How to Set Up Digital Signage

Digital signage is the new billboard

Digital signage allows you to display customized messages to large-screen video monitors placed at strategic locations throughout a building. Messages used with a digital signage system can be stationary graphics or animated elements that combine video and audio. These messages are designed to achieve specific communication objectives to visitors, customers or employees. A digital signage system can be as simple as one computer feeding multiple monitors the same display or they can employ specialized software designed to provide messages unique to each display location.

Things You'll Need

• Video display monitors (HDTVs or video displays designed for outdoor use)
• Digital signage presentation software

Instructions

1. Select locations best suited for the display monitors or "kiosks." Choose high-traffic areas such as lobbies, cafeterias, main hallways or any public area. Exterior locations should consider best visibility from the main street leading to the building or main entrance of the building.

2. Choose monitors large enough to be easily viewed. Interior kiosks implement high definition flat-panel LCDs with at least a 42-inch diagonal screen size. Use wall mount hardware to position the LCD panels for best viewing in the chosen location.

3. Connect the monitors to the host computer. Digital signage systems requiring unique displays for each location will need a dedicated computer for each kiosk. The kiosk computer is controlled by a central computer running the digital signage software over a computer network. Systems that display the same message in all locations connect directly to the central computer using a video distribution amplifier.

4. Choose the digital signage control software. Systems that display the same message at all locations can use standard presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Apple iWork Keynote. Use specialized digital signage software such as Navori or Scala for presentations that require customization at each kiosk.

5. Install the digital signage software and create the presentation. Individual images, or "slides," should be designed much like billboards, with short easy-to-read messages that can be quickly understood. Video clips must likewise be short and keep in mind the message has only a few seconds to attract viewer's attention as they pass by.

Tips & Warnings

• The average slide rotates every 8 seconds, so plan messages accordingly.

• To distribute video from a single computer to multiple kiosks, use a VGA, HDMI or DVI video distribution amplifier (DA) by connecting the video output from the main computer to the input of the DA. Connect the DA to the individual kiosks using extension cables.

• A common technique to preserve video quality for long distances (over 100 feet) is to use a type of converter known as a "balun" that converts the video signal to data sent over ordinary CAT-5 computer network cables.

• Exterior digital signage placement may be subject to zoning ordinances or restrictions. Consult the commercial zoning office in your city to learn what restrictions exist for outside signage placement.

References

• Digital Signage

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish