signal distribution in ds networks

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Signal Distribution inDigital Signage

Networks


What we will Cover• Digital Signage Industry overview• Digital Signage Network Topology• Placement Choices – screens vs players• Considerations – player placement options

– Benefits of Player at Screen– Challenges of Player at Screen– Benefits of Back Room Placement– Challenges of Back Room Placement

• Content Delivery Methods


3

“It’s just a truck….”


Fragmented, variety of HW &SW

50+ Public Display Vendors 1000+ different display models 2 Million Public Displays sold p.a., install-base

of 10 Million 2500+ CMS SW vendors Increasing amount of peripherals 2000+ DOOH Networks And growing….


Deploying a DS System is Challenging

Distribute media to multiple remote displaysControl displaysReduce operational costsReduce capital costsImprove ROI

5

TCO


6

Uptime = ROI

The bigger the networks grow, the more complex they become

Increased difficulty to keep full control and uptime

Every screen failure/interruption is lost money


Managem

ent Layer

Media

Layer

PlaybackContent Interaction

System Management

Digital Signage Solution Ecosystem

Content Management (CMS)

Infrastructure Management


Signal Delivery Options• Traditional Video Cable

– Lower cost, depending on distance– Familiar to use– Difficult to terminate– Limited distances

• Fiber Optic– Higher cost– Longer distances– Reliable band width– Not relevant in many applications


Delivery Options (continued)

• CATx Cable– Initial higher cap-ex – depending on application– Extension and Distribution systems

• Flexibility in placing screens• Save money on software licensing costs

– Longer distances• Up to 2000 feet

– Easy to install – Can use existing cabling infrastructure

• And there is always – player on screen


A Typical CATx Distribution System


Screen Placement• According to Dale Smith of Peerless Industries,

“All the well intentioned design work, beautiful display devices and high powered content that money can buy are rendered ineffective if placed in a poor location.”

• The screens must be located in a public area• The screens must be clearly visible• Viewing distance needs to be optimized so that

the screen will not appear too big or too small.

• Only if you successfully meet all these placement challenges will your digital signage system allow optimal screen spotting and provide maximum results.


Player Placement• In contrast to display devices, media

players have a wide choice of placement options.

• Media players do not need to be in public spaces or at the screen

• They do have their own set of placement requirements to ensure a successful deployment

• While screen placement mainly affects the effectiveness of your message delivery, player placement, in contrast, is mainly a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) consideration.


Player Trends• Multiple Out Video Cards – many software

companies are taking advantage of products from companies like Matrox and placing them in robust systems capable of driving multiple screens from one processor.

• Players are being built into open screen slots – typically supplied with a utility for doing basic playback of content

• On the low end, becoming more reliable• On the high end, becoming significantly more

powerful


Player at Screen Benefits• Can use existing

infrastructure cabling• Depending on application

environment – provides simple solution

• Can use less hardware than other solutions, depending on environment

• Can be secured to screen preventing easy access or theft, especially in ceiling mount installations


Player at Screen Challenges• Servicing can be very

difficult depending on environment

• Access can be problematic causing increased service cost

• Players are exposed to environment - heat & dust, etc… causing lower MTBF

• Depending on application – can be exposed to increased security risks associated with vandalism or theft


Player in Back Room Benefits• Players can be consolidated into

racks for easy access at any time, therefore lowering service costs

• Upgrading software and players becomes significantly easier

• Extension/Distribution can take advantage of existing CAT5 infrastructure

• Back room can be environmentally controlled to extend MTBF

• Back room environment can be secured to prevent tampering and theft


Players in Back Room Challenges

• Additional equipment may require slightly higher up front costs

• Security needs to be addressed

• Environmental factors need to be addressed


DS Vision Digital – System Diagram

WAN


One to One One to Many

19

Basic System Configurations

System cablesUp to 100m/330ft

Player

Receivers

DS

Visio

n Digita

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EC

EIV

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MIN

IC

Md

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ag

e

Broadcaster

DS

Visio

n Digita

lR

EC

EIV

ER

MIN

IC

Md

igita

l sign

ag

e

DS

Visio

n Digita

lR

EC

EIV

ER

MIN

IC

Md

igita

l sign

ag

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HDMI cables

HDMI or DP cable

System cableUp to 100m/330ft

Player

HDMI cable

HDMI or DP cable

Receiver

DS

Visio

n Digita

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EC

EIV

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MIN

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Transmitter


• Usage: Commercial

Designed for 24x7 operation Handles extreme heat conditions Landscape or portrait orientation supported

Consumer Designed for limited on time operation with intent of long off

times Landscape only

• Control Commercial

RS-232 external control with PC & video loop-through connector capability (drive multiple displays from one PC or video source)

Consumer Lacks the above & often does not feature BNC locking

connectors or a DVI input• Warranty

Commercial 3 years parts & labor Onsite service optional

Commercial vs. Consumer Grade Display to save you $$

Presented by

Consumer 1 year typical. Warranty may be voided

if used in commercial spaces


Content Creation Tips to save $$• Use motion…it gets noticed• Digital signage is not a static sign or a TV commercial.

It’s a new medium that requires new rules.• Know the dwell time of the audience and set message

and loop time accordingly.

• Add content people want to see to help drive longer viewing times (Ex/ news & weather)

• Displays in portrait mode are eye catching

• Build content for a specific aspect ratio and resolution

• Don’t overuse tickers and don’t use them for the primary message


Some Considerations to make sure you have covered

• Cost – there is an investment involved– Avoid big problems by testing everything– Run a small pilot– Use lease options and other creative financing

• Complexity - Digital signage projects require technical business, marketing and design expertise– Make sure your team includes all interested parties– Make sure you understand the purpose of the network and the

benefit to all interested parties – before you begin• Return on Investment

– Is it $$$– Is it something else – creativity, ingenuity, results?– Clearly define your objectives – monitor your progress

frequently


«It is just a truck, but...»

23...only as long as it runs smoothly!


Questions?

Thanks for your time…

signal distribution in ds networks

Business

screenchallenges of

public display vendors

cms sw vendors

room placementchallenges

public displays

dooh networks

variety of hw sw

different display models