Digital Signage Systems

[mattpant]

Did anybody put together any Digital Signage systems in their schools over the summer holidays?

If so, I would be intressted to hear how you all got on, what software and hardware was used, and if possible a breif summary of the type of infomation you are displaying on your screens.

Also if anybody has got any screenshots of the templates/layouts that they are using and willing to share them with us I would be grateful to see what designs people have come up with!

I'm using basic PowerPoint with a few plugins from www.presentationpoint.com, inc BBC RSS Feeds, some RJ45 to VGA Extenders from Maplins and an Old Laptop to run the OS/PowerPoint. It works really well and was fairly cheap to implement.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Regards,

Matt

[Ric_]

Currently looking into this. One system that looks like it will fit the bill is the MediaCat from Navaho ( http://www.navaho.tv/ ). I will update when I know more.

[indie]

We use a thing called a Net Top Box by OneLAN Limited, basically a linux box with a web interface to configure it.

You create a template with "zones" and you apply media to those zones, all i've done in made some web pages with some nifty php to pull booking information out of our MRBS database.

It can display RSS feeds, Flash, video in most formats, images, html etc.

It costs around £1200, a little on the expensive side but that includes the hardware (which also has a digital tuner card so you can add say BBC News 24 to a zone) and software.

[mark]

We put together 2 sets, one in reception and one in tha canteen/ foyer [they are too far apart to physically combine]. Both are old P4 2.4 based/ XP Pro/ Office 2K/ Powerpoint/ Showpoint [lets you edit the playing file which then updates seamlessly]. One on a 42" plasma and one on a 32" TFT [plus 17" TFT slave in a waiting room] - both high def. The best res so far is 1024x768 to get the animations smooth.

Content is pretty dull so far, the noob bursar is in charge of the presentation. We've added the BBC news ticker [sports news only - paranioa].

Currently looking for inspiration.

[mattpant]

Sounds very good all.

Does anybody have any screenshots of designs that they use that they could put up.

Also, what type of infomation/contend do you display? Is the infomation for Student use or for visitors around reception area?

Regards,

Matt

[ranj]

I am interested in getting a digital signage package, i saw one at bett 2007 from a company called cameron communications. i was sold when i saw it but its like £2.5 k. it would be a dream to have, its so simple to use.

[mattpant]

Hi Ranj,

I also saw that stand at BETT, the Scottish chap, Raphael gave to a demo of it, looked nice and simple to use, but the screen layout (like the clock and the ticker tape) I thought looked a bit tacky!

I failed to see any other stands offering similar solutions thought.

Matt

[Andrew_C]

Just by chance seen this Roku Brightsign. Anyone got any views / does this help the OP?

[john]

I have not seen the Roku thing before, but if its anything like there other Roku products it will be very good and very reliable.

[Ric_]

Was meant to update on this... after much searching I came across a few systems (TrueColours, MediaCat, SchoolVoice, etc.) and received quotes for a few. We have settled on MediaCat via EuroLaser (speak to Mandy).

If anyone wants a comparison write-up, let me know and I will knock something up once I have fully awoken.

[alan-d]

Was meant to update on this... after much searching I came across a few systems (TrueColours, MediaCat, SchoolVoice, etc.) and received quotes for a few. We have settled on MediaCat via EuroLaser (speak to Mandy).

If anyone wants a comparison write-up, let me know and I will knock something up once I have fully awoken.

Yes please Ric - I'm looking into this very subject for the summer break

[Ric_]

Was meant to update on this... after much searching I came across a few systems (TrueColours, MediaCat, SchoolVoice, etc.) and received quotes for a few. We have settled on MediaCat via EuroLaser (speak to Mandy).

If anyone wants a comparison write-up, let me know and I will knock something up once I have fully awoken.

Yes please Ric - I'm looking into this very subject for the summer break

I was hoping that nobody would find this over generous offer... pester me in a couple of days if nothing is here

[john]

I also like the idea of this write up Ric, so when you wake up, not that us poor IT people are allowed to sleep (Had a call this morning at 6am, the internets down can you come in and fix it bloomin teachers with nothing better to do at that time - the answer that I wanted to give ended in off and the first word is not printable here! but the answer I gave was yeah, its scheduled ISP maintanance until Monday at 9am )

[eduabncs]

Just got the following link from a Cisco Marketing email. It's a digital sinage solution.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns...s_package.html

Knowing Cisco it won't be cheap though.

[Ric_]

@eduabncs: Had that too.

Will post my eval soon... just need to remove the school name, etc.