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The NEC Digital Signage Solution.

THE NEC DIGITAL SIGNAGE SOLUTION

There are many components that make up a digital signage solution. Other companies offering a complete solution make up their offering from a number of different brands/manufacturers. You purchase the system, it gets installed and then you�re on your own. Imagine if something goes wrong � you don�t know what piece of that solution has failed. Was it the panel, was it the PC or is it the connection. Who do you call?

Finally, one company completes the loop in digital signage technology. NEC offer a complete end-to-end digital signage solution, all available under the one brand - from the hardware, software to the broadband distribution, NEC have it covered.

Often businesses are forced into change by rapidly changing techonology. At NEC, our focus is to understand how you work and what you would like to achieve, and customise a solution that�s right for you.

And, as technology and your business needs further evolve, these solutions can be built upon to provide the desired impact and business results that you require.

A successful digital signage solution is made up of a number of necessary components. NEC is able to provide one or all of these elements to complete your digital signage requirements:

1. SOFTWARE
2. HARDWARE
3. DISTRIBUTION

1. SOFTWARE:

NEC PanelDirector is scheduling software, used to manage, schedule and distribute your content. It comes in both Standard and Professional versions, depending on the size of your digital signage system system and your business requirements.

2. HARDWARE:

1. Flat Panel Displays - NEC have years of experience in providing digital display solutions to a number of digital signage environments. With an award winning range of LCD, Plasma and DLP Projector technology solutions, NEC provide users with a diverse range of options to help them see their digital world more clearly and support them in achieving their goals.

a. LCD Information Displays � These large-screen LCD displays take your digital signage applications to a new level of performance. With the built-in Digital Signage Technology Suite (DSTS), 20+ advanced features to meet your needs now and in the future, these displays attract an audience while making your job easier.

b. Plasma Commercial Displays - Equip your video-intensive applications with the NEC PlasmaSync Professional Series, large-screen plasma displays that bring moving images to life with amazing detail and rich color. Available in 42", 50" and 60" screen sizes with optional speakers and stand, these displays are ideal for digital signage applications.

c. DLP Projectors � NEC�s large venue DLP projectors provide bright and clear images with high ANSI lumens, vertical and horizontal lens shift allowing flexible projector placement and 5 optional bayonet style lenses making it the perfect choice for extended use installation projects. They provides a suite of networking technologies and asset management features making it the perfect choice for the most demanding digital signage installations.

Plasma vs LCD � Which is the Better Technology?

Both plasma and LCD have their strengths and weaknesses and choosing the right technology is dependant upon your application. In an environment where video is the primary source the recommendation would be Plasma. Plasma technology has far superior colour reproduction, providing extra shades of red, green and blue. Plasma is also equipped to handle contrast more efficiently, assuring your black levels are sharper in darker scenes. At present plasma is still the less expensive technology (inch for inch) in a commercial grade panel, as this technology is more mature than LCD.

Plasma does have its down falls though. Burn in is still a concern, though this has improved over the years. However, if you leave a static image on a Plasma panel for a long period of time, especially if that image is bright, it can permanently burn into the panel - the panel is then non-repairable. NEC plasmas have six anti burn-in features available through the on-screen management system. These can be set to activate at sporadic times that suit you and the content you are running. It can be, however, an interruption to the person viewing the screen.

Plasma is also a heavier technology than LCD, with the average 42� plasma weighing in at approx 42kg and 40� LCD at 29kgs.

LCD Technology is fast becoming the technology of choice for digital signage for any application that is displaying PC based content:

LCD is a more robust technology, which is a definite advantage if the product is in a remote location - as the administrator you do not want to be worrying about how the content will affect the life span of the panel. Eg Passenger information in airports or on railway stations or in shopping centres running advertising.

LCD displays tend to have a less reflective screen, making it the better choice for environments where there is a lot of ambient light.

LCD pricing has dramatically decreased over the last year and is now considered a more reliable and cost effective solution, when comparing the life of the panels (TCO)

The key to choosing the right technology in a Digital Signage system is to look at location, type of content, daily running hours, support requirements, what sort of control is required over the screens and the connectivity. The last thing to remember is that an environment where your panels will be running more than 5 hours a day, no matter whether you choose plasma or LCD technology, you need a commercial grade panel. Commercial grade panels are designed for 24/7 applications and warranted as such. The lure of a consumer grade LCD or plasma, because of the lower initial price tag, may be frought with problems, down the track � they are not designed for the extended usage hours required in a digital signage application.

The key things to look for in your commercial panels are:

1.    Ventilation
2.    Solid metal housing
3.    Thermal cooling system with two thermostats top and bottom to regulate the heat
4.    Dual RS232 controls
5.    Commercial panel and components
6.    High brightness and contrast capabilities
7.    Be warranted the same in landscape and portrait mode
8.    Cable comp � to eliminate signal strength over long cable lenghts.
9.    Detailed level of on-screen management capabilities, particularly over the colours
10. Tile Matrix for video wall applications.

2. Media Player � The NEC Digital Signage Media Players form an integral part of the NEC Digital Signage Solution, having been designed to fit neatly and discreetly within your flat panel digital signage installation. A mounting kit is included for easy attachment direct to the back of your flat panel or to a wall. But don�t be fooled by their compact size�these players pack quite a formidable punch, being compatible with virtually any display resolution, including full high definition (1920x1080). The NEC digital signage players are also fanless, so won�t interrupt accompanying audio or create any background white noise but most importantly, provides greatly increased reliability � a must for any 24/7 digital signage system.

a.  Pentium M 1.4GHz up to 2.0GHz
b.  40GB Hard Drive (large capacities available)
c.  512MB RAM, upgradeable to 1GB
d.  Wide range of inputs � VGA, DVI, Composite
e.  Support virtually any display resolution
f.   RS232C Serial control
g.  10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
h.  Compact size, 243 x 77 x 213mm (WxHxD)

3. PC�s - NEC offers a complete range of notebook and desktop computers. Whether you need a networking space, or a powerful stand-alone working station, NEC are able to provide the ultimate computing solution. NEC has always taken pride in ensuring that its desktops & notebook computers adhere to stringent quality, reliability and safety standards. All products are subject to various industry standard tests and assessments right from the development stages through the manufacturing processes. Standard product tests and assessments are conducted in the following areas: Product Safety; Surface Temperature Rise; Insulation Resistance and Endurance and Current Leakage. Additional quality and reliability tests are being done on the major components in functional areas which include: LCD Latch Open/Close; Connector Insert/ Remove; AC Connector Endurance; Keyboard Durability; Connector Caps Open/Close and Bay Unit Insert/ Remove.

4. Servers � NEC ExpressServers are the ideal choice for your digital signage network. A single moment in downtime is not an option in today�s business environment � system administrators must therefore must focus their efforts on minimizing risk of downtime and keeping systems up and running. Featuring a chipset designed to ensure the physically replicated main components operate in lockstep, the Intel Architecture-based NEC Express5800/ft series can operate through a hardware failure and delivers exceptional availability�the choice for supreme reliability.

a.  Reliability - replicated main components eliminate potential failure points to ensure continuous processing without any system interruption or

loss of data should a primary component fail. Users can then replace the failed component while the system is running.
b. Flexibility � The NEC Express5800 series supports Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 and Linux, and allows users to run middleware and applications

     without modification, making it easy to deploy a system with outstanding availability.
c.  CPU � Dual Core Intel Xeon Processor up to 2.4GHz
d.  Memory � available up to 12GB
e.  Hard Disc Drive � available up to 900GB

3. DISTRIBUTION:

You can distribute content anywhere in the world via a wide range of networks, or, run content offline using a small USB memory stick. The NEC system will work seamlessly with your existing network or NEC can offer a suite of affordable broadband technology services, otherwise reserved for the 'big end' of town � the NEC TLAN:

a. Cost Effective - the NEC TLAN (Transparent LAN) allows connection of customers into a flexible, secure and private broadband network, providing a cost

effective way of implementing a business-grade Wide Area Network. No additional charges = greater cost efficiency � there are no additional charges for data

traffic between business locations within a TLAN network. With the flat-rate TLAN monthly service charge, customers enjoy a predictable cost base for their

communications.

b. Reliability - the TLAN is a private network based upon 2 virtual LAN (VLAN) technology. The logic-based VLAN technology is secure, reliable and allows IP

layer independence for customers.

c. Wide Access & Coverage - the NEC TLAN operates over a wide range of access technologies including DSL, ISDN/PSTN, Leased Line and Ethernet to provide

a tailored bandwidth solution with coverage to almost any location in Australia.

	Digital Signage Hardware

	Digital Signage Software