Digital Signage is a phrase coined to describe the use of a Display Device driven by a Media Player to present a variety of information, entertainment or advertising (called collectively Media) to an audience who are in a position to view such a display - normally for a relatively short time. The Media Player is generally updated with new media via digital file transfer - either manually using portable memory modules or via a computer network such as the Internet or a network owner's Intranet.
Display Devices can be:
- A large format Plasma or LCD screen
- A Projector.
- A computer-like device with varying media rendering and storage capability.
A Digital Signage Network is a collection of Digital Signage Media Players controlled from some central location via a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide area Network (WAN). Provision is generally made for a Media Scheduler which allows the collection of Media Players to be controlled from a central location. Some solutions also make provision for local operators to customise the Media displayed. A network of Players will generally require a Network Management System to allow the health status of the entire network to be observed from a central point.
Sizing up a Digital Signage Installation
The key factors when surveying a requirement for a Digital Signage Network are:
- Number of Displays. An installation factor.
- Number of Players. One Net-Top-Box provides one output (audio and video). The Net-Top-Box can drive any number of Displays using Video Distribution Amplifiers (VDAs). VDAs can be sourced from a variety of third party vendors. They occur in two types.
- VGA+Audio-in to VGA+Audio-out. This type of device requires VGA+Audio cables to be installed to all Displays. These cables can be very difficult to install and field terminate.
- VGA-over-CAT5. In this scenario, the VGA+Audio signals are converted in order to be able to travel over low cost (and easy to terminate) CAT5/5e/6 structured cabling at a transmitter device. A Receiver at each remote Display is then used at the far end to convert back to VGA+Audio.
- Distance between Players and Displays. A judgment has to be made as to the most cost effective deployment of Players (Net-Top-Boxes) and VDA type. Both VDA methods have distance limitations in the 100M to 300M range. However, the Ethernet network connectivity required for the Net-Top-Boxes' control is not generally limited.
Geographic location of the Players.
If all the Players are located in the same campus, there is generally not a problem. If the Players are located around a Wide Area Network, there will be Bandwidth and access permission factors to consider.
User requirement for Media Display:
Show the same Media on all Displays - Use VDAs if distance limitations allow - see above. If more than one Net-Top-Box is required, make use of the Net-Top-Box's built-in 'Channel Manager' facility to replicate the media on one site to a number of other sites.
* Show the same look-and-feel on a set of Net-Top-Boxes but allow local customisation - e.g. a receptionist's message.
Use Channel Manager and the Net-Top-Box's built-in 'Ad-Hoc' facilities.
Show different media on 'sub-Channels' with a collection of Net-Top-Boxes but controlled from a single central location. Use the Net-Top-Box's Channel Manager facility with its in-built 'Advanced Ad-Hoc' facilities.
Network Management.
Any collection of networked devices requires a Network Management solution in order to expose the operational status of the network appliances and links. The Net-Top-Box is no exception. ONELAN provide the NTB Status Monitor (NSM) - an application specific Network Management solution for use with Net-Top-Boxes. It is recommended for any network of 5 or more Net-Top-Boxes.
At Computerworld we can demonstrate, supply, install and give training, tech’ support and warranties on all Digital Signage projects we become involved with. If one screen or a multi-site installation we can offer support and design consultancy with tailored training to accommodate your requirements.
