Volume 9, Issue 11 — November 21, 2017

Another tradition is to own the previous year’s predictions, which generally falls somewhere between eating humble pie and establishing spotless credibility. Let’s have a look at how things panned out this year.

1. Solutions Overtake Products

I pointed out that it takes more than devices and software to effectively operate a digital signage network, and that vendors offering full solutions would eventually crowd out those pitching the next big thing. I believe this trend has indeed begun. RFPs seem to always include services, integrated technologies and a preference for one throat to choke. Few, if any decisions hinge on display technologies, and nearly none hinge on media players. Software platforms are generally differentiated at some level either by price, function, architecture or focus, but they no longer exist in a vacuum. As further evidence, there is more activity than ever of hardware vendors trying to align with software and services vendors to work together. Score this one a hit.

2. Consolidation Continues

Another hit… OK, I had an edge on this one, as our company was already in talks to be acquired by STRATACACHE when I wrote it. That tap-in putt notwithstanding, the wave of deals in the vendor and network spaces has continued across the globe. This is how marketplaces work and it is healthy. On the flip side of the M&A activity is the slow march towards death of others who have hung in there. As some drop out, we move toward a more sustainable ecosystem. There’s more to come.

3. Android is Dead, Long Live Android!

No question that this one proved prophetic. The marketplace has gone from Android zealotry to strong preference and has now receded to, “Will it work for me?” The zealotry was driven by opportunistic vendors who trumpeted a game changer without knowledge of how it would work at scale and in league with a trade press eager to fill columns with unsubstantiated puff pieces. The challenges posed by lack of hardware reliability, OS version variability and device management issues drove cost of ownership higher not lower. And as predicted, Intel has responded with lower cost, reliable x86 products such as Cherry Trail that have closed the gap. Android won’t die, but it will be forced into niches.

4. Display Manufacturers Can’t Suppress Their Desire to “Go Wide”

Yes, many display manufacturers continue to push their own software and hosting solutions either in stealth mode (a/k/a screwing partners with plausible deniability) or quite openly in order to try to increase their footprint on deals of scale. Their challenge has been trying to convince people who know better that their proprietary OS, rudimentary software and no-way-out commitments are a good idea. It will never work out, but we are talking about a very stubborn bunch. I thought we’d see a display company buy a software platform to market around, but that did not happen. Nevertheless, I score this as a hit.

5. Standards Come to Programmatic

I suggested that the struggle to bring programmatic tools similar to long-established online versions to digital signage would continue, with some solutions breaking through, driven by widespread adoption of standards and best practices. The first part is certainly true, led by the emergence of Vistar as a potential powerhouse, but driven more by its own evolution than by industry adoption of standards. It feels like this space will have room for a few players, but it seems clear that standards will become important so that buyers can work across multiple platforms with familiar terms of art, metrics and processes. I still believe the DSF’s new Global DOOH Council will help get us there. I will call this a miss.

6. The Battle Goes Outdoors

I suggested that the battle of the drive-thru was on, and that at least two major users would place their bets on solutions during the year. Despite a huge amount of activity, evolving enclosure designs and dozens of parallel tests, those bets have not yet been placed. So this is a miss, largely due to timing as in the programmatic prediction, but a miss nonetheless. Keep watching the outdoor space. There is too much business driving through those lanes to not invest!

7. Mobile Integration Starts to Make More Sense

I suggested that this would be the year that digital signage would find ways to embrace mobile that works for end users. Without doubt, mobile has continued to be the predominant element of overall digital strategies. There have been good examples of mobile integration with digital signage, but that bridge to make it a seamless and persistent part of the experience still seems to be lacking. We will get there, and I continue to clutch my NFC pearls. But the scorekeeper says it’s a miss. Note: Between the first draft of this piece and the final, STRATACACHE (parent company of RDM) announced the acquisition of Walkbase. It is a mobile-DOOH game changer in every way, and makes my miss on this prediction a near miss based on timing. More on Walkbase another time!

In summary, four hits, two misses and a near miss if you cut me slack on number 7. That is better than last year, so I feel a lot of pressure to improve once again. Here we go… strap on your VR goggles and fly into the Grand Canyon of guesswork with me:

1. The Checkbooks Are Out: Different Targets

This year’s version of the consolidation prediction goes something like this: I believe that there is still plenty of money on the sidelines getting very, very interested in the DOOH and digital signage space. I think very little of any VC/PE money will find its way into the vendor space, although one can expect a few M&A deals. However, my guess is that there is renewed interest in network properties that lend themselves to scale and the ability to leverage emerging technologies for targeting ads. The Outcome Health deal is the poster child for this, and it won’t be the last such deal.

2. Interactivity Sparks More Interest Than Video Walls

This is not to say that video walls are dead…. far from it. But it says here that buyers see greater benefits from interactivity in more places than from iconic deployments in fewer places. Interactivity itself has taken on meaning beyond traditional touch. Gesture, AR, VR and mobile-based interactivity are all in play. In the end, interactivity and large-scale walls serve different purposes and create engagement in very different ways. Look for more interactive deployments in the coming year.

3. So Niche To See You

As our industry (gulp) matures and success stories from all corners of the space become more well publicized, it seems clear that most vendors and networks will run toward defensible niches that offer growth opportunities. It becomes harder to sell product into verticals without vertical expertise to build credibility and confidence. From the network side, it becomes harder to raise money or sell advertising without a good amount of evidence that the market being addressed can be segmented and targeted. Look for increased movement toward specialization and niches from companies large and small.

4. Industry Events Start to Evolve

In line with the concept outlined in #3 above, it makes sense that both buyers and sellers look harder at how they invest their time and money in industry trade shows. There is still a huge need for education of people and companies new to the space (and there are many). Several conferences, notably DSE and InfoComm, do a fine job on that. Yet there is also a great need for matching (educated) buyers with (qualified) sellers and trade show floors are not meeting those needs. Quasi-events like NYDSW, coming up on Halloween, have less educational value, but greater ability to have buyers and sellers self-select by interest and focus. Finally, vertical shows such as NRF, NACS, NRA, FMI, HIMSS and the like need to do a better job of embracing OOH technologies as their members gain interest. The prediction here is that event mangers will take a long look at programming and how they manage their show floors in order to remain relevant to both attendees and exhibitors, both of whom will likely be budget conscious in the coming years.

5. Beacons and AVA Assume their Proper Roles: Measurement & Triggering

I’ve written on the fallacy of beacons as a push technology in the past. Not much has happened to change my position on that. Yet they are not useless. They do a great job of collecting data from mobile device pings and that can be used by savvy software to measure traffic and even engagement. You will hear less about the silly push schemes and more about big data from little beacons. Anonymous Video Analytics (AVA) burst on the scene years ago as a way to prove the value of advertising CPM rates. As time has passed, AVA has begun to be more valued for measuring engagement, identifying demographic trends and perhaps most importantly, driving relevant content to screens via triggers. Relevancy is the most important aspect of content if one is hoping to engage and the ability to increase relevancy based on what you know about viewers is very valuable. Tools will evolve to meet the needs of network owners AND viewers.

6. People Start To Worry About Leadership

You may have noticed I gulped when I mentioned a maturing industry in prediction #3 above. Digital signage has shown many of the characteristics of a maturing industry: attention from consulting firms, large-scale investment of private money, a strong industry advocate and association and ongoing innovation. Yet where we are lacking is the development of new (read: young) talent that will become the next generation of leaders in the space. A customer recently asked me to come up with some names for an executive position with some pretty strict guidelines. It was not easy. The pioneers of this industry are not getting younger and we need smart, entrepreneurial men and women to step in and step up. We need the current leadership crowd to take mentoring seriously. We need to create jobs to attract leaders. If you aren’t worried about this, you ought to be. My guess (and hope) is that many people and organizations will take action on this in the coming year.

7. International Efforts will Start to Bear Fruit

It has often been noted that there are many lessons to be learned by sharing ideas, technologies, lessons and pain across international borders. To be sure, the challenges in India are different than those in Mexico, but the manner is which challenges are met are very instructional. So much more than cricket and rugby happens in the geographically isolated technology test beds of New Zealand and Australia that many Yanks would benefit from understanding their insights. International efforts, such as the Digital Signage Federation’s Global Digital Out-of-Home Council, with North American and European groups sharing ideas and information will be a vanguard of advancing best practices and standards across borders. There will of course be other vehicles for such sharing at trade shows, conferences, and various communications vehicles. As companies from all ends of the marketplace examine how others have succeeded in very different environments, it will make them better, faster and stronger. Next year should see increased activity on that front.

That’s it for this year. Business and the creative process are such that we’ve seen a total eclipse, two major hurricanes and two Kardashian pregnancies since I started this post. I hope the next post takes less time. Please feel free to provide feedback and your own predictions in the comments section.

This column was reprinted with permission from Ken Goldberg and originally appeared here. Ken Goldberg is CEO of RealDigital Media, a STRATACACHE company. Ken is a frequent writer and speaker on industry topics, and is a past chair of the Digital Signage Federation.

Like many press people, I don’t like these words. You see, I think that you should never describe your own product as either of those things — if your product is indeed disruptive or game-changing, let someone else call it that. I have also over the years had many a PR person tell me that their product had the thinnest bezel, the quietest fan, the longest life, the smallest pixel pitch and so forth, which upon investigation turned out to not be true at all.

But Barco, particularly for a “display company,” does have a history of unique product entries. Barco’s ClickShare is actually a disruptive product, arguably the most game-changing in our market for the last decade. (I hated writing that sentence so, so much.) With all that in mind, I headed to New York to see UniSee.

But onto the good stuff. UniSee becomes way more interesting when you take it apart.

In designing a video wall, Barco wanted to rethink how a video wall should work. In the end, they built an entire system, including the mount and cabling.

UniSee comes with a simple wrench that fits into the mount and cranks the screens into place. I did this myself while at the event for a wall that was three displays high and was able to do it pretty easily. (Barco has tested this manual wrench system for video walls up to ten displays high.) There’s also a place on the mount you can push the wrench in and it brings the display column down and to the right, giving you an access gap of two inches or so for servicing. It’s hard to describe without seeing, so I recommend you watch one of the videos I shot while there. I interviewed UniSee designer Tom Dewaele, and shot a video of Tom and Corwin Hamm, Barco’s business development manager for Barco control rooms and virtual reality solutions, demonstrating in detail how UniSee works. I’d also really encourage you to see it in person when you can. Barco says that from its testing, it anticipates dealers being able to save at least 20 percent on labor and install time versus other video wall systems.

For now, UniSee is really just one SKU – the panel plus mounting system are only available in the 55-inch, 800 nit, wall-mount version. Barco is working on a free-standing floor model that can be used in lieu of mounting on a wall, and to accommodate curved video walls.

UniSee will initially be available through Almo Pro A/V and Starin only. The panel system has a list price of $8,500 USD and will be available by the end of the year, according to Barco.

So is UniSee really that big of a deal? I think so — mainly because I actually felt like I could potentially put this video wall up myself. I am very interested to see what you, the integrators, think. Will this replace your other video wall products? Do you think it will be a big time-saver? Is it well-priced? We’d love to know your thoughts.

You can learn more about UniSee here.

Digital out-of-home is everywhere — and people are looking. The displays are typically much larger than those of our mobile phones, commanding attention via sheer size, placement and (when done right) compelling creative.

To the delight of advertisers, the same displays are also 100 percent viewable and fraud-free, contributing to the projection that DOOH will command an 87 percent increase in importance to media planners over the next three years (DPAA).

Alas, to date, DOOH only receives a small percentage of global media spend; an allotment that has remained consistent over the years and has not enjoyed the same growth as digital and mobile categories. So how does the DOOH channel grab attention of brands, which shy away from spending on the medium?

Coaxing buyers to reallocate budget to an unfamiliar channel is a humbling act, from trying to get a foot in the doors of new contacts to teaching the value delivered when incorporating DOOH with other media. Despite the challenges, a brave bunch are already making these efforts and paving the way for the rest of the industry.

As BroadSign has extended its tech stack from a pure content management system to one that incorporates sales platforms for direct and programmatic workflows, I myself have been part of this movement. “The Case for Digital Signage” will share the best practices that have proven most effective in moving the needle with buyers of other media. A sneak peak of two points can be found below.

Speak Their Language

When it comes to educating brands and agencies about digital out-of-home, adaptation is the sell-side’s responsibility. It may not seem convenient to change the way one thinks about and sells their network, but change is necessary for smooth dialogue.

The minute I started speaking to buyers of digital and mobile channels, I realized I could no longer refer to the sell-side as “network operators” or “media owners.” Such terms would be met with blank stares or questions. Once I began referring to these players as “publishers,” it removed any friction or wasted time on translation.

Speaking the same language allows buyers to immediately view DOOH inventory more similarly to the other screens with which they are familiar. Think of it as an investment in customer service.

Sell Against, Pitch With

Digital out-of-home has a reputation for being a “last on, first off” tactic in campaigns. If there is extra money, throw it at the channel and see what happens. Should the budget shrink, DOOH is a quickly removed from the plan.

It has also been treated as a separate entity by specialist departments and agencies, given how much work goes into putting together and measuring a campaign. Each publisher has traditionally been dealt with individually, all having different availabilities, pricing, creative formats and reporting. Specialists took on the unique and arduous work that could be accomplished through a few clicks in other media.

Today, programmatic pipes allow DOOH inventory of various publishers to be accessed at once, in the same platform that buyers use to purchase the rest of their media. Educational efforts must be put in place to show that DOOH can be planned and analyzed in direct comparison to digital, mobile and TV.

As soon as DOOH can be sold against other media, it can divest its “rogue silo” status by demonstrating how it amplifies the reach and effectiveness of these channels. Pitch the way it plays nicely with others in an integrated, holistic campaign.

“The Case for Digital Signage” will also touch upon imperative key points related to measurement, sales channel conflict and transparency; all providing tools for salespeople and strategists to attract new advertisers, grow the industry’s share in media budgets and increase overall revenue.

Stephanie Gutnik, director of business Development at BroadSign, oversees the company’s global strategic partner and agency relationships. She previously ran BroadSign’s marketing department and was earlier employed at News Corp. Stephanie is an active committee member in out-of-home associations such as the DSF, DPAA, OAAA, IAB, Ad Club of New York and SAWA. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a MBA from Edinburgh Business School.

The newest addition to Sharp’s family of displays is designed for use in stores and shops that are looking to affordably create wow factor. With a bezel of just 4.4 millimeters, large images on the video wall appear natural and seamless. The 70″ Class (69.5″ diagonal) monitor allows integrators to assemble video walls with fewer monitors and less bezel lines, minimizing the non-display areas and maximizing value for users. Developed specifically for use in multi-monitor installations, the PN-V701 display is rated for 24/7 operation and can be arranged in portrait or landscape orientation. It’s also approximately 16 percent lighter in weight than the 60″ Class (60″ diagonal) PN-V601A display.

The PN-V701 comes equipped with Sharp’s Inverse Scan function. Designed to correct image misalignments by alternating the scanning direction between vertically adjacent monitors, Inverse Scan creates smooth, natural images on the large video wall. Additional features include SHARP Advanced Uniform Color Calibration Technology (UCCT), which can deliver uniformity of color and brightness across the entire video wall. The monitor also has an HDBaseT Receiver Board. By installing the optional receiver, the PN-V701 display is able to receive HDMI video, audio signals and control signals sent up to 100 meters away through a single Cat6 cable.

The PN-V701 is scheduled to ship this month and here are all the specs.

Using their System X technology at its core, the new range can be ordered for wall mounting, mobile and fixed base applications. Using off-the-shelf components means that solutions can be packaged and shipped quickly, with B-Tech staff pre-assembling all key components to save installers on-site time.

All key mounting requirements are met, with solutions for wall mounting, freestanding, mobile (on castors) and bolt down now available.

Key features include:

• Suitable for front service or rear access panels
• Silver aluminum, with black or silver upright color choice
• Universal design suitable for variety of LED panels and configurations
• System can be extended to any required width for large installations
• Easily specified for any display configuration using B-Tech’s online configurator

Again, all the details are here.

The SE-102-N has been tested to pass extended operating temperatures (-40°C to +70°C) and meet extreme system reliability requirements that allow its deployment in a wide range of harsh indoor and outdoor environments. The fanless and noiseless system comes on board with a lower-power Intel Atom x7-E3950 @ 2.0GHz quad-core processor with an Intel HD Graphics, which combines efficiency and excellent performance, ensuring industrial-grade reliability for stable operation. It has two dual-channel DDR3L-1866 sockets to provide up to 8GB memory and 64GB mSATA SSD for faster system boot and low heat emission.

The SE-102-N’s super-slim chassis can fit into the tightest spaces behind displays and offers an array of connectivity options including a Gigabit Ethernet, audio, USB 3.0 ports, and two HDMI interface supporting 4K UFD resolution. Powered by a 60W adaptor, the SE-102-N also has a Mini PCI-E slot for optional WiFi, Bluetooth, 4G and video capture functions. The player has two HDMI outputs together supporting independent audio outputs, as well as built-in hardware EDID (extended display identification data) simulation to prevent screen convergence problems and issues due to cable disconnection or failure to identify EDID. It also comes with IBASE’s unique iSMART intelligent energy-saving and Observer monitoring technologies that feature automatic power on/off scheduling, automatic power recovery, low temperature boot protection and hardware monitoring.

All the specs are here.

The DTP T UWP 4K 232 D and DTP T UWP 4K 332 D provide reliable switching and transmission of HDMI and VGA signals. For added installation flexibility, a single external power supply may be connected at either the transmitter or the receiver in point-to-point installations. When connected with larger DTP-enabled switchers, such an IN1608 xi or DTP CrossPoint 4K matrix switcher, no local power connection is necessary at the transmitters.

For details on the DTP T UWP 4K 232 D and the DTP T UWP 4K 332 D, go here.

Available in either black or white finishes, the ADM-5865BP is a 65-inch LCD display has some optional add-on modules including an integrated  CPU module, an HDBaseT receiver module and an AV Over IP receiver module. Integrating the CPU module into the underside of the ADM-5865BP adds embedded PC capability to the display — seamlessly converting it to an exceptional interactive white board.

Here are the details.

To simplify integration, the SW HD 4K PLUS provides integrator-focused features, including automatic input cable equalization, automatic color bit depth management, indicators for monitoring and troubleshooting, as well as peripheral device power on the output. Automatic input cable equalization corrects for signal loss due to lengthy input cables, ensuring signal integrity up to 25 feet (7.6 meters), when used with Extron HDMI Pro Series cable. The SW HD 4K PLUS automatically adjusts color bit depth based on the display EDID, preventing color compatibility conflicts between source and display. Front panel LED indicators provide immediate visual confirmation of HDCP authentication and signal presence for each input and output. If HDCP-encrypted content is transmitted to a non­compliant display, a full-screen green signal provides immediate visual confirmation that protected content cannot be viewed on that display. The SW HD 4K PLUS also provides +5 VDC, 250 mA on the HDMI output for powering peripheral devices such as an Extron HD 4K 101 Plus cable equalizer.

Here are all the tech specs.

Powered by Baanto’s patented ShadowSense touch technology, the 55” D5520, 65” D6510 and 75” D7500 interactive whiteboards all feature 10-point multi-touch interfaces with industry leading performance and reliability. Additionally, ShadowSense’s unique ability to recognize the shape and size of any touch object allows the whiteboards to detect the difference between a finger, a stylus or an eraser, making it intuitive for use in annotation applications. The advanced whiteboards are available directly through Ricoh and its partners worldwide.

All the info is here.

AOPEN is known for its expertise in high-reliability devices. This move brings to the table AOPEN’s deep commercial knowledge in applied computing platforms, IOT edge devices, and its vast network of specialist channels and partners. AOPEN remains the only commercial device provider developing technology across all operating systems, including Google Chrome OS.

This alignment between AOPEN and Acer ensures an increased geographic sales footprint and broader access to research and development resources. AOPEN will also share in Acer technology, particularly in the hybrid cloud technologies space.

AOPEN device solutions (e.g., signage, self-service, analytics, cloud-based rapid development and control platforms) allow companies swifter adoption in the IoT space. Close alignment between AOPEN and Acer propels the use of these technologies, with the confidence that AOPEN end-to-end, customizable solutions will help companies realize their key business objectives.

AOPEN deploys its solutions to over 100 countries, from SMB to Fortune-listed organizations. Key use cases include supermarkets, banks, fashion retailers, governments, gaming venues, and public transport.

Through combined global resources and channels, and with joint synergy, AOPEN and Acer are deploying new solutions that enhance business and secure a competitive edge. The strength of its cooperation is also what brings Acer into the management of AOPEN operations.

AOPEN is here.

Atlona is now shipping the AT-HDR-H2H-44M HDMI matrix switcher, a 4K HDR-capable 4×4 matrix switcher for HDR in a 1RU form factor. The HDR-H2H-44M supports all video resolutions, audio formats, and color space formats encompassed in the HDMI 2.0b specification. Atlona claims that it has fast switching and that it supports 4K/UHD video at 60 Hz with 4:4:4 chroma sampling (10-bit color) and HDMI data rates up to 18 Gbps, while HDCP 2.2 compliance enables switching of protected content.

The HDR-H2H-44M offers HDMI audio de-embedding for each output, enabling two-channel PCM or multi-channel surround sound audio to be sent to AV receivers or soundbars via corresponding TOSLINK digital audio outputs. Further easing integration, the switcher includes EDID and HDCP management features and can send CEC signals independently to each output for controlling individual destination displays. The HDR-H2H-44M can be controlled via Ethernet, RS-232 or the included handheld IR remote, and can be configured remotely through its integrated web interface or the free Atlona Management System (AMS 2.0) network software platform. Additionally, the HDR-H2H-44M is ready to integrate with their Velocity Control System.

Here are all the tech specs.

This new 4K Ultra HD 600 MHz extender for HDMI over one Fiber-Optic Cable supports 18.2 Gbps of bandwidth and 600 MHz TMDS Clock frequency. Full bandwidth support allows the EXT-UHD600-1SC to accommodate resolutions up to 4K Cinema-DCI (4096×2160 up to 60 Hz 4:4:4) and 4K Ultra HD (3860×2160 up to 60 Hz, 4:4:4) along with High Dynamic Range HDR-10 and Dolby Vision. HDCP 2.2 and the legacy HDCP 1.4 are both supported. The EXT-UHD600-1SC also supports 1080p Full HD, WUXGA (1920×1200), 3DTV and Deep Color (up to 1080p resolution).

Highest performance multi-channel digital audio, including 7.1 channels of LPCM and HBR (High Bit Rate) digital audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:XTM and DTS-HD Master AudioTM, are passed through to the HDMI outputs.

Gefen says the EXT-UHD600-1SC guarantees electrical isolation between the sender and the receiver. This extender can be powered from sources and displays featuring powered USB ports, or by using external power supplies. Here are the details.

• Adding 37,000 square feet of exhibit space
• Upgrading finishes and aesthetics in meeting rooms, ballrooms and public spaces
• An expansive two level open atrium
• Full exterior renovations including a new 800 space parking garage connected to the convention center by a covered skybridge
• Displaying more than 150 pieces of local art
• The opportunity for digital signage
• Use digital signage to direct, wayfind and entertain (featuring a Mondrianesque inspired wall with six display screens)

The main digital feature is the 7×60-foot digital video wall that greets visitors in ’The Connector,’ a large corridor that connects the north area of the convention centre to the south.

The Inspiration

• Rhett Ricart, Greater Columbus Convention Centre Board Member, visited the World Trade Centre and witnessed its 280-foot long display video wall and was inspired.
• The video wall features a 4-mm LED display that measures 280 feet long with 16 continuous HD outputs that can be driven natively and included over 15 million pixels.
• The vision was formed to provide the Greater Columbus Convention Centre with something similar, but on a smaller scale, as they underwent the expansion and renovation project.

Key Project Requirements and Challenges

Coffman Media was hired as the solutions integrator. As a solutions integrator, it’s their job to lead the process of integrating the software with the hardware and will often collaborate with multiple sources to make this happen.

LG Electronics USA Business Solutions serves commercial display customers in the US digital signage market. LG provides access to some of the most advanced and flexible commercial display and accessories in the market, including their Direct View LED displays.

Direct View LED just means that no liquid crystal (LCD) or polarised glass is used. Each “pixel,” or tiny lightbulb, produces a particular colour from it’s cluster of red, green and blue bulbs on the panel, which creates the image needed to be displayed. Direct view has no bezels and can make a seamless video wall resulting in a perfect solution.

This is the first ever Direct View LED video wall installation in North America. A 4-millimeter LG Direct View LED display was used to complete the video wall, which boasts 540 thousand pixels.

The LEDs were mounted with Peerless AV‘s SmartMount video wall mounts that were custom created for the LG Direct View LEDs. Their mount features include cable management, easy hang hardware, and a pop out mechanism, if needed.

The content was designed by Reese Brothers Productions. The goal was to use local artist’s work to be displayed throughout the Convention Centre — so why not add it into the content on the video wall as well. This created some very visually stimulating content pieces throughout the content loop, keeping onlookers close by to see what might be displayed next.

The content management system, or software, for the video wall is powered by Signagelive. Signagelive has created a platform that offers digital signage as a service. Signagelive partner with over 560 resellers globally, including Coffman Media — one of their top North American resellers, to provide software, servers and support.

This short video shows some examples of how the content is displayed on the Greater Columbus Convention Centre video wall.

See the video here.