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Volume 6, Issue 7 — July 16, 2014
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Tiner’s Take on Digital Signage
Editorial
Editorial
Editorial
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Headline News
Case Study of the Month
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Pay Attention to the Signs
By Scott Tiner
rAVe Columnist
As a technology person, I love to peak at installed technology whenever I get a chance. However, most of the time it is not the technology that intrigues me, but rather the USE of the technology. Personally, I believe that is what a lot of salespeople miss. Why is the technology being used in the first place. Why make the investment? There are certainly stock answers to this, and that is what too many rely on. Saying something like “it is a value add” does not really tell a potential customer why they should be purchasing the technology. Especially something like a digital sign.
Recently, I have noticed digital signs popping up in fast food restaurants. Both Dunkin’ Donuts and Burger King have starting placing digital signs in their stores. As a salesperson, I would be looking at those signs and thinking about why they were installed. Places like Dunkin’ Donuts don’t just start these major investments without good market research and studies. In particular, I have noticed that at Dunkin’, one of its signs shows video, while the others show the menu. I have not spent enough time in the store to study whether these images and videos are on a loop, or are targeted. In particular, I think it would be interesting to see the videos relate directly to what the person at the counter is currently ordering. If it is 8 a.m. and someone orders a hot coffee, the video should show a breakfast sandwich in an enticing way that may make the customer decide to order a sandwich.  Why are they being successful? I think there are a couple of reasons. First, they already have expertise, or partners, in the IT world. They have been selling Point of Sale systems for years, and have a good base in that world. Second, and most importantly, they know their customers. They understand the restaurant business, both the big shops and the little mom and pop shops. When they target a potential customer, they don’t try and sell them on something too big, too expensive and without a clear return on investment. They have studied what these shops want, and in the end can provide it.
I think this is another weakness of some of the work AV integrators are doing in the digital sign arena. We know that just about anything is possible. People are sold on the fact that just about anything is possible. Then after a couple of training sessions they walk away. Integrators often make the mistake of thinking that the hardware, and the install was where the money was made. Wrong. The money is made in the support and service of these installs. This is why the bigger food distribution companies are cracking into the market; they understand what others are missing.
The takeaway is that we need to do what our parents always taught us. We need to listen more and talk less. Then we need to begin to adjust our business practices and models to support what we are hearing. Let’s face it, any one can hang a monitor, and place a little computer behind it. Can they think through all the possibilities. Can they point to others who have done similar things? Can they provide case studies on the return on investment? No, they can not. So this gives the integrator an amazing opening, if they are willing to work at it, and change business models. Leave a Comment
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What We Really Need Are Solutions
By Paul Flanigan
Executive Director, Digital Screenmedia Association
We need to get this together
Last week I had the opportunity to speak in Seattle at the Future Stores conference. It was an event focused around understanding the consumer through an analytic microscope. I spoke about the Connected Consumer, bringing the worlds of mobile and digital signage together to create better experiences. (I’ll be hosting a webinar in September about this. You can learn more here.)
I was also given the opportunity to host a roundtable discussion about digital signage. Four brands sat with me, all of them national brands. We talked about the in-store experience. I started by asking two questions. Following the questions are the answers.
Question: What does digital signage mean to you?
“Users, content that supports products and brands, helping the customer in the journey.”
“An environment of the right place at the right time, you know what you’re in for.”
“Enabling the sales associate, and promoting products.”
Question: What is the biggest challenge you have with building a digital signage network?
“The seamless offline to online journey.”
“Resources and IT.”
“The customer. How do we put worth to our network?”
“Customer value.”
Two things struck me about their answers: 1) Each answer was, in effect, a challenge to the industry to help them solve a problem; 2) Not once was technology mentioned as a challenge.
And there’s the problem. The conference was really insightful. I learned way more than I shared. But we are still talking about products. We are still talking about what products do.
We’re not talking about solutions, about putting the entire thing together for a client who doesn’t see products but sees a need for results that can only come from a solution.
One of the brands at my table, a 10 billion dollar company, said this to me, “All I want is a screen. I don’t want a network. I just want it to work with mobile.”
I know. Easier said than done. But he presents the perfect opportunity: Instead of thinking about what products he needs for a network, think about what he needs for his customer. Then work back from there. Screen? That’s easy. Wi-Fi connection? No problem.
Those do not constitute a solution. The customer experience is the solution.
This article was reprinted with permission from the Digital Screenmedia Association and originally appeared here.
Photo Credit: Scott Swigart Leave a Comment
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How Technology Is Taking Retail Back to the Future
By Bill Bishop
Chief Architect, BrickMeetsClicks.com
Stuart Armstrong was pushing the boundaries of using POS data at IRI to understand shopping behavior when I first met him. Today he’s pushing the boundaries of using digital screens to communicate with shoppers inside stores at ComQi.* In between, he developed multi-channel marketing strategies for the consumer goods and retail industries.
I think he has important things to say about where we’re going with the technology-enhanced shopping experience, which changes in the retail environment are most transformative and how retailers and brands are using interactive screens to build customer relationships.
You’ve spent a long time at the intersection of retail and communications media. How would you describe where we are today?
A lot of the things we’re doing today with omni-channel, big data, technology, millions of dollars and many hours are taking us back to the future — back to something retailers used to know how to do very well. It’s taking us back to the intimacy of customer service that retailers used to offer.
Back in the day, Sam the grocer might stand on the sidewalk beside his nice-looking produce. When Mrs. Smith walked by with little Patty, he knew what she’d bought, what she liked and disliked, and even that what flavor of penny candy her daughter preferred. It was a great customer relationship. It was personal. He knew her needs and he met her needs. And she talked with her friends about Sam the grocer, the original social media.
Then we moved to the other end of the spectrum with individual consumers. Broadcast media came on the scene, and we went through a bubble. Brands and advertisers developed a theory of reach and frequency, and they built a whole economic structure around mass media: Bombard enough people with messages and the small percentage of individuals that responds will be enough.
Today, we’re trying to get back to the level of intimacy we used to have with individual customers. We may be using technology to get there, but in the end, retail is a high-touch story, not a high-tech story. We’re using purchase histories and data analysis to re-establish relevance and recency. The more we can relate to consumers at a specific time with relevant information, the greater share of mind we gain and the greater the opportunity to influence purchases.
Which recent developments in retail strike you as most important?
There’s been a tsunami of change in the past five years. I think these three are important to recognize.
- BYOD (bring your own device). Smartphones have spread far and wide in the last 5 years, and 40 percent of shoppers want to use their device while they are in the store — to compare prices, to scan QR codes, to look up alternatives. It’s changed the in-store experience, and now that people can shop anytime, anyplace, retailers and brands need to be present in the digital space as well.
- The endless aisle concept. Retailers are trying to do more with less — offer more variety, greater selection, better experiences, but with less square footage. This means smaller on-site inventory and fewer back shelves. The endless aisle enables retailers to say “Sure, we can get that for you” and deliver fast.
- The potential for technology and data to underpin greater levels of customer service. Frequent shopper programs have mostly delivered a sea of discounts. It degrades the brand and takes away the intimacy. There’s huge potential to use technology to improve customer service.
Powerful synergies arise from these developments. Check-in, for example, is a huge opportunity that touches on at least two of them. Say you go to the big electronics store to buy a smartphone and check in by swiping your device. And say check-in triggers the ability of the sales associate to call up your purchase history. The associate will understand your needs better, and you’re going to get much better service. Using technology and data to deliver customer service like this can bring retailers closer to the kind of relationship Sam the grocer had with his customers. Using it just to push promotions doesn’t create the same kind of intimacy or trust, and the more our customers trust us, the more information they will be willing to share.
What do these changes mean for product brands?
Brands are building stronger presence in stores using the “store within a store” concept. Fashion brands have done this for years in department stores, and CPG and cosmetics brands do it in grocery and drug stores mainly with displays, but brands are branching out into other venues now.
Remember that smartphone purchase? The last time I bought a smartphone, my sales associate walked me over to the manufacturer’s display and introduced me to Sally. “Sally will show you how to use your phone,” he said, and for the next 20 minutes Sally did exactly that. Sally works for the manufacturer, and she was servicing, not selling — but because she was servicing, she was selling. (Sometimes brands are delivering this kind of service via kiosk or screen.)
Brands used to print and send out mass mailings and figure that ½ to 1 percent of people would trip over them and buy. Now they’re starting to target stores where they have particular opportunities to grow sales and investing larger amounts of money in those locations.
You talk about the importance of screen-rich environments. What do you mean?
Screen-rich environments are playing a big part in the increasingly interactive store shopping experience.
- “Public screens” deliver one-to-many messages. You find these on the aisle, over the aisle, or even worked into the décor as part of the millwork; they don’t have to be a screen on a stick.
- “Private screens” deliver one-to-one messages and are the best vehicle for customer service. These are the mobile phone screens of individual shoppers, where they can download information and receive personalized offers, support or instruction.
Some screens can do double duty. My company recently helped roll out a digital price board in the automotive service sector that doubles as a “video on demand” screen. Remember Mrs. Smith? Imagine she comes in for an oil change and notices the price difference between synthetic and regular oil and asks about it. Her sales associate might or might not know the answer, but now he or she can use the same sign to show her a 90-second video that explains the difference. Now Mrs. Smith gets the answers she needs to make a decision from a credible source. This would be a powerful tool for many areas within grocery and drug store environments such as health/pharmacy, organics and even the wine department. By the way, it’s important to note, that supporting sales in this manner has dramatic effects in increasing sales and trading up the purchase.
Finally, screens can now interact with each other — which means that Mrs. Smith can download the video explaining the difference between synthetic and regular oil to take home and discuss with her husband, and not just in English. If the household is Hispanic why not furnish the information in Spanish? Another example of delivering better customer service that results in increased sales and shopper loyalty.
Which retailers are doing the best job with screen interactivity?
Burberry’s High Street store in London is one of the best. They’ve created an entirely new shopping environment. They can even create a rainstorm to inspire shoppers to buy a raincoat.
There’s a similarly great use of digital screens in the Victoria Secret Harold Square store in New York that includes a three-story video wall and screen synchronization following the shopper up and down the escalators. (In the interest of transparency, that’s our technology.)
What do you see on the horizon?
More wearables. Google Glass is a prototype, but heads-up display will evolve and wearables will become more common. And more augmented reality, where you can place your phone over a digital or static menu item and it will tell you about calories and nutritional value. Digital signage will serve up targeted content and mobile with will deliver a lot of the information people want without having to print it on a label or a menu or a shelf tag.
*ComQi is a global leader providing a cloud-based Shopper Engagement Technology that influences consumers at the point of decision, in-store, using all digital touch-points: digital signage, mobile, video, touch, web and social networks. ComQi’s mission is to deliver an end-to-end solution that is tailored to engage consumers by optimizing communications and marketing strategies that provide the best ROI. Learn more about them at comqi.com, follow them on Twitter and Facebook, or visit their YouTube channel. Leave a Comment
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What’s the True ROI of Digital Signage Promoting Workplace Safety? (Hint: It’s Huge)
By Frank Kenna
President and CEO, The Marlin Company
I’ve often written about the ROI of using digital signage for effective workplace communications and how it’s dripping with cost savings, but today I want to focus on an issue that concerns most of our customers: safety.
Safety ROI can be broken down into two primary segments, visible and non visible. The graphic above, based on DuPont’s efforts as written about here, uses an iceberg to illustrate those segments. The list above the water’s surface represent the immediate ramifications and related costs of poor safety. The items below are the ones often overlooked, but nonetheless very real.
One way of monetizing these differences is by looking at how the National Safety Council does it. They break down the costs into “economic” and “comprehensive” costs, similar to the iceberg concept, with the economic costs including the direct costs and the comprehensive ones including what people would actually pay for better safety (beyond the direct costs). The NSC says that these are what people actually pay to reduce their safety and health risks. According to their 2012 report, the cost difference of a non-fatal disabling injury between the two methods is $78,000 versus $230,000.
The visible — or tip-of-the-iceberg — cost savings include medical costs, wage indemnity (lost wages paid to injured workers) and claims fees. The ones lurking beneath the surface include litigation, schedule delays, reputation damage, lost productivity and replacement labor.
But regardless of how you figure it, the cost savings associated with safer work environments are huge. Repetitive and engaging communications about safe practices are key.
Like I said at the top, safety is just one of many cost-savings areas for calculating workplace communications ROI. I truly believe, through decades of experience, testimonials and observation that the overall ROI is in the 100s or 1000s of percents. Here’s a tidbit of information that may drive the point home: According to the NSC report, even a reported injury that turns out to be no injury has an average cost of $2,500.
Whether it’s the $2,500 figure on the low end, or the cost of a workplace death of $4.5 million on the high end, the cost savings of better safety communications alone would easily justify any reasonable communications system expenditure. When adding in the other big issues such as productivity, quality, engagement, morale and teamwork, it’s a total no-brainier.
This column has been reprinted with permission from the Digital Screenmedia Association and originally appeared here. Leave a Comment
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SpectraCal and X-Rite Partner to Provide New Calibration Solution for Panasonic Professional Displays
SpectraCal, Inc. and color technology company X-Rite, Inc. have partnered to introduce a software/hardware package that makes calibrating and matching select Panasonic professional displays faster and more intuitive for video walls and digital signage.
The CalMAN for Panasonic package provides automated calibrations for select Panasonic displays, including the new Panasonic LFV series for multi-panel video walls. The software comes bundled with the SpectraCal C3 colorimeter, which is designed and manufactured by X-Rite.
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Visix Debuts All-New Room Sign Line at InfoComm
Visix premiered its completely new room sign line at InfoComm 2014 in Las Vegas. Visix is still the first digital signage company to offer a full line of room signs, called MeetingMinder, with scheduling options that unite digital signage and room management solutions.
A new future-forward design for the MeetingMinder models with availability of lights on the sides of the Touch and Connect units that glow green when a room is available and red when occupied. And, new EPS models offer an affordable e-paper option for office hoteling.
The MeetingMinder Touch10 and Touch15 are 10″ and 15″ models, respectfully, and allow users to publish digital signage content alongside room schedules. These interactive signs display room reservations from AxisTV, Exchange or EMS, while allowing users to create a walk-up reservation at the screen. Touch room signs can also run in non-interactive mode so that content and schedules are displayed full-screen.
The MeetingMinder Connect10 is a room sign that shows data from Exchange, EMS or Google Calendars, and the interactive screen allows for room booking at the sign. Connect signs display digital signage messages from any content management application that can export an RSS image playlist.
The Touch and Connect signs can be surface mounted or recessed in walls. Power over Ethernet (PoE) allows one Ethernet cable to supply both power and data, so there’s no worry about concealing power bricks.
And, the MeetingMinder EPS3 and EPS7 are aimed at the Hoteling market and include a 3″ and 7″ design that both use electronic paper (aka ePaper) and can show data from Exchange, EMS or Google Calendars, are updated wirelessly via RF communication and are battery-powered signs that are only activated when information changes, providing a battery lifespan of at least five years or 10,000 updates.
All the details will be here on the opening day of InfoComm.
Here’s a video of Sean Matthews, president and CEO of Visix, talking about the new line.
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ESP/SurgeX Adds IP to Defender Series
ESP/SurgeX has just announced the Remote Portal, a new module that brings IP connectivity to SurgeX Defender Series Surge+Diagnostic and MultiPak smart energy management systems as well as the ESP Envision Power Conditioning System (PCS).
Adding remote IP connectivity to its diagnostic software allows ESP/SurgeX integrators to instantly view the history of power quality events, monitor live data, download/upload reports, manage voltage thresholds and diagnose power disturbances remotely. And because recorded and live power incidents are time stamped, integrators can isolate power quality issues chronologically to identify trends which may be causing disruptions or downtime.
Remote Portal also compiles and compares power disruption and usage data over a wide range of equipment locations and facilities to provide a cumulative or real-time view of power quality and energy consumption. For benchmarking purposes, the detailed logs and reports clearly demonstrate the improvement in power quality that results from integrating ESP/SurgeX products.
SurgeX’s Remote Portal can be easily integrated with existing systems or implemented as part of a new installation. Both the MultiPak and Defender Series Surge + Diagnostic models provide professional-grade, Multi-Stage surge protection, EMI/RFI noise filtration, over/under voltage shutdown, first-of-its-kind Cat6 network protection, telephone line and wiring fault protection. The Surge + Diagnostic solution features customizable power protection settings and advanced data intelligence that helps integrators diagnose service calls proactively and keep short and long-term records of power quality. The MultiPak was made specifically for installation behind flat-panels displays and will fit naturally within common mounting mechanisms to protect valuable digital signage and video solutions.
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DT Research Debuts 8K Digital Signage Player — Basically, a 16-Output Video Wall Controller
DT Research has announced the MS2800H and MS2800L digital signage multi-screen players that are capable of displaying content on up to 16 screens. The MS2800H/L can deliver both 4K and 8K (sort of) content across multiple displays (up to 16 from a single box), and offer content blending or tiling across screens. It includes multi-zone management via WebDT Content Manager 6.1 Pro, the included web-based Content Management System.
Featuring two Intel Xeon v2 processors (E5-2630 for MS2800L and E5-2643 for MS2800H with higher frame rate supported), the MS2800H/L supports up to 16 outputs — each at 1920×1080 and multiple screens can be configured into one canvas or can deliver content to individual screens in different areas of a building.
The DT Research WebDT Content Manager 6.1 Pro software is a Web-based application for remote management of content and device functions. Bundled with all both players, WebDT Content Manager allows content layout, scheduling and distributing content and supports most popular media formats (e.g., images, videos, Flash, remote URLs, RSS, executable applications, ZIP and Microsoft PowerPoint). Screen layout options with multiple zones and layers enable a multi-screen video wall to be divided into multiple areas with different content in each zone to mix images, text and real-time video through an RTSP or MMS stream, or through an optional video capture card. This management software allows updates over a network connection for real-time or scheduled content playback and automatic content download recovery to prevent downtime.
For more details, go to: http://www.signage.dtri.com/products/multi_screen_appliance/ms_video.html Leave a Comment
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Mitsubishi Intros 60” Slim Display Wall Cube
Mitsubishi’s newest display wall cube is in the form of a 60” Slim Cube with a “near-zero bezel.” The rear-projection LED display cube measures only 20.5 inches deep, which is approximately 26 percent slimmer than Mitsubishi Electric’s similarly sized, conventional rear-projection LED display cubes. Additionally, depending on how it is installed, the footprint depth of the cube frame stand can be as shallow as 15.2 inches.
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Barco LiveDots Launches Lower Cost LED screens for Retail and Advertising
Barco LiveDots’s newest LED display range is designed for entry-level outdoor branding and advertising applications. The cutting-edge T platform – currently available with 8 and 10 millimeter pixel pitch – features a unique design that eliminates the need for a custom-calibrated secondary steel structure which is required for conventional tile-based LED screens. Built on self-supporting and scalable cabinets, the T8 and T10 can be directly fastened onto the main attachment points, which significantly cuts the cost of installation and the steel structure. Next to offering outstanding image quality, the T-series also comes with the revolutionary Infinipix image processing platform. Infinipix excels in pixel bandwidth performance, and combines this with fully cloud-based monitoring, control and automated diagnostics.
A limited set of components allows users to build modular cabinets of any size – consisting of up to eight by five LED modules, with each module measuring 40 by 40 centimeter. As the cabinets are directly attached onto the main structure, there is no need for additional connecting frames or secondary steel structures that are required for traditional installations. Measuring less than 140mm in depth and fully made of aluminum, the slim and lightweight displays can be hung to any wall and internal components and cables can easily be accessed from the front as well as the back, without tools. This design offers installation and construction companies more flexibility to build the specific size they need and speed up installation times. System integrators who have followed Barco’s T-series certification program will be empowered to construct the cabinets from a limited set of core components. Barco has already opened enrollment for the T-series certification program.
Together with the new T-series, Barco introduces a unique LED image processing platform, Infinipix. Based on fiber or copper 1G or 10G IP technology, the Infinipix technology provides higher bandwidth, bit depth and refresh rates to drive larger screens with a single processor. Built around Barco’s proprietary Athena scaler, InfinipixTM scales and crops any image source from the HDMI 1.4 and SDI 3G inputs without artifacts. Standard network cables and integrated fiber cages for long cable runs at an affordable price point are just a few other advantages of the Infinipix hardware platform.
The future-proof Infinipix platform provides a web-based interface that enables display configuration, control and monitoring – anywhere, anytime, and from any device. As the system is based on HTML5, devices running Windows, Mac OS, and Linux operating systems, or the mobile iOS, Windows Phone and Android can be used to control the LED displays, both on-site and off-site. And its straightforward user interface offers infinite possibilities to suit every need. The system supports SNMP to export monitoring data, but it sends automatic failure alerts and status notifications as well, to minimize operational risk.
Thanks to their typhoon test, IP rating, and outdoor SMD technology, the T8 and T10 are ideally suited for fixed installation in 24/7 outdoor retail and advertising applications. The Barco typhoon test certificate – greatly exceeding standard IP test ratings – ensures truly reliable displays that meet the demands of permanent outdoor use and withstand the most severe weather conditions. This testing program, developed in-house, not only evaluates the effect of water and dust (the basis for the IP rating) on the LED display, it also takes the impact of UV rays, varying temperatures, wind load and vibrations into account.
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FlatFrog Announces Palm Rejection Support
FlatFrog Laboratories announced today availability of palm rejection support for large touch solutions and continued growth of its patent portfolio.
A well-known problem when using touch screens is registration of unintended touches from users’ palms when placed on larger touch surfaces like touch tables and tablets. This causes false touches leading to poor user experience when typing, navigating or drawing on the screen. In order to solve this problem, OEMs have to use very expensive active digitizer and active stylus technology. FlatFrog can now deliver the same performance to these OEMs without the need for additional active digitizer layers. This means that users can have excellent touch performance using either their fingers or passive stylus while resting their palms on the touch screen.
FlatFrog was recently issued a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its optical in-glass touch technology, “Touch-sensitive system and method for controlling the operation thereof.”
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Crestron Intros 4K DM Receiver
Crestron’s new HDBaseT compliant DM-RMC-4K-100-C-1G is a signal interface and control solution for a single HD or 4K display device in a DM system. A single cable connects the DM-RMC-4K-100-C-1G to a DM switcher or transmitter, or to an HDBaseT source, transporting video, audio, control, networking and power signals all through one category cable. Crestron says a single HDMI output port supports video at resolutions up to 4K (4096×2160). The DM-RMC-4K-100-C-1G can be gang-mounted beside an Ethernet jack or an electrical outlet equipped with proper dividers. Multiple receivers can be mounted in the wall all around the room and in 4″-deep floor boxes.
The DM-RMC-4K-100-C-1G includes built-in RS-232 and IR control ports to allow programmable control of the connected display device. It also provides an alternative to conventional control methods by harnessing the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) signal embedded in HDMI. Through its connection to the control system, it also provides a gateway for controlling the display device right through the HDMI connection, potentially eliminating the need for any dedicated control wires or IR emitters.
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Extron Introduces DTP Twisted Pair Extenders for DisplayPort
Extron’s new DTP DP 230 and DTP DP 330 are transmitter and receiver sets for transmission of DisplayPort, audio and bidirectional RS232 and IR signals over a shielded CATx shielded twisted pair cable. The DTP DP 230 extends signals up to 230 feet (70 meters), while the DTP DP 330 extends signals up to 330 feet (100 meters). Both DTP DP models are specifically designed to incorporate higher resolution DisplayPort (Mac computers, etc) with embedded audio into Extron DTP Systems. They support computer-video to 2560×1600, 1080p/60 Deep Color and 4K resolutions. The DTP DP 230 and DTP DP 330 also accept analog stereo audio signals for simultaneous transmission over the same shielded twisted pair cable. The compact enclosure size and remote power capability make the DTP DP models ideal for discreet placement in lecterns, beneath tables, behind flat-panel displays, or wherever needed to meet application requirements.
The DTP DP 230 and DTP DP 330 streamline integration by supporting bidirectional RS-232 and IR pass-through for AV device control at remote locations. And, a single external power supply can be used to remotely power the transmitter or receiver over the twisted pair cable. DTP DP receiver models support Type 2 dual-mode DisplayPort, which allows source signals to be sent to a 4K-capable HDMI or DVI device with an appropriate adapter. DTP DP transmitter models offer an HDBaseT output mode that provides the additional integration convenience of a twisted pair output that can send video and embedded audio, plus bidirectional control signals to any HDBaseT-enabled display.
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Christie Intros All-New Velvet Indoor LED Tiles
Christie is expanding its line of high brightness tiled displays with the introduction of the Christie Velvet line of built-to-order, high resolution indoor LED panels. Marketed as seamless to integrate and available in various pixel pitches, Christie’s LED tiles are aimed at indoor applications such as retail, casinos, museums, corporate lobbies and control room environments, where 24/7/365 reliability is required.
Depending on customers’ needs, Christie Velvet LED displays can be mounted in a variety of orientations, including curved, suspended from ceilings and structures or connected to each other to create a seamless array.
Christie Velvet features:
- Solutions configured according to needs
- Quick budgetary design and quote
- Trusted pre/post sales service and support
- Certified solid state illumination LEDs available in 1.875-millimeter, 2.5-millimeter, 3-millimeter and 4-millimeter pixel pitches
- 1,200 Hz refresh rate, 1,000 nits brightness
- Front serviceable design (3mm and 4mm models)
- Wide-viewing angles (1,600), darker blacks and exceptional high color fidelity
- Ability for end-user to create large seamless digital canvases
- High performance and 24/7/365 reliability
- Turnkey solution with Christie’s image processing and content management software
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BrightSign Announces Integration with STRATACACHE’s ActiVia Content Management System
BrightSign today announced its collaboration with STRATACACHE, a content management system (CMS) provider in the digital signage industry. STRATACACHE will adding support for BrightSign 2K and 4K media players for its ActiVia product line.
STRATACACHE provides manageable solutions to enterprise networks and service provider networks of any size. The company works with more than 300 of the world’s largest companies in the retail, finance, hospitality, manufacturing, media and government sectors.
To learn more about BrightSign’s entire portfolio of digital signage media players, click here. Leave a Comment
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Crayola Experience Center Brings Drawings to Life
Crayon manufacturer Crayola looked to create an experience called Art Alive! at its Crayola Experience Center that allowed users to draw a picture on an iPad, pick an effect for the picture and then project it to a nearby wall in real time. Users could then step up and interact with their pictures via gesture.
GestureTek created Art Alive!, a permanent installation at the new Crayola Experience family entertainment center. The project’s main objectives were to:
- Give families a positive impression of Crayola
- Increase brand awareness of the new product “DigiTools App” and encourage kids to use it
GestureTek wanted to bring visitors’ digital art to life to enhance their time spent at the Crayola Experience. The company created four custom worlds — underwater, space, fairytale and safari — that are projected onto four giant 16-foot-by-9-foot screens. At 40 iPad stations, kids can color and draw an image, choose an enhancing effect for it and send it to one of the four worlds.
Once on the big screen, the kids can interact with their designs by moving their full body in front of the screen. The on-screen reactions include making the water ripple, plants part, clouds move and animals wiggle, which is hours of fun for the visitors.
CHALLENGES
GestureTek’s main challenges were developing a concept that would highlight Crayola’s DigiTools App and also integrate it into a gesture-controlled system. The company’s gesture-controlled GestureFX system was not originally designed to take in and display new content while it was up and interactive.
Due to this, the company had to create a new gesture-controlled graphic engine that allowed real-time wireless input of additional interactive elements from mobile devices while the application was up and running. Such a system had never been built before, according to the company.
In addition, GestureTek also needed to allow users to assign their desired effect to their drawings, and then send their pictures to the appropriate “world” (screen), which was complex.
SOLUTIONS
GestureTek wrote new software to accept real-time input from wireless devices into the code of a running application. The team also created a control network manager to help send the right images of media components and the code for their associated interactive effect (shrink, breakup, spin, etc.) to the right worlds. This also allowed for an external approval station and external re-launch station for kids to send their images back to the projection to play with again.
RESULTS
According to Crayola, the former Crayola Factory operated in the red, and the revamped center with the Art Alive! attraction is expected to excel draw an additional 150,000 people a year into Easton. The Art Alive! exhibit was designed to allow 40 users to be engaged at the same time. It has successfully highlighted how great Crayola’s DigiTools App is by bringing art to life and getting kids to interact with their own art, according to the company.
This case study is reprinted with permission from the Digital Signage Connection and originally appeared here. Leave a Comment
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