Signage Insights
Business information wall goes live at NY Public Library
Sep 14, 2005 10:09 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 The information wall, implemented by Electrosonic, features dynamic displays of streaming business and market-related news as well as local listings for library patrons. |
The wall, sponsored by UBS and implemented by Electrosonic, was created by experiential design firm ESI Design to meet the fast-changing needs of library visitors and to reflect SIBL’s mission as a resource for local, national and international business information and an engine for local business.
The wall features a dynamic display and a steady stream of updated business and non-financial world news that can influence markets. It consists of five 40in NEC LCD4000s and 12, 20in Sharp Aquos LCD monitors provided by Electrosonic, which were built into a steel and plexiglass lightbox measuring approximately 7ft x 36ft. Web-based feeds from a variety of sources, including the Dow Jones and Reuters online news services, are displayed on two NEC LCD screens at the north and south ends of the wall. The remaining 15 monitors present business and current events news from cable networks Bloomberg, BBC, CNN Headline News, CNN International, C-SPAN 1 and 2, Fox News Channel and MSNBC. Above the Wall an LED ticker streams stock information and news.
Electrosonic illuminated the lightbox with 118 Color Kinetics iCove lights, controlled by Color Kinetics’ iPlayer2, which form a background panel that brightens and animates the entire display with rotating colors flowing from blue and green to purple and magenta. Electrosonic also installed three Holosonic Audio Spotlights to beam streams of sound to visitors watching the three large LCD screens. Once patrons step outside the two-foot radius of the audio spotlight, the audio fades into the ambient sound of the library.
Behind the scenes Electrosonic installed an AMX Netlinx integrated show controller and touchscreen for scheduling changes to the Wall’s programming. The wall is fed by two Rise Software Engines offering live Internet feeds from UBS, SIBL and other financial news and stock information sources. Similar information is scrolled across the LED ticker by Rise Software.
Also available to feed the wall are eight cable boxes from Time Warner Cable, a Pioneer DVD player and two auxiliary computers. All the source devices are sent through an Extron 16x16 Component Video Matrix Switcher and are routable to any monitor. Audio is triggered by motion sensors.
Electrosonic designed the control system to allow for the creation of templates — which include cable channels, DVDs and routing information — that can either be scheduled as events or manually recalled for special occasions. All devices are also available as audio sources, which are routed through the same switcher.
For more information, visit www.electrosonic.com.
Narrowcasting News & Events
Harris set to acquire Leitch Technology
Sep 14, 2005 10:21 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Harris will acquire Leitch Technology, purchasing all outstanding common shares of the company.
Harris will pay a cash price of about $16 per share amounting to total consideration of approximately $450 million. This represents a premium of 44 percent over the 20-day volume weighted average trading price.
With non-competing product lines, the combined companies can offer products and systems to serve every segment of the supply chain that brings digital audio, video and data content to consumers.
The transaction is expected to be complete by the end of October and is subject to regulatory approval and acceptance by Leitch shareholders.
For more information, visit www.leitch.com and www.harris.com.
CEA forecast: 6 million LCD and plasma displays to be sold in 2005
Sep 14, 2005 10:32 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Flat panel displays are a key driver of electronics industry sales growth as evidenced in figures released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) in its revised U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecast Report.
The CEA finds that business and consumer buyers will benefit from a decline in wholesale prices of flat panel displays resulting from cost efficiencies and competitive pressure. According to the report:
- The average LCD unit price will decrease from $857 in 2004 to $754 this year.
- The average plasma unit price is projected to decrease from $2698 to $1953.
- Plasma and LCD unit shipments will nearly double this year compared to last year.
- LCD unit sales are projected to reach 3.9 million valued at $3 billion compared to 1.8 million units and $1.6 billion in 2004.
- Plasma unit shipments are projected to reach 2 million and $3.9 billion, increasing from 870,000 units and $2.3 billion in 2004.
For more information, visit www.ce.org.
Rogers Video pilots digital signage network
Sep 14, 2005 10:44 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Rogers Video, a Canadian-owned specialty video retailer, is piloting a digital signage network project to deliver targeted rich media at the point-of-purchase across the Rogers Video chain.
Powered by Real Digital Media’s Neocast platform, the centrally managed digital signage network will deliver targeted information, promotions and advertising to customers. In addition, the network will carry corporate communications content for the retailer’s employees.
Rogers Video is collaborating with RDM to integrate the digital signage network with the in-store experience, as well as measure the impact of the new technology on customer behavior. The measured results of this project will serve as the basis for ROI and benefits case required for the full digital signage network rollout.
Signage network will deliver content about the latest movie trailers, video games and music selections to hit the shelves. It also will advertise other offerings such as popcorn, drinks and confectionary items.
For more information, visit www.realdigitalmedia.com and www.rogers.com/video.
BTV+ integrates digital signage and RFID tag technologies
Sep 14, 2005 10:56 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
BTV+ has successfully integrated low-cost radio frequency identification (RFID) triggering with digital signage displays. The RFID display triggering system integrates with the company’s ADvantage and other digital signage systems to provide consumer behavior-based targeting of merchandising, information and customer-facing digital displays.
The BTV+ system operates in typical retail and other public environments, uses ISO standards, and is inexpensive, safe and highly reliable. It can be built into or added to merchandising displays.
In practice, reusable RFID tags cost $0.05 to $0.50 each and range in size from a penny to 2in square and can be attached to any product or brochure, or embedded on fobs or other products. The RFID antenna can be tuned to define the reading field and software can distinguish hundreds of unique tags or product tag groups in the merchandising display. Using an RFID antenna attached to a store shelf and RFID tags attached to the display products, the software interprets the signals of whatever tagged product is selected and displays a video, text or animated clip on a digital display to inform, educate and influence.
An RFID-enabled shelf of, for example, cosmetic products could trigger information or a merchandising display when the shopper picks up a particular product for inspection. Following the promotional reel or when the product is placed back on the shelf, the display screen reverts to a marketing loop designed to attract attention. When a different product is lifted from the shelf for examination, information about that product is displayed.
In another example, when a tagged information brochure related to banking, insurance, health, events, travel or any product or service is removed from a rack, a short video or animated clip is displayed with additional information and a call for action.
For more information, visit www.btvplus.com.
Calendar
DSU Calendar
Feb 10, 2006 8:00 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
National Religious Broadcasters Convention & Expo
Feb. 17-22, Dallas-Ft. Worth
http://content.nrb.org/convention-files/NRB2005/home.htm
Digital Signage for Venues & Public Spaces
Feb. 28 - March 1, Washington, DC
www.strategyinstitute.com
NSCA Systems Integration Expo
March 16-18, Las Vegas
www.nsca.org
DisplaySearch US FPD Conference
March 21-23, San Diego, CA
www.displaysearch.com
GlobalShop 2006
March 26-28, Orlando
www.globalshop.org
Second Annual World Digital Signage Summit
April 4-5, New York City
www.strategyinstitute.com/040406_digisign_ny/dsp_digisign_world.php
KioskCom 2006
April 10-12, Las Vegas
www.kioskcom.com
NAB
April 22-27, Las Vegas
www.nabshow.com
AD:Tech San Francisco
April 26-28, 2006, San Francisco
www.ad-tech.com/sf.asp
Digital Signage Products
Panasonic debuts six new plasma display models
Sep 14, 2005 12:01 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 The 8-Series plasmas reproduce gradations in steps equivalent to 2048 shades and produce up to 8.58 billion colors. |
Panasonic has introduced its eighth generation of plasma displays consisting of six new 8-Series panels. The new models include four HD panels in 37in, 42in, 50in and 65in sizes, as well as new 37in and 42in SD panels.
Interchangeable, multi-function slots allow users to equip the panels with optional terminal boards and accessories to customize the devices to particular applications. Other features include high contrast ratio (4000:1 on SD models and 3000:1 on HD units), 60,000-hour service life, and a new design with a slim bezel and hidden touch controls on all except the 65in model.
The 8-Series plasmas reproduce gradations in steps equivalent to 2048 shades and produce up to 8.58 billion colors. Peak brightness has been boosted by more than 15 percent over the company’s previous-generation displays. Other features include dual picture mode, which combines any two AV signals and displays them in three different modes (two picture-in-picture and one picture-out-picture modes).
The panels also feature a picture-in-picture mode that displays a full-screen PC image with a video overlay for digital signage applications; a 4X digital zoom to enlarge a portion of an image up to four times normal size and display it full screen; and a built-in video wall processor that enables an up to 16-panel (4x4) configuration for multi-screen applications.
For more information, visit www.panasonic.com/plasma and www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
Chief introduces swing-arm mounts for up to 65in displays
Sep 14, 2005 12:11 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 Chief Manufacturing's Reaction series of swing-arm wall mounts |
Chief Manufacturing has introduced a new Reaction series of swing-arm wall mounts. Features include height adjustment after installation, the company’s CableTrac system for routing of cables through the mount arms, and gravity-centered tilt and smooth adjustment without tools.
The mounts include single and dual-arm mounts for large, 40- to 65in flat panel screens as well as single-arm mounts for medium, 26- to 40in flat panel screens. Chief’s latch mounting system offers portrait or landscape mounting and integrated security.
For more information, visit www.chiefmfg.com.
American Technology signs distribution agreement for directed sound technology
Sep 14, 2005 12:30 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
ActiveLight has agreed to distribute American Technology’s Hypersonic Sound (HSS) product line. HSS technology incorporates focused ultrasonic columns to provide highly accurate control of sound placement for digital signage networks.
Products to be distributed include the recently announced HSS H450, which is designed to flexibly place sound in digital signage applications with minimal intrusion to other areas. The technology can be tuned for the unique requirements of each installation.
For more information, visit www.activelight.com and www.atcsd.com.
Scopus announces name change
Sep 14, 2005 12:37 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Scopus Network Technologies is changing its name to Scopus Video Networks.
The name change embodies and highlights Scopus’ focus on digital video networking products that deliver video over broadcast, broadband and IP-based networks.
For more information, visit www.scopus.net.
RP Visual offers pull-down ceiling mounts for flat panels
Sep 14, 2005 12:42 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
RP Visual Solutions is offering its inVisible pull-down ceiling mount for flat panel displays. The mount can be camouflaged by covering with ceiling tiles or paint to match the existing ceiling.
The mount provides manual pull-down and automatic return to a closed position using gas springs. A turn off switch option is available that automatically switches the panel off when returned to the ceiling.
The mount is available for 42in and 50in plat panel displays.
For more information, visit www.rpvisuals.com. Back to the top
