Signage Insights
Year in review: Digital signage earns a B+ for 2005
Jan 25, 2006 12:34 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Amid the arm waving, proposals, pilots and promises 2005 was a positive year for digital signage. The industry earned an overall B+ due to the broadening range of organizations involved with enabling the capability, the success of current deployments, and advances in both business models and technology.
Many firms entered and deepened their focus on the industry including suppliers, content creators, brands, location providers, retailers, consumer service providers and network owners. New approaches to digital signage emerged that broadened the field of options. RFID triggered display is poised to hit store shelves. Multipurposing of displays emerged as a key future function, while the proof and rationale for digital signage advanced considerably.
On the downside, there were few launches relative to the promise of this enabling capability. Technology was under-used, content often went stale, investment in new networks was slow and ad selling and CPM rates developed poorly.
2005 Purchases
Several large acquisitions took place last year:
- Mercury Online Solutions acquired Fred Systems in 2003 and was then acquired by 3M in 2005.
- Thomson acquired PRN.
- Clarity Systems bought CoolSign
- FocusMedia Holdings raised $197 million in a Nasdaq IPO
But who did and didn't make the grade? Take a look at a digital signage update report card.
Research firms: A
Three firms including Forrester Research, Frost & Sullivan and Infotrends/Cap Ventures provided statistical perspectives on the outlook of digital signage as an explosive phenomenon marching toward "Big I" industry status.
Event producers: A+
Significant contributions to improving industry awareness, business models, partnerships and processes were made by this group last year.
Media planners: F
Many who designate different approaches in marketing plans have not recognized the need to change in order to get better results. Too few have actually looked into at-retail and public location digital signage networks as a tool for building brands.
Media buyers: C+
Many media buyers are listening to digital signage pitches. At least Frost & Sullivan projected $240 million for placement in digital signage ads.
Networks: B
Deployments in retail, hospitality, entertainment, service and public locations in 2005 had several common characteristics both from a technology and marketing standpoint.
Lyle Bunn is director of digital signage and rich media for BTV+ and former education committee chair for the POPAI North America Digital Signage working group.
For more information, visit www.btvplus.com.
Application Spotlight
Barco displays at Detroit auto show
Jan 25, 2006 2:09 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 Barco LED walls create an immersive video experience at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. |
With that aim, numerous auto manufacturers selected Barco’s LED tiles for their booths. In conjunction with rental partners XL Video, Creative Technology, CT Germany, IMAG and Bluewater, Barco LED solutions accounted for 95 percent of LED installations covering more than 10,000sq ft of total space.
Auto manufacturers including Cadillac, GM, Ford, Saturn, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Porsche, Kia, Land Rover, Hummer, Jeep, Infinity and Buick used Barco LED tiles for video applications. Creative standouts include Ford's use of ILITE 6 XP tiles for a curved, segmented wall in its trademark oval shape. Nissan used OLITE 510 tiles for arched displays, turntables and its video ceiling. Jeep used large-scale MIPIX LED walls for moving content behind each vehicle.
For more information, visit www.barco.com.
Narrowcasting News & Events
Neutron Enterprises to display digital signage at the Super Bowl
Jan 25, 2006 2:25 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Advertisers in activities surrounding Super Bowl XL, Feb. 5 in Detroit, will use the Digital Signage Broadcast Network from Neutron Enterprises, in conjunction with MAD Advertising & Marketing.
The company's technology will play to the audience attending Football Fan Fest and Motown Winter Blast, two pre-Super Bowl events which run from January 28 - February 5.
DSBN will provide two LED full motion and full sound screens located outside the convention center at the Pontchartrain Hotel facing Cobo Hall to maximize the viewing experience.
For more information, visit www.dsbnglobal.com.
dbsXmedia, Helius unite to enhance digital signage
Jan 25, 2006 2:36 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
dbsXmedia and Helius have struck a partnership that will expand both companies' digital signage product offerings.
Each company contributes a complementary product or service to the other's current product offering, resulting in a customizable selection of turnkey solutions and support for existing and potential customers and channel partners.
dbsXmedia provides corporate communications networks throughout Europe and North America, and Helius provides content distribution and management technologies.
For more information, visit www.dbsXmedia.com or www.helius.com.
Digital View taps Arrow Capital for digital signage financing
Jan 25, 2006 2:41 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Digital View has teamed up with Arrow Capital to provide retailers and marketers with financing and leasing options for digital signage.
Arrow Capital provides customer finance programs for high-technology companies and will serve as the lease financing arm for Digital View’s sales team to help qualifying organizations assess the best financing options for digital signage systems.
For more information, visit www.arrowcapital.net or www.digitalview.com.
360 Systems servers support Holland America’s digital entertainment
Jan 25, 2006 2:46 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Holland America Cruise Lines is increasing the presence of its digital displays on its cruise ships. The company has purchased 360 Systems’ Image Server 2000, which will serve as the backbone for visual systems in its staterooms as well as its on-deck entertainment systems. These visual systems also can display interactive advertising to generate revenues.
Digital Video Systems, the systems integrator for Holland America, has installed 11 Image Server 2000 servers, with two additional server installations in process. The Holland America video entertainment system is currently used to distribute pay-per-view entertainment as well as video that is recorded and desktop-edited onboard by the ship’s crew. The system also incorporates C-Tel satellite dishes to receive DIRECTV feeds, which also get piped into system.
For more information, visit www.360systems.com.
Specialty supermarket implements new digital signage system
Jan 25, 2006 2:55 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Cyberspace Solutions launched the first dynamic signage network in the Maltese retail sector for Sparkle Image in Marsascala, located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.
Sparkle Image is a specialized supermarket dealing in detergents, cleaning materials and toiletries. The supermarket recently expanded and refurbished its premises.
The recently installed digital signage network uses 42in plasma screens to display a range of dynamic in-store information. Information is transmitted to each plasma screen via the Scala InfoChannel network. The units are interconnected via a LAN and controlled remotely from the supermarket's offices.
The network informs customers about special offers and loyalty programs, promoting specific products by providing timely advertisements close to the product shelving.
For more information, visit www.scala.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
Vutec enhances visual components with new sound compartment
Jan 25, 2006 3:07 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Vutec has introduced its new ArtScreen SoundScape 360 model incorporating a sound compartment for the latest in surround sound technology.
The new sound compartment accommodates the multichannel surround speaker technology developed by manufacturers including Yamaha, Polk Audio, Mirage and Boston Acoustics. Integrated into the ArtScreen housing, the SoundScape 360 features a fully dimensional sound compartment positioned below the plasma display.
For more information, visit www.vutec.com.
Pioneer unveils 50in plasma display
Jan 25, 2006 3:12 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Pioneer Electronics pulled back the curtain on its 50in 1080p plasma display, which doubles pixel density and resolution.
The Elite PureVision PRO-FHD1 plasma with 1920 x 1080 resolution is capable of displaying the entire range of HD broadcasts including 720p, 1080i and 1080p.
The PRO-FHD1 combines the higher pixel count of 1080i with the faster refresh rate of 720p to display fast moving content.
For more information, visit www.pioneerusa.com.
Westinghouse Digital releases 37in LCD
Jan 25, 2006 3:33 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Westinghouse Digital Electronics has unveiled its new 37in LCD HDTV.
The LTV-37w2 features an integrated ATSC tuner to display over-the-air HD digital signals, the company's SpineDesign and five HD input connectors.
The LTV-37w2 and the company’s 27- and 32in models also offer a VGA connection and 1366 x 768 native resolution, allowing the screens' to be used as PC and video-editing monitors.
For more information, visit www.westinghousedigital.com.
Hitachi releases LCD rear-projection line
Jan 25, 2006 3:36 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Hitachi has introduced its UltraVision line of LCD rear-projection HDTVs.
The line includes the 50in 50VS69; 55in 55VS69; and the 62in 62VS69 products.
The models offer industrial designs that feature minimal bottom speakers to create a sleek form factor as well as a silver and black finish.
For more information, visit www.hitachi.us/tv.
DDD Group displays TriDef 3-D video
Jan 25, 2006 3:38 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
3-D software and content company DDD Group has introduced the TriDef RealTV 3-D television solution. The system combines DDD's TriDef Vision+ set-top converter box with Arisawa's range of PC and home theater 3-D displays.
The company has a full range of 3-D displays including 80in projection screens; 30in and 40in 3-D LCD TVs; and 17in PC displays.
Vision+ automatically converts consumer video formats to 3-D as they are watched, allowing any broadcast, DVD and videocassette content to be presented in 3-D on the latest 3-D displays and projection systems.
For more information, visit www.DDD.com.
Avago Technologies maximizes color tones in LCD TVs
Jan 25, 2006 3:41 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Avago Technologies is offering the HDJD-JB01-8831A illumination and color management (ICM) system for backlighting LCD flat-panel TVs.
The technology addresses the problem of flat-panel LCD TVs displaying only 75 percent of true color tones and gradually losing color richness and brightness over time. ICM delivers 25 percent richer color tones by using an array of RGB LEDs.
ICM is a closed-loop feedback system that monitors the hue and intensity of the LEDs 100 times per second, and then automatically adjusts the light output to ensure that the right color point is achieved. This technology allows screens to achieve true-to-life colors and maintain a set color point over the life of the display.
For more information, visit www.avagotech.com.
Minicom to showcase AV distribution systems
Jan 25, 2006 3:45 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
Minicom will demonstrate its AV distribution solutions for digital signage displays at Screen Expo Europe Feb. 1-2 in London.
The company’s video display system and AV display system distribute high-quality video in real time over standard CAT5 cable to multiple screens over distances of up to 360ft.
For more information, visit www.minicom.com.
Chief’s projection mount simplifies projector installation
Jan 25, 2006 3:47 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
 The RPA-U universal projector mount simplifies the process of mounting LCD projectors. |
Chief Manufacturing is offering its RPA-U universal projector mount.
RPA-U meets the requirements for secure ceiling projector mounting. There is no assembly required for the low-profile mount.
The mount supports most inverted projectors. It provides adjustable mounting legs and feet, built-in cable management and independent roll, pitch and yaw adjustments for precise and easy projector registration. Quick projector disconnect allows the projector to be removed during regular maintenance for lamp and filter access without losing registration when reconnecting to the mount.
For more information, visit www.chiefmfg.com.
OnScreen Technologies to enable digital signage at any window
Jan 25, 2006 3:53 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
OnScreen Technologies has unveiled Living Window, its see-through LED sign.
Living Window is lightweight, transparent and wireless, and allows companies to turn any window into a customized electronic banner.
Its dynamic messaging system lets retailers advertise an assortment of messages to various audiences during different times of the day. Inside the store, it can be used to display information at the point-of-purchase for co-op advertising campaigns.
For more information, visit www.onscreentech.com
MultiDyne reduces latency with electro-optical switch
Jan 25, 2006 3:55 PM, Digital Signage Update e-newsletter
MultiDyne is offering its EOS-4000 electro-optical switch for transparent, point-to-multipoint switching.
The EOS-4000 is a multi-purpose, non-blocking, transparent electro-optical switch that provides high-speed switching between ports with minimal effect on overall network latency. The series is capable of switching digital signals up to 4.25Gb/s with any of its 144 ports, all in a compact 4U chassis.
Any digital fiber optic signal can be optically switched from one point to multiple points. The EOS-4000 is compatible with products in the Multidyne digital fiber optic product line.
For more information, visit www.multidyne.com.
