Cloud Based Digital Signage - Low Cost or even Free

[garethEds]

Evening All,

 

One of my next projects is to improve digital signage around the school. Ideally this would be free or very low cost and cloud based with design done in a web browser before being sent out. I don't mind hdmi/wifi dongles in the back of TVs as we have full wifi coverage across the school.

 

So..... what are people using? Low cost/free/template driven (I'm no designer).

 

Cheers,

 

Gareth

[DrBeaker]

I've used Xibo in the past and want to do so again.

 

But it will be the cloud version.

 

My experience of side-loaded dongles etc wasn't postive (was done by someone else though). However my Windows-based clients worked flawlessly for months, if not years.

 

Biggest problem is getting the people responsible for making content - actually making the content and updating it. They want the system show no interest in participating in it's success by managing the content. I'm STILL trying to solve this problem to date. But alas that's a human problem not a tech problem.

[mcolbourn]

We use Chromebox's in kiosk mode showing slides using the Chrome Sign builder Extension/App.

 

But as mhaddock says the issue is who provides the content we are happy to publish it to the display as long as people provide the slides to begin with. But if we are not provided with any content it gets out of date really quickly and then looks bad.

[zedster]

Morning

 

We use Digital Signage.com FREE Digital Signage for everyone - they have a restricted, free version which you upload via a content creator application to their cloud (limited to how much you can upload on the free version) and then have clients on devices connected to the screens to display. These are available for Windows, Android, Linux. The bit i miss is a decent scheduling facility - but hey, it's free.... Its a quick win to get content onto displays for very little outlay.

[TriggerHappyUK]

We have a Raspberry Pi connected to each TV. This then connects via WiFi to the internet.

 

We then use https://www.risevision.com/ to design what is displayed.

 

The Pi is then set to connect and load up the webpage on startup.

Edited February 14, 2022 by TriggerHappyUK

[Jcx500]

Screencloud

[Agzy1998]

We use ScreenCloud. Got it on 2 Tv's now. works really well.

[slugshead]

Xibo, runs in docker like a dream

[foofighterjim]

Yodeck

[DrBeaker]

Xibo, runs in docker like a dream

 

Updated my test Xibo server to 3.0.7 today and works OK. BUT this is only for internal testing. I already have enough to look after as it is.

 

I did break it a few times before I figured everything out.

[PrimaryNetMan]

We use Chromebox's in kiosk mode showing slides using the Chrome Sign builder Extension/App.

 

But as mhaddock says the issue is who provides the content we are happy to publish it to the display as long as people provide the slides to begin with. But if we are not provided with any content it gets out of date really quickly and then looks bad.

Same here but using Chromebits. RE content you do need someone who will keep it updated, but that is the same no matter what system you use. At lease using Google Slides there is no software or process to learn. Worst case just fill it with images.

[Oaktech]

YoDeck at one site, Xibo at the other. YoDeck is more SLT friendly but costs for more than one screen.

[DGardiner]

Honestly, xibo is a pain in the backside. the editor is pants.

 

Weve started using our wordpress theme we use on our sites with the pages setup for full spread and it looks loads better and its easier to maintain. Just set the page to refresh every now and then and kiosk a pc/device to the pc

[Danp]

I run a single instance of Yodeck at the moment. My next screen is being fitted this week, I'll have a Chromebase connected to that in kiosk mode and use Google Slides for that.

[jthompson]

We're using Google Slides. Displays driven by Raspberry Pi's running Raspbian. In Slides, "File > Publish to the Web" gives you a URL that you can point your signage device at.

 

EDIT: the display endpoints aren't cloud-managed in this example. Not sure if the OP is needing that.

Edited February 21, 2022 by jthompson

[enjay]

+1 for Screen Cloud with Amazon Fire Sticks in each screen (just don't use the Amazon-branded mains adapter, so students don't realise there's a Fire Stick in the back of the screen!). Price is about £125/screen/year off the top of my head.

 

Interface seems good although I don't actually use it myself. Very scalable, as you can create "playlists" so the same element can be used on multiple screens without repeated configuration. Very quick to add new screens too - plug in the Fire Stick, install the Screen Cloud app, enter a code to register it to your account, then walk away and leave marketing team to it.

Edited February 24, 2022 by enjay

[garethEds]

Following on from my original post - has anyone put together a proposal to present to their Senior Management Team and willing to share?

 

Thanks

 

Gareth