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Digital signage taking the stage at InfoComm13

Digital signage is changing the public landscape, and its presence is growing, say InfoComm organizers.

June 10, 2013 by Christopher Hall — w, t

According to show organizers, InfoComm 2013 will introduce the latest advances in technology and solutions for digital signage, bringing together leading manufacturers and service providers with end-users at the annual event taking place this week at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Digital signage is one of the most rapidly expanding fields in the audiovisual industry, with applications in retail, corporate, hospitality, institutional markets and more, according to the InfoComm website.

"Digital signage has changed the public landscape, and its presence is growing," InfoComm Executive Director and CEO David Labuskes said on the site. "InfoComm 2013 exhibitors, systems integrators, software engineers and design consultants will share best practices, along with the latest content creation techniques and hardware delivery solutions, to engage audiences and communicate effectively."

The show's Digital Signage Pavilion will bring attendees together to see innovative products from manufacturers, best practices presentations and training. The Digital Signage Presentation Stage, located within the pavilion, will feature case studies and strategic advice throughout the show. The Digital Signage Content Creation Zone will provide attendees the opportunity to get up close and personal with top content providers through demonstrations, as well as training.

This year's show also will offer a Digital Signage Training Sampler by InfoComm University, with four new courses to address the opportunities and challenges of visual messaging and digital signage, including Digital Signage in Universities and Technology Trends in Digital Signage.

Before the show floor opens, DisplaySearch will be hosting the Flat Panel Display Conference at InfoComm. Held on Tuesday, June 11, this day-long conference will focus on display-based solutions for vertical professional markets. The agenda will include supply chain trends, case studies, and the effect of mobile products.

Here is a partial roundup of some of the digital signage technologies and solutions set to be on display at this week's show (with more to come throughout the week):

Almo Professional A/V and Barco are set to demonstrate Barco's ClickShare solution during the show.

Audiovisual distributor Almo Professional A/V and Barco, Inc., a global provider of visualization and collaboration solutions, jointly announced a new distribution agreement by which Barco's complete ClickShare wireless presentation system is now available through Almo.

The ClickShare system is being demonstrated in both company's booths at the show. ClickShare is basically a wireless content sharing "system" that allows users to send everything that's on a laptop screen, iPad or iPhone to a large screen (any brand) — all wirelessly through a network.

"The ClickShare system is an important addition to our corporate offering as it completes a conference room installation with a simple tool that not only enhances collaboration but also dramatically improves meeting dynamics," said Sam Taylor, executive vice president and COO for Almo Professional A/V.

Almo also will be showing off LG Electronics' new 4K ultra-high definition 84-inch display; Samsung's MagicInfo video wall software; interactive digital signage displays from Elo Touch Solutions; the AMX Enova DVX all-in-one presentation switcher; and ZeeVee HD modulators that allow end-users to take advantage of pre-existing coaxial cable in order to distribute HD video throughout a venue to an unlimited number of screens.

Digital connectivity solutions provider Atlona will be showcasing its latest HDBaseT product lines for commercial AV installations at InfoComm 2013 in BTX Technologies' booth 3759. On display will be the company's new matrix switchers, distribution amplifiers and extenders, which simplify the transition from analog to digital sources in schools and corporate environments, the company said.

Atlona products in BTX's booth include the PRO3HD44M HDMI input matrix switcher, which uses HDBaseT technology to extend HDMI outputs up to 230 feet (70 meters). By using Power-over-Category cable, compatible remote receivers no longer require a separate power supply, further simplifying installations. The unit offers full control of connected devices via serial RS-232 or IR remote control without any additional cables. The switchers can also be controlled via TCP/IP, RS-232, and front panel displays. S/PDIF outputs allow audio distribution to zone amplifiers and a USB port is included to simplify firmware updates from the field.

Also on display will be the Atlona AT-HDCAT-8ED distribution amplifier featuring two auto-switched HDMI inputs and an HDMI output for cascading or local monitoring.

Display provider LG Electronics USA said it will be showcasing the breadth of its commercial display solutions at this year's InfoComm. LG will be unveiling its new EzSign TV out-of-the-box digital signage system that includes live TV, and its next-generation Network Monitor for flexible PC-over-IP zero client virtual computing for educational, health care and corporate applications.

"LG's broad technology portfolio is designed to create an interactive and engaging experience that provides real business value through improved customer interactions," said Y.K. Cho, senior vice president, Commercial Displays, LG Electronics USA. "With our 3D, touch and turnkey solutions, LG has created a robust product line that is as intuitive and user-friendly as it is effective."

LG said it is featuring its latest technologies representing a variety of product categories, including LG CINEMA 3D displays, LED HD monitors, large-screen LCD HD monitors, stretch-screen HD monitors, interactive touchscreen displays, LCD HDTVs, IPS and LED desktop monitors, video conferencing systems, multipurpose HD projectors, dynamic media players, network attached storage, optical disk drives and digital signage solutions.

Matrox Graphics Inc. recently announced that the Matrox Mura MPX Series of output/input video wall controller boards will be used by Advantech, Exxact, Mitsubishi, VuWall Technology and Matrox to drive a variety of video wall configurations at InfoComm 2013.

In addition, Mauell Brasil and Matrox will be using Matrox Maevex 1080p60 video-over-IP encoders and decoders to deliver content over a standard network to their video walls.

Video walls will also be a topic covered by Samuel Recine, Matrox Graphics' director of sales for America and Asia Pacific, during his InfoComm Manufacturer's Training session on Wednesday, June 12.

Interactive display systems provider MultiTouch Ltd. will showcase its MultiTaction Cells and turnkey interactive systems. The company will provide live demonstrations of its MultiTaction Cell 55-inch with ultrathin bezel, all-in-one MultiTaction Cell 42-inch with Enriched Reality technology, new MultiTaction Presentation Templates and MultiTaction Site Manager for remote interactive display management.

The company said it will highlight the exhibit of "the world's first and only stackable MultiTaction Cell 55-inch with ultrathin bezel," which provides a seamless interactive multitouch and multi-user experience with a 1080p HD resolution per screen and stacking capabilities for large-scale installations. MultiTouch's live demonstrations of its all-in-one MultiTaction Cell 42-inch will feature real-life object recognition and 2D barcode detection through its patented Enriched Reality technology — each providing a different way to launch content on MultiTouch displays. Live demonstrations will also include native SUR40 applications that can be run on MultiTaction displays.

In addition to its interactive displays, MultiTouch will also demonstrate MultiTaction Presentation Templates, a new, customizable turnkey interactive solution. MultiTouch has developed MultiTaction Presentation Templates to easily create unique applications for various types of content involving videos, images and e-books. With the built-in support of Enriched Reality and MultiTaction Codice, the product is a complete interactive system with real-life object detection and user identification for all AV projects, the company said.

NEC Display Solutions will be showcasing its fourth-generation E-Series of large-screen displays, as well as its V801 commercial-grade LCD monitor, an 80-inch large-screen display that is LED Edge-lit, with a slim cabinet depth, lightweight design and an OPS-compliant expansion slot.

NEC recently announced the launch of both products. The E-Series, 42-inch E424, 46-inch E464, 55-inch E554 and 65-inch E654 displays, adds breadth and sleek design to the NEC portfolio of large-screen displays and digital signage, the company said.

E Series displays are intended to be ideal for educational institutions, corporations, quick-service restaurants, health care facilities and fitness centers.

"The E Series displays offer organizations across a broad swath of industries a great way to deploy digital signage designed to exceed strategic business goals," said Rachel Karnani, product manager of large-screen displays at NEC Display Solutions. "At the same time, these displays reduce the environmental impact of any deployments through the elimination of hazardous materials."

The V801 was designed to be easy to install and to be ideal for applications that require larger screen sizes, the company said. With a full-HD panel, integrated temperature sensors and fans, the V801 can handle extended use in locations such as education, retail, restaurants, training facilities and corporate boardrooms.

The V801 also features built-in, 10-watt speakers and an Open Pluggable Specification-compliant expansion slot. This future-proofs the display and allows for the seamless integration of a computer or other NEC/third-party accessories.

Premier Mounts is set to showcase its Value Assortment range of display mounts, projector mounts and accessories during InfoComm, the company said.

Tested to UL standards, as well as up to four times the weight capacity, Premier Mounts' products ensure a safe installation, backed by a lifetime warranty, according to the company.

SAPPHIRE Technology Ltd. has announced it will showcase its "ecosystem" of hardware and software for digital signage at InfoComm13.

Hong Kong-based SAPPHIRE, a manufacturer and global supplier of professional IT and AV products, said it will be showcasing the ease of use and interoperability of its unique range of IT hardware, software and AV signal distribution products for digital signage, including player PCs, HDMI over CATx and Fiber extenders, advanced splitters, and video wall player components at this year's show.

"We look forward to unveiling several new additions to our product line at the show, including a SAPPHIRE EDGE player PC in a metal enclosure, SAPPHIRE PowerScale nine-output video wall processor, 8-by-8 matrix switcher over CATx and HDMI-over-Fiber extender—rounding out our portfolio of solutions for digital signage," said Adrian Thompson, VP of marketing for SAPPHIRE Technology Ltd. "SAPPHIRE products are designed to work well together, making it easy for integration partners to select solutions for their digital signage deployments — single-screen to eye-catching video wall — all from a single source."

SAPPHIRE also announced that it will showcase its EDGE VS8 player PC running the latest digital signage software from partner Scala at the show.

Digital signage software provider Visix Inc. will exhibit a wide variety of integrated digital signage solutions at this year's show.

"This year, we're highlighting the effectiveness of the technology instead of just the components," Visix President Sean Matthews said. "By focusing on the desired result of using digital signage, instead of just the feature set, we've been able to grow and improve our offering exponentially. You'll see more interactivity, more integration and a real focus on motivating the audience to take action. It's not just wayfinding anymore ... It's integration for self-service."

Visix said it will showcase a wide variety of award-winning interactive designs from their Creative Services team, including custom theme designs, menu boards, interactive wayfinding, XML-driven directories and social media boards.

The company also will will demonstrate its enterprise product, AxisTV digital signage software version 8.2, with new animated layout backgrounds and support for hot spots and full-screen kiosks; the latest version of its Announce digital signage content management application; and its APPOINT and APPOINTwmv desktop applications that allow users to schedule their PowerPoint presentations to digital signs. APPOINTwmv also renders any PowerPoint presentation as a video, so clients can schedule it to any content management system.

Visix said it has combined its interactive designs with its scheduling products to launch the new RoomBoard - a touchscreen wayfinding solution that shows room availability, allows scheduling at the screen and integrates with MeetingMinder conference room signs.

"This is the natural next step in our offering," said Trey Hicks, chief sales officer for Visix. "By combining digital signage, interactive wayfinding, full-screen kiosk support and room signs, this product gives customers a robust self-service room management solution."

That's just a taste of what's going to be on display this week; we'll be posting more as the week goes by and live from the show in Orlando. Stay tuned.

Learn more about digital signage hardware and software.

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