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Keeping current with digital signage trends just got easier. Welcome to CE labs', The Connection. Your source for the latest in digital signage news and information.
Digital Signage: Say What!? 
Terminology Explored
 
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Have you ever been confused by the convoluted terminology used in the digital signage industry? Do you feel like just when you begin to grasp the lingo it's suddenly archaic? If so, don't worry; you're not alone.
 
As digital signage evolves, so does the terminology. Our feature, "Digital Signage Say What!?" seeks to demystify complicated and redundant terms and offer a single, simple definition.
 
This month's featured terminology is
"Digital Signage"

Digital Signage, also known as: 

Narrowcasting / Narrowcast Networks
Dynamic Digital Signage (DDS)
Electronic Digital Signage (EDS)
Electronic Merchandising Solutions (EMS)
Screen Media / Place Based Media
Digital Merchandising
Digital Media Networks
Captive Audience Networks (CAN)
Out-of-home advertising
Slivercasting

Digital signage, simply defined:

Electronic displays installed in public spaces to entertain, inform or advertise.
 
Content and messages displayed on digital signs, typically with the goal of delivering targeted messages to specific locations at specific times.

Video or multimedia content is displayed in public places for informational or advertising purposes.
 
A digital sign usually consists of a computer, digital media or playback device connected to a large, bright digital screen such as an LCD or plasma display.

Can be animated and can deliver sound as well as visual content. 

The transmission of video programming to targeted audience, often through relatively inexpensive means like streaming video over high-speed connections.
 
Join us next month for another installment of "Digital Signage: Say What!?" where we simplify industry terminology.
Industry Quick Tip: When seeking a professional installer, also known as systems integrator, for your digital signage system, it is best to explore your options. Speak with multiple installers, ask questions and get written estimates.
Hot Spot: CE labs Offers Special Pricing on High Grade Cables

High Grade Component Cables
 
Five-wire commercial grade component cables. Low capacitance, high grade RCA connector with double shielding for ultimate performance.
Ready to make "The Connection?"
Test your memory and complete the crossword. Good luck!
 
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CE labs® to Feature Digital Signage Showcase

 

 

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Garland, TX. April 18, 2008 - CE labs® is now featuring a digital signage showcase via website.


As digital signage gains mainstream appeal, companies are beginning to understand the importance of content. CE labs® will now feature a digital signage showcase on their website to help companies visualize what a successful campaign can look like.

The showcase allows companies to view successfully deployed digital signage campaigns in real time. Companies will be able to see how a print advertising campaign can be repurposed to dynamic digital signage.
 
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.: In This Issue :.
Digital Signage:Say What!?
Hot Spot: Special Pricing on High Grade Cables
CE labs® to Feature Digital Signage Showcase
Multi-layering:It's not your mama's bean dip!
4 Things to Look For in Component Cables

Multi-layering: It's not your mama's bean dip!

by Katy R. Dailey
 
When I first heard the word "multi-layering" my mother's famous layered bean dip came to mind. My mouth began to water. As the conversation with our engineering department continued, I realized we were talking about a new technology, not a mid-afternoon snack.
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Then what is multi-layering? A good visual starting point is CNN®. If you have ever watched a live CNN® news broadcast, you have experienced multi-layering. Your television screen is divided into multiple zones displaying various content simultaneously.
 
A typical CNN® screenshot has live news coverage, a scrolling headline along the bottom of the screen next to the current time and ad space or station identification. Screenshots change to accommodate the news. For instance, a financial segment may feature a scrolling stock ticker and the days opening or closing numbers.
 
Multi-layering in digital signage is very similar. With this new technology, your digital signage can be more than a single, simple image on a screen. You now have the capabilities of playing video and web-browser content simultaneously.
 
Multi-layering allows you to play HD video, advertisement banners and news information on the same screen (separate HTTP server required).
 
There are many benefits to multi-layering in the context of digital signage. Being able to feature both web and video simultaneously adds to the appeal of your campaign. With a variety of web and video information playing, attracting and maintaining your target audience becomes easier. Reach a wider demographic with a variety of displayed content.
 
Another benefit of multi-layering is the ability to sell ad-space. Increase the profitability of your digital signage campaign by selling revenue generating advertising.
 
Debuting in June 2008, our MP400A HD digital media player will feature a multi-layering option. For more information, please contact Mike Shaw, Vice President of Sales at 800.767.6189
 
 
Your Media Here.
Get your message out there. Contact CE labs® for all your digital signage needs.
digital signage basics
As important as your digital signage hardware, yet often overlooked, are component cables. Don't jeopardize the visual quality of your campaign by selecting poor quality cables. Follow the guidelines below to ensure your campaign is viewed in the highest picture quality available.

 

1. Low Capacitance 

Cables should use a large diameter 75 ohm video rated coax. They have extremely low capacitance compared to others on the market. A low capacitance component cable enables the transmission of high speed signals to be achieved with less impact to the signal. The lower the capacitance, the higher the bandwidth and the less likely the chance of distortion from reflections. A higher bandwidth cable allows for a better quality signal at the display.

 

2. Commercial Grade Quality

Commercial grade generally references a higher quality cable with better construction. The larger cables not only allow lower capacitance, they are more rugged and tend to last longer than consumer grade.

 

3. Higher Grade RCA Connector

A higher grade RCA connector will stay seated, or connected, in demanding commercial environments.
 
 

4. Shielding

Shielded cables are essential to quality video distribution. Economy cables will have either foil or a partial copper braid shield. Double shielded cables offer commercial quality results with a layer of foil and a fully shielded copper braid. Shielding allows you to run cables with less chance of interference from outside sources. A shielded cable makes it less susceptible to external noise sources.

 
For more information on high quality, five wire component cables ranging from three to one-hundred feet, contact us at
800.767.6189
Click below to subscribe to The Connection. Your digital signage information source.
 
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We thank you for making last months' debut of The Connection a success. We appreciated your encouraging feedback and look forward to hearing from you again. Please let us know what you think about the May 2008 edition of The Connection.
 
Were the articles relevant and timely? Did you have an interest you would like to read about? Drop us a line so we can better serve you in our next edition.
 
See you next month.
 
Sincerely,
 

Mike Shaw
CE labs®