Many names or terminologies have been dubbed to what is currently known as "Digital Signage". Alternatively known as dynamic signage, electronic signage or narrowcasting, networks of digital signs. Nevertheless they all convey the same meaning; Simply put Digital Signage is "methods used to display multimedia content in public spaces in order to inform, advertise or entertain".
Contents displayed on digital signs come in various format from as simple as text, still-image to video and and even animation. Major benefits of digital signs over conventional static signs are that information can be exchanged more easily, rapidly and in some cases even interactively bringing customers closer to the advertisers. With many advance features, digital signage has revolutionized the media and information industries. To name a few of its popular application that people are likely to come across are:
Retail and commercial places
Banking sector
Entertainment venues
Public health sector
Transportation sector
and many more.
From the audience perspective, digital signs may just be plasma/LCD display panels, projection screens or any other types of electronic billboards that display attractive and enticing contents. From the system implementor perspective however, digital signs constitute a few interconnected components put together in order to create an automatic information display.
Components of Digital Signage
A digital signage system works in an input-distribution-output mechanism between the advertiser as the entity who controls what information to be displayed, how and when it is displayed and the audience who views the information. Three main components typically found in a Digital Signage system are:
Content Management System
Video/Audio Distribution System
Video/Audio Output
A Content Management System (or "CMS" in short) is basically a PC or server with pre-installed CMS software that composes and plays the content to be displayed on the monitor displays. This PC will serve as an input to a Video/Audio Distribution System.
A Video/Audio Distribution System is the hardware that transmits the video/audio signals coming from the CMS to the plasma/LCD monitors. A Video/Audio Distribution System typically comes in the form of a splitter system; a switch that splits one video/audio input to multiple outputs so that multiple monitors can display similar contents. Another form of a Video/Audio Distribution System is a Video/Audio matrix switch; a switch that routes video/audio inputs from many sources to multiple monitors in a matrix scenario.
The last component is a video/audio output which is simply put a monitor display (with optional audio system) that displays the whole content generated by the CMS. Nowadays, plasma/LCD monitors have taken a major popularity in digital signage application with the recent decrease in price of plasma/LCD technology.
SignagePro: IP Digital Signage solution
The possibilities of Digital Signage are enormous. You need a solution that will get your message out quickly and easily.
SignagePro can control exactly what, when and how to display all of your digital content around the world from one location. SignagePro uses an IP based network to remotely manage, control and broadcast your content safely and securely to locations across the showroom or across the globe.
Several of SignagePro features:
Customized Layout With our new template feature you can divide your screen into multiple content zones displaying unique content in each zone.
The template feature is both easy-to-use and powerful. You can customize your layout and schedule any way you like. The possibilities are endless.
Live Content Use live data feeds from a variety of sources. You can display information like news, weather and stock market prices. You can also use live streaming data.
Running Text SignagePro's running text editor enables you to place running text anywhere on your screen. You can use your own message or add live RSS feeds.
Scheduling
Use SignagePro calendar feature to easily schedule content delivery any time in the future.
Keep track of all your Digital Signage delivery See what is currently being played across your network in real-time.
Various multimedia file formats supported Video (AVI, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, WMV, FLA, DIVX), Flash (SWF), Still Images (JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG), WebPages (URL), Adobe Acrobat (PDF), PowerPoint (PPT), Audio (MP3, WMA), News (RSS) & Running Text
Use your existing file formats, no conversion needed SignagePro was designed to use all of the industry standards formats without having to convert your existing files. Because it uses preexisting formats; content developers can use the development tools they already own instead of having to buy new ones. This increases productivity and lowers cost because there is no need to learn or purchase new software.
SignagePro is truly the most powerful and affordable Digital Signage solution over IP on the market. There will be no hidden or recurring charges!
