vary for standard television signals (3 to 5 times) and high-definition television (2
to 4 times).
Some digital media systems can provide video media to displays for signage
as well as for viewing via a personal computer. Touchscreens can also be used
with systems if interaction by the viewer is desired, allowing the viewer to step
through menus or select programming.
Media Processor and Controller
The media processors and controllers receive content from the main headend
system, locally store the content, and then feed content to the display as
directed. The controllers are networked via a local area network or the Inter-
net to the headend servers and management workstation. The processor and
controllers are managed by the networked, attached administration worksta-
tion but also may have options for local management of the controller.
Controllers will usually be provided with multiple graphic formats and screen
resolution capabilities as to be compatible with a wide variety of displays. Some
controllers have an option for wireless connectivity to the network.
Depending on the configuration, some systems may feed the displays
directly from the headend and utilize a decoder at the display location to con-
vert the digital video into the graphic format needed by the display.
Management Workstation
This is a PC connected to the network and loaded with the appropriate system
software. The software allows the system administrator to create the content,
schedule content distribution, configure which media processors and control-
lers or displays get what content, monitor the system and generate manage-
ment reports on the systems.
Media Players and Servers
Excluding the live feeds for system display, the media server stores the content
for the digital signage system in a digital format. This may include digital or
MPEG video, content downloaded from the Internet, content created with
PowerPoint or QuickTime, text, still images and so on. For a very small
deployment a media player can drive one display and be updated via CD-
ROM or USB flash drive. Larger systems with network connectivity allow dig-
ital signage network operators to either push content to many players at once
or have each player pull content from a server as needed.
Content
Procuring and installing the digital signage equipment is the easy part. The
harder part is continuously creating the content for the audience and purposes
Video, IPTV, and Digital Signage Systems 99