PLASMA DISPLAYS

The school just bought a new Plasma screen and want displays & info to run on it.

 

As per usual what info or displays hasn't been decided.

 

What do you guys run on such a beast?

 

Can you take info from Sims (ie calendar, room changes etc) if so how?

 

Whats the best way of connecting a database updated by departments so they can put ther own information on?

 

For info: We run Server 2003 & XP

 

This is a new one on me so any help would be appreciated

we're thinking of something similar here. The nice ladies in reception are going to produce a powerpoint slide each day, and display it in the foyer for the students. It's up to individual members of staff if they need something displayed.

A friend and I did start to build a slideshow in ASP ... it sort of works and need a chunk doing to it. I can send you the source if you want.

 

Ideally I want something running through flash for the "flashy" bits (excuse the pun) but pull some text from either a database that can be updated or some flat text files.

 

Eventually I will do something ... but not right now.

*Gulp!!!* ASP?

 

Is that like HTML?

Just had a thought

 

How does the RSS thingy work?

 

Can anyone point me in the direction of a tutorial etc?

I would have thought a powerpoint or similar based system would be the simplest option, but would require constant attention for updating, otherwise i would have said some sort of custom web application would do the trick, i dont know of any "out of the box" solutions im afraid.

I would have thought a powerpoint or similar based system would be the simplest option, but would require constant attention for updating, otherwise i would have said some sort of custom web application would do the trick, i dont know of any "out of the box" solutions im afraid.

 

I've seen several ... used in hospitals, universities, london businesses ... but all flaming expensive.

I would have thought a powerpoint or similar based system would be the simplest option, but would require constant attention for updating, otherwise i would have said some sort of custom web application would do the trick, i dont know of any "out of the box" solutions im afraid.

 

I've seen several ... used in hospitals, universities, london businesses ... but all flaming expensive.

 

Doesnt suprise me one bit, its not something thats widely requested really so they take the RM stance and charge as much as (in)humanly possible knowing 90% of the market will pay it out of sheer desperationl.

We have just been told to order a 42" plasma for reception area. So i will keep my eye on this thread.

I've always found that 42" plasma displays need to be "soak tested" at home for a few months 1st ;-)

Speak to Qual (tel: 0117 373 0010) and ask about the MediaCat. This is an out-of-the-box system that lets you link multiple units and is a damn-site more stable than a Windows box (it runs embedded Linux).

 

This isn't as cheap as a PC-based system but it does have a web interface and it's usually best to buy something that's built for the job when it is likely to run 24x7x365.

I've always found that 42" plasma displays need to be "soak tested" at home for a few months 1st ;-)

 

Does the soak involve beeer?

Yep ... the Navaho kit from Broadcast Networks is good. But it was still too much for running just one screen, and there was little point looking at additional screens around the school at this time (but we will eventually)

We started off with a bunch of Powerpoints made by various members of staff - kids work, facilities, etc.. Looked a bit amateurish (I believe the point of the Plasma was to impress the many visitors and potential parents we get). I am planning to do something a bit better, also with some 'flashy bits'. For now, I have stuck BBC News 24 from the Sky Digital Box on it! Last weel we mainly had the Cricket on - you should have seen the crowds at lunch!

 

Andy.

lmao at andy - free sky - the come out in droves i'll bet lmao

 

getting them to go to reg/lessons wasw the hard part I bet (and that was just the teachers lmao)

 

Nath.

Update

 

Found an off the shelf version that looks useful

 

http://www.presentationpoint.com/ads/datapoint.htm

 

and I was pointed to this which is free but involves a lot of scripting if you want more than a basic display.

 

Sample :- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5F0C22C8-A61D-41A9-AF1D-C21255E601CB&displaylang=en

 

Article :- http://msdn.microsoft.com/office/understanding/powerpoint/codesamples/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dno2k3ta/html/officeaccess2powerpoint.asp?_r=1

 

If I find anything else I'll post it