Rave Computer Announces New Small Form Factor System and Vehicle PC at MILCOM 2009

Posted on Oct 30, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

Rave Computer today unveiled two new aluminum fanless small form factor computer systems, one “green” PC, designed specifically for low power commercial applications and one MIL-SPEC-810F for rugged environments. These products were revealed during the MILCOM 2009 exhibition.

RCT 1610 Aluminum Fanless Computer System

Versatile and radically thin, the RCT1610 Small Form Factor computer is a fanless, low-profile system designed around the new Intel D945GSEJT motherboard.

Sturdy and compact, the RCT1610 offers a variety of mounting and display options. It is excellent for nettop, industrial control, and light digital signage applications as well as point of sale, kiosk and thin client applications.

The Rave RCT1610 features a lightweight , fanless, ultra-slim case. It allows enough space for a 2.5″ notebook HDD and offers optional wi-fi capability. The case can either stand upright or lie flat, or it can be VESA-mounted to the back of an LCD screen. Both mounting options are included as standard equipment.

“Rave is committed to offering innovative system designs that keep the diverse requirements of our customers in mind,” said Karl Rosenberger, Product Development Manager, Rave Computer. “That’s just what you see with our versatile small form factor computers. The RCT1610 is designed for users demanding affordable yet stylish internet-centric or low power computing solutions.”

Product Features include:

* Intel Atom N270 processor
* Supports up to 2GB of DDR2 memory
* Ideal for Internet, POS, kiosk and thin client applications
* Multiple display interface connections (VGA, DVI-D, USB)
* Wireless b/g option available utilizing PCI Express mini Card slot
* Solid State and SATA II Disk Options
* VESA-compatible holster included for wall- or monitor-mounting
* 12V DC power input (120VAC external power supply included)
* 7″W x 1.5″H x 7″D

RCV 6100 Aluminum Fanless Vehicle Computer System

The RCV 6100 system is a rugged MIL-SPEC-810F in-vehicle computer for use in any car, truck, boat or any other 6 to 36VDC application.

Compact, durable, and flexible by design, this system allows users to easily meet varying requirements and features an extremely wide operating temperature range, due to the extremely low power consumption of the Intel Atom processor.

The RCV 6100 design is in compliance with the eMark vehicle industrial standard. The RCV 6100 boasts an incredibly wide range of features such as power ignition delay control, low-power protection and SMBus connection, meeting in-vehicle operation requirements.

The GPS function enables driver navigation applications which can be used to optimize fleet management. Optional 802.11b/g/n, 3.5G, and Bluetooth availability make the RCV 6100 ready for wider wireless network coverage and ready to accommodate future trends. Multiple display connections make the RCV 6100 an ideal choice for in-vehicle signage applications as well.

Additional peripherals are available, such as anti-shock/vibration mounting kits, a smart battery backup option, an IP60 kit for dust and splash resistance, and a radio frequency kit.

Product Features include:

* Built-in Intel Atom N270 processor
* Availability of GSM/GPRS/WCDMA/HSDPA/GPS
* e13 Mark Certification
* External smart battery back up support
* One 2.5″ SATA II HDD & One CF
* 6~36V DC power input
* One PCI-104 Expansion Slot
* Multiple display interface connections (VGA, DVI-D and LVDS)
* 10.24″W x 1.97″H x 7″D

For a complete list of product specifications, download Rave’s RCT1610 and RCV6100 at:

* http://www.rave.com/docs/rugged/RCV6100.pdf
* http://www.rave.com/docs/general/RCT1610.pdf  - Rave Computer

Source:  Zikkir.com

Digital Signage and the Funeral Home

Posted on Oct 23, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

Mike Manley of Funeral Business Advisor has a unique approach to improving and personalizing the funeral home experience for people:

Sony’s 360-degree 3D Display Prototype

Posted on Oct 21, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

Slippery Brick gives us the scoop on Sony’s 360-degree 3D display prototype!

Like everyone else, right now Sony has a thing for 3D. They have big plans for putting the technology into your living room as soon as possible. The first application will be applied to the flat screen TV, but Sony is looking at all kinds of other ways to bring you glorious 3D. Take this small prototype for instance.

This thing will be revealed at Tokyo’s Digital Content EXPO 2009 on Thursday. It’s a 13 x 27-cm device with a stereoscopic, 24-bit color image

measuring just 96 × 128 pixels, viewable at 360-degrees without special glasses. If this prototype ever becomes a reality, Sony sees its commercial use in digital signage or medical imaging and of course, as a 3D photo frame.

We’ll keep you posted.

[Engadget]

HP Touchsmart Makes Digital Signage Easier!

Posted on Oct 16, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

Pixware.net has the scoop on HP’s new TouchSmart All-in-ones and Tx2 updates:

HP was ahead of the touch game even before Windows 7’s finger friendliness, so it makes sense that the crazy computer maker decided to take after fluffy bunnies and breed lots of touch PCs.

In time for Windows 7’s launch, HP will release three new TouchSmart all-in-ones. The 20-inch TouchSmart 300 and the 23-inch TouchSmart 600 (check out Mark’s full review) both have infrared multitouch displays. The TouchSmart family PC solution that has been so popular in kitchens and living rooms, now has a business friendly twin. Yes, even business owners need the 23-inch TouchSmart 9100 which is anticpated to be used in store fronts and retail locations.

HP completes the multitouch family with its smaller and more portable 12-inch HP Tx2 laptop. Like the original, it has a capacitive screen with a convertible hinge. You can use both a finger and a pen on the screen. HP is also experimenting with a non-convertible touchscreen laptop and will offer the HP dv3 with a touchscreen in select markets.

The biggest update to the all-in-ones and the Tx2 laptop is the interface. HP continues to put its TouchSmart user interface on top of Windows 7 and it is one of the best I have seen. The new stuff comes in the way of applications; there are now loads of new third party applications, including Hulu, Twitter and Netflix. The interface is as smooth as a baby’s bottom and the main set of tiles fan across the screen and you can easily flick to toggle them. Again, check out the full review of the TouchSmart 600 to get a glimpse of how it really works. HP may just have a method to its touch madness. [HP]

HP Unveils New Multitouch PCs and Display
Company debuts its first fully interactive, 42-inch, high-definition digital signage touch display

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 13, 2009 – Building upon its nearly 30-year history of touch innovation, HP today launched the next era of multitouch computing for consumers and businesses.

Among the new products, HP introduced three touch-enabled HP TouchSmart PCs and its first fully interactive, 42-inch diagonal, high-definition (HD) digital signage touch display, the HP LD4200tm.

“Since the launch of the first TouchSmart PC nearly three years ago, we’ve worked closely with a growing number of software companies and independent vendors to develop built-for-touch applications that give consumers and businesses rich interactive multimedia experiences,” said James Mouton, senior vice president and general manager, Desktop Global Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. “These collaborations have helped to make HP touch computing the most advanced touch experience in the market today.”

New consumer HP TouchSmart PCs packed with exclusive touch applications
HP now offers a choice of 20- or 23-inch diagonal widescreen consumer HP TouchSmart PCs – the HP TouchSmart 300 and HP TouchSmart 600. Each features a sleek, award-winning design that integrates either a stunning HD-capable or HD widescreen display with a multitouch enabled screen.

Users can simply pinch, rotate, arc, flip, press or drag a finger across the screen of the PC to access information, entertainment and social networks in a natural, intuitive way. Though accompanied by a wireless keyboard and mouse, new 16:9 widescreen tiles make multimedia, social media and other applications a rich and engaging touch experience.

The new consumer HP TouchSmart PCs feature exclusive built-for-touch applications(1) including:
• Hulu Desktop to provide quick access to Hulu’s vast library of hit TV shows, movies and video clips. Users can browse, search and watch their favorite comedies, dramas, sci-fi and web-original shows from nearly 200 leading content companies. Users with Hulu.com accounts also can access their queue, subscriptions and viewing history.
• A touch-enabled Netflix application delivers thousands of full-screen TV episodes and movies that are streamed from Netflix over the Internet. Using HP’s signature fan view, Netflix members can instantly watch a move from their Instant Queue on the PC or remove a movie from their Queue via touch. Netflix members also can rent DVD and Blu-ray discs as well as edit and manage their Netflix accounts using the application. A two-week free Netflix trial is available to all TouchSmart users in the United States.
• Twitter, a free social networking and micro-blogging service, makes it easy to catch up with family, friends and colleagues with the touch of a finger.
• With Rhapsody as the engine, the new HP Music Store gives users streaming, on-demand access to 8 million songs delivered to the new TouchSmart PC. Customers who subscribe to Rhapsody can enjoy favorite artists, create playlists or just sit back and listen. Non-members can enjoy a free 14-day trial.
• Pandora Internet radio is now touch enabled for a free personalized music experience to find new music based on old and current favorites.
• TouchSmart RecipeBox lets aspiring chefs discover, explore and keep track of recipes saved from multiple websites and cook with a hands-free experience via voice commands.
• TouchSmart Live TV allows quick access for watching and recording live, local TV. Customers can set recordings in advance of their airing via an electronic programming guide.
• TouchSmart Canvas allows customers to organize their photos on a virtual canvas to quickly and easily create photo collages using touch to edit and rotate photos.
• TouchSmart Link allows the transfer of photos and images taken by a mobile device to the TouchSmart PC via Bluetooth® wireless technology.

Customers with previous TouchSmart PC models who upgrade to Windows 7 through the HP Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program will receive software with some of these new touch applications.

A new swivel stand and tilt webcam(1) increase users’ ability to share and collaborate around the HP TouchSmart, which also can easily be wall mounted (with optional wall bracket accessory). All models meet ENERGY STAR® 5.0 requirements.

Some models of the HP TouchSmart 600 easily connect to gaming consoles, including Xbox, PlayStation and Wii, via HDMI or composite video ports.

World’s first multitouch consumer notebooks now better than ever
For those whose active lives demand a device for note capture, entertainment, communication and robust computing that’s easy to carry, the HP TouchSmart tx2 notebook PC delivers. The HP TouchSmart tx2 combines powerful computing with tablet PC capabilities and entertainment features in an attractive design light enough to go anywhere.

With multitouch support within HP MediaSmart, the HP TouchSmart tx2 is the first notebook PC for consumers that enables the use of two fingers to navigate HP’s entertainment applications. The HP TouchSmart tx2 features most of the same touch applications as the HP TouchSmart PC as well as exclusive touch-enabled games and Corel® Painter Sketch Pad for creating digital art.

The HP TouchSmart tx2 weighs 4.65 pounds,(2) features a 12.1-inch diagonal WGXA HD HP LED widescreen integrated touch-screen convertible display, AMD Turion™ dual-core processors(3) and a glossy HP Imprint finish with titanium color “Reaction” pattern.

The convertible design with a twist hinge allows consumers to enjoy the HP TouchSmart tx2 in three modes: PC, display and tablet. With a rechargeable digital ink pen, users can turn the HP TouchSmart tx2 into a tablet PC to write, sketch, draw, take notes or graph right onto the screen – and then automatically convert handwriting into typed text.

Business HP TouchSmart drives new customer interactions, business models
The industry’s only full-featured, all-in-one, multitouch-enabled business PC, the HP TouchSmart 9100 Business PC provides real-time information, videoconferencing capabilities(4) and multimedia features in a 23-inch diagonal full HD(5) widescreen display.

The HP business TouchSmart is enabling a more interactive, compelling customer experience at businesses such as bridal retailer Priscilla of Boston for luxury dress concierge service, St. Louis Oncology for medical filing, the NBA’s Detroit Pistons for instant replays and food, and hotels such as Sheraton and Marriott to provide enhanced customer lobby experiences.

New business models are emerging with the HP TouchSmart 9100. Digital Aisle, an interactive shopper solutions company, is bringing “virtual sales assistants” to life using HP’s interactive touch screens. The Digital Aisle’s Virtual Bartender uses HP TouchSmart technology to help people plan parties, print and email recipes, and learn expert bartending tips. This interactive point-of-purchase tool has been deployed to independent and chain retailers across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

An array of new enhancements on the HP TouchSmart 9100 include:
• DVI output, enabling customers to connect to their full HD format displays and projectors
• Configure-to-order options designed to meet the needs of businesses, including a choice of genuine Microsoft Windows® 7 32-bit or 64-bit operating system,(6) processors, optical drives, hard drives, solid state drives, Kensington locks, HP Protect Tools and HP BIOS to enable USB ports and SATA device lock down, and retasking of button controls for custom kiosk configurations
• Optional wall mount adapter attaches the HP TouchSmart to a VESA wall mount or a VESA-compatible articulating arm
• U.S. Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant – HP TouchSmart 9100 configure-to-order units comply with TAA requirements(7)
• Premium performance with a powerful Intel® Core™2 Duo processor,(8) Genuine Windows 7 Professional, up to eight gigabytes (GB) of memory,(9) up to a 500 GB hard drive or an optional 64 GB solid state drive,(10) and a trial version of Microsoft® Office(11)
• NVIDIA GeForce G200 integrated graphics or upgrade to NVIDIA GeForce GT230 discrete graphics using the Mobile Express Module (MXM) graphics slot
• New standard onsite warranty providing next-day(12) business servicing
• FireWire® output for quick and easy transfer of digital files, photos and videos from a wide variety of IEEE94-compatible peripheral devices
• Optional wireless keyboard and mouse
• Optional Blu-ray combo optical(13) disk drive

The HP TouchSmart for business is a space- and energy-saving portal for businesses. Its ENERGY STAR qualified and EPEAT® Silver registered design uses 55 percent less metal and 37 percent less plastic than standard PCs and monitors. With the easy-to-use HP Power Manager tool, companies also can configure their individual PC power settings to save energy without interfering with the PC’s ability to perform.

Businesses shine with HP’s first fully interactive, 42-inch, HD digital signage display.  The HP LD4200tm is a 42-inch diagonal, sleek black digital signage built to fit in trendy indoor environments, such as kiosks, retail, point of sale, shopping malls, travel terminals, hotel lobbies, recreational venues, universities, stock exchanges and hospitals.

It features infrared technology, which recognizes multitouch gestures for onscreen interaction in 1,920 x 1,080 full HD native resolution to provide stunning views of video, graphics or text in both bright and dim lighting. In addition, an ultra-wide 178 x 178 degree viewing angle enables observation from almost any angle and, unlike TV screens, the HP LD4200tm is built to run 24/7 with low power usage while maintaining longevity. It also comes with a standard three-year limited warranty.

Pricing and availability
• The HP TouchSmart 300 starts at $899 and is expected to be available Nov. 1.
• The HP TouchSmart 600 starts at $1,049 and is expected available Oct. 22.
• The HP TouchSmart tx2 starts at $799 and is expected to be available Oct. 22.
• The HP TouchSmart 9100 starts at $1,299 and is expected to be available in December.
• The HP LD4200tm 42-inch widescreen LCD monitor starts at $2,799 and is expected to be available in December.

ESPN unveils interactive digital signage game to promote Monday Night Football

Posted on Oct 14, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

Digital Signage Today.com ’s Bill Yackey has the scoop about ESPN’s new Monday Night Football digital signage GAME!  While you’re on their site, be sure to watch the video about it!

ESPN is creating buzz around Monday Night Football’s 40th season by allowing millions of pedestrians the chance to play on an NFL field using interactive signage.
ESPN is promoting the football season by creating an interactive digital signage experience that allows anyone walking past the displays to engage in a one-on-one challenge with a selected quarterback. The goal of the street-level game is to catch as many footballs as possible, and high scoring game players are able to submit their scores in real-time and see how they measure up to users in other cities.

The quarterback selection capability is paired with real-time updates and shows a countdown to next Monday’s game.

To present ESPN with this digital experience, Monster Media teamed up with Wieden & Kennedy and MacDonald Media. Each display uses the combination of four technologies, including: touchscreen activation, full-body responsive user tracking, real-time application, and a gaming function.

The displays are strategically located in highly-trafficked areas in New York, Boston and Chicago. Users are drawn to the displays by static signage surrounding an interactive custom LCD wall that entices users to approach the unit and interact with the game.

ONELAN Digital Signage and Streaming Underpins Communication Strategy for University of Bedfordshire

Posted on Oct 12, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

NewswireToday – /newswire/ – Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, 10/05/2009 – Digital signage has been in use at the University of Bedfordshire for some time, with standalone units installed in different departments. The objective of this project was to bring all the existing digital signage together and expand in future.

The University of Bedfordshire was established in August 2006 by order of the Privy Council and comprises five campuses, three within Luton, one at Bedford and one based in Aylesbury. There are 20,000 staff and students from over 100 different countries at the University creating a very diverse environment. With planned developments valued at over £134m spread over the next few years the University is an exciting and vibrant place to be now and in the future.

Project objectives
Digital signage has been in use at the University of Bedfordshire for some time, with standalone units being installed in different departments. The objective of this project was to bring all the existing digital signage together and to provide for future expansion: the University is currently investing £35 million in a new campus centre where digital signage will play a key part in the communication strategy.

Any new digital signage needed to successfully network with the existing infrastructure and the previous installations. The University was also keen to ensure corporate branding was used across all five campus locations, to create a professional look.

Digital signage content
Of particular importance was the requirement to show the appropriate content on each screen, targeted at the local audience, while retaining the corporate ‘look’ to each screen. For example the screen installed in the Business School foyer needs to show welcome messages and Business School specific information.

With units installed in 17 different departments the digital signage needs to be easy to use by many different people, both technical and non-technical, as they are very content hungry and need to be constantly updated. The systems also need to be easy to set up, and quick to manage.

How to do it
ONELAN’s Net-Top-Boxes (NTBs) were chosen as the Digital Signage solution, due to their ease of use and their ability to apply highly customised layout designs, so anyone on the university staff can contribute without fear of problems. To reach an audience base of 20,000 students and staff, the screen layout flexibility and scheduling were of utmost importance. The ONELAN NTBs allow a screen to be divided into different Zones, which allow different media formats such as Live TV feeds, RSS feeds, animations, still images and audio.

The University wanted a scalable system, particularly with the new campus centre in mind, and ONELAN fitted the bill.

What is installed
One main publisher NTB supplies content for 17 subscriber Century 610 NTBs. These are located in the main Foyer, in the Park Square campus, the Learning Resource Centres on the Luton and Bedford campuses, reception areas in Butterfield Park, Buckinghamshire and Putteridge Bury campuses as well as various other social spaces.

IPTV OMNI-SERVER
One of the key aspects of the project was the installation of an Omni-Server. Originally the University required an ‘off air’ recording solution for the academic staff to use. With the Omni-Server, they are now able not only to do this, but also link into the digital signage network. This provide the screens with live TV feeds for news and educational TV channels across the network infrastructure without the need to run additional RF cabling, thereby keeping additional costs to a minimum.

How the digital signage is being used
A wide variety of content is being utilised including public content such as a TV feed showing BBC News and Sky News, XML feeds for local weather and news, as well as University news and events. An XML feed from the Association of Train Operating Companies is planned. This will deliver up-to-date timetable information for Bedford and Luton stations to help promote sustainable transport options.

The signage is also used for department specific information, such as information for registration and Open Days, and content throughout the university.

End result – end user feedback
Integration with the university’s existing networks has been straightforward.
Feedback has been very positive: staff like the look of the content.

ONELAN (onelandigitalsignage.com) develops network appliances for standalone and end-to-end Digital Signage network solutions. The Net-Top-Box is a multimedia, multi-zoned solution capable of displaying stored media and live media e.g RSS feeds, webpages and broadcast or locally streamed TV. With a browser based user interface, the system is fully multi-lingual including all main European languages. Further members of the product family cater for Enterprise network management, Touch applications and integration with external data sources.

ONELAN’s NTBs are now installed in a wide variety of organisations such as retail, schools, hospitals, and government buildings, as well as some well-known corporates such as ING, Vodafone, Virgin Holidays and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Idaho State University Adds ‘Spudvision’ to Holt Arena

Posted on Oct 9, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

From the Daktronics.com website, we learn that Idaho State University has joined the digital signage crowd with “Spudvision” from Daktronics:

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Sept. 25, 2009 – Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, recently chose Daktronics Inc. (Nasdaq-DAKT) of Brookings, S.D., to design, manufacture and install a new light emitting diode (LED) video display for Holt Arena, home of Bengal football and basketball.

“The new video display works out perfectly for the existing scoreboard that we’ve got,” ISU’s Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey said. “We’re very excited about the opportunities it will provide us. This is a big one for recruiting. Every student athlete wants to play a game and score a touchdown or make an interception and look up and see the replay. It’s a way of life these days, and it’s something that we needed very much.”

The new 16 mm video display, nicknamed “SpudVision” because of the funding from the Idaho Potato Commission, measures almost 12 feet high by 15 feet wide. This video display uses the latest Daktronics industry-leading HD-X technology. The high resolution of the video display will make it better than many of the displays in surrounding schools, according to Tingey.

This Daktronics HD-X display features LED pixels on 16 mm pixel spacing. They are ideal for applications requiring a wide viewing angle, ensuring every fan has a great view of the action on the field.

Daktronics LED video and messaging display technology offers a long lifetime with minimal maintenance and low power consumption, providing value and excitement for years to come.

About ISU’s Holt Arena

Holt Arena was built in 1970 entirely by voluntary student fee increases. It is the oldest enclosed stadium on a college campus in the U.S. and the second-oldest overall. (The Houston Astrodome, completed in 1965, predates it.)

The arena was originally named the Mini Dome, but was renamed in 1988 to honor former ISU Athletic Director Milton W. “Dubby” Holt. The arena serves as the home field for the ISU football, indoor track and field and men’s basketball teams. It also hosts Idaho high school football games and other sporting events, rodeos and concerts.

About Daktronics Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is the world’s largest supplier of, large screen video displays, electronic scoreboards, computer-programmable displays, digital billboards, and control systems. The company excels in the control of large display systems, including those that require integration of multiple complex displays showing real-time information, graphics, animation and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world, in sport, business and transportation applications. For more information, visit the company’s World Wide Web site at: http://www.daktronics.com, e-mail the company at sales@daktronics.com, call (605) 697-4300 or toll-free (800) 325-8766 in the United States or write to the company at 331 32nd Ave. PO Box 5128 Brookings, S.D. 57006-5128. Safe Harbor StatementCautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended to enjoy the protection of that Act. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectation, including, but not limited to, changes in economic and market conditions, management of growth, timing and magnitude of future contracts, and other risks noted in the company’s SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2009 fiscal year. Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.

For more information contact: MEDIA RELATIONS: Mark Steinkamp Marketing Manager tel (605) 692-0200 e-mail Mark.Steinkamp@daktronics.com

Noventri Digital Signage Show 2009 Announced

Posted on Oct 7, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

ExhibitorOnLine.com gives us the scoop on Noventri’s Digital Signage Show:

9/24/2009 – Noventri, a digital signage solutions provider, announces The Noventri Digital Signage Show 2009 to be held on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Frederick, Maryland’s Delaplaine Visual Arts Center located on 40 North Carroll Street.

Contact:
judyh@noventri.com

Ninety Percent of Shoppers Polled Notice Adspace’s Smart Screens

Posted on Oct 5, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

PRNewswire.com has some some great news about Adspace’s Smart Screens:  People are paying attention!

NEW YORK, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Ninety percent of American shoppers notice Adspace Digital Mall Network’s Smart Screens located throughout 105 Class-A malls nationwide, said a study released today.

The findings also demonstrate that of that 90 percent who noticed the Smart Screens, 74 percent recalled viewing them, and of those viewers, 35 percent recalled viewing the “Today’s Top Ten” features. These features, Adspace’s editorial content, highlight the Adspace Personal Shoppers’ hand-selected ten best sales throughout the mall. Further, a full 18 percent of those shoppers made a purchase in the past month based on the information they saw on the screens.

As the leader in in-mall digital advertising, Adspace has 1,400 Smart Screens nationwide that display both advertising and editorial content. For this study, Adspace worked with General Growth Properties, the network’s largest mall partner, to query a panel of their mall club members. Via an online survey fielded by Insight Express, shoppers were asked to recall the screens’ content including the “Today’s Top Ten” features.

“We are constantly fielding research with mall shoppers to understand what network content they will find most engaging on the Smart Screens during their trip to the malls,” said William Ketcham, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Adspace Networks. “We know from prior research that sale information is the highest rated content, and found it particularly encouraging in this most recent study that 95 percent of all respondents felt that sale information is ‘extremely important’ or ‘very important,’ with very little variation among age or gender groups.”

Adspace has developed unique technology to deliver the “Today’s Top Ten” features, using a database of sale items to automatically populate the 12-second spots.

“Producing more than 1,000, 12-second spots each week isn’t practical, or scalable,” Mr. Ketcham continued, “Our patent-pending technology is critical to optimizing the consumer experience.”

Other key findings include:

* New sources of sale information are gaining traction, particularly among young females age 13-24. Digital screens in malls are used by 27 percent of women 13-24 for sale information and are rapidly approaching the level of newspapers and magazines at 33 percent each.
* Shoppers were asked what retailers they want to see in the “Today’s Top Ten” features on the Smart Screens and Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, J.C. Penney, Gap and American Eagle were the most popular stores.

How the study was conducted

Adspace Networks engaged Insight Express to interview a total of 978 General Growth Properties’ mall club members across 34 geographically dispersed malls in June 2009. Each had visited their local GGP mall at least twice in the past 30 days. Panelists were queried via email to take an online survey about their recent shopping experience.

About Adspace Networks, Inc.

Adspace Networks, Inc. (www.adspacenetworks.com) owns and operates the Adspace Digital Mall Network, the largest in-mall digital billboard network in the country. Currently located throughout more than 100 Class A malls across the United States, the network consists of 1,400, eight and nine-foot-tall plasma screens- called “Smart Screens.” The Smart Screens display show programming which combines a mix of the top ten sale items in the mall, the hottest seasonal items available, mall events, and local and national advertising. The network reaches over 100 million affluent (source: Directory of Major Malls(R)) consumers each month, and is particularly effective at reaching teens, young adults, and women. Adspace is also a charter member of the Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau (OVAB), an organization that will help provide standards and best practices for the burgeoning out-of-home video advertising industry.

CONTACT: Anne Donohoe/Charlotte Maumus
KCSA Strategic Communications
212.896.1261 / 212.896.1269
adonohoe@kcsa.com / cmaumus@kcsa.com

SOURCE Adspace Networks, Inc.

Audience.Campus™ Provides Effective Digital Signage Communication and Emergency Messaging for Educational Institutions

Posted on Sep 30, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

From Digital Signage.com:

Capital Networks Ltd (CNL), a leading global provider of broadcasting and dynamic digital signage software, has announced a new market initiative into the US Education sector. The Audience.Campus™ offering has been designed specifically for educational installations, enabling high schools, colleges and universities to improve communication with students across multi-site campuses, as well as within individual faculties or departments. The solution can run up to 100 channels simultaneously through a single deployment – which ensures that individual departments can control the content on their broadcasts and deliver hyper-local information like room schedules, or class notifications – all of which can be uploaded easily by staff or students.

And from Digital Signage Expo:

Audience.Campus, the latest offering from Capital Networks Ltd., focuses on providing educational facilities with all the tools needed to enhance campus communications and emergency messaging through digital signage.

According to the company, an increasing number of educational establishments hoping to create and display broadcast quality information and emergency channels on a limited budget are looking to take advantage of the Audience.Campus solution. Colleges already using the Audience software platform include Purdue University, Case Western Reserve University, University of Regina, and NAIT – Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. vendor to synchronize emergency messaging. As well as delivering a vast array of day-to-day information, a dynamic digital signage solution can save lives in emergencies by ensuring the students are aware of events and have real-time information about where they should go.”