Volume 7, Issue 6 — June 26, 2015

Our typical answer is: “Because someone asked us to.” In all seriousness, that is our answer.

Whether that should be an acceptable answer in higher ed is a debatable question. Certainly we can not always determine the return on investment on a product as easily as a for profit firm. However, many would argue that unless you find ways to determine ROI, you are simply throwing money away.

In the case of the commercial business, that would by no means be an acceptable answer. Individual digital signs can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 not including maintenance and upkeep, along with the time spent creating content for the sign. How do you know if that investment is paying off? When sitting around an airport, or a hotel or a mall, I pay attention to the signs and see what they are advertising and how people are responding to them. A lot of times they seem to be ignored.

So, what are the steps in supporting your customers to make a good decision and then be able to learn and grow from that decision? The first step is to confirm that your customer has a strategy.

• Why are they putting up the sign?
• What do they hope to accomplish from it?
• How will they know if they have accomplished their goal?
• What is the plan to change tactics in case the first reports are that the sign is not accomplishing the goal?

I think that many integrators are nervous to do this with their customers. They are afraid that it is not their role, or expertise to deal with the strategy of a commercial business they are working with. Also, let’s face it, it is hard not to grab the money and do what they asked. However, if you are looking at the long term prospects of this customer, then it makes sense for you to sell a product that will be a success. Whether it is one sign initially, or ten, successful systems tend to grow, so there is potential demand for your services in the future.

Your customer could have a variety of reasons for putting up a digital sign. It may be direct marketing of a particular product, it could be going outside the store to direct attention to a lost leader inside, or it could be simply informational for their customers. Once you and your customer understand the strategy, then you can start thinking about the best location for the sign, with strategy in mind. If your customer is inside a mall and wants to increase foot traffic, then obviously and external, or window based install is the right location. However, if they are a health store inside the mall, and their strategy is to highlight specific products inside the store (up-sell to a more expensive brand) then the clear placement of the sign is going to be inside the store next to where this brand is located.

The next step in the process of helping your customer is get them useful metrics on the system. For example, the store that is trying to increase foot traffic could put in a laser counter at the front of the store to determine if that goal is actually met. Or perhaps, they could reference on the sign a changing coupon code that people could use inside the store and their computer systems would indicate a customer who came in because of the sign. Next month we will look more closely at metrics and how you can help your customers with this tricky, but critical aspect.

Several factors increase the potential for success of the 43” panel segment:

• Higher productivity compared to other competing products: The main production fab is Gen 7.5, which can produce either 42” or 42.5” panels 8-up. This creates strong production cost competitiveness, because TV makers can promote 42.5” as 43” panels.


• Multiple suppliers: After LG Display introduced the panels to the market in August 2014, AUO started to supply them in October. China-based BOE Optoelectronics Technology (BOE) and China Star


• Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT), which do not have Gen 7.5 fabs are expected to start production as early as this year, responding to increasing demand.


• Market potential: Demand for 32” panels may shift to the 40-43” TV panel segment. With falling overall TV prices creating consumer interest and added features for 40-43” TVs like ultra-high definition (UHD) and wide color gamut, panel makers are looking toward the larger panels. In addition, panel manufacturers are shifting their lineup from 46/47” panels to 48/49”, which leaves a line-up gap between 40/42” and 48/49”. 43-inch panels are expected to replace some of the demand for 40” panels and most of the demand for 42” panels.


• Investment into efficient production lines: The news of the investment of BOE into a new Gen 10.5 line will promote the 43” panel market even further. BOE said that production focus will be on ultra-large sizes, but 43” panel can be produced 18-up out of one sheet of mother glass at the same time, with a glass efficiency over 93 percent. The risk of investing in the uncertain ultra-large TV panel market is offset by the potential for 43” panels that could become a key product.

Also, LG Display plans to produce 42.5” panels 10-up in Gen 8.5, investing in dual exposure equipment. These methods will most likely end up in reduced yields and thus increased production costs in the early stages.

Image via Nikkei Asian Review

We’ve posted them all on our InfoComm 2015 microsite here.

You can sit there and watch them all or, you can use the VIDEOS drop-down at the top of the page and organize them by product category!

All of them were shot in 720p HD.

And, in case you didn’t know, everything that we did at InfoComm 2015 (all the photos, news, blogs and podcasts as well as the videos) are here.

Enjoy!

Each app is custom branded for the client organization and uses photography from the client’s own buildings. Picture-based guidance paired with simple directions moves employees, customers and visitors through the interior spaces quickly and easily.

The app communicates with proximity beacons strategically placed at directional milestones throughout your facility. As visitors walk through a building, beacons report their arrival at key areas, and the app provides turn-by-turn directions and other contextual content on their phone. The proximity beacons use low-energy Bluetooth to communicate with both iOS and Android devices. They can cover a range of up to 150 feet, are completely wireless, are easy to mount and run on AA batteries.

Our app also leverages a macro-location technology called geofencing that draws a perimeter around an outdoor building. Powered by a smartphone’s GPS, the app knows when the geofence is penetrated, and it then sends a push notification to that person’s phone.

Your visitors are welcomed upon their arrival at your building or campus with a pop-up notice on their smartphone, and just a tap of the screen provides access to instructions. Now you can greet people as they arrive at your building or campus and provide visual guidance from the parking lot to any space in your facility.

You can also deliver directories, event schedules, announcements and other dynamic content within the mobile app, providing another way for you to engage your audience with daily communications.

More information on Visix’s wayfinding solutions are here.

The LC-80LE661U commercial LED smart TV uses edge-lit LED backlighting, weighs 112 lbs and has a bezel thickness of 0.4”. Control is via RS232 and connectivity includes three HDMI inputs, VGA and IP. And, a built-in USB port lets you present a variety of digital content including photos, music and video. The 1080p monitor, which lists for $4,299, is now shipping.

Here are the details [PDF].

The VisionSC-DP2 offers users the ability to simultaneously capture two channels of DisplayPort 1.2. Each channel can capture video and audio up to 4096x2160p at 60 FPS for crystal clear video. The VisionSC-DP2 also supports Datapath’s LiveStream technology for lowest possible capture latency. The card is supported by the high performance Vision Driver common to all Datapath capture cards, offering a vast number of features and providing ease of use for system integrators and software developers alike.

Datapath VisionSC-DP2 key features and benefits:

• Two independent channels of DisplayPort 1.2 video and audio capture
• LiveStream low latency technology supports high performance real time capture
• Multi-stream allowing for the independent control of multiple streams from a single capture channel at the same time
• Automatic signal detection enables simple connection and capture of sources
  Hardware based common time stamping facility

Datapath’s capture cards are used around the world in a wide variety of applications from Video Wall Controllers, Flight Simulators, Lecture Capture Applications, to Medical applications and much more.

For further information, go here.

When dealers are called to integrate digital signage into professional installations involving third-party devices, open data, network infrastructures and custom content requirements, they need reliable, programmable and fully featured media players that fit their needs. SpinetiX will support these dealers with two new models of its Hyper Media Player range: the HMP300 and HMP350. Both new models are powered by an enhanced Full HD, programmable and multilayer rendering engine. With the HMP300, customers will have a highly competitive and programmable product while the HMP350 model offers unique and specialized features such as video wall management and live video streaming. To get the best out of the two new models, SpinetiX is launching at InfoComm its brand new software “Elementi 2015.” This professional content authoring and distribution software simplifies the most complex tasks with an intuitive interface and dedicated wizards.

When dealers are called to install a single screen in landscape or portrait mode, they need an all-in-one, easy to install, reliable product with a simple user interface and a rich set of ready to use visual applications (weather forecast, QR code, messages, etc.). SpinetiX’ new digital signage player, called DiVA, offers all these features at a very competitive price point. DiVA does not require software installations or cloud subscriptions and is set up in only three minutes.

Earlier this year, SpinetiX introduced Cockpit, a cloud-based service that allows dealers to set up, monitor and control SpinetiX digital signage players from anywhere. This service is introduced to the North American market at InfoComm 2015. Cockpit is available to customers of all new and existing media players.

More information is here.

Customers have been piloting the new WAND Digital Menu Board capabilities for the past few months and have seen increased operational efficiency and brand compliance as immediate benefits of the new system.

This software roll-out comes after WAND’s early-2015 release of other new advanced features which included; a new mobile application to easily make menu updates anytime and anywhere, an Uptime Plus feature ensuring content will appear in front of customers at all time and a POS pricing integration system ensuring the price on the menu boards always matches what the customer sees.

Here are the details.

Content authored in HTML5 opens up near-limitless possibilities for digital signage. It enables a rich viewing experience that builds on the interactivity popularized by today’s smartphones and tablets. HTML5-authored content takes advantage of touch interactivity, including the ability to tap, swipe and pinch. The ability of the viewer to self-navigate signage content ensures a highly personalized experience, creating a vital touch-point between proprietor and customer.

HTML5 delivers extremely rich experiences for applications like the “endless aisle” in retail, powerful wayfinder solutions and real-time social media applications. Visit BrightSign at InfoComm in booth #5151 to experience wayfinder demos from Jibestream, and social media applications from Postano.

BrightSign plans a public release of the new software update later this summer. Existing customers with 4K, XD, XD2 and HD2 players in the field will be notified as soon as the update becomes available.

For more information about BrightSign’s portfolio of digital signage solutions, go here.

And, you can see a video interview with BrightSign talking about their new HTML5 strategy here.

Available in two configurations designed to drive four- or six-displays or projectors, the bundle features Shuttle’s XPC Cube Computers (either the SH81R4 or SH97R6) and the new Matrox C420 quad-output or the Matrox C680 six-output PCI Express graphics cards — engineered for stability, reliability and advanced multi-display capabilities.

The Shuttle XPC computers have an eye-catching, compact aluminum chassis with Intel H81 or H97 Chipset and the latest generation of Intel Core processor support. They provide maximum power and performance for a multitude of applications.

Both Matrox cards feature 2GB of on-board memory and secure mini DisplayPort connectivity. Matrox C680 supports up to six 4K/UHD displays. Matrox C420 is the fastest quad card with passive cooling for increased reliability and silent operation. The cards come bundled with Matrox PowerDesk for Windows desktop management software.

These new products, the SH81-MATROX4 (4-screen) and SH97-MATROX6 (6-screen), will be shipping in mid-June, available through authorized dealers. For more information and specifications on the Shuttle/Matrox bundle, go here.

The BookIT system includes a sleek 7″ PoE touch panel device, simple wall mounting system with brackets and scheduling software.  It features simple meeting check-in, extension and  release of room, alternative room options, one cable installation per display and an intuitive interface which requires little to no training.

Details will be posted here.

The four include two new additions to the RP Series of interactive flat panels that feature 10 touch points, the 79-inch 4K RP790 and 70-inch RP702. Equipped with DisplayNote, a free bundle desktop and mobile application, presenters can create more collaborative environments by streaming any content directly from their computers to multiple participants across various devices. Aimed at classroom and other collaborative environments, BenQ’s QWrite software enables onscreen user interaction by editing, highlighting, and co-creating a wide range of documents.

One of the other new models is the 55-inch PL550 (with a bezel-to-bezel gap of only 3.5mm) and integrates HDMI digital daisy-chain capabilities, direct USB flash drive connectivity, video-over-Ethernet (VoE), and BenQ’s MDA software tools. Finally, the fourth is a new 4K2K resolution display spec’d at 350 nits of brightness. The 55-inch ST550K is an ultra-slim signage solution equipped with the X-Sign content creation and management software, MDA software, and a custom Android operating system that enables USB playback and Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) connectivity to allow mobile devices to mirror HD content to the monitors, the ST550K is an all-in-one smart signage solution packed with everything needed to deploy and manage content in retail shops, restaurants, and corporate settings.

All three can be found here.

Unlike similar products, the Collaborate 65UHD supports multiple operating systems, computing architectures, network environments, protocols and applications. This adaptability enables Avnet, Optika’s distribution partner and its VAR and ProAV communities to easily create and bundle solutions for both new or upgraded customer environments.

Here are the specific stats.

The energy-efficient PN-V551 monitor combines full-HD (1920×1080) resolution with a brightness of 700 cd/m2 to deliver stunningly bright and detailed images to complement virtually any commercial or public space. Whether in a shopping mall, hotel, control room, transport hub or conference hall, these monitors will convey messages with overwhelming style and precision.

Other features include:

• Easy Video Wall Assembly/Connection: Video walls are easy to assemble and simple to control via RS-232C interface or network. Four monitors set up in a 2×2 configuration, for example, display every pixel of native 4K Ultra HD (3840×2160 pixels) content, equivalent to a 110″ Class screen.
• Mirror Frames: Optional Mirror Frames in video walls help lessen the visible lines between monitors by reflecting images of the display content. This creates a smoother big-picture effect.
• Safe Handling: All four corners are fitted with robust carrying handles. Together with the monitor’s light weight of 60.2 lbs., these handles help enable safe transport and easy, time-saving installation.
• 24/7 Usage: The sturdy PN-V551 monitor is ideal for use in 24-hour stores and in other demanding professional applications that require round-the-clock operation, seven days a week.

Here are all the specs.

FIDELEDY Vision will be available in a range of light transmission and contrast options. By fine-tuning the transmissive properties, Stewart claims they can perfectly match the focal properties of the enhancement screen to the width of the viewing area. Site lighting conditions will vary greatly and a one contrast fits all approach would never provide the right grayscale balance. Budgetary considerations place pressure on design choices. FIDELEDY Vision hugely benefits total cost of installation allowing larger pixel pitch options to be perceived like finer pitch options. With image enhancement from FIDELEDY Vision, LED walls can be larger and used more prevalently while still holding to tight overall spending constraints.

FIDELEDY Vision is designed to be custom-engineered for every application. Stewart Filmscreen engineers will work with clients, installers, and architects to design the framing and mounting systems to best suit the location, the type of LED modules, and the environment. The screen is completely scalable in seamless sizes up to 40×90 feet. With Stewart Filmscreen’s EZ Mount QR frame installation system, FIDELEDY Vision is not only easily installed, it can be easily removed to provide low cost, highly efficient access for maintenance or repair of the LED wall tiles.

All the details will be posted here.

Built from the ground-up with multi-touch capabilities at its core, the IntuiFace platform enables businesses to create engaging, highly interactive experiences without coding that can be deployed within minutes on any touch-enabled display. These touch-first experiences can incorporate a wide variety of media formats, an open connection to cloud-based data and APIs (including the Internet of Things), a broad range of expressive capability, a powerful trigger/action (aka if-this-then-that) mechanism and all of the core capabilities necessary for successful signage deployments, including analytics. By its very nature, touch-first experiences enable detailed data collection about user preferences and signage effectiveness, the unattainable dream for traditional, passive signage.

IntuiFace now interfaces out of the box with Quividi’s proprietary face detection and analysis technology, enabling the creation of smart, adaptive, data-rich digital signs. Quividi’s ability to count signage viewers, accurately measure their dwell and attention times, estimate their gender and age ranges, and measure distance and position from the display enables IntuiFace — thanks to its trigger/action mechanism — to dynamically adapt the signage in response. And with the correlation of video analytics with usage statistics generated by the on-screen activities of visitors, retailers gain actionable, data-based insight to the effectiveness of their content.

The joint solution enables any organization to quickly build and deploy interactive experiences that can not only collect a visitor’s real interactions (such as most/least popular product/service “touched”) correlated with geographic location and other environmental information, but also collect that visitor’s demographics and behavior (such as gender/age, headcount, time in front of the screen, etc.) using a simple webcam. And since this anonymously collected data is blended and correlated using timestamps and then made easily accessible via the cloud through Excel or any third party data mining solution, it is highly actionable. Here are just some examples:

•  Adjust and target content (messaging, products displayed, graphics, etc.) in real time to make signage more relevant and engaging for a given location.
• Better anticipate content and aesthetics for new signage.
• Test content — e.g. via A/B testing — in a live environment with immediate feedback, broken down by demographics.
• Deliver rich campaign reports that measure each step of the engagement process, from awareness to attention to engagement to call to action.

More information on IntuiFace is here.

Fraiche Yogurt

Fraiche Yogurt is a small chain of boutique establishments in the San Francisco Bay Area serving up nutritious food, including artisanal frozen yogurt; raw juices and smoothies; sweet and savory snacks; and other freshly prepared treats. One of its four Bay Area locations is situated in Terminal 3 of San Francisco International Airport. Fraiche installed a digital menu board display to help it stand out in an area crowded by many other food vendors. Fraiche enjoyed a 35 percent sales increase since installing the new digital menu boards, and plans are now underway to retrofit Fraiche’s three other establishments in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Lee’s Sandwiches

Lee’s Sandwiches – legendary in fast food circles for pioneering the Vietnamese-style deli movement – chose to implement digital menu boards in one of its new concept locations in Dublin, California. For Lee’s, ‘going digital’ meant much more than just digitizing its static menu boards – it afforded the opportunity to reevaluate the menu as a whole and refine the way Lee’s welcomes and serves its customers. After an extensive re-working of the menu, the Dublin location now serves customers more efficiently than before and plans are underway to roll-out digital menu boards in other locations.