What is Digital Signage?

Here is a definition straight from the source of all definitions: Wikipedia.

“Digital signage is a sub-segment of electronic signage. Digital displays use technologies such as LCD, LED, projection and e-paper to display digital images, video, web pages, weather data, restaurant menus, or text. They can be found in public spaces, transportation systems, museums, stadiums, retail stores, hotels, restaurants and corporate buildings etc., to provide wayfinding, exhibitions, marketing and outdoor advertising. They are used as a network of electronic displays that are centrally managed and individually addressable for the display of text, animated or video messages for advertising, information, entertainment and merchandising to targeted audiences.”

In a simple configuration, the Signage Media Player (SMP) is usually mounted near or behind a HD display.  The SMP connects to the Internet as would any other computer or device using a wired or wireless connection.  That connection allows any computer on that network to configure, style, and update the digital sign.

In a more complex network, several Signage Media Players (SMPs) are usually mounted near or behind HD displays.  The SMPs connect to the Internet as would any other computer or device using a wired or wireless connection.  That connection allows the SMP to talk back to a Content Management Server (CMS) which allows a user with computer on that network to configure, style, and update multiple digital signs.

On screen, the viewers can be presented with content full-screen, or in multiple “zones”.  Each zone can show images, animation, HTML, video, text-based tickers, and other multimedia content.