, which facilitates video walls up to 10×10
Built-in ATSC digital tuner, which allows for high-definition broadcast capabilities (V463-AVT model only)
Bundled solution, which includes a V463 display and single board computer (OPS-PCAF-WS) for simple digital signage (V463-PC model only)
Optional accessories, including speakers, stand, a variety of internal and external computers, digital tuner, calibration kit and wall mount
The V463 display is available at a minimum advertised price of $1,199. The V463-AVT and V463-PC models are priced at $1,399 and $1,949, respectively.
Almo Announces New Distribution Agreement with Elo Touch Solutions
Almo Professional A/V announced this week a new distribution agreement with Elo Touch Solutions, a global supplier of touch-enabled Interactive Digital Signage (IDS) technology. Almo Pro A/V reseller partners now have access to Elo’s touch interactive experiences in screen sizes ranging from 7 inches to 70 inches.
“The Elo team is excited to engage with the Almo digital signage thought leaders and certified Pro A/V technology experts,” said Craig Witsoe, CEO, Elo Touch Solutions. “Together we will help resellers and end-users realize the possibilities for digital signage to help education, government, hospitality, healthcare, and retail organizations enhance their audience experience and optimize communications efficiency.”
“Our resellers are experiencing increasing demand for large format touch-enabled displays,” explained Sam Taylor, executive vice president and COO for Almo Professional A/V. “We’re partnering with Elo Touch Solutions because they provide a broad portfolio of screen sizes and touch technologies our resellers can incorporate into their projects with the service and support to back Elo’s innovative products.”
Almo will show Elo Touch Solutions products in its booth (#1251) at the Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas this week.
Kayye's Krystal Ball is Back – LIVE! In Chicago in March and San Francisco in April
For 13 years, rAVe founder Gary Kayye's Krystal Ball has been one of the annual columns most-read by AV integrators, consultants and manufacturers. Covering the future trends in each technology and product sector, Gary has been able to predict what the future held for projectors, flat panels, VTC, digital signage, signal routing and a plethora of other segments of the market with nearly 90 percent accuracy — proven by reviewing his predictions each year.
Kayye's Krystal Ball is back as a live keynote at the Almo Pro A/V E4 AV Tour events. Gary will not only tell you what will happen in each market category of the next 12 months, but he'll also look forward and tell you what will happen with everything you market and sell over the next five years too. He'll do it product by product, technology by technology. You'll be able to design all your systems and specify all your products to be future-proof. Gary will deliver this fast-paced session to kick off the Almo Pro A/V E4 AV Tour with both an informative and entertaining presentation.
The Chicago event is March 28th and the San Francisco event is April 25th. Both are FREE and you can register in less than a minute, here: https://bit.ly/ZuhGBQ
North American Digital Signage Index Declines 7.08 Percent in the Fourth Quarter
The Current DS Index decreased by 7.08 percent, from 125.30 in the third quarter of 2012 to 116.42 in the fourth quarter of 2012. Comparing the fourth quarter 2012 to the fourth quarter 2011, the Current DS Index decreased by 2.56 percent. The Near-Term DS Index rose by 8.54 percent, indicating an increase in sentiment over the next three to six months.
Source: Platt Retail Institute
"The Current DS Index decreased by a greater than anticipated 7.08 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012. This followed a fairly robust increase of 15.48 percent in the third quarter. We had forecast the fourth quarter to be flat to up slightly, in line with fourth quarter GDP growth of 0.1 percent," said PRI Director and Research Fellow Steven Keith Platt. "Last year will certainly go down as the most volatile for the NADSI since the series began, if not the most challenging for the industry. Looking out into 2013, we see the U.S. economy stabilizing in the first half of the year, improving slightly during the second half. In terms of the digital signage industry, we are a bit more optimistic."
The complete Q4 2012 North American Digital Signage Index is available for $95 from the PRI Resource Library. The report includes 28 charts and graphs, and commentary about industry trends.
In an effort to meet the needs of the industry, PRI will add a second index in 2013, the Digital Place-based Advertising Index (DPBAI). The DPBAI will focus specifically on the sentiment of advertising agencies and digital out-of-home network operators regarding the state of Digital Place-based Advertising.
Panasonic Ships New Solid Shine Series of LED/Laser Projectors
Panasonic told rAVe today that its new SOLID SHINE Series of lamp-free projectors with DIGITAL LINK technology are already shipping. The LED/laser light source in the SOLID SHINE Series of one-chip DLP projectors is specified with a 20,000 hours light-source life span. All models in the series are spec'd to deliver 3,500 lumens of brightness. Integrated with a DIGITAL LINK terminal, and by combining an optional interface box with its HDMI and other input terminals, a user can transmit uncompressed HD digital video, audio and control signals (Ethernet, RS-232C) for up to 100 meters (328 feet) through a single CAT5e cable.
DIGITAL LINK is an original function added to technology based on the transmission standards used in Crestron’s DigitalMedia 8G+ and Extron’s XTP Systems, as well as others. Signals from the ET-YFB100G Digital Interface Box can also be relayed to a non-DIGITAL LINK-ready projector by using another manufacturer’s equipment based on the same technology.
The PT-RZ470/RZ370 Series projectors offer installation flexibility, with a 2x zoom, wide lens shift capability, HDMI/DVI digital inputs and Crestron RoomView compatibility. The PT-RZ470 Series offers additional flexibility with portrait mode projection capability, as well as edge blending, color matching and 3D.
The PT-RZ370 Series, which includes the PT-RZ370U (1920×1080) and PT-RW330U (1280×800), are available immediately and list for $5,899 and $4,599, respectively. The PT-RZ470 Series, which includes the PT-RZ470UK/UW (1920×1080) and PT-RW430UK/UW (1280×800) will be available in March and will list for $6,799 and $5,499, respectively.
Crimson AV Adds Kiosk Display Stand, Custom Configurations for Menu Board Solutions and Video Matrices
Crimson AV, LLC announced several products at DSE 2013 in Las Vegas last month — a new kiosk display stand, a video matrix ceiling mount system and a menu board mount system.
The SU65 Kiosk Display Stand for 37" to 65" displays features a universal design, variable tilt angles, as well as a flat, stationary base, making it a good solution for interactive commercial displays up to 65" in size located in highly trafficked public areas. The SU65 is VESA compatible and was designed to be assembled by a single installer, according to Crimson. Included is a pre-sorted hardware pack and integrated cable management. An optional tempered glass or metal shelf (sold separately) can be installed below the display if needed.
The new Video Matrix Ceiling Mount System is an extension of the Flex-Wall systems and Crimson says it was designed to deliver a simple solution for complex digital signage installations involving multiple commercial displays up to 60” in size. Fully modular, the Video Matrix Ceiling Mount system can be assembled by a single installer, and includes all of the necessary components as well as the hardware needed to complete the installation. Systems designers need only to know the size and number of displays to be used; Crimson will kit the complete mount system and ship it to the location requested. Prices are based on the number of displays to be mounted.
The Menu Board Mount System is a fully modular solution for mounting menu board displays to the wall or ceiling in either landscape or portrait configuration for commercial displays up to 65” in size. This new mount solution features Crimson’s post-installation leveling and cable management capabilities, and includes all of the necessary components and hardware needed to complete the installation. Like the Video Matrix Ceiling Mount System, designers need only to know the size and number of displays to be used as well as the orientation; Crimson will kit the complete mount system and ship it to the location requested. Prices are also based on the number of displays to be mounted.
NEC Display added two super-slim displays to its specialty X Series portfolio in the form of the 46-inch X462S and 55-inch X552S. NEC is calling these "industrial-strength." Using LED backlighting and a mere 1.8 inches deep, the X462S and X552S are not only super-slim and ultra light, but they also deliver a brightness of 700 cd/m².
In addition, these super-slim displays include the Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) slot, a standardization designed to simplify installations, use and maintenance of digital signage. Users receive full connectivity, including DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI-D, as well as remote management through the Network Control and Communication tools.
The X462S and X552S displays include the following features:
LED backlighting technology, which reduces power consumption and contributes to a lightweight design with minimal 1.8-inch depth
Commercial-grade LCD panel and components, which enable extended run times
1920×1080 native resolution, which provides stunning image clarity
500/700 cd/m² brightness (typical/maximum) and 3,000:1 contrast ratio delivering brilliant imagery
DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI-D (in/out), which enable connectivity to a wide range of peripherals
RS-232C, LAN and DDC/CI for external control
TileMatrix, which facilitates video walls up to 100 displays in 10×10 configurations
Optional color-calibration solution, which enables color uniformity and fidelity across individual and multiple screens
Real-time clock, which has the ability to set schedules for on/off times 24/7 and can be set to warm up 30 minutes before use for optimum color representation
InfoComm Does Digital Signage in Bigger Way in 2013
InfoComm 2013 will introduce the latest advances in technology and solutions for digital signage, bringing together leading manufacturers and service providers with end-users at the annual event taking place June 8-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
Digital signage is one of the most rapidly expanding fields in the audiovisual industry, with applications in retail, corporate, hospitality, institutional markets and more. “Digital signage has changed the public landscape, and its presence is growing,” said InfoComm Executive Director and CEO David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD. “InfoComm 2013 exhibitors, systems integrators, software engineers and design consultants will share best practices, along with the latest content creation techniques and hardware delivery solutions, to engage audiences and communicate effectively. InfoComm 2013 is the largest digital signage marketplace for institutional buyers and technology managers in retail, government, corporate and hospitality spaces.”
Digital Signage Pavilion
The Digital Signage Pavilion located on the show floor, will bring attendees together to see innovative products from the leading manufacturers, best practices presentations and training. The Digital Signage Presentation Stage, located within pavilion, will feature case studies and strategic advice throughout the show. The Digital Signage Content Creation Zone will provide attendees the opportunity to get up close and personal with top content providers through demonstrations, as well as training.
Featured digital signage products and services include:
Display system technologies and media players
Digital signage software
Content management systems
Network infrastructure products
Beyond the Show Floor
The Digital Signage Training Sampler, offered by InfoComm University, will offer four new courses to address the opportunities and challenges of visual messaging and digital signage, including Digital Signage in Universities and Technology Trends in Digital Signage.
Before the show floor opens, DisplaySearch will be hosting the Flat Panel Display Conference at InfoComm. Held on Tuesday, June 11, this day-long conference will focus on display-based solutions for vertical professional markets. The agenda will include supply chain trends, case studies, and the effect of mobile products.
InfoComm 2013, the largest commercial audiovisual show, expects 35,000 attendees from wide-ranging market sectors, including business, government, military, education, worship, healthcare, hospitality, retail and entertainment. Along with a trade show floor that exhibits the latest from all of the industry leaders in audiovisual, staging, signage and more, the educational programming provides attendees with opportunities to develop skills and update certifications during the conference.
Planar UltraRes Displays Bring 4K Clarity to Professional Applications
At DSE, Planar Systems, Inc. announced its 84-inch Planar UltraResTM display product line, designed for ultra-high resolution commercial applications.
The new Planar UltraRes 4K displays provide native ultra–high definition resolution (3840×2160), outstanding image quality and a range of configurations. Planar UltraRes displays are ideal for professionals in a wide variety of commercial industries who require a large viewing area, very high pixel density and enterprise-level features that allow teams to collaborate around more immersive and detailed visual information.
Making the Most of High-Resolution Information
Planar UltraRes 84-inch displays are designed for applications including energy, geospatial, engineering and design, architecture, aerospace, control room, collaborative conference room, medical imaging, science and digital signage, among others.
Features include:
LED-lit LCD technology, selectable dynamic contrast and local dimming for enhanced contrast
60Hz refresh rate and 10-bit color
A slim metal bezel
Failover power supply for 24×7 environments
Planar Profile Mounting System, which allows for an extremely slim profile when wall-mounted (about three inches) and provides a front service access mode
Advanced energy-efficient design that utilizes edge-lit LED technology and passive cooling
Ability to switch to standby mode when no source is detected
Consumption of less than 0.5 watt of standby power
Modular for easy repair
Planar UltraRes displays come in three base models:
UR8450-LX: 2D landscape display ideal for conference and control rooms
UR8450-MX: 2D landscape and portrait, higher brightness model designed for digital
signage and other higher ambient light environments
UR8450-3D: 2D and 3D landscape support, ideal for decision rooms where both 2D
and 3D images and video are viewed
Planar says the 4K displays will be available in the second quarter of this year. For more information, visit https://www.planar.com
At the Digital Signage Expo, TriplePlay Services launched an entry level alternative to its existing digital signage solution, TripleSign, called TripleLite. TripleLite is a stripped back digital signage player aimed at small businesses, restaurants, bars, cafes, schools and nurseries. As all content is stored on to USB locally to each screen, the solid-state based media player doesn't lose its play capabilities if the network goes down. As all content is stored locally to each screen, so even if your Internet connection fails, your digital messaging will continue to display.
Content can be static images or video and signals can be output via HDMI or VGA. It also works in landscape or portrait mode.
Eclipse Digital Launches Unique Digital Menu Board Solution Updated Via Excel
Eclipse Digital Media's new digital menu board solution, updated using an Excel spreadsheet, is called EMBED. The EMBED menu board solution is powered by ONELAN digital signage media players (NTBs) and DCE software. This allows the NTBs to be updated via external sources and in this case, Excel spreadsheets. They are able to display various types of content including HTML5, CSS3, video, RSS feeds, images, text and audio.
As an Accredited ONELAN Advanced Content Design Partner, Eclipse has developed a range of digital menu board layouts that include sushi bars, coffee shops and QSRs plus interactive touch screen menu board content with table reservation functionality. All of these come with the ability to update content via Excel.
EMBED digital menu boards can be implemented as an out of the box standalone solution (all hardware, software and content situated in-house) or licensed solution (reduced hardware, subscribes information from an EMBED server). Eclipse offers a variety of menu board layout packages that can be edited along with digital media content services to design bespoke content for clients as required.
NEC Display Adds 42-Inch, LED-Backlit LCD to V Series
NEC announced today the 42-inch V423 LCD display, an addition to its commercial-grade V Series that utilizes LED backlighting for improved power consumption and a slimmer cabinet depth.
NEC says the V423 offers a 46 percent decrease in power consumption while maintaining its brightness (450 cd/m² maximum brightness). The edge-lit LED backlight enables a slimmer cabinet depth and lightweight design. With a full HD panel, integrated temperature sensors and fans, the V423 large-screen display is ideal for applications that require extended use, such as retail stores, restaurants, indoor venues, training facilities and corporate boardrooms.
The V423 also features built-in, 10-watt speakers and an Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) compliant expansion slot. Video, RS-232 control and power are passed internally from the display to the computer, eliminating additional cabling.
The V423 includes the following features:
LED backlighting technology for reduced power consumption
Commercial-grade LCD panel and components, which enable extended run times
1920×1080 native resolution
320/450 cd/m² brightness (typical/maximum) and 1300:1 contrast ratio
Mitsubishi Electric’s MDT701S and MDT552S LED Monitors Are Energy Savers
Here at DSE, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions has introduced the 70-inch MDT701S monitor — one of the thinnest available today, and the 55-inch MDT552S — featuring a super-thin bezel with a super-slim body depth. Both LCDs are edge-lit LED technology. Other features include:
Energy Star compliant.
Front- and rear-ambient light sensors that detect lighting conditions in two areas. These sensors automatically adjust the monitor’s brightness level, balance image brightness for optimum viewing, and use less energy in areas with high ambient light.
A robust jack panel that provides a diverse, versatile set of connectivity options for quick and simple installation in a wide range of environments.
An Intel OPS (Open Pluggable Specification) Card Slot for flexibility in expansion and scalability.
Two built-in 10-watt speakers that fire downward to eliminate sound reverberation, which often occurs with wall-facing, rear-mounted speakers.
USB Hub for direct connectivity through a variety of devices.
AMX / Crestron RoomView compatibility for easy integration and installation.
Extron introduced the EDID 101H, an EDID Emulator for HDMI signal sources. It features EDID Minder, an Extron exclusive technology that automatically manages EDID communication between connected devices. Pre-stored EDID is communicated to the source based on a user-selected resolution and refresh rate. Alternatively, the EDID 101H can be set to capture and store EDID information when connected to a display. A unique HPD (Hot Plug Detect) port provides control for remote cameras and other signal sources that require a periodic HPD trigger.
The EDID 101H joins the EDID 101 Series of EDID emulators, which includes the EDID 101D for DVI and the EDID 101V for VGA signals. The EDID 101H is housed in a compact 1" high, quarter rack width metal enclosure for convenient, discreet installation. An energy-efficient external universal power supply is included.
Sony Launches Content Management and Scheduling Application, LOGIK, at DSE
Convergent Media Systems Corporation, a Sony company, today announced the introduction of the Prodokol LOGIK content management and scheduling application at DSE.
LOGIK is part of the Prodokol Enterprise media platform and eliminates the use of traditional playlists to manage content across a network, which are typically resource intensive and subject to human error. Instead, users set spot dates, apply tags and assign playback rules for each new piece of content and LOGIK takes care of the rest.
Spot dates dictate when content plays and allows users to set up and down dates, expiration dates, manage day parting and set any frequency requirements. Users can also use tags to specify where content plays. Content tags are matched with meta- data from each player to ensure content plays back at each targeted location.
Content rules give users more control of how content plays. LOGIK allows users to apply proximity rules between multiple pieces of content, priority rules that place content higher in the rotation schedule and control over repeat frequency. Prodokol LOGIK provides a playlist preview to see exactly how content will play on a particular player.
SunBriteTV's Newest Offerings Are Interactive Outdoor Digital Signs
SunBriteTV has unveiled a range of new Dispersive Signal Technology (DST) touchscreen products at DSE. These new interactive digital signage products, available in 32-, 47-, and 55-inch screen sizes, build on the success of the direct sunlight-readable Marquee Series of portrait and landscape models.
SunBriteTV’s new direct-sunlight readable all-weather outdoor touchscreens start from as low as $4,595 (32-inch DS-3204TSL), and are aimed at commercial retail spaces including outdoor shopping malls, sports venues, cinemas, airports, public transportation centers and more.
PQ Media's Quinn Gave Keynote at DSE 2013 Ad Summit Conference
Patrick Quinn, president and CEO of PQ Media — a leading provider of digital and alternative media forecasts — was the keynote speaker at the Digital Signage Expo 2013 Advertising Summit in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Quinn provided data on the overall digital out-of-home industry and put the industry into perspective against the broader economic and advertising environment. One of the findings was that digital out-of-home media grew faster than any other ad medium in 2012 — including the Internet. The remainder of the presentation focused specifically on digital place-based ad networks, screens that have both entertainment/information content and ads.
Quinn provided insights into the size and growth by four major regions: Asia/Pacific, the Americas, Europe and Middle East & Africa. Led by China, the Asia/Pacific region was both the largest and fastest-growing digital place-based ad network region. Quinn followed by highlighting the major differences between U.S. and global digital place-based networks, including which venues were driving growth in each region, such as health care in the US, transit in Europe, and cinema in Asia/Pacific.
In predicting 2013 growth, Quinn provided insights on 10 opportunities and challenges that global digital place-based networks face, including the need for better metrics and the quick adoption by networks to integrate mobile strategies into campaigns. The data and insights that Quinn shared were taken exclusively from PQ Media’s Global Digital Out-of-Home Forecast series, which will be updated in April.
This article was reprinted with permission from the Digital Signage Connection and originally appeared here.
Playing on its popular consumer line of Smart TVs, Samsung is borrowing "smart" for its new Smart Signage Platform in digital signage. Samsung is showcasing the Samsung Smart Signage Platform, which it describes as an "open-source digital signage platform" built around an embedded media player and software developer kit (SDK).
Samsung’s new SDK for signage software allows software partners to develop customized signage applications suitable for an array of business and user environments. Backed by best-in-breed software developers and solution providers, including Capital Networks, Four Winds Interactive, Scala, Signagelive and Wireless Ronin, customers will have access to signage experts to help create customized solutions.
Powered by a System on Chip (SoC) semiconductor and featuring a dual-core CPU, full codec video processor and either 4GB or 8GB of storage depending on the model, Samsung’s Smart Signage Platform includes an embedded, high-performance media player which allows users to play back content without the need for a separate PC or set-back box. By eliminating the need for external devices, the Samsung Smart Signage Platform ensures clean and simple installation and operational processes, saving both time and money. The technology also supports open pluggable standard (OPS) platforms.
The Smart Signage Platform is compatible with the 2013 lines of the following Samsung digital signage products:
ME – C Series: These ultra slim, lightweight displays provide increased energy savings of 35 percent or more over CCFL backlit displays, while a thin chassis and narrow bezel help simplify installation and provide a more impactful message.
PE – C Series: This is a line of ultra-slim large format displays ideal for high-traffic areas that require 24/7 reliability, including commercial, public and corporate environments. These displays feature LED backlighting for brighter, more colorful images and anti-glare technology that offers a sharp picture, even in brightly lit indoor environments.
MD – C Series: Ideal for high-traffic areas, including commercial, public and corporate environments, the design elements of these displays facilitate enhanced performance with the added benefit of cost-savings. At just 19 millimeter, a narrow bezel allows audiences to focus more on the content, and the slim depth of the series offers more available space for other uses.
ClearOne and HospitalityVision to Provide Customizable Digital Signage Packages
ClearOne today announced a partnership with HospitalityVision to offer two different levels of turn-key digital signage background packages. This content creation service addresses the needs of smaller companies without internal design or marketing resources to create specialized digital signage content. Customers will order directly from HospitalityVision and engage with a designer to create their own customized content.
The HospitalityVision "starter" content packages offer users an affordable option with five digital signage backgrounds, including the ability to customize text and graphics. The custom backgrounds are created specifically for each business, incorporating colors, logos and overall business messages, providing a solid foundation for businesses to easily create signage without using cookie-cutter solutions. Deluxe packages include more dynamic options, such as custom animation.
RP Visual Solutions Releases Matrix Flex Mount for Flat Panel Arrays
RP Visual Solutions has launched what it is calling an "economical" matrix flex mount for flat panel arrays. Dubbed the RPMM-Matrix Flex Mount, it's CNC-laser-cut from formed 3/16” black powder-coat welded steel. This mount can extend out from the wall up to 30 inches, allowing an installer, service person or end-user to physically get behind the mount for cable connecting and trouble shooting. Additionally, the mount articulates left and right to enhance the viewing experience and for ease of installation or service.
The RPV RPMM Matrix Flex Mount enables a large flat panel matrix to be firmly held in position and mounted on a load bearing wall. If the wall is not able to hold the flat panel weight, custom H-Frames (steel slab-slab posts), floor stands or overhead support structures are available as installation options. This mount is ideal for two high 46”, 55”, and 60” flat panels. It can go up to four wide.
LG Claims First 'Ultra HD' Digital Signage Display
LG showed the first "Ultra High-Definition" 4K digital signage display (the commercial version of the LG 84-inch class Ultra HD TV) at ISE in Amsterdam last month and it will be back at DSE (the Digital Signage Expo) this week in Vegas. In fact, when you land in Vegas, look around — two LG 84” displays with 4K content are featured in a wayfinder kiosk in McCarran Airport's D Concourse.
The LG 84” class Ultra HD Signage Display is the flagship of LG's 2013 line of LED large-screen monitors that will be demonstrated at the DSE. It boasts 4x the screen resolution (3840×2160 pixels) of traditional HD displays.
Featuring Ultra HD technology with 8 million pixels, the Ultra HD 2160p display (model 84WS70MS-B) has a bezel width of just 27.9 millimeters, allowing displays to be arranged side-by-side. The 84” class Ultra HD display may be mounted in portrait or landscape mode for optimal use in commercial applications.
Build-A-Bear Merges Hands-on Bear-making Experience With Interactive Digital Technology
Build-A-Bear Workshop has created a newly imagined store design that merges the hands-on bear-making experience with innovative technology. The updated store allows guests of all ages to personalize the bear-making process and creates a different experience each time they visit a Build-A-Bear Workshop store.
According to Brandon Elliot, director – digital ventures, Build-A-Bear Workshop, the company's goal is to re-invent interactive retail by keeping the core friend-making process intact while infusing the experience with the leading-edge interactive technology platform that will allow the company to continue introducing personalized branded experiences for years to come.
Six pilot store locations were installed in 2012:
West County Center, St. Louis, Mo., September 21
Stoneridge Shopping Center, Pleasanton, Calif., October 5
Annapolis Shopping Mall, Annapolis, Md., October 19
The Somerset Collection, Troy, Mich., October 26
Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, Va., November 9
Castleton Square Mall, Indianapolis, Ind., November 16
Project Partners were Microsoft, Samsung, Infusion, Nanonation, Canvys and Parametric Sound Corp.
Challenges
In any project of this size and scope, numerous challenges were overcome. Everything from internal change management, software development, hardware and systems platform integration and development, end user experience testing, budget and time line management, fixture design and development, system integration and in-store installation.
Solutions
Build-A-Bear created a "Cub Advisor" group of moms and kids to help guide the overall design and usability of each experience. Project management and communications were critical. Support from the CEO down provided the alignment needed to successfully deliver the end result.
Results
Three of the six prototype stores had opened by mid-October with the remaining three stores opening by mid-Nov.
"We've seen very positive responses to the updated store experience that has been described as half retail, half theme park ride," said Elliott. "Sales impact has been very positive."
This case study was reprinted with permission from the Digital Signage Connection and originally appeared here.
So, that's rAVe DS [Digital Signage] for this month! Remember, we are here to HELP the AV market penetrate the DS market. In 2012, less than 20 percent of the DS market was 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).
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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.
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Digital Signage – I am writing this on the eve of the Digital Signage Expo here in Las Vegas. Over the next two days, I expect to talk to, see and hear about all aspects of the digital signage industry. While 3D digital signage will be one focus, there will be a lot more to absorb.
Digital Signage Expo (DSE), running from February 26 to 28 this year in Las Vegas, has 10 percent more exhibitors this year than last, but the growth felt larger than that and the high energy level was palpable. Exhibitors I questioned were pleased with their booth traffic, with some “complaining” of being too busy. One exhibitor said he didn’t have enough staff to handle the flow. He only had six people.
The Digital Signage Federation will host four regional evening "meet and greet" events in 2013. These will be designed to:
NEC Display announced today its latest addition to its commercial-grade V Series, the V463 display, which offers an LED-backlight, slimmer cabinet depth and an OPS-compliant expansion slot.
For 13 years, rAVe founder Gary Kayye's Krystal Ball has been one of the annual columns most-read by AV integrators, consultants and manufacturers. Covering the future trends in each technology and product sector, Gary has been able to predict what the future held for projectors, flat panels, VTC, digital signage, signal routing and a plethora of other segments of the market with nearly 90 percent accuracy — proven by reviewing his predictions each year.
Panasonic told rAVe today that its new SOLID SHINE Series of lamp-free projectors with DIGITAL LINK technology are already shipping. The LED/laser light source in the SOLID SHINE Series of one-chip DLP projectors is specified with a 20,000 hours light-source life span. All models in the series are spec'd to deliver 3,500 lumens of brightness. Integrated with a DIGITAL LINK terminal, and by combining an optional interface box with its HDMI and other input terminals, a user can transmit uncompressed HD digital video, audio and control signals (Ethernet, RS-232C) for up to 100 meters (328 feet) through a single CAT5e cable.
Crimson AV, LLC announced several products at DSE 2013 in Las Vegas last month — a new kiosk display stand, a video matrix ceiling mount system and a menu board mount system.
NEC Display added two super-slim displays to its specialty X Series portfolio in the form of the 46-inch X462S and 55-inch X552S. NEC is calling these "industrial-strength." Using LED backlighting and a mere 1.8 inches deep, the X462S and X552S are not only super-slim and ultra light, but they also deliver a brightness of 700 cd/m². 
InfoComm 2013 will introduce the latest advances in technology and solutions for digital signage, bringing together leading manufacturers and service providers with end-users at the annual event taking place June 8-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
At DSE, Planar Systems, Inc. announced its 84-inch Planar UltraResTM display product line, designed for ultra-high resolution commercial applications.
At the Digital Signage Expo, TriplePlay Services launched an entry level alternative to its existing digital signage solution, TripleSign, called TripleLite. TripleLite is a stripped back digital signage player aimed at small businesses, restaurants, bars, cafes, schools and nurseries. As all content is stored on to USB locally to each screen, the solid-state based media player doesn't lose its play capabilities if the network goes down. As all content is stored locally to each screen, so even if your Internet connection fails, your digital messaging will continue to display.
Eclipse Digital Media's new digital menu board solution, updated using an Excel spreadsheet, is called EMBED. The EMBED menu board solution is powered by ONELAN digital signage media players (NTBs) and DCE software. This allows the NTBs to be updated via external sources and in this case, Excel spreadsheets. They are able to display various types of content including HTML5, CSS3, video, RSS feeds, images, text and audio.
NEC announced today the 42-inch V423 LCD display, an addition to its commercial-grade V Series that utilizes LED backlighting for improved power consumption and a slimmer cabinet depth.
Here at DSE, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions has introduced the 70-inch MDT701S monitor — one of the thinnest available today, and the 55-inch MDT552S — featuring a super-thin bezel with a super-slim body depth. Both LCDs are edge-lit LED technology. Other features include:
Extron introduced the EDID 101H, an EDID Emulator for HDMI signal sources. It features EDID Minder, an Extron exclusive technology that automatically manages EDID communication between connected devices. Pre-stored EDID is communicated to the source based on a user-selected resolution and refresh rate. Alternatively, the EDID 101H can be set to capture and store EDID information when connected to a display. A unique HPD (Hot Plug Detect) port provides control for remote cameras and other signal sources that require a periodic HPD trigger.
Convergent Media Systems Corporation, a Sony company, today announced the introduction of the Prodokol LOGIK content management and scheduling application at DSE.
SunBriteTV has unveiled a range of new Dispersive Signal Technology (DST) touchscreen products at DSE. These new interactive digital signage products, available in 32-, 47-, and 55-inch screen sizes, build on the success of the direct sunlight-readable Marquee Series of portrait and landscape models.
Patrick Quinn, president and CEO of PQ Media — a leading provider of digital and alternative media forecasts — was the keynote speaker at the Digital Signage Expo 2013 Advertising Summit in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Playing on its popular consumer line of Smart TVs, Samsung is borrowing "smart" for its new Smart Signage Platform in digital signage. Samsung is showcasing the Samsung Smart Signage Platform, which it describes as an "open-source digital signage platform" built around an embedded media player and software developer kit (SDK).
RP Visual Solutions has launched what it is calling an "economical" matrix flex mount for flat panel arrays. Dubbed the RPMM-Matrix Flex Mount, it's CNC-laser-cut from formed 3/16” black powder-coat welded steel. This mount can extend out from the wall up to 30 inches, allowing an installer, service person or end-user to physically get behind the mount for cable connecting and trouble shooting. Additionally, the mount articulates left and right to enhance the viewing experience and for ease of installation or service.
Build-A-Bear Workshop has created a newly imagined store design that merges the hands-on bear-making experience with innovative technology. The updated store allows guests of all ages to personalize the bear-making process and creates a different experience each time they visit a Build-A-Bear Workshop store.
