Digital signage options continue to diversify; CES saw more transparent options. Here’s a look at some new and established options.
At ISE, the new Christie Core Series III debuted. Available in five-pixel pitches from 0.9mm to 2.5mm, it’s 40% more energy efficient, and 30% lighter than its predecessor, Core Series II. It’s designed to make an impact in venues including retail, hospitality, public spaces, or any size installation where price is a factor, and a 24/7 800 nit display is needed. With its lighter weight design, the Core Series III is easier to handle and install with an ADA-compliant direct-mount system. Panels have on-bard power and are front-serviceable. With the redundant on-board power and front-serviceability, these LED video walls are easy to maintain and designed to integrate with the Christie range of products.
The Absen AW1.9 fine pitch ultra-thin LED display is a new addition to Absen’s DOOH portfolio. Absen partnered with DOOH Click complete management platform to support both the AW1.9 and AW2.5 versions of this range of Outdoor LED solutions. Offering ultrabright performance in a rugged design to suit the most challenging weather conditions, the display features an aluminum panel for fast conduction heat dissipation, and a fin design increases the surface area for rapid convection heat dissipation. Maintenance can be performed through the front of the module and rear of the power supply box. The display can be adjusted to a right angle splicing according to the building structure for 90° corners.
The Android-based AOPEN eTILE-X 10 takes advantage of PoE and supports Wi-Fi, offering consistent, LAN-based connectivity. With VESA mounting points, a Kensington Lock, and a port cover to tuck away cables for a clean look, the device can be fastened securely and strategically placed for multiple applications including kiosks. It is certified for Meeting4Display allowing users to use the complete set of administration and management tools available within the supporting Telelogos software. With Meeting4Display, users can book a workspace directly from the 10” e-Tile touch display, from their messaging system or their smartphone, as well as having complete control of the hardware and any other software elements installed on the device (silent software updates, remote management, hardware and software monitoring).
The Black Box iCOMPEL interactive digital signage platform with system-on-chip technology empowers users to build eyecatching signage, stream content from websites and visualize timetables, events and wayfinding or emergency messages. Users can easily play, upload, and share images, presentations, videos, and audio media files on any HDMI screen. The platform supports 4K UHD/HD and simplifies creation and playout of HTML5-based content. To facilitate updates and system management, iCOMPEL allows for remote device management and configuration and provides onscreen diagnostics and error alerts.
In January, the new Bluefin Flex-OS series debuted. The finished thin-bezel housing is available in a range of touch and non-touch sizes from 27” to 55”, as well as ultrawide options from 20.9” to 49.1”. A choice of integrated System on Chip (Android, BrightSign, or Linux) provides processing. An HDMI override provides flexibility to use a variety of external devices. Bluefin stocks the core Flex-OS displays and offers light assembly in Georgia. The Flex-OS series can come pre-loaded with BrightSign.
The all-in-one configurable Chief Tempo Wall Mount System is designed to improve efficiency by streamlining installation workflow, especially for mass rollouts, with thoughtful sequenced packaging to speed up prefabrication, and a single SKU to cover all components. It’s rigorously tested to perform on any wall, including steel stud walls, and features a storage service compartment that holds up to six small devices behind the display on integrated Lever Lock storage panels.
In November, Exertis Almo announced a partnership with display and electronics manufacturer Hisense for distribution of commercial displays. The partnership makes Hisense digital signage displays (32-inches to 100-inches), touchscreens, and direct-view LED all-in-one displays available solely through Exertis Almo. Hisense has also been added to the Spring 2024 Exertis Almo E4 Experience, with stops in Washington, D.C. in March and Chicago in April. A new Hisense 100-inch 4K flagship debuted in August. The Hisense BM66D is designed for bright, high-demand environments, such as public transport, highvolume retail, and corporate welcome and meeting spaces with 500 nits of brightness, a 120Hz refresh, and 50,000- hour rating. The IO includes RS232, two HDMI 2.0 in/one out, two USB 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2a, a LAN port, and Wi-Fi 5. An Android-based minicomputer with 2GB RAM and 16GB onboard storage supports Hisense’s cloud-based content management system VisionInfo.
At InfoComm 2023, LG and Broadsign unveiled a unique digital signage display with an integrated OOH advertising platform for EV chargers. This integrated solution, a combination of dual-sided 55-inch high-brightness LG digital displays and Broadsign’s out-of-home (OOH) advertising platform, is designed to enhance profitability for EV charging installations at venues such as hotels, stadiums, and shopping malls. The Broadsign platform grants media sellers access to a network of over 35 integrated advertising buying platforms, including The TradeDesk, Google DV360, and Yahoo. The new LG display solution has been utilized in ChargeCast and ChargEview chargers, resulting from collaborations with North American kiosk enclosure manufacturers LSI and Melitron, and charge point operators EV Range and SWTCH.
The MAXHUB CMA series is a range of 4K UHD displays that are ideal for both meeting rooms and digital signage applications, developed to provide optimal viewing comfort even in difficult lighting conditions. Available sizes range from 43-98 inches. Thanks to their conformal coating, which prevents the penetration of dust, moisture, and salt, the devices can withstand adverse conditions over their service life of up to 50,000 hours. The 98-inch model is designed for 24/7 operation, making it ideal for digital signage applications. Dual Wi-Fi capability enables simultaneous Wi-Fi 6 and hotspot connectivity. These features allow the displays to act as virtual routers and wireless access points for mobile devices. Also included is MAXHUB Share, a secure wireless solution for sharing displays. For wired content sharing, the series features a USB-C interface, which can also be used to quickly charge devices at 65W. For device management, the MAXHUB Pivot software offers the ability to manage firmware updates centrally and allows content to be played out on the displays across a company or campus.
For signage over IP, the MuxLab HDMI over IP Receiver with Signage Player is a versatile device that combines an HDMI over IP Receiver and a MuxLab DigiSign signage player. With support for H.264/H.265 video signals at resolutions up to 4K/60 (4:4:4), this device is managed by the DigiSign CMS Software running on a PC. The comprehensive CMS supports various media formats, including video, audio, and images, along with features such as HTML5, RSS feeds, and widgets. The DigiSign CMS facilitates the efficient creation and scheduling of digital signage content, the Player can operate autonomously, storing and executing schedules without external intervention.
Last year Neoti began to offer its flagship ultra-high definition Neoti UHD89 LED Display Series in smaller and more versatile panel sizes with new half-width and half-height sizes. UHD89’s unique cabinet size and consolidated pixel pitches allow for more flexibility in sizing while simplifying design choices and installation and can be used indoors and outdoors. In addition to the standard 480×540, the half sizes are available in 240×540 and 480×270. The new half-size UHD89 panels allow for more creativity with design as well as more accurate retrofits when replacing or upgrading panels and entire walls. The finished product features minor seams giving a smoother appearance at the highest resolution.
Peerless-AV’s latest Smart City Kiosks include the single-sided Peerless-AV KOP55XHB and the dual-sided KOP55XHB2 models. The company said upgrades to the line incorporate user feedback for installation simplifications like power and data cabling. Both models leverage the Peerless-AV 55-inch Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Display (XHB554), which offers HD1080P resolution and IP66-rated weatherproofing. An outdoor-rated IR Touch overlay can be used with the kiosks to support ten points of simultaneous touch including from a gloved finger, stylus or other device. It is powered by a 10-foot USB 5V DC adaptor cable, works with multiple operating systems and is HID compliant, so it requires no custom driver software.
The Planar Luminate Ultra Series line of outdoor LED video wall displays is designed to bring to outdoor environments the same level of image detail historically reserved for indoor spaces. The solution features coated LEDs to deliver ruggedness and exceptional image detail for high-ambient light environments. Featuring models in 1.2-, 1.5- and 1.9-millimeter pixel pitches and up to 3,500-nit brightness, the series supports comfortable viewing from as close as seven feet and ensures visibility even in direct sunlight for an array of applications. Featuring an IP65 Ingress Protection Rating, the displays incorporate protective treatments designed to withstand weather conditions, dust, and water
At ISE 2024, the PPDS 32” 16:9 Philips Tableaux ePaper full color display running on the latest E Ink Spectra 6 platform debuted. This larger evolution of last year’s groundbreaking 25” ePaper signage range incorporates PPDS’ slim bezel technology, as well as its Android SoC platform, making it Wave- and partner software-ready for remote management. Designed to be the most energy-efficient digital signage offering, it is able to provide 24/7 content while unplugged and power-free. For fixed installations, and in environments where regular image changes are required, PoE ensures both power and connectivity for remote management. With 16GB of internal memory and 2GB RAM, content can be updated via USB, micro-USB, Micro SD, LAN, and WiFi 5.
The Samsung QxC Series Crystal UHD Signage Series (QHC, QMC, QBC) offer an intuitive new user interface, 4K UHD resolution, and run on Tizen 7.0 for optimized performance of web services. SmartView+ wirelessly connects the displays to up to six devices at once, while anti-glare panels minimize light reflection. All QxC models have an Eco Sensor that can detect the brightness of the surrounding environment and optimize the brightness of the display accordingly. Its thin design and slim-fit wall mount allow businesses to maximize their space and limit distractions from protruding signage. The bezels on the QxC series are consistent and even on all four sides of the display for a symmetrical design. The VESA mounting holes are in the center of the displays to ensure secure mounting, with even screens in any installation environment. The series is 28.5mm thick, 40% slimmer than the previous model.
Sharp/NEC and Sharp Imaging have completed their M Series lineup with their NEC MultiSync M861 and M981 professional digital signage displays. The latest high-end additions to the large-format display series, the M861 and M981 displays are slimmer and lighter than their predecessors; they have an 86” and 98” diagonal screen, respectively, with 500 cd/m2 anti-glare panels, allowing for sufficient backlight intensity for commercial applications. Features include video/control Daisy Chain, Multi Stream Transport capabilities, SpectraView Engine color control, Quick Start, Multi-Picture Mode, and full input detect capabilities for ease of use. The digital signage displays contain advanced connectivity including the ability to add HDBaseT, SDVoE, ATSC/NTSC Tuner or full PC options through SDM-S/L. Customers also have the ability to add Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. Speaker quality is enhanced compared to previous generations.
Snap One Carbon Series mounts support overhead digital signage installations of displays up to 100 inches diagonal and up to 500 pounds in weight. For ceiling-mount installation, Partners can purchase steel I-beam mounts, wood joist mounts and numerous ceiling plates, including an anti-vibration model. They can also opt for a 60-inch fixed drop pole, various lengths of adjustable drop poles, mounting boxes with cable management systems, and mounting struts and arms for displays up to 100 inches. The drop poles and ceiling plates are available in black as well as white finishes to suit a variety of projects. Wall-mount installation is also possible using the Carbon Series Menu Board Wall Bracket. Additionally, pre-configured units are available as well for quicker shopping and introduction to the product line.
In November, the Sony EZ20L series of BRAVIA professional displays launched, rounding out the broad portfolio with an entry-level offering. Sizes range from 43 to 85 inches, with 350 nits for 16/7 operation. RS-232C and standard IP control are supported, and simplified pro settings are baked in. Sony says they share the robust usability, installation flexibility, picture quality, and sustainability common to all of Sony’s professional BRAVIA display products.
