Volume 7, Issue 3 — March 18, 2015

Let me give you a couple of examples of what I mean by this. Recently, I was in my local grocery store. This is a large, New England-based firm with about 130 stores — not mom and pop by any means. As I was in the 10 items and under checkout line, waiting for the person in front of me to unload their FULL cart, I was looking around the front of the store. That is when I spotted it. A cute, little, digital sign. A picture is included. You can get a sense from this picture that the sign is located on the front wall of the store, in the middle of all the checkout lanes. The first thing that struck me was the size of the monitor. I can’t say for sure, but my experience tells me that monitor was no larger than 52″ — in other words, completely undersized for where it was located. The second thing that struck me was that it did not matter that it was undersized because it was so poorly placed that no one would ever see it anywhere. After all, why would any store be doing marketing for people ALREADY standing in line. Even if I saw something really interesting, I am surely not going to get out of line and go get it. Then, the third thing struck me, it didn’t matter where in the store they placed the sign, because it had absolutely nothing useful on it. The sign simply rotated through four or five slides, one for each department in the store. I am not sure if you can quite make it out in the picture, but the slide on the monitor at the time I took the picture was for the bakery department. It showed me some pictures of cupcakes, and told me the name of the manager of the bakery department.

Well, not exactly, and this one confuses me. I am talking about a MAJOR company here. A company with very well known marketing, business and store layout knowledge. Yet, as you can see in the picture, there was a message about yogurt (no brand in particular) — at 7 p.m. in the evening. Oh, and they had the current weather and temperature, just in case you forgot what it was like outside from when you walked in 1 minute ago. So, unless 7 p.m. is a hot time to sell yogurt, or perhaps they had a surplus of every brand of yogurt, there was something going on that I don’t understand.

So, fellow AV colleagues: As you can see, this is where you can excel. At trade shows like DSE, don’t only focus on the technology. Focus on what the digital signs can do for your specific customers.There are all kinds of UX designers in the AV industry. Connect with some of them. Take courses on how different market segments will use digital signage. Most importantly, when you are thinking about digital signage, don’t think of the technology, think of the application!

THAT’S RIGHT, I SAID IT.  Digital Signage sucks in a lot of ways.  (Yup, it’s Digital Signage Expo week, and out of ALL the topics I have on my list, this is what I chose to debut my new blog column with.)

But I think I’m qualified to make that statement. I’ve been designing nothing but digital signage projects for nine years. That’s it. No telecom, videoconferencing, no security, no audio or any other Googly-iPad-app driven automation gadgets. Heck, I don’t even hang TVs.

So bring your juiceboxes, cheerios and tissues; follow me into this nest of safety where we can all group hug and sob into some ice cream like Oprah watching herself on Lifetime. I assure you there’s hope at the end.

 What SUCKS about digital signage?

• IT’S HARD TO KEEP UP WITH. Keeping up with digital signage is like chasing Usain Bolt with a Big Wheel. You’re playing a game where the board changes, the pieces change, and the rules of the game change every month, i.e., whenever you try taking the Internet and moving it into the physical realm, it’s going to make waves.

• IT’S HARD TO SELL, and it’s hard to price effectively. Communicating value and ROI can be very difficult sometimes. Plus, your price methods can make you very attractive to some verticals, but push you off a cliff with others!

• IT’S HARD TO DESIGN FOR — Truly effective digital signage is a dynamic medium that requires rules and processes rooted in a marketing plan. From our perspective, it’s better that it’s managed by the customer themselves — but they need guidance to develop the plan… and maybe help with initial graphics.

• IT CAN BE COMPLICATED TO PUT TOGETHER. The market seems to demand over-simplified, off-the-shelf purchases. Like you could just go to Target and buy a multi-tiered digital signage system with everything involved that fits your exact needs. (It’s in the gaming aisle.) WRONG. Yes, there’s going to be one-off displays that work for onesie–twosie displays… but for almost every client who needs enterprise content management, it just ain’t gonna work right.

• AND MORE STUFF… Like, “It’s hard to support,” and “it’s hard to educate clients about the capabilities of their displays,” and “it’s hard to maintain consistency over time.”

Yup, I crowded the last bullet point because studies show that articles with more than 5 bullet points get 17% less views. Really? Nope, I just made that up.

But I want to let you all know THERE IS HOPE. So if you’re going to the Digital Signage Expo this week to find the right solution — don’t let me pull you away from this truly amazing revolution in communications.  Digital signage IS worth it, and it WILL continue to prove itself.  

I will provide the best answers I can for all of the pains I’ve listed above in future posts.  So do your bookmark thing, your RSS thing, or just copy the darn link to this blog. I don’t care where you came from, but if you’ve landed in digital signage, we could become good friends.  

BONUS: If you’d like to hear some inside info before my posts come out, I’ll be part of a national webinar with the Digital Signage Federation. It’s March 25th, 2015, called “How to Make Money Selling Digital Signage”  It’s free, here’s how to register: http://digitalsignagefederation.org/event-1880852

 For fun, tell me your reasons digital signage SUCKS in the comments below.

Have you ever walked into a corporate lobby, retail store, hotel or any venue and thought, “Wow, that digital signage display is too large!”?

Humorous, but of course not.

Most of the time, if anything, displays are commonly undersized. Why? Well, while 55″ seems large in the intimate setting of your living room watching the latest best-selling Blu-ray, the affect may be lost in a different environment with a different purpose.

What do you need to keep in mind when selecting screen size for your business?

A 55″ display is the viewable distance from corner to corner diagonally across the screen. Assuming a 169 widescreen display, this equates roughly to a height of 27 inches and width of 48 inches.

There are formulae from every TV manufacturer and standards committees such as SMPTE or THX to suggest screen sizes and are mostly geared toward consumer entertainment applications.

Don’t get confused if you start researching the web for the correct formula to use. Your specific application may differ. The important thing is to use a formula (or any formula) as a starting point, not an ending point.

Here are a few examples of different formulas and applications, and their resulting viewable distance.

General at-a-glance viewing or video

• 4 x 55″ diagonal = 220″ (or about 18 feet) viewable distance


• 8 x 27″ height = 216″ (or 18 feet) viewable distance
  

• 6 x 27″ height = 162″ (or 13+ feet) viewable distance

For example, on that same 55″ display, let’s say we want to include a side panel graphic. Reserving 12 inches width for this content leaves us with 36 inches of width for our main content which is effectively the same as a 42″ display.

This changes our viewable distance from the previous examples.

General at-a-glance viewing or video

• 4 x 42″ diagonal = 168” (or about 14 feet) viewable distance


• 8 x 20″ height = 160” (or 13+ feet) viewable distance

• 6 x 20″ height = 120” (or 10 feet) viewable distance

Likewise, why put the current temperature nestled in the corner of screen when its “real life” size on a 55″ screen is nearly the size of your thumbnail and not truly viewable beyond 6 feet from the display. Is that the intended audience range? Probably not. This is another reason to make sure all content is viewable at your target distance.

Screen size is certainly only one factor of many to consider in your digital signage deployment. It works in coordination with screen placement, lighting, other environmental factors, and of course (and most importantly) content!

So you have a formula to determine display size, but how about content? How large a font should you use to get your message across and easy to read? As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to have 1 inch of font height for every 10 feet in desired viewing audience distance.

Now you’re ready to configure your optimal signage and content size.

But, even in our high tech world, old school methods still work.

I was with a customer once who used a properly sized cardboard cutout pattern of a TV they were considering and taped it onto the rich marble wall to get an idea of what it would look like and how much space it would occupy. They used white poster board and markers to write some sample content to understand what font dimensions were required to reach the furthest intended viewer. I thought it was a brilliant idea and was glad to see so much interest and consideration into making sure not only the correct display size was chosen, but more importantly, the proper content size. Well done!

Whether, you use a high tech online calculator or poster board cutouts, you have begun a very important process of considering what is important to you and your viewers.

When budgeting for digital signage displays, it is always easier to add more displays later, rather than try to “right-size” a set of undersized displays already deployed.

It doesn’t need to be a $63M, 362′ x 62′ behemoth scoreboard like the Jacksonville Jaguars, but definitely give thought to the size of screen required for your application (then maybe even go up one size). As you start the process of determining the correct screen size, here are some questions to ask yourself —

• What type and quantity of content will be displayed?


• Will the content be displayed full screen or on segments of the screens?


• What is the smallest content to be displayed?


• How far is the desired viewable distance?

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

A year later, retailers are reporting positive results from iBeacon campaigns. There are, however, still challenges from the caveats associated with iBeacons.

Specifically, customers must be iPhone users. They must download the retailers’ app. They must enable Wifi on their phone and opt-in to receive notifications. Many consumers are not willing to opt-in because they have privacy concerns about retailers collecting their data. Physical Cookie gives retailers and their customers the benefits of iBeacons without having to meet all of these requirements.

What is Physical Cookie?

Physical Cookie is a RFID-tag within a piece of plastic, usually on a key-fob,  which retailers can give to their customers as they shop. The customer puts Physical Cookie in their pocket and then has to take no additional steps. Electric readers are then placed around the retail store. The Physical Cookie key-fob collects data in real-time in the same way cookies on websites do (hence the name). Digital screens within the store, show customers advertisements based on their behavior. Customers do not sign up or register, so there are no privacy concerns involved. Physical Cookie has operated in the Citycenter shopping mall in Helsinki, as part of a trial since Fall 2014.

Physical Cookie is easier for the consumer to use than iBeacons. Unlike the Bluetooth technology used for iBeacons, Physical Cookie is always on. Instead of pinging a user’s phone, the actual retail environment reacts to the consumers behavior, which feels much less spammy.

The Physical Cookie Customer Loyalty Program

In the Citycenter trial, a customer loyalty program called VIP-key was launched. The VIP-keys were given to 14,000 randomly selected customers who were then automatically part of a loyalty program, without ever having to opt-in, register, or sign up for anything. The trial was in a shopping center but Physical Cookie has said this can work for both retail chains and for brands working within big-box retailers.

While this trial was conducted using Physical Cookies in a key-fob format, the company said in the future this does not necessarily have to be the case. The key-fob format was selected with the thought process that customers enter the shopping center with their wallet, mobile phone, and keys with them. The average customers wallet is already full of loyalty cards, and mobile phones would require opt-in. The key chain was chosen instead because it does not already have any smart device on it.

Results:

• The VIP-key cost the equivalent of about two cents in U.S. Dollars.
• 15 percent of the VIP-keys were active.
• They showed a 14.5 percent increase in activity between floors.
• There a was a 21.7 percent increase in time spent in the shopping center.

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

Apex Installation Awards: This year Gold, Silver and Bronze Apex Awards were presented to winners in 11 categories from a field of nearly 80 entrants:

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation

• Gold: Skylon Tower, Nominated by GestureTek
• Silver: National Museum of Kazakhstan, Nominated by Global Display Solutions
• Bronze: College Football Hall of Fame, Nominated by Obscura Digital

Business, Industry & Government

• Gold: NASA – Human Exploration Operations, Nominated by GPO US Inc. in partnership with Digital Info Displays, Inc.
• Silver: MultiTaction installation at Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, Nominated by MultiTaction
• Bronze: Nebraska Tourism Commission, Nominated by Nanonation

Education & Healthcare

• Silver: Raising Nebraska, Nominated by Nanonation
• Bronze: LSU Career Center, Nominated by SAIA Electric Inc.

Event Venues

• Gold: AT&T Stadium Experience, Nominated by Obscura Digital
• Silver: Acieta, Nominated by Nanonation
• Bronze: EMC Corp., Nominated by LMG

Food & Beverage

• Gold: Zipps Sports Grill, Nominated by LG Electronics USA
• Silver: RichTree Toronto, Nominated by GestureTek
• Bronze: SLS Las Vegas Center Bar Display, Nominated by Daktronics

Hospitality

• Gold: Horseshoe Baltimore, Nominated by CastNET
• Silver: SLS Las Vegas, Nominated by Samsung Electronics America
• Bronze: Foxwoods Resort Casino, Nominated by McCann Systems

Interactive Self-Service

• Gold: Sport In Street, Nominated by Sistem 9 Medya
• Silver: Genentech Booth, 50th Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA, Nominated by Stimulant
• Bronze: EMC Corp. – Conversation Station, Nominated by EMC Corp.

Professional & Personal Services

• Gold: BlueShore Financial, Nominated by 10net Managed Solutions Ltd.
• Silver: Scotiabank, Nominated by Cineplex Digital Solutions
• Bronze: Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union (SASCU), Nominated by Capital Networks Ltd.

Public Spaces

• Gold: Morguard Investments Limited, Nominated by Cineplex Digital Solutions
• Silver: Citycon Inc., Iso Omena Mall, Espoo, Finland, Nominated by FogScreen Ads in the Air Inc.
• Bronze: Hills Advertising Beach Mall Project – Dubai, Nominated by Hills Advertising LLC

Retail

• Gold: Barneys New York, Nominated by Christie
• Silver: FGL Sports (Sport Check), Nominated by North Strategic
• Bronze: Verizon Destination Store at Mall of America, Nominated by X2O Media

Transportation

• Gold: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, Nominated by Times Innovative Media Limited
• Silver: Outfront Media (formerly CBS Outdoor), Nominated by LG-MRI
• Bronze: New York City MTA, Nominated by Control Group

Apex “Installation” Award of the Year: Obscura Digital for the AT&T Stadium Experience, Nominated by Obscura Digital

Apex Content Awards: This year Gold, Silver and Bronze Content Awards were presented to winners in 11 different categories from a field of 60 entrants:

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation

• Gold: Spectrio, For content created for the Florida Holocaust Museum

Business, Industry & Government

• Gold: Enplug, For content created for Beverly Hills Porsche Digital Signage and Live Social Media Display
• Silver: Convergent Media Systems, For content created for Manulife: Keep It Simple
• Bronze: Lockheed Martin, nominated by X2O Media, For content created for Lockheed Martin Velocity News

Education & Healthcare

• Gold: Second Story (part of SapientNitro), For content created for Global Crossroads
• Silver: Christie THREE SIXTY (formerly Arsenal Media), nominated by Christie Digital Systems USA Inc., For content created for Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Two-zone Lobby Display
• Bronze: Sketch Creative, nominated by Houston Dynamic Displays, For content created for Emerus & Baylor Emergency Medical Centers

Event Venues

• Gold: Christie THREE SIXTY (formerly Arsenal Media), nominated by Christie Digital Systems USA Inc., For content created for Segerstrom Center Projection Mapping Display
• Silver: Insteo, For content created for DSE 2014 Wayfinding Interactive Map
• Bronze: University of Massachusetts, nominated by Tightrope Media Systems, For content created for Interactive Kiosk at McGuirk Alumni Stadium with Cooperation of Tightrope Media Systems

Food & Beverage

• Gold: Nanonation, For content created for Barneys New York – The River
• Silver: Equalize Advertising Solutionss, For content created for Fiorillo’s Restaurant
• Bronze: Insteo, For content created for Quaker Steak and Lube Restaurant Beer Board

Hospitality

• Gold: Digital Kitchen, For content created for The Chelsea Entertainment Venue located at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas

Multi-Platform

• Gold: Christie Digital Systems USA Inc., nominated by Christie THREE SIXTY (formerly Arsenal Media), For content created for The Book of Transformations, International, Projection Mapping Inspirations featuring Christie Technology
• Silver: Insteo, For content created for Quaker Steak and Lube Restaurant Wall of Flame
• Bronze: Groupe Viva, For content created for “Are you in?” Brand Campaign for Groupe Viva’s Corporate Office

Professional & Personal Services

• Gold: TPN, For content created for Bank of America
• Silver: Servus Credit Union Ltd., For content created for Servus Credit Union Ltd. – Nada Campaign

Public Spaces

• Gold: Obscura Digital, For content created for illUmiNations: Protecting Our Planet
• Silver: Pearl Media LLC, For content created for It’s More Fun In The Philippines
• Bronze: Engrain, For content created for TouchTour Interface

Retail

• Gold: KBS+Spies & Assassins, For content created for Jay Z Gold
• Silver: MaxMedia, For content created for Beats Music – AT&T Michigan Avenue Flagship Store
• Bronze: Groupe Viva, For content created for Molson Coors Vented Can

Transportation

• Gold: Bloomberg L.P., For content created for Bloomberg Hub at London City Airport
• Silver: Art of Context, For content created for Boarding Pass-Driven Interactive Video Walls at Boston Logan International Airport
• Bronze: Telefonica on the Spot Services, For content created for Roaming International Movistar

Apex Content Award of the Year: Obscura Digital, For content created for illUmiNations: Protecting Our Planet

DSE’s Apex Installation Awards were individually assessed and juried on the basis of originality and innovation by independent panels with industry journalists.

rAVe’s complete DSE coverage is here.

MultiTaction today told us it’s debuting a Curved MultiTaction iWall featuring the company’s interactive display technology at this year’s Digital Signage Expo (DSE) in Las Vegas. MultiTaction’s new display claims to be the world’s first curved multi-user interactive wall that supports an unlimited number of concurrent users, has curvatures of up to 360 degrees and widths up to 96 feet. With its Curved MultiTaction iWall, MultiTaction is transforming communication processes at executive briefing centers, corporate lobbies and public locations with yet another first in large-format interactive displays.

MultiTaction says the Curved MultiTaction iWall is a modular, highly customizable display system which includes what they are describing as “ultra-fast responsiveness,” simultaneous touch, IR pen and object recognition.

Full specs will be here when it’s available on-line.

BenQ America announced its Digital Signage Expo (DSE) plans and they include the debut of interactive 4K panels, ultra-thin dual-sided screens, bar-type displays, and more.

BenQ’s 28-inch BH280 and 38-inch  BH380 bar-type displays feature a sleek and slim design to deliver content in any setting, including buses and subway cars, restaurants, government offices, post office counters, banks, convenience stores, or exhibition spaces.

All the details will be posted here during DSE.

More details are here.

The four new solution revelations revolve around technologies that a VP71 digital signage player into an interactive playground, allowing the audience to trigger engaging content in four new ways: Elevate, Push, Move and Wave. Push triggers content using new LED buttons, available in an array of colors. Users will will now be able to trigger content with a simple wave by simply passing their hands near a proximity sensor. The waving motion allows users to trigger content in a fun and high-tech new way. With the Move solution, users trigger content through a motion sensor that detects human movement from as close as 1 foot away or as far as 21 feet away. The Move function can be customized for triggering various content.

Here are the details and here is a video on how it works.

Visualplanet’s

Simple to Visualplanet’s retro-fit, the touchfoil works through glass up to 20mm thick which means that an existing install base could be upgraded to include touch capability with the minimum of investment.  Positioned on the back of the glass, the touch sensor is protected within the panel — robust, reliable and able to withstand heavy daily usage. Flush against the glass with zero bezel, the touchfoil doesn’t interfere with the process of IP rating the enclosure to be immune to ingress from water and dust – making it easy to maintain and keep clean.

As mentioned above, the touch sensor can even be used while the user is wearing gloves — perfect as Visualplanet’s touch sensor technology is deployed in some of the most extreme environments around the world. When combined with the right application, the high performing, interactive touchfoil can enhance customers’ experience across multiple market sectors whilst also generating a tangible return on investment. For more information, go here.Leave a Comment

The DS57U includes a Celeron processor by Intel and consumes less than 65 watts of power at full operating capacity. Here are the details.

• Drag-and-drop widgets
• Guides and rulers with snap
• Flexible workspace sizing
• Familiar user interface
• Design offline and sync later

You can create your messages, templates and layouts from scratch or from a previous design. You can also modify these designs between AxisTV Design and AxisTV Desktop interchangeably without disruption.

Because AxisTV Design runs on the desktop, you can create content offline and synchronize with the system once you’re connected to the network. You can also share publishing authority with multiple users or set up an approval process to limit access.

And, Visix is holding a free webinar on Thursday, March 26th to help you understand it better. Join Ellyce Kelly, lead software trainer for Visix, in this 30-minute webinar for an overview of AxisTV Design for both v.9.0 updates and legacy systems by registering here.

Visix is here.

Just like the other V-series LED displays, the V4i and V6i are managed and controlled by the dedicated V-series Toolset (VTS) application software. The VTS comes with an intuitive interface for easy display management and set up. Advanced options — such as brightness, gamma and color temperature control — and the display configuration tools make the V-series an excellent choice for basic LED display applications. Customers can choose from front or back serviceability.

All Barco V-series displays are supported by the DV-100 LED image processor and equipped with Barco’s Athena scaler . Designed for full flexibility, the DV-100 also supports new standards like 3G SDI, HDMI and DisplayPort, in addition to supporting standard inputs up to (dual) HD-SDI.

The Barco V4i is here and the V6i is here.

The MA Signage Appliances provide multiple video connections with 2 to 7 HDMI ports (depending on the model) for up to 1080p or 4k high resolution. The MA1363C/1363B includes the Intel Celeron/Core i7 CPU, integrating 3 video out connectors with 3840×2160 (@24Hz) or 1920×1080 (@60Hz) resolution in a fanless package weighing less than six pounds, while the MA1367C/B also uses the Intel Celeron/Core i7 CPU, but it integrates 7 video out connectors with 3840×2160 (@24Hz) or 1920×1080 (@60Hz) resolution, packaged in a sealed chassis with an external fan for protection from airborne contaminants. The MA1352/1356 is powered with the Intel Celeron Quad Core CPU and has 2 to 6 video out connectors housed in a solid-state, fanless design weighing less than three pounds and the MA102/104 has an ARM CPU with an Android operating system and can power 2 or 4 screens with 3840×2160 or 1920×1080 resolution to each screen.

DT Research’s products all use their WebDT Content Manager (WCM) 6.2 Pro software for remote management of content and hardware functions. Bundled with all WebDT signage appliances, WCM offers an easy-to-use interface for organizing, scheduling, and distributing content, and supports numerous media formats (e.g., images, videos, Flash, remote URL’s, RSS, executable applications, ZIP, and Microsoft PowerPoint). Flexible 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 quick updates over a network connection for real-time or scheduled content playback and automatic content download recovery to prevent downtime. The newly released WCM 6.2 Pro now offers a powerful Menu Board Editor (available for download online), enabling efficient menu board design, enhanced player management interface, extended browser support, and fully frame-synchronized multi-screen video playback with frame-synchronized audio/video. The Menu Board Editor offers a tool to streamline the layout and scheduling of menu board content with templates and plug-ins for fast deployment.

All the tech specs for each player are on the company’s website here.

For 2015, LG’s Smart Platform Signage solution running webOS allows system integrators to download useful content and develop customized applications that fit their exact needs.  With webOS, LG’s Smart Platform Signage can be updated immediately via a smartphone or tablet. Wi-Fi connectivity eliminates the need for a wired connection or costly network infrastructure.

LG has engaged in new software partnerships to further develop these capabilities and bring cloud-based digital signage to LG digital displays featuring the webOS platform. Examples include partnerships with such leading companies as Signagelive and Ping HD, which have announced customized applications:

• Signagelive’s low-cost, fully-supported cloud solution that runs on LG’s flexible webOS for signage platform eliminates the need for external media players to run and manage digital signage campaigns.
• Ping HD has launched EngagePHDTM, an easy-to-use, Web-based design, content management and network monitoring application with support for LG’s webOS commercial displays.

Here are all the details.

In addition to the 1080p LCDs, Panasonic showed their large format LQ70U Series 4K Professional Displays that claim a rugged design. The LQ70U Series includes both 98” and 84” models, featuring protective, impact-resistant glass to allow safe installation in places with high pedestrian traffic, such as train stations, airports, corporate environments and shopping malls.

A very cool projection mapping demo highlighted their booth at DSE as a PT-DZ21KU 3-Chip DLP (20,000 lumens projector) was used along with the ET-D75LE90 ultra short-throw lens with a 0.36 throw ratio to do image mapping on mannequins. Here’s a video we shot of it.

Their PT-RZ670BU 1-Chip DLP WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution laser projector was on display with 6,500 lumens. The PT-RZ670BU is integrated with their HDBaseT solution, branded as DIGITAL LINK.

With an ultra-narrow 0.14” (3.5mm) bezel and 700cd/m² brightness, the 55” TH-55LFV70 LED Video Wall Display was used to demo their LED wall options.

Finally, Panasonic’s new Android and HTML5-based open-platform embedded digital signage players were debuted and they were encouraging third-party applications specifically for digital signage, commercial enterprises and the classroom to be developed. The platform will initially be implemented in 42″, 49″ and 55″ professional displays slated for global release this fall.

Here are all the details.

As part of Christie’s professional services offering, the Christie THREE SIXTY digital media group enables partners and end-users to access one of the most complete and experienced teams in the industry to develop end-to-end, next-generation digital signage applications. Comprehensive strategy planning, content creation, interactive programming, system design, deployment and nationwide monitoring and maintenance services can be realized using Christie’s enhanced capabilities or delivered as a fully-integrated digital installation or network. This builds on the company’s commitment to delivering fully scalable, interactive digital display systems customized for specific branding requirements, ranging from single LCD screens to complex, interactive, user-driven video walls, to projection mapping and multi-side immersive environments.

Media sales services are provided through Christie Experiential Networks (CEN), where clients can monetize their digital investments through sponsored digital content experiences and multi-platform strategic partnerships. Christie also invests in the development of niche experiential installations for high-traffic, brand and emotion-driven environments.

At the show, Christie will debut the Interactive One-Sheet and Digital Standee kiosks featuring  Christie FHD651-T 65-inch and the Christie FHQ841-T 84 inch UHD LCD display panels.

The Christie Design Studio is a turnkey solution in the theme of a ‘Point Of Sale’ style interactive kiosk. This solution demonstrates the potential creative expression that is possible with Christie display and software solutions working together, integrated into an effective interactive and immersive display experience.

Featuring a one-fifth scale model of a Corvette C7 Stingray created by Hyphen Services rapid prototyping, the Christie Design Studio brings the car to life through 3D, projection mapped photorealistic graphics on its body. The car is displayed within a diorama constructed of Christie MicroTiles, with multiple Christie projectors illuminating it, using Christie Twist LT for warping and blending. An interactive touch panel allows users to explore design options instantly and customize their vehicle to taste. Winner of a “Best Concept” award, the C7 display was developed in collaboration with Ventuz and 3DEXCITE. 3DEXCITE’s DELTAGEN software provides the backbone of this solution’s rendering pipeline and is built from the same tools many automakers use for digital review of new car designs, and development of marketing assets for web and print.

The Christie Design Studio can easily be deployed in many environments, such as retail settings where clothing can be mapped onto mannequins, or in a promotional event context to create buzz around a brand or new product. Advertisers can experiment with different graphics on various surfaces and structures before deploying in the field; corporations can project designs and logos on a scale model of buildings or interior spaces, such as lobbies, hallways and boardrooms, to test new concepts. For examples, download Christie’s “Book of Transformations,” with scores of projection mapping projects. The free downloadable app for iOS and Android devices features information about projection trends and technics, as well as case studies of some of the best projects delivered around the world using Christie projection technology.

Christie is here.

The USB Extender Plus Series streamlines integration by avoiding IT‑specific design criteria that may be in conflict with the need to extend KVM in professional AV installations. For increased system reliability, peripheral emulation mimics continuous connection of device to host. Real‑time status LED indicators provide visual confirmation of port activity between an active host and each connected peripheral device.

Here are all the details.

The VIA ALTA DS Series features a choice of single and dual display Android-based media players for managing multi-display deployments (in an affordable way). Applications range from digital sign and menu boards to Digital Out of Home Advertising (DOOH) across a broad spectrum of retail, hospitality, entertainment, transportation, corporate and entertainment environments.

The VIA ALTA DS 2 is compact fanless Android media player which offers dual independent Full HD screen support as well as these features:

• 1.0GHz dual core VIA Elite E1000 Cortex-A9 SoC with a high-performance 2D/3D graphics and video engine that supports Open GL ES 3.0 hardware acceleration and simultaneous multiple Full HD video playback
• Dual-screen support with optional second HDMI port
• Extended and independent screen content support
• 2GB DDR3 SDRAM and up to 16GB eMMC Flash memory onboard
• Two HDMI-out ports; two USB 2.0 ports; two mini-USB 2.0 ports, one Gigabit Ethernet port; Audio-out/Mic-in; one SD card slot

The VIA ALTA DS is a fanless system with a single output as well as these features:

• VIA Cortex-A9 SoC with advanced 2D/3D graphics and HD video playback capabilities
• 1GB DDR3 SDRAM and up to 16GB eMMC Flash memory onboard
• HDMI and VGA (optional) ports; four USB 2.0 ports; one 10/100 Ethernet port; Audio-out/Mic-in,
• Auto power on when plugged
• Optional Wi-Fi card

Both VIA ALTA DS systems are available with a signage software solution pack featuring Android 4.3 as well as the VIA Smart ETK comprising a number of APIs, including Watchdog Timer (WDT) for safeguarding against system crashes, WOL, RTC wake-up, and a sample app. A full set of software customization services that speed up time to market and minimize development costs is also available. For customers looking for large-scale network signage and kiosk deployments, VIA offers cloud-based device management support for remote monitoring, control, and silent OTA software updates for both OS and apps.

All the tech specs are here and they will be priced starting at $180 US for the VIA ALTA DS and $195 US for the VIA ALTA DS 2.

Diesel S.p.A. was faced with a similar challenge, even as one of the world’s leading designers of high-end, ready-to-wear fashion apparel. The company operates more than 400 stores around the world, including 50 in the United States.

The Challenge

Integrator YCD Multimedia previously helped Diesel develop a video wall the retailer could use at fashion shows and in the company’s headquarters to display new product lines and merchandise. Based on that experience, Diesel sought a similar collaboration with YCD for a retail store environment that would reflect its hip style and provide relevant brand messaging to customers. Diesel wanted to install the system at flagship locations in New York and San Francisco with scalability for other locations and future growth.

YCD was founded in 1999 on the principle that it would provide corporations with advanced digital media solutions on a flexible platform designed to help businesses attract clients, reinforce branding and ensure a measurable impact on their business. These solutions were exactly what Diesel needed, especially from a company that has partnered with more than 2000 customers to date.

“Diesel has an aesthetic that blends very well with digital signage,” said Sam Losar, president of U.S. operations with YCD Multimedia. “Styles and campaigns change so frequently that Diesel can just upload new digital content whenever they want.”

The Solution

Diesel and YCD selected the 5th Avenue location in New York and the Market Street location in San Francisco as the premiere sites for the stores’ new digital signage. When choosing a display to use, Diesel wanted a combination of excellent quality and large screen size at a reasonable price.

After considering a number of options, YCD chose NEC’s 46” X462UN display. Its professional-grade, industrial-strength panel intended for 24/7 operation was most ideal. The display includes robust thermal protection, internal temperature sensors with self-diagnostics and fan-based technology to prevent overheating. The ultra-narrow bezel, which allows for a screen-to-screen distance between two neighboring displays of a mere 7.3mm, lends itself to a near-seamless, tiled video wall.

“There are a lot of big screens on the market, but NEC is probably one of the more competitive, if not the most competitive, in price and in the size range we wanted,” Losar said. “And obviously, content is extremely important. You want that to be displayed with the greatest graphic quality, and I think the NEC screens accomplish that.”

Diesel installed six displays in a 3×2 configuration with content driven by YCD’s proprietary software. The content is uploaded remotely and can be updated at any time.

“The NEC video wall at Diesel’s flagship store creates an ambient shopping experience that keeps the customer engaged, while also strengthening the brand message,” said Daniele Minestrini, Diesel’s head of the interior design department in New York. “It’s obvious that dynamic video content with high graphical quality resonates more with a customer than traditional print signage, and therefore digital signage is the best means of high-impact communications with shoppers.”

While the NEC video walls were originally deployed in the two Diesel locations, the scalability of YCD’s software platform leaves the door open to install digital signage in as many locations as Diesel desires, at a price point that fits with the retailer’s growth plan. The company plans to roll the video walls out in additional stores to help create ambiance and keep customers in the store for a longer period of time, while providing the ideal brand experience.

“The NEC video wall at Diesel’s flagship store in New York City is a good example how digital signage helps engage shoppers and enhances the flow of store traffic,” said Noam Levavi, YCD Multimedia’s CEO. “Merchandise spread throughout the store, specifically in harder-to-find areas, now becomes more accessible.”