subject: Digital Poster Frames: Choosing a Media Player [print this page] Digital poster frames are typically wall-mounted TV screens seen in banks, bars, restaurants, retail stores, and hotels for the displaying of digital signage. What exactly is digital signage? In simple terms, digital signage is an electronic display used for showing advertisements, information, or other messages. An obvious benefit of this kind of display is its moving content. Digital poster frames look just like normal TVs and once the screen comes alive, it's enough to command our attention. In addition, digital poster frames allow for quick changes and updates on the fly, something static printed media can't do. The engines that drive digital signage are called media players and they offer many different options from simple to complex. Read on to learn about three types of players and what they have to offer.
The easiest way to get started in digital signage is with a Plug & Play media player. These players act as the middle man between your computer and your TV screen without requiring an Internet connection. By downloading images or video clips onto a USB flash drive from a computer, all you have to do is plug the USB drive into the media player to instantly view the content. A handy remote control aids in selecting which content you would like to see and the selection screen looks very much like the menu screen on any DVD. These one-step digital poster frames are a good choice for those just starting their foray into digital signage, or for those who only require a rudimentary digital signage system without complex features or options.
A step up in media player capabilities allows you to display live updating content in the form of current news headlines, weather, and stocks. This type of digital poster frame requires an Internet connection with the media player. Once connected, you can visit websites which offer Live "Sign Channels". These come in the form of slides (or images) that you can select and add to your media player, even controlling how often they play. You still have the ability to upload your own slideshows or video clips, but now you have the power to add national news & sports headlines, stock tickers, and other entertaining content that updates itself on an hourly basis. These digital poster frames are usually seen in public areas like airports, hotels, business lobbies, trade conventions, waiting rooms, and service centers.
Another option available to digital poster frames is Live TV. Providing the most features and flexibility, these media players can display Custom Digital Signage alongside the football game, all at the same time. Usually applied in bars and restaurants, these digital poster frames let you create your own design templates that wrap around the Live TV window. Scrolling tickers can be added to the bottom of the screen with food & drink specials placed on the right side of the screen, always displayed, always seen by your clientele. Establishments can play the big game for their customers while marketing their offerings at the same time. These types of media players can be hard wired to the Internet or used wirelessly, in addition to all the options they can provide for a business owner looking to design their own digital signage.
Digital signage is popping up everywhere because people are now beginning to see its advantages, on top of its use as a sales tool. Digital poster frames cans be applied in educational facilities, hospitals, churches, libraries, and more. With their ability to display a wide range of informative content in a constantly changing format, digital signage is fast replacing printed media. Spend some time to learn what they have to offer in order to select one that is right for you and your establishment's application.
