The ScreenGate solution family includes ScreenGate™ Management Gateway - which offers state of the art management capability, with Proof-of-Performance technology included – and ScreenGate™ IP Streaming solution - which offers IP streaming media delivery advantages.

Ronni Guggenheim, CEO of MDS, says: “With its new ScreenGate solution, MDS is further expanding its innovative offer to the Digital Signage market. We are proud to be the first company in the market to offer an IP streaming solution specifically designed to respond to the challenges of digital signage networks. ScreenGate IP Streaming has been designed in close cooperation with some of the leading DooH network operators, incorporating their feedback and answering some of their current challenges. ScreenGate solution is not just a media distribution solution over IP: with ScreenGate Management Gateway (SMG), ScreenGate is a media delivery solution which ensures the media to be delivered to the screen. By seamlessly integrating with SMG, ScreenGate IP Streaming benefits from the built-in patented Proof of Performance and offers a full management plug-in to enable comprehensive display access, control and management, making it the next generation management platform for Digital Signage displays around the globe.”

ScreenGate IP Streaming Solution:
ScreenGate IP Streaming solution is MDS’s latest media distribution solution which allows network operators to maximize their network value by leveraging the inherent benefits of IP technology with its pervasiveness, its scalability and its cost-effectiveness using existing LAN infrastructure. The DS content will be distributed with full-HD quality and requires only a small bandwidth.

ScreenGate Management Gateway:
Minicom Digital Signage’s revolutionary ScreenGate Management Gateway (SMG) is a digital signage management software platform which ensures the delivery of the right content to the right device at the right time. In case of display failure, SMG sends immediate alerts in order for network operators to solve the issue immediately. SMG delivers advanced remote control and performance monitoring, featuring Proof-Of-Performance technology which maximizes your network’s efficiency.

In order to celebrate this launch, MDS is organizing a Happy Hour on February 2^nd at 2.30 PM with a special session on “How to reduce your cost and manage your DS Network with MDS ScreenGate Solution”, which will be followed by aperitifs and drinks and Live Demo of MDS’ new ScreenGate Solution.
Click here to receive more information on MDS Happy Hour at ISE 2011.

Minicom DS is also co-organizing the DS Showcase with ISE and the Expert Tour with OVAB
Click here to meet MDS at the DS Showcase at ISE.
Click here to register for the free Digital Signage Expert Tour.

This White Paper describes the importance of network management in reducing costs, increasing value in digital signage systems. The reliability, efficiency and value of any digital signage network is significantly enhanced by the selection of a robust, fully-featured network management system. Such a system allows the optimization of operations by providing remote monitoring, control and maintenance of all elements – such as devices and media streams – within the network.

Remote monitoring gives improved visibility of system operations, allowing on-site support to be streamlined while gathering the performance statistics that are the basis of network optimization. Advanced remote control capabilities enable this optimization as well as allowing early intervention to resolve operational issues.

With over a decade of experience in developing remote management solutions for the IT industry, and being a pioneer in the Digital Signage industry, Minicom Digital Signage has gathered extensive knowledge and competences in this area, and is recognized as one of today’s leader in the application of these solutions to the DS industry.

The white paper can be downloaded here: www.minicomdigitalsignage.com/requestdsnetworkmanagement.cfm

Fun video about the wall that was made out of synchronized iPods, just got the link from our digital signage marketing agent. The synchronization, as shown, is either fixed (all 20 iPods are running the same content at the same time, simultaneously), or start with it in the regular, short intervals, one after the other. Anyway, pictures always say much more than words – so, take a look at the video.

Digital signage content over IP set top box – the solution that TriplePlay provides. See below some pictures of their installations.

But what all agree is that the prices of panels are going to continue to rise in Q3, thanks to the tight supply.

This time my attention draw company called Nevron from Slovenia. They are specialized in research and development of IPTV solutions.

As stated on their site, Nevron has been awarded for R&D iDotik project (the site is in Slovenian). The project was about developing “an artificial intelligence based prototype system of interactive information and communication in public places.”.

Among other things, they claim that the digital signage is one of the most effective marketing tools, because:

• over 60% of purchasing decisions are made directly on POS
• 90% of advertising efforts are made outside POS
• market analysis show that emotionally driven, digital contest on POS really DO influence purchasing decision, boost the brand management and elevate the sales volume in a striking manner.

OK, nothing written above is new, but it is nice to see it over and over again, used by companies like this one.

DS OpticVision is a long range optical fiber extender delivering high resolution video images and stereo-audio from player to plasma/LCD screens up to 30 kilometres (19 miles) away.

The system comes fully plug-and-play and can be used either as a standalone extender, as a standalone distribution system, or in combination with Minicom’s CATx-based distribution systems.

DS OpticVision’s main highlights:

• 30km/19 miles range
• Supports WXGA (1366x 768)
• Supports HDTV resolutions up to 1080i
• Stereo-audio
  
• 1 optical fiber single/multi-mode cable
  
• Easy set up
  
• No color pixel skewing
• 3 year warranty
• Use with Minicom’s AVDS & DS Vision 3000 for optimal point to multi-point distribution

The system is based on the latest optical fiber technologies giving network-independent multimedia transmission without the worry of downtime. It’s immunity to electrical interference also lets you install the system in any application environment.

As soon as we have the first installation ready, we will be sure to cover it.

Thought this article was interesting as it highlights yet another innovative way in which digital signage is being utilised.

SmartSign Media, a Sacramento based company, has erected interactive electronic billboards on highway exits next to shopping malls as well as outside the malls.

The advertising displayed on the screens changes according to the individual preferences of the customers as determined by their FM radio station selection (assuming they are listening to the radio as opposed to a CD, tape or no radio at all). This technology is called Radio Frequency Identification.

Radio stations have data as to the demographic of their listeners and the changing content is based on the profiles created from the data.

This shows how far digital signage can go and how dynamic a medium it is. To have a screen with chameleon-content, according to who is looking at the screen is indeed the stuff of fantasy.

Due to digital signage fantasy is becoming a reality.