Volume 7, Issue 2 — February 26, 2015

At this point, you are probably wondering why I am writing about the Raspberry Pi in a digital signage column. Good question. The main reason is that over the past year or so, there has been a movement towards “freeware” style digital signage systems. For those of us in markets where budgets are very tight, or the large expense of a full blown digital signage system is out of our reach, these systems are very appealing. I certainly think that most integrators have had an experience where a customer wants a digital sign and is blown away to learn that the monitor is the cheapest piece of the system.

Enter Raspberry Pi and the confluence of freeware systems that are developed around the mini computer. Simply look for RPi Products/Digital Signage on Wikipedia and you will be shocked by the number of tools that have been created.

These developments raise challenges and opportunities for integrators who are trying to sell digital signage. The challenge is that there are potential customers out there who will try and build it themselves using these tools. While this may work for some, particularly if they were engineering majors in college, there is simply too much to learn in order to implement this solution. Larger organizations, with a built in IT team and infrastructure may be more successful, but will seriously need to weigh the time invested in R&D versus the the cost of a full functioning system. My recommendation for integrators who deal with a company who takes this route, is to advise them otherwise and then sit back and wait until they ask you to rescue them.

Our challenge, as integrators, will be to use these tools when appropriate, and guide customers away from them, when appropriate. So, when is it appropriate? If you are an integrator with in house programmers, you may be interested in developing some skills in some of the freeware software applications. These programmers could probably put 40 hours into one of these solutions and build a decent customized system that your company could brand as its own. You could easily earn your investment back on the installs that only need one or two digital signs and minimal content sharing and management. Developing your own system will give you that very low cost, easy to support and install option that many of the small businesses want. Additionally, it will give you access to these companies and the service contracts that will come with the digital signage system. Rather than you paying 6-7k for a system, and making very little profit, the customer can pay you, 5-6k for a system, and you get an ongoing service contract and revenue stream.

How many times have you walked into a business and seen a digital sign with either an error message, just a Windows screen, or turned off altogether? I know I see it all the time. I can only imagine that these systems are like this because someone thought they could install a homegrown or freeware system, only to find out that they did not have the time or knowledge to support it. This is like a golden ticket for you. The monitor is already sitting in place, you don’t even need the labor to install it. You only need to sell a service to the company that allows them to get the sign up and running, without any time from their employees. The hardware is so inexpensive that you can wrap it up in a service contract, so your customer does not feel like they are making another huge investment in hardware. Service contracts like this have great potential for profit, because your margin will be so high.

When do you need to steer people away from such systems? When their need requires a well developed content management system. If your customers are looking at multiple digital signs, then these systems do not provide the content management that they need. As important, you do not want to tie your business into supporting major installs (meaning multiple monitors, all tied into one CMS) of freeware. It would simply be a resource drain on your programmers that would ultimately end with customers being dissatisfied with your service. What are your experiences? As a company are you using any freeware? Have you developed any in-house systems?

I’ve been noticing an amusing trend emerge of late — people posting images to Pinterest and other social networks, documenting digital signage gone awry. In most cases, these images depict a once-impressive digital signage installation brought to its knees by what’s well known in PC circles as the “Blue Screen of Death.”

No doubt these images are striking, but candidly I worry that these images unfairly cast a shadow on the entire digital signage industry, when certain segments have never and will never fall victim to the Blue Screen of Death. I’ll circle back to that theme at the conclusion of this post, but in the meantime I’ll offer some perspective on how 4K is evolving our industry in unexpected ways.

4K is proving to be a turning point in our industry, because it marks the point at which dedicated solid-state signage players are starting to pull ahead of PCs in terms of functionality and performance. In the latest research report on the World Market for Digital Signage, IHS predicts that “media players will demonstrate stronger growth potential in future years than PCs, as many companies are launching appliance-based media players with similar functionality and longevity, at a noticeably lower cost, than traditional PCs.”

Let’s take a look at why this is the case:

First, the graphics engine and CPU in high-end solid-state players are now more powerful than those in all but the most expensive PCs. Not only can they decode 4K H.265-encoded video at 60p, but they also deliver interactive, full-screen HTML5 content or a multitude of sophisticated HTML5 assets simultaneously. We’re finding that 4K players are being used to play back conventional 1080p content with sophisticated HTML5 and other dynamic elements, due to the richer experience they provide. There are PCs with advanced graphics cards that can match this performance, and there are also very compact PCs that use relatively little power. However, there are none that provide both, and match the cost or the reliability of the equivalent purpose-built player.

Secondly — and this is nothing new — any integrator or store operator will attest to the fact that reliability is as key to the success of a digital signage installation as compelling content. There’s absolutely no reason to approve the effort and expense of a digital signage installation if the content doesn’t compel the customer to buy, or if the screen doesn’t reliably display this content — in some cases 24/7. This is another key reason why purpose-built, solid-state media players that have no moving parts will continue to pull ahead of PCs in 2015.

And lastly, the perceived wisdom has been that a PC is required for large and complicated installations, but that is no longer true. Spectacular results have been achieved on large video walls, outdoor LED displays and mass stadium and retail rollouts driven by the new generation of dedicated players offering advanced capabilities and total reliability.

As this perceived wisdom is overturned, we should start to see a reduction in the number of high-profile “Blue Screens of Death” that I mentioned previously. We can expect the digital signage industry to move past this disappointing era; onward and upward to a better place where we’ve eliminated the Blue Screen of Death in digital signage.

This column was reprinted with permission from the Digital Screenmedia Association and originally appeared here.

Breaking news, social media feeds, emergency alerts- all of these sources provide a huge contribution to viewership rates. Audiences want visually appealing, stimulating, and relevant content from your signage.

Content can easily become boring and repetitive if it’s not integrated correctly. Even the most dedicated content and communications team is going to have issues updating their digital signage regularly. Thankfully, the latest integration advancements make refreshing content much easier. Instead of creating new visuals based on your updated blog or spreadsheet, you can rely on digital signage software tools to do it for you.

Content engagement works best when audiences are exposed to a live, simple scroll of information. Feeds, like RSS, communicate bits of easy-to-digest content. This allows visitors to read multiple topics in a short period of time. Data feed integrations work in the same way; displaying bits of information perfect for on-the-go audiences.

Top 5 Ways Digital Signage Users Are Integrating Live Feeds:

1. Internal News — Companies with a preexisting internal newsfeed enjoy the ease of communication that comes with live feed integrations. Users are able to transmit stories like “Employee Spotlight” and “Executive Messaging” in real time to their digital signage.
2. Menu Items — Keeping up with the daily, weekly, and monthly changes of a cafeteria menu is almost a full time job, itself. After integrating your digital signage software with live menu feeds, you’ll never have to worry about updating slides again!
3. Event Calendar — Creating a digital signage campaign for every event on the calendar is a task of the past.  Once the “Company Picnic” or “Internal Audit” begins, it’s entered into the calendar which transmits to the screens.
4. Sales Communication — Customer Relationship Management (CRM) data can change on a dime. By implementing a live feed, companies are constantly in the know as their digital signage displays up-to-date information like performance metrics and goals.
5. Spreadsheets and Presentations — Spreadsheets, like Excel documents and PowerPoint files, are the most basic data sources. If communicating data internally is beneficial, companies can have the integrations project the live data to their digital signage.

This column was reprinted with permission from the Digital Screenmedia Association and originally appeared here.

Fitting rooms can be one of the most dreaded parts of a shopping trip for the customer. For the retailer it is one of the most important. So how can brands enhance the experience for shoppers? One solution we see popping up is digital mirrors.

According to “Why We Buy” by Paco Underhill, shoppers are twice as likely to buy if they use a dressing room. Dressing room enhancements should be a top priority for retail stores as they make enhancements coming out of the recession. Digital mirrors are just one of the ways retailers can do this. Digital mirrors create an interactive experience for customers. Luxury brands are already testing digital mirrors in their stores.

Neiman Marcus

The MemoMi Memory Mirror is a digital mirror currently being tested in Neiman Marcus department stores. MemoMi allows customers to instantly change the color or the pattern of the outfit they have tried on. They can also try on additional items to complete their outfit virtually using the mirror. The mirror takes 360-degree video, allowing customers to see themselves from every angle. Customers who are shopping alone but would like a second opinion from a friend are able to share a full body still via email or social media. The mirror is controlled by the user either through gestures or through a mobile app.

Neiman Marcus employees have access to the sales associate interface which lets them send recommendations directly to customers from the mirror. Neiman Marcus is the first retailer to use this product, but MemoMi is working with other large retail brands.

Nordstrom

Last month Nordstrom added connected mirrors to their Seattle and San Jose locations. The mirrors are located in the fitting rooms and appear to be regular mirrors. However, customers can use the bar code scanner to can the tags of the clothing they bring into the dressing room. The mirror then displays item reviews, and shows what other colors and sizes of the item are in stock. It also shows additional related product recommendations, such as complimentary accessories or shoes.

The customer can use the mirror to request the suggested items be delivered to the dressing room by an associate. The sales associates are alerted via tablets. They can respond to the customers to let them know they are on their way. This message appears right on the mirror.

Rebecca Minkoff

Rebecca Minkoff’s Magic Mirrors in her interactive store, are worth a mention. The touch screens allow customers to change their lighting settings, select different colors or sizes, and to add the items into their online shopping basket.

Final Thoughts

The digital mirrors in these stores aren’t just a cool technology add-on. They all serve a purpose or solve a retail problem. In Neiman Marcus, the sharing feature helps customers who need advice from a friend before they are comfortable making a purchase. In Nordstrom they are used as a communications tool so that sales associates don’t have to stick by the dressing room, but remain accessible to the customer. In Rebecca Minkoff, the lighting settings helps customers who need to know how the outfit will look in real life. The digital mirror in each store offers it’s own unique experience tailored to the brand.

This column was reprinted with permission from the Digital Screenmedia Association and originally appeared here.

You might think the Rebecca Minkoff flagship retail store would want the incredible technology it created with partner eBay to be the focal point of the retail space. But it’s precisely the opposite — they made it as subtle as possible.

Reflecting the Future

High-tech touch screen mirrors bring the online world into the physical retail space. At first glance, they look like regular mirrors, until shoppers tap to transform them into touch screen, virtual reality havens.

Shoppers select the pieces and sizes they want to try on and a sales associate will bring the items directly to a changing room. Shoppers receive a text message when their room is ready — hello, omni-channel networks!

One Step Further

The smart changing room takes it even further to enhance the interactive shopping experience. RFID technology allows the self-service software to recognize each item within the room. With one tap on the touch screen mirrors, shoppers can request different sizes, place items into virtual shopping carts, and purchase.

The software also attaches each item tried on and purchased to a shopper’s account. This allows it to make intelligent retail recommendations based on the customer’s taste in the future, further customizing the experience.

Touch Matters

The smart store understands that VR can’t replace the need to physically experience something. We’re seeing this with larger items too, like Audi’s virtual reality car showroom. For as amazing as this interactive technology is, Audi also incorporates samples of interior and exterior finishes for customers to touch.

Having physical samples is important for both large-item retailers and stores with mass customization options. A shoe store, for example, could have one sample pair of shoes with virtual images and physical swatches of all the different materials the style comes in.

Previously, we’ve always looked at an online store as an extension of the physical store, but the smart store flips this idea on its head. eBay views the physical items in the smart store as a manifestation of the online experience. Pretty crazy, right?

What do you think — would you want this technology in your retail experience? Or is this too much, too soon?

This column was reprinted with permission from the Digital Screenmedia Association and originally appeared here.

Image via Retail Innovation

ClearOne is describing this as a cost-efficient network device used for digital signage applications where common content is repeated over multiple displays and may not need professional-level audio amplification, or third-party equipment control. Such applications include displays at airports and transportation hubs, hotels, casinos, and shopping malls.

The newest addition to the ClearOne line of professional streaming components, the economical D210 decoder, incorporates some of the same performance features as the larger VIEW Pro D110 decoder including 1080p60, H.264 high-definition HDMI video-audio, and 4:4:4 true-color output — the platinum standard for color. It is an attractive compact device that can be easily mounted behind any display.

Complementing the VIEW Pro System, VIEW Virtual Matrix Software displays a simple view of the entire networked media system on a single screen, and provides simple source and destination selection and control options in Windows, Android, and iOS for StreamNet encoders and decoders. Users have control access from any number of input devices, including wall touch-screens, desktops, laptops, and handheld devices.

With the addition of this economical decoder, ClearOne continues to be truly differentiated in the professional market by offering complete AV streaming and distribution systems that can scale to fulfill projects of any size and complexity, from light commercial to the very largest environments. ClearOne’s media streaming solutions deliver agility, flexibility, and scalability for networked media of all types.

More details on the new ClearOne VIEW Pro D210 Decoder are here.

X5 Outdoor Rental Display

Brand new on the stand at ISE will be Absen’s new generation, smallest pixel pitch (5.2mm) X5 Outdoor Rental Display. The X5 consists of two main parts – frame and module – for simple installation, maintenance and spare parts management. The module provides IP65 rated protection, front and rear access, and a dual backup power supply design.

A Series Indoor LED Displays

ISE will be the first occasion that the A1.9 will be presented to such a huge European audience. Both the A1.9 and A2 (2.5 mm) products use high quality black SMD LED to deliver high color contrast ratio and excellent performance under challenging lighting environments. Key differentiators include integrated A3C (Absen 3rd Generation Calibration) Technology, which allows panels from different production runs to work together in one display, and a unique Hot Swap module feature, which means no re-calibration is required on replacement of faulty modules or receiving cards.

Further features include an Absen patented connector, ensuring seamless connection with precision adjustment within 0.15mm, and a user-friendly information window that monitors voltage, temperature and total operation time.

C7 Mesh LED Display

In addition to the A Series models, Absen will exhibit its C7 (7.5mm) Mesh LED display, an ultra-lightweight panel offering high brightness, flexible installation style and dazzling video performance in indoor and outdoor applications. An auto-lock system enables faster installation and disassembling, and a flexible panel design allows for -10 degree to +10 degree angle continuous adjustment.

F8 Flexible LED Display

The F8 (8mm) Flexible LED display for creative staging and rental will also be at ISE. Not only is it the lightest in the industry but it also features the industry’s highest transparency when used with smoke, wind and dry ice machines. One module can be installed in just three seconds using vertical connection by hook and horizontal by magnet. Integrated rigging and power balance function reduces installation time, and an integrated receiving card and module decreases failure rate.

A97 Stadium LED Perimeter Display

The A97 (10mm) Stadium Perimeter display will be present on the stand. The display offers IP65 waterproof capability for permanent outdoor stadium and sports club applications. It is both front and rear serviceable, with supporting legs for convenience and its back-up data and power route ensures a reliable performance at all times.

Here are the details.

Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire TV Stick are two of the fastest growing products in the video streaming category. Amazon Prime users get free access to original Amazon programming as well as many other choices including Hulu, Netflix and HBO programming. The Fire TV claims the prize as the most powerful streaming box on the market with quad core processing and stunning graphics as well as Dolby Digital Plus and 7.1 channel audio available.

The new drivers are available directly from Fusion’s newly launched website for $49.95 per project. (One driver can be used for multiple Fire TVs in a single installation.) The driver features two-way feedback between the Amazon unit and the automation controller, including knowing when the Fire TV is in Awake, Sleep or Hibernate mode and responding accordingly. There is no voice control on this driver since there’s no way to capture voice on the various controllers from the automation companies. The company plans on developing a Savant driver and others in the near future.

Here are the details.

The new features include:

• Super stability — included set screws can be used to keep the mount rigid and stable throughout the life of the installation
• Nesting spacers — can be stacked to achieve any depth and reduce waste
• Faster installation — integrated teardrop design speeds up and eases installation through use of lag screws
• Quick-store cords — magnetized ClickConnect makes it easy to store and access pull cords
• Improved cable management — redesigned end caps allow cables to be routed behind the poles
• Additional lateral shift — shifts wall plate around electrical and low voltage boxes on the wall
• Enhanced security — integrated security lever makes safeguarding displays easier
• Easy-reach handle — provides better accessibility to ClickConnect on extra large mounts
• Better packaging — when displays will be mounted at a later time, hang the new interface hardware box on mount rails without losing pieces

All the details are here.

DynaScan says that each screen is individually color-calibrated to the D65 (6500 K) color standard and it will be available by the end of Q1 2015. Here are all the specs.

Since the 55” prototype at ISE will use OLED, and it’s designed to be a see-through display, there’s no need for a backlight or enclosure like you have in a standard transparent LCD. This will be the first large-scale transparent OLED on the market and will be part of Planar’s LookThru Series.

Obviously a retail digital signage display, transparent displays allow users to view what is shown on a glass video screen while still being able to see through it, enabling them, for example, to overlay digital images onto real objects that sit behind the glass. Based on continued customer feedback and further technology development under way, Planar anticipates adding transparent OLED technology as a product offering in early 2016, paving the way toward broad market adoption.

Transparent OLED is ideal for a broad range of applications including those in retail, museum and corporate settings. Retailers can install these displays in front of actual products to provide digital information about their merchandise, creating augmented reality experiences. Museums can use them to encourage patrons to interact with exhibits by displaying artifacts overlaid with text, images or video content designed to educate and inspire. Companies can incorporate them into their lobby, cafeteria and conference rooms as a dynamic way to present information to employees and customers while maintaining an interior design aesthetic of modern transparency. Planar’s transparent OLED will allow designers to activate glass surfaces that are incorporated into these spaces, like interior windows, room dividers and partitions.

Transparent OLED offers brilliant picture quality, exceptional contrast and wide viewing angles. Because the OLEDs themselves emit light, viewing angles are very broad and color performance is exceptional, leading to vivid, eye-catching installations. Moreover, because only those pixels that display content are turned on, a transparent OLED showing video will exhibit better contrast and energy efficiency than traditional displays.

When it’s on Planar’s website, it will be here.

The Sharp PN-H701 comes equipped with built-in upscaling capability, allowing Full HD (1080p) signals to be easily upscaled to 4K Ultra HD images. In addition, the PN-H701 features a built-in USB and internal memory media player, allowing playback of informational content without the need of a PC.

It ships later this month and all the specs are here.

Their new Room Management System (RMS) solutions enables TVs and monitors to not only access useful information but also remotely control lighting, heating, air conditioning and even curtains, among others — all without ever getting out of bed.

LG will also introduce their Transparent Display Cooler Door, which provides enhanced transparent range and brightness, while reducing electricity consumption. Advertising content can be displayed on the exterior of the cooler while customers can view products inside the cooler through the transparent display.

LG is also exhibiting Mirror Display, which incorporates a touch screen in a full-length mirror. Enabling the Virtual Fitting function, users can try on different clothes without ever entering a dressing room. What’s more, the user can even change the color of the outfits by simply touching the display.

LG will be unveiling an ultra-wide, ULTRA HD Digital Signage lineup with 84-, 98- and 105-inch screen sizes. All of them include Interactive White Board (IWB) functionality that allows users to share meeting minutes or lesson plans via an internet-connected laptop or tablet. The IWB can also be controlled remotely by devices on the same network. Notably, the 84-inch model can detect up to ten touch points at the same time, allowing multiple users to interact with the display simultaneously.

Here are all the details.

According to SpinetiX, their market research has shown that the quality of on-site service and support is one of the top three challenges for digital signage projects. Up to 30 percent of the budget is reserved for integration and support services, in particular when digital signage networks are mission critical to end-customers. Yet, providing quality maintenance and on-site support can be a challenge for dealers. Without professional remote monitoring tools, these missions can be unpredictable, risky and expensive, with labor costs adding up quickly. With SpinetiX Cockpit, SpintetiX says dealers can proactively react and prevent players reaching critical status as maintenance and support can be done remotely from anywhere, dramatically reducing labor costs.

Cockpit is set up as a “Freemium” pricing model and is accessible here. The free version allows any owner of a SpinetiX player to perform basic monitoring tasks. The premium version is for professionals requiring real-time monitoring, alert notifications, remote firmware updates, reporting and more. Cockpit licenses for the premium version will be available through our established distribution channels.

All the details on Cockpit are here.

At Samsung, Todd was responsible for both commercial and consumer IT product marketing at Samsung and the P&L for a $1.5 Billion group. He was also responsible for end-to-end product marketing across mobile computing devices, monitors, large format displays and printers.

As you may know, NEC Display is the market leader in flat screen digital signage and makes projectors for every commercial AV application. They can be found here.

With the 4K industry gathering pace, a sustained flow of 4K content will be critical to the long term success of 4K. While disc playback of 4k content will not be a possibility until late 2015, OTT (Over the Top) video services are driving early roll-out of 4K video services with several now available in the market. Several further propositions are set for launch in 2015/6 from both standalone providers and traditional pay-TV platforms.

As with HD and more recently 3D, 4K consumer technology is ahead of the rest of the content chain and the consumer electronics industry is marketing 4K capable TVs and creating an audience.

4k sets are expected to ship 11.6 million units in 2014, up 699 percent year on year, with China accounting for over 70 percent of worldwide demand (versus 84 percent in 2013). By 2018 100 million sets are forecast to ship per annum, when ownership will exceed 20 percent in leading markets. Falling premiums and 4K in smaller screen sizes will drive 4K adoption, while consumers will want to future-proof for 4K content when it becomes available, up-scaling will help consumers justify their purchasing decision in the short term.

“We are seeing several 4K video services now available in the market, driven by over-the-top (OTT) video services, and we are beginning to see signs that broadcasters support will be forthcoming,” commented Sarah Carroll, director of sales & marketing, Futuresource Consulting. “However, with 8K on the horizon, there is speculation as to whether the window for 4K will be short-lived.”

With the backing of the consumer electronics, television and motion picture industries, Futuresource believes that there is a positive commercial scenario for consumer 4K, although realistically this is likely to take at least 3 to 4 years to develop.

This latest report will uncover the roadmap for 4K broadcast and the barriers and challenges to 4K delivery via broadcast and IP. It will look at the players leading the charge for 4K delivery online, as well as outlining the regions, which are driving 4K shipments. It will also look at the current and future outlook for Blu-ray players and the key 4K developments in digital cinema. The report will also review the issues surrounding UHD and its role in the future prospects for 4K and consider whether 8K will surpass 4K.

The Futuresource 4K report will also cover global statistics and five-year forecasts for 4K products and content, as well as household penetration and anticipated market value. It is being compiled following a programme of dedicated research amongst TV and display vendors, CE retailers, broadcasters, online service providers, technology groups and other stakeholders. The details are here.

Shuttle’s DSA2LS low cost digital signage player is housed in a small, robust one-liter metal chassis, and is powered by a Freescale ARM i.MX6 DualLite 1 GHz Dual Core processor for super-fast, super-rich graphics. Its built-in 2D/3D GPU provides sharp and crisp 1080p full-HD graphics and features several USB ports and one serial port for greater installation flexibility. Designed for commercial applications with industrial-grade components and fanless operation, the DSA2LS is energy efficient and approved for reliable 24/7 nonstop operation.

NoviSign’s Digital Signage Studio content management software is intuitive, easy to use, and provides an incredibly rich environment for live and dynamic digital signage campaigns. The software allows any user, even one with very limited IT experience, to create, schedule, broadcast and manage digital signage campaigns in just a few steps. Templates for corporate, retail, hospitality, education, and other industries are available for quick and effective installation. Content is then sent to the Shuttle DS2ALSNOVI player via the Internet or a wireless local network.

The software is designed in “layers,” with drag-and-drop functionality, starting with very basic image/video content, up to a complex mixture of image, video, rolling or static text and embedded widgets such as: clock, RSS and YouTube feeds, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, shapes, backgrounds, logos and more.

The new bundle includes cloud-based storage, and connectivity is designed for a one-to-one relationship with account owner and player. Users who want more cloud-based storage or additional players may do so through NoviSign at specially discounted prices.

Here are all the details.

Captive Media screens situated in washrooms of bars, pubs and clubs, reach a targeted audience of males between 18 and 35 years old. Each 12” LCD screen generates around 800 impressions per week for a total of just under 100,000 weekly impressions across the current network.

Network content is meant to entertain, promote and engage, with 10-second slots contributing to a 90-second loop, half of which is entertainment including RSS-fed pictorial news and the other contains ads. The interactive portion lasts about 55 seconds (the average dwell time) and contains branded content and games ideal for brands targeting a male, Gen Y audience, such as Guinness, Smirnoff and Captain Morgan.

Not only do Captive Media screens turn a minute of boredom into a unique experience for pub-goers, the network delivers directly attributable sales uplifts of 25 percent to 200 percent for featured brands and the venue.

An interesting case study!