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AV Technology
Manager’s Guide
The New Era
of Digital Signage
December 2020
THE TECHNOLOGY
MANAGER’S GUIDE TO
THE NEW ERA OF
DIGITAL SIGNAGE
Table of Contents
FEATURES
Good to Know........................................................................................................................................................................... 26
At a Distance.............................................................................................................................................................................30
New Products............................................................................................................................................................................34
Good to
In Their Own Words
We asked executives from leading manufacturers to
share their insights on digital signage applications
for today and the future.
Know
Aurora
Bryan Abelowitz,
CTS-D, National
Director of Sales
Aurora Multimedia recent-
ly introduced an advanced
temperature-sensing tab-
Digital Signage’s New Role in Serving let, the TAVIS (Thermal AV
Integrated Solution). Made in the USA, the fully
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Hall Research
A.J. Shelat, VP of
Product
Hall Research responded to
the immediate needs of busi-
nesses during the pandemic
by offering our VERSA-4K
HDMI and USB-over-IP
product that extends and switches multiple 4K
HDMI video and USB data paths to a virtually
The lobby of Toronto’s
unlimited number of receivers, as part of the over-
Globe and Mail Centre
features a digitial all digital signage solution. Finding ways to ensure
signage installation information reaches teams is a critical element
of Planar TVF Series
during these times, and will remain crucial to deliv-
LED displays that play
a series of calming ering important information on things like social
artistic scenes. distancing, hygiene measures, safety protocols, and
Photo: Planar
much more going forward.
Our VERSA-4K HDMI and USB-over-IP prod-
ucts feature low latency and were designed spe-
available as the place where the company’s image BrightSign, we developed a trio of new touchless cifically to support operations that require real-time
and promise is conveyed (like lobby walls but more solutions our customers are eagerly embracing: access to rapidly changing data. It can also extend
collaborative). Again, the “wow” factor is of utmost BrightLink, BrightMenu, and BrightVoice. over multiple digital signage video wall displays,
importance, as you only have one chance to make BrightLink is a new touchless solution that elim- thus helping to foster better communication and
a first impression. inates the need to physically engage with touch- collaboration for verticals like healthcare, emer-
Razor-narrow-bezel (RNB) LCD display and interactive digital signage. By simply scanning a QR gency operations, higher education, and many
direct-view (DV) LED are the biggest stories in code, customers transfer control of the experience others. Another feature of the VERSA-4K HDMI and
display technology. B2B customers have progressed to their phones to browse or interact with content USB-over-IP product is the KVM switching feature,
toward technologies that minimize the bezel as as they normally would—eliminating the need for which aids the overall digital signage solution by
much as possible (RNB) or eliminate it (DV LED), physical contact. being able to control multiple monitors to distrib-
as it is seen as a distraction from the message and BrightMenu uses very similar BrightSign tech- ute information in real-time from sources around
the ambiance of the environment. nology, but delivers a one-way experience whereby the world. Having real-time data is not only critical
High-res direct-view LED like the LED XT series patrons scan a QR code and receive the restaurant’s now, but going forward, as communication chang-
is particularly at the growing stages of being a menu on their mobile device—no internet connec- es from a work-from-home model to potentially a
highly desirable videowall technology. The trouble tion, no app to download, and no printed menus. hybridized model. Hall’s innovative product lines
is that the market is being flooded with the vestiges BrightVoice is voice-activated digital signage offer many solutions for digital signage that will
of outdoor LED manufacturers trying to quickly solution that delivers a unique, hands-free interac- help keep people and businesses connected and
recognize sales, and this had added confusion to a tive experience—allowing people to interact with updated as situations develop rapidly.
market that is much more sophisticated and com- displays by engaging in tailor-made conversations
plex. LED is a professional technology that requires using a wake word followed by natural voice com- Navori
a professional approach and processing. mands to control on-screen playback. Florent Hediard,
And beyond our BrightSign-labeled COVID Global Marketing
BrightSign products, we’re working closely with a number of Manager
Jeff Hastings, CEO other partners—providing the media player back- The COVID-19 pandemic
The pandemic changed end to power solutions to help businesses safely has inspired businesses to
the AV space by accelerat- reopen, while adhering to new health and safety leverage AI-based computer
ing adoption of technolo- guidelines. vision technology that can
gies that reduce or elimi- To be clear, these solutions will be around long automate environments and support applications
nate physical interaction after the urgency of the pandemic begins to wane. to effectively manage human traffic. Businesses
with digital signage. At Touchless solutions are convenient, elegant, and and venues must ensure safety for employees and
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At a
that could withstand the harsh Midwest winters. The
next element Neoti studied was the design. Design
renderings conveyed a stair-stepped edge on both the
top and bottom of the display, prompting custom-
sized modules to accomplish the goal. The final D
Distance
culminates in the details, such as the content (com-
munication, art, entertainment), structure, and media
controller.
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• Resourceful Consultants
• Installation Support
and Training
• U.S. Service
and Maintenance
Visix AxisTV
AxisTV Signage Suite software has a Voice
Recognizer Widget that turns any screen into
a hands-free interactive sign—no touchscreen
required. Clients simply design various content
options, add the widget, enter speech triggers,
and map those triggers to the appropriate con-
tent. Viewers can walk up to any display, ask for
the material they want, and immediately see that
content on screen. Other benefits include no Sony BRAVIA
ViewSonic LD163-181 required internet connection or programming, Sony’s new BRAVIA series, which is now avail-
The ViewSonic LD163-181 is an all-in-one direct- built-in speech recognition engine for Windows able, combines flexibility, connectivity, and ease
view LED commercial display. With a 163-inch 10, and drag and drop the widget for displays, of use with superior picture quality. The slim,
screen size, the LD163-181 is built for profession- video walls, and room signs. energy-efficient displays offer increased picture
al-grade, 24/7 operation. Composed of one main visix.com performance and brightness, a more powerful
cabinet and multiple panels for easy installation, processor, and both 2.4- and 5GHz WAP support.
it delivers content without lines or distortion They also boast a SoC platform, Android operat-
for one continuous image. When installed, each ing system, and redesigned cosmetic features—
individual panel auto-configures and calibrates including new terminal positions, a flat bottom
its location and setting values within the display bezel, and a reinforced structure that is tailored
as a singular unit—eliminating complicated setup to the B2B market. Pro mode allows quick and
processes. Simply turn on the display. The dis- easy customization to suit different environ-
plays may be installed easily with two people and ments, while One Step Setting optimizes display
within a couple of hours. settings for signage and conference rooms.
viewsonic.com pro.sony
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