Signage Insights
Digital signage connects church with growing congregation
Nov 22, 2005 3:58 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 Cross Pointe in Duluth GA enriches its live giant-screen video of church services with live in-service graphics and more sophisticated programmed content. |
Cross Pointe implemented an Inscriber Inca Studio to generate live in-service graphics and an Inscriber InfoCaster to power programmed content on its digital signage and audio system. Using four camera operators to cover worship service elements, the video feed is mixed live to large screens for improved visibility. The graphics software enables AV operators to superimpose graphics over live video feed or video backgrounds as the service progresses. The church displays announcements, song lyrics, teaching notes and scripture passages. It also creates and stores elements in the sequencer module for immediate playback on cue.
In addition to screens inside the church sanctuary, Cross Pointe installed a 14ft display in its lobby to provide information on events and activities. The screen carries promotional videos and announcements and displays church campus maps. Using the signage software, church staff and its non-technical volunteers are able to create and schedule on-screen, multi-zone content with less need for video editing. The church also is reducing its expenditure on printed materials. It has eliminated printing posters and other promotional pieces and plans on expanding the use of digital signage throughout its campus.
For more information, visit www.inscriber.com.
Are in-store networks a turn-off for shoppers?
Nov 22, 2005 4:09 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
A digital signage controversy has caught fire in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, sparked by two recently published articles. "In-store TV: Will it prove a turn off?" was run in last month's issue of The Grocer and the second, by KPMG's Helen Dickenson, is called "In-store TV is an advertiser turn-off."
Looking toward the positives, there are quite a few POPAI articles showing that traditional static POP can produce sales lifts in excess of 25 percent, and if done correctly, a digital POP system should not do any worse than static POP. There are numerous studies from industry experts such as Avanti, CoolSign and Scala, which suggest that digital signs can lift sales by anywhere from 15- to 400 percent and can improve product recall by equally impressive margins.
At the same time, evidence exists that there are some networks that don't do this well. If digital signage projects were that successful, there wouldn't be any contention whatsoever, and every retailer would already have a network or be scrambling to install one. Like any other marketing or promotional tactic, digital signage networks can fail – or at least not produce the ROI that their owners originally envisioned. A lack of planning and insufficient understanding of the target marketplace probably makes this happen even more often than it should. And of course, it's still hard to make engaging, entertaining content that people want to look at, while still monetizing the screen space effectively with well-placed advertisements.
Bill Gerba is co-founder of WireSpring and maintains an active role in the self-service and narrowcasting industries.
For more information, visit http://www.wirespring.com.
Narrowcasting News & Events
Virginia firm introduces LED screen rentals
Nov 22, 2005 4:23 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Boitnott Visual Communications (BVC), Virginia's largest rental company, has purchased 25 panels of the Lighthouse R10 indoor/outdoor LED video screens. Richmond-based BVC is the first rental offering LED screens in the area. Because of LED's low-power consumption and high brightness video clarity, there has been a steady demand for LEDs for various uses such as signage, advertising, and event video projection.
BVC expects to see rentals of the LED screens for various outdoor and indoor venues, such as corporate tents where lighting would no longer have to be blacked out, movie nights that would not have to wait until dark to start, as well as college graduations and concerts where there is a need to display video or images to viewers located a great distance away.
R10 screens consume 234W per panel at a 100kHz refresh rate and 5000 NITS brightness. Other features include a 120-degree horizontal viewing angle, 10,000-pixels/sq. meter, and 4.4 trillion-color capabilities.
For more information, visit www.bvc-av.com and www.lighthouse-tech.com.
Digital playback controller projects shopping mall’s creative LED lighting
Nov 22, 2005 4:30 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 LEDs change colors to animate the Galleriet Shopping Center in Bergen, Norway. |
Tor Bjarne Vestad was called in to brighten up a dark shopping mall. The lighting designer specified 96 Tryka LED luminaires and a Pharos lighting playback controller. Vestad’s design now washes the Galleriet Shopping Centre’s columns and glass ceiling in ever-changing colors.
Vestad sought to enhance the features of the main hall in the shopping center. The mall already had installed brighter lighting fixtures, but also sought entertainment effects. Using design software that incorporated pixel mapping, the lighting playback controller allows LED arrays to display video clips and themed lighting presentations.
For more information, visit www.pharoscontrols.com and www.tmb.com.
LED displays color Blue Man Group’s new Las Vegas venue
Nov 22, 2005 4:42 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 LED video displays and ribbon boards light up the stage and lobby of the Blue Man Group’s Venetian theater in Las Vegas. |
The rectangular video display, provided by Daktronics, is hung in the center of the stage and may be flown up or down from out of sight to stage level. The company also provided the full-color, 277ft ribbon boards, which were custom built into five different tracer pipe shapes resembling printed circuit boards. The five displays are referred to collectively as the Matrix. Mounted on five staggered stage levels, the circuit board displays flank the large video display, three on one side and two on the other. The performers access the levels by running up the spiral staircase behind each platform. The ribbon boards feature 6mm pixel spacing.
The onstage displays are used as an integral part of the overall production design. When lit, they are used to convey videotext and images, and as a light source to backlight the performers and change the color and look of the set.
A 4x28 6mm video display in the lobby runs video clips of the performances and other Blue Man Group footage to attract people and inform patrons about the show and the group. A Daktronics VenusR 7000 controller and V-LinkR video processor operate the video display.
For more information, visit www.daktronics.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
Leader enhances modular functionality for multi-format signal generator
Nov 22, 2005 4:56 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 Leader’s LT443D modular multi-format signal generator |
Seven modules covering a range of digital and analog video and audio applications support the LT4443D. The LT443D is based on a 1U mainframe housing up to four plug-in modules. It comprises a main signal generator, controller and power supply unit. A 20-character dual-line backlit LCD provides direct readout of control parameters in conjunction with dedicated front-panel pushbuttons. A Compact Flash memory card allows measurement parameters to be stored in the LT443D mainframe for local recall or transfer to other LT443D-equipped locations.
The signal generator is Ethernet-compatible, enabling remote operation and genlock status monitoring. A 27MHz reference clock is incorporated. Plug-in modules can be individually assigned to provide simultaneous HD outputs at 74.25- and 74.25/1.001MHz respectively.
For more information, visit www.leaderusa.com and www.elquip.com.
Stealth debuts rugged, sunlight-readable LCD monitor
Nov 23, 2005 10:22 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Stealth has introduced the VU SV-1700-HB high-brightness LCD monitor.
The 17in monitor has a brightness rating of 1300 NITS and NEMA 4/IP 66 standards. The monitor’s stainless steel enclosure withstands the outdoor, plant floors, marine and mobile environments.
Native resolution is 1280p x 1024p, and touch screen options include resistive, capacitive and surface acoustic wave technologies. The monitor requires no video drivers or special interface cards.
For more information, visit www.stealthcomputer.com.
Impatica device connects handheld computers to large screens
Nov 23, 2005 10:27 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 The Impatica ShowMate interface enables BlackBerry handhelds to project presentations. |
Impatica has introduced its ShowMate, a device that allows BlackBerry users to project presentations directly from their handhelds. A pocket-sized device that weighs 9oz, ShowMate supports PowerPoint presentation features including rich text, images, charts, graphs, animations and slide transition effects.
To use ShowMate, PowerPoint presentations can be transferred to the BlackBerry directly from the user's desktop or a Web site or received as an e-mail attachment. The ShowMate then provides the interface between the BlackBerry handheld and to the projector or large screen display.
For more information, visit www.impatica.com.
Belden introduces component video cables
Nov 23, 2005 11:02 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 Belden Brilliance Banana Peel component video cables |
Belden's Banana Peel design involves affixing individual coaxial cables to a center spline, eliminating the need for an outer jacket. To install, individual cables are peeled off the center spline and are ready for termination. Color-coding and print legends enable identification of individual cable components. The jacketless composite cables are more flexible than traditional cables and have a smaller diameter.
The Banana Peel cables are offered in two sizes: 20 or 25 AWG copper center conductors.
For more information, visit www.belden.com.
SIM2 introduces 3-chip DLP front projector
Nov 23, 2005 11:08 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 SIM2’s C3X 3-chip DLP projector |
SIM2 has debuted C3X 3-chip DLP-based front projector in its Grand Cinema line.
Features include a 6500:1 contrast ratio with a 250W lamp, 1280p x720p resolution (40/60 Hz progressive) or 1920p x 1080p interlaced (1080i inputs), and two particle-free lenses, an optional 1.5:1 to 2:1 throw lens and the standard 2 to 3:1 throw lens.
The C3X provides 10 inputs, including analog and HDMI- HDCP video inputs, an IR sensor jack, as well as RS-232 and USB ports for downloading control software.
For more information, visit www.sim2usa.com.
IBM launches 7.5lb wireless DLP projector
Nov 23, 2005 11:12 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 IBM’s ThinkVision C400 wireless projector |
Other C400 features include a DLP chipset; USB memory key input; native 1024p x 768p resolution and compatibility with SVGA, XGA, SXGA inputs; up to 1200:1 contrast ratio; 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio; and an integrated laser pointer and mouse control.
Projection options include front, rear, desktop and ceiling methods.
For more information, visit www.ibm.com.
NEC introduces touch-screen flat-panel LCD displays
Nov 23, 2005 11:19 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
NEC has released its AccuSync line of touch screen LCD monitors. The four touch-enabled displays are based on the 15in AccuSync LCD52V and the 17in AccuSync LCD72V monitors.
Either capacitive or resistive touch screen technology is available. The capacitive monitors, intended for high-speed, touch-sensitive applications, employ 3M's ClearTek capacitive touch screens, which resist scratches, abrasion and contaminants. The resistive monitors incorporate 3M's MicroTouch resistive technology, designed to respond to differing inputs such as from a finger, gloved hand or pen stylus.
Other features include response times of 25ms or less, USB interface, and compliance with Restriction on Hazardous Substances standards.
For more information, visit www.necdisplay.com.
Keywest offers live news feed option from DataCall
Nov 23, 2005 11:23 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Keywest is offering the option of adding a live news feed from DataCall Technologies. The live data feed is available for use on the company’s MediaXtreme MX, MX1-PLUS, MX5 or MX5-PLUS digital signage systems.
DataCrawl is a software upgrade that allows MediaXtreme hardware to ingest and display a data crawl of live news, sports scores, financial data or other customizable feeds.
For more information, visit www.keywesttechnology.com.
SES Americom, Diversified Media Group offer packaged satellite-based signage system
Nov 23, 2005 11:33 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
SES Americom and Diversified Media Group have introduced a packaged satellite distribution system. The bundled solution can include satellite-delivered data networking, broadband, business continuity, and content streaming services delivered over an IPTV network.
Diversified Media Group is offering an enterprise content delivery platform based on the SES Americom AMC-6 satellite, for retail digital signage and corporate communications applications. The AMC-6 is a hybrid C-, Ku-band satellite that provides service to enterprise, video/SNG, government, VSAT network and entertainment customers. Diversified Media Group provides a private teleport and data center for its customers.
For more information, www.divmedia.net and www.ses-americom.com.
Media Excel debuts IP-based transcoder
Nov 23, 2005 11:36 AM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 Media Excel’s SoftStream H.264 real-time transcoder |
The transcoder allows users to select between live video sources, digital broadcasts, video files, or MPEG files to generate H.264 streams in real-time that can be broadcast and saved to disk. The system can be configured as an H.264 encoder, transcoder, and streaming system.
The device uses six Texas Instruments' TMS320DM642 digital signal processors and interoperates with Media Excel's streaming media server and IP set-top boxes.
For more information, visit www.mediaexcel.com.
