Scheduling digitial signage TVs to turn on and off

[Tricky]

Hello,

 

We have a number of regular TV's that are used for digital signage around the school, and would like to somehow schedule them to turn on and off. I know there are more elaborate solutions such as Crestron IR emitters but the kit they connect to is rather OTT to setup around the school for individual TV's. Are there any cheaper solutions people have found?

 

 

Thanks

[beany1]

We use these:

 

Time Guard 24hour 7 Day Digital Plug In Timer: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

Can set the time to go on and off and days that it does it so you can leave the weekend. Works with our LG tv's, been using them for over a year now and no problems, even an override switch to override over the holls. Just have to remember to adjust for daylight savings.

[pslater]

I know its a bit low-fi but... Plug-in 7 day digital timer: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics ??

[plexer]

Lol post clash

 

Our signage screens have built in on/off timers.

 

Ben

[Tricky]

I'm liking the lo-fi option, but some of the TV's power on into standby. I know the LG will power on into the state it was in when it powered off, so will work most of the time.

[januttall]

what and how are these connected to a display source? if theirs a PC involved use a serial or a parallel port to throw a relay killing the power to the screen. the same could be done for start up throw the relay when the machine boots, screen comes on.

[Tricky]

what and how are these connected to a display source? if theirs a PC involved use a serial or a parallel port to throw a relay killing the power to the screen. the same could be done for start up throw the relay when the machine boots, screen comes on.

 

They are just regular lcd/plasma TV's connected via VGA cable, so doubt they have serial connections on the back, will double check. I did wonder if I could connect an IR emitter to the PC, but don't know what software could make this possible.

Edited September 21, 2012 by Tricky

[cromertech]

Our tvs have a 'no signal' standby mode that activates after the pc's go into standby. I've set scheduled tasks on the pc's to sleep and wake up at the relevant times and the tvs go to sleep when they get the screen blank signal from the standby operation. This works quite effectively and I also send a black screen to the signage for the odd occasion where this method fails.

 

Our tvs are Samsung but I'm not sure of the exact model.

[Tricky]

what and how are these connected to a display source? if theirs a PC involved use a serial or a parallel port to throw a relay killing the power to the screen. the same could be done for start up throw the relay when the machine boots, screen comes on.

 

I just checked a couple of the TVs and they do have a serial port so this might be possible - are you aware of any software to control the TV over serial?